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A  HISTORY  OF 
WILKES-BARRE 


LUZERNE  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 

FROM  ITS  FIRST  BEGINNINGS  TO  THE  PRESENT  TIME;  INCLUDING 
CHAPTERS  OF  NEWLY-DISCOVERED 

EARLY  WYOMING  VALLEY  HISTORY 

TOGETHER  WITH  MANY  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES  AND  MUCH 
GENEALOGICAL  MATERIAL 

BEGUN  BY 

OSCAR  JEWELL  HARVEY,  A.  M. 

Author  of  "A  History  of  Lodge  No.  61,  F.  &  A.  M  ","The  Harvey  Book", 
"A  History  of  Irem  Temple",  Etc. 

AND  COMPLETED  BY 

ERNEST  GRAY  SMITH,  M.  S.,  LL.  B. 

President  and  Editor  of  the  Wiukes-Barre  Times-Leader  


Illustrated  With  Many  Portraits,  Maps,  Facsimiles,  Original 
Drawings  and  Contemporary  Views 


VOLUME  VI 

BIOGRAPHICAL 

wiIkes-rarre,  pa. 

1930 


V.C 


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373 


LAURENCE  W.  BEVAN— One  of  the  very  suc- 
cessful business  and  professional  men  of  Wilkes-Barre 
is  Laurence  W.  Bevan,  vice-president  and  general  man- 
ager of  the  Hazard  Wire  Rope  Company,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre.  Mr.  Bevan  was  identified  with  the  former  Hazard 
Manufacturing  Company  from  March,  igij,  to  the  time 
of  its  reorganization  in  1927.  He  took  charge  as  engineer 
of  tests  for  the  company,  and  since  1925  filled  the  respon- 
sible official  and  executive  positions  of  vice-president  and 
general  manager.  He-is  a  graduate  of  the  Pennsylvania 
State  College,  and  was  formerly  in  the  employ  of  the 
Carnegie  Steel  Company. 

Rev.  I.  L.  Bevan,  father  of  Mr.  Bevan,  is  of  Welsh 
ancestry,  a  descendant  of  forebears  who  came  from 
Wales  to  this  country  about  a  century  ago.  He  is  a 
minister  of  the  Christian  and  Missionary  Alliance  of 
America,  a  man  of  ability  and  of  tine  Christian  char- 
acter. He  married  Alice  Foster,  and  they  make  their 
home  in  West  Pittston,  Pennsylvania.  They  are  the  par- 
ents of  four  children:  Robert  C,  who  is  a  salesman  in 
the  employ  of  the  Hazard  Wire  Rope  Company;  Paul 
T.,  a  salesman  in  the  employ  of  the  H.  B.  Schooley  and 
Company,  of  Wilkes-Barre;  Kenneth  F.,  who  is  associ- 
ated with  the  Matheuson  Automobile  Company,  at  Forty 
Fort,  Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania;  and  Laurence  W., 
of  further  mention. 

Laurence  W.  Bevan,  son  of  Rev.  L  L.  and  Alice 
(Foster)  Bevan,  was  born  in  West  Pittston,  Luzerne 
County,  Pennsylvania,  November  2,  1889,  and  spent  his 
early  boyhood  in  his  birthplace,  attending  the  local  pub- 
lic schools  and  then  continuing  his  study  in  Wyoming 
Seminary,  at  Kingston,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  completed 
his  course  with  graduation  in  1908.  He  then  matriculated 
in  the  Pennsylvania  State  College,  from  which  he  was 
giaduated  in  1912  with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Science. 
After  graduation  he  went  out  to  Voungstown.  Ohio, 
where  he  was  for  a  time  associated  with  the  Carnegie 
Steel  Company.  In  March,  1Q13,  he  returned  to  this 
State  and  located  in  Wilkes-Barre,  where  he  took  charge 
as  engineer  of  tests  for  the  Hazard  Manufacturing 
Company.  Here  he  remained,  giving  faithful  and  very 
efficient  service,  and  in  1925  he  was  made  general  man- 
ager of  the  business.  In  1927  he  was  made  vice-president 
and  general  manager,  and  since  reorganization  of  the 
company  he  retained  the  two  positions  as  well  as  director 
with  the  Hazard  Wire  Rope  Company.  Mr,  Bevan  gives 
his  support  to  the  Republican  party.  Fraternally,  he  is 
identified  with  Kingston  Lodge,  No.  395,  Free  and  .Ac- 
cepted Masons.  He  is  a  memlier  of  the  American  Insti- 
tute of  Mining  and  Metallurgical  Engineers,  and  is  well 
knOwn  among  his  professional  associates.  He  is  a  director 
of  the  Luzerne  County  Branch  of  the  Pennsvlvania  Man- 
ufacturers Association:  trustee  of  the  Hahnemann  Hos- 
pital, Wilkes-Barre:  director  of  the  Wilkes-Barre  Cham- 
ber of  Commerce:  and  in  June,  1929,  he  was  elected 
vice-president  of  the  Pennsylvania  State  .Alumni  .Associa- 
tion. He  is  a  member  of  the  Rotary  Club,  the  West- 
moreland Club,  the  Franklin  Club,  and  of  the  college 
fraternity.  Beta  Theta  Pi,  and  he  is  a  Protestant  in  his 
religious  faith. 

Laurence  W.  Bevan  married.  September  10.  1913. 
Helen  G.  Biehl,  of  Plymouth,  Luzerne  County,  daughter 
of  Dr.  JefTerson  P.  and  Carrie  (Davenport)  Biehl,  the 
father  a  well-known  physician  of  Plymouth,  and  the 
mother,  deceased.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bevan  have  two  sons : 
Laurence  W..  Jr.,  and  Robert  Davenport.  The  family 
home  is  located  at  Dallas,  Pennsylvania. 

ANTHONY  J.  RUDDY— A  business  man  of  abil- 
ity and  long  experience,  Anthony  J.  Ruddy  has  made 
his  home  in  Hudson,  Pennsylvania,  for  manv  years.  As 
proprietor  of  the  A.  J.  Ruddy  general  store,' he  provides 
for  the  needs  of  the  community  in  a  very  efficient  way, 
while  in  the  various  other  phases  of  local  activity,  he 
has  played  a  prominent  part. 

Mr.  Ruddy  was  born  in  Ireland,  April  8.  1858.  a  son 
of  Patrick  Ruddy,  who  was  born  in  Ireland,  and  died 
in  1899,  and  of  Mary  Ruddy,  also  a  native  of  Ireland, 
who  died  in  1910.  He  came  with  his  parents  to  the 
United  States  in  May,  1864.  Being  denied  the  advan- 
tages of  a  finished  education,  at  the  age  of  nine  he 
began  work  in  a  coal  breaker  in  Hudson,  which  he 
continued  for  a  period  of  twelve  years,  from  1867  to 
1879.  At  the  end  of  that  time  he  entered  the  grocery 
business  as  a  clerk  in  a  local  store,  but  after  only  two 
years,  in  i88i,  he  established  the  firm  of  Rcilley  and 
Ruddy,  in  association  with  Mr.  Reilley.  and  together  they 
operated  a  general  store  until  the  year  1900.  when  Mr. 
Ruddy  disposed  of  his  interest  in  the  venture.  In  the 
same    year,  at   No.  2   Miner    Street,   he  established   his 


own  general  store,  which  was  immediately  successful.  In 
the  course  of  the  years  since  that  time,  Mr.  Ruddy's 
efforts  resulted  in  a  large  volume  of  business  as  the 
general  excellence  of  his  service  and  products  gained 
wider  recDgnition.  In  addition  to  this  work,  Mr.  Ruddy 
is  a  director  and  vice-president  of  the  Citizens'  Bank, 
of  Parsons,  in  which  institution  he  was  one  of  the  origi- 
nal stockholders. 

Politically,  Mr.  Ruddy  supports  the  principles  and 
candidates  of  the  Democratic  party,  served  as  a  member 
of  the  Plains  Township  School  Board,  and  as  tax  col- 
lector of  the  same.  He  worships  in  the  faith  of  the 
Roman  Catholic  Church,  and  for  many  years  has  been 
a  member  and  a  liberal  supporter  of  the  church  of  the 
Sacred  Heart,  at  Hudson. 

In  November,  1880,  Anthony  J.  Ruddy  married  Mary 
Kilker  of  Hudson,  daughter  of  Patrick  and  Mary  Kilker 
of  this  place.  Of  this  marriage  there  were  five  children: 
I.  Mary,  who  married  George  Schroeder.  of  Wilkes- 
Barre.  2.  Joseph,  a  dentist  in  Wilkes-Barre.  3.  Charles, 
who  is  a  dentist  in  Pittston.  4.  Anna,  a  teacher  in  the 
city  schools.  5.  Gerald,  of  Hudson.  Mrs.  Ruddy  died 
in  November,  1913. 


GEORGE  G.  BRADER— A  leading  figure  in  real 
estate  and  insurance  circles  in  Luzerne  County,  (jeorge 
G.  Brader  is  one  of  the  most  prominent  citizens  of  Nan- 
ticoke,  taking  an  active  part  in  the  civic  affairs  of  the 
community  and  occupying  a  high  position  in  its  busi- 
ness life.  Mr.  Brader  conducts  an  extensive  insurance 
business,  being  agent  for  approximately  twenty  different 
companies,  all  of  which  are  the  best  known  and  most  sub- 
stantial organizations  in  the  United  States.  In  addition 
to  his  commercial  activities,  he  takes  a  deep  interest  in 
business  clubs  and  fraternal  organizations,  being  par- 
ticularly devoted  to  those  of  the  Masonic  Order,  in  which, 
for  manv  years,  he  has  been  a  loyal  and  enthusiastic 
leader. 

Mr.  Brader  was  born  in  Beach  Haven.  Luzerne  County. 
March  i.  1868.  son  of  Daniel  and  Sarah  (MacGraw) 
Brader.  Daniel  Brader  was  born  in  Northampton 
County,  son  of  Henrj'  Brader,  who  Drought  his  family 
10  Luzerne  County  many  years  ago.  Henry  Brader  was 
engaged  during  his  active  career  as  a  mechanic.  Daniel 
Brader  learned  the  trade  of  cabinet  making  and  boat 
building,  and  tor  a  time  was  engaged  in  constructing 
Ijoats  for  the  canal  company  which  once  plied  this  sec- 
tion. He  later  engaged  in  the  construction  business  inde- 
pendently, acquiring  boat  yards  and  building  boats  on 
contract  for  private  parties.  In  addition  to  this,  he 
operated  a  suc<:essful  and  complete  lumber  yard  and 
planing  mill  at  Beach  Haven,  in  which  town  he  was  a 
prominent  figure,  taking  an  active  part  in  all  affairs  and 
being  a  leading  member  of  the  First  Methodist  Episco- 
pal Church.  By  his  marriage,  he  had  one  son.  George 
G..  of  whom  further. 

George  G.  Brader  was  educated  in  the  public  schools 
of  Luzerne  Coimty,  after  which  he  studied  at  Wyoming 
Seminary.  Upon  the  completion  of  his  education,  he 
entered  the  employ  of  the  Wyoming  National  Bank  at 
Wilkes-Barre  and  remained  with  this  important  finan- 
cial institution  until  1906.  in  the  position  of  correspond- 
ing clerk.  .At  that  time,  he  engaged  in  his  present  busi- 
ness, taking  over  the  organization  which  his  brother. 
J.  C.  Brader.  had  established  in  1886  and  operated  until 
that  time,  in  Nanticoke.  Mr.  Brader  has  ever  been  suc- 
cessful in  all  his  enterprises,  having  a  keen  knowledge 
of  the  real  estate  and  insurance  trade,  with  a  particularly 
expert  and  accurate  judgment  of  land  values  and  pros- 
pects In  1924,  he  was  joined  by  his  son.  Norwood  H.. 
■Who  handles  much  of  the  detail  relating  to  real  estate, 
with  particular  attention  to  city  properties.  .Although 
his  success  in  the  financial  world  attests  to  his  thorough 
attention  tc  business,  he  finds  time  to  devote  to  social 
and  fraternal  affairs,  and  is  a  leader  in  Masonic  circles, 
being  a  member  of  Landmark  Lodge,  No.  442,  free 
and  Accepted  Ma.sons,  Shekinah  Chapter,  No.  182  Royal 
Arch  Masons;  Dieu  le  Veut  Commandery,  No.  4.->. 
Knights  Templar,  and  Past  Eminent  Commander  thereof 
also  a  member  of  Keystone  Consistory,  and  Ircm  Temple. 
Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  of 
Wilkes-Barre.  in  which  he  served  officially,  resigning  his 
office  of  Recorder  upon  his  removal  to  Nanticoke.  He 
is  prominent  in  the  Craftsmen's  Club  of  Nanticoke.  the 
Press  Club  of  Wilkes-Barre.  the  Irem  Temple  Country 
Club  Luzerne  County  Insurance  Exchange,  the  Penn- 
svlvania State  Association  of  Insurance  Agents,  and  the 
State  Federation  of  Insurance  Agents.  In  his  religioiis 
affiliations,  he  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

George  G.  Brader  married  December  i,  1S92,  Elizabeth 


374 


Atherton,  of  Kingston,  daughter  of  Thomas  R.  Ather- 
ton.  To  this  union  have  been  born  three  children:  i. 
George  Atherton :  enlisted  in  the  Aviation  Service  of  the 
United  States  in  May,  1917,  shortly  after  the  declaration 
of  war  against  the  Central  Powers ;  trained  at  Madison 
Barracks,  New  York,  and  later  at  the  Air  Service 
Ground  School,  Ithaca,  New  York ;  going  overseas  in 
October,  1917,  he  finished  his  training  with  the  Royal 
Air  Forces  of  England  and  while  stationed  at  Turnberry 
Field,  Scotland,  was  killed  April  5,  1918,  while  engaged 
in  a  practice  flight,  being  then  twenty-tive  years  of  age. 
2.  Mary,  married  Edward  Siegel,  of  Nanticoke,  and  they 
have  one  child,  George  Atherton.  3.  Norwood  H.,  born 
December  23,  1899,  was  educated  in  the  public  schools 
of  Nanticoke  a:id  after  high  school,  entered  West  Chester 
Normal  School,  being  attached  to  the  Students'  Army 
Training  Corps,  during  the  World  War,  and  later  grad- 
uating from  the  Wyoming  Seminary,  with  the  class  of 
1920;  matriculated  at  Cornell  University,  receiving  his 
degree  of  Mechanical  Engineer  with  the  class  of  1924; 
then  became  associated  with  his  father  in  the  latter's 
business  and  has  ever  continued  to  be  a  prominent  part 
oi  that  organization;  married  Ruth  Howser,  of  Ithaca, 
New  York,  who  died  in  July,  1926,  leaving  one  son,  James 
N.  Mr.  Brader  and  his  family  reside  on  Tilbury  Heights, 
West  Nanticoke. 


CHARLES  W.  MILLER— Having  as  his  only  assets 
a  fund  of  energy  and  ambition  coupled  with  an  agreeable 
peisonality,  Charles  W.  Miller  began  his  business  career 
in  Wilkes-Barre  in  1887,  when  he  came  to  this  city  and 
became  associated  with  J.  C.  Bright  and  Company,  dealers 
in  oil.  Since  that  time,  he  has  continued  to  advance 
steadily  until  today  he  is  one  of  the  city's  leading  business 
men  as  well  as  being  prominent  in  all  civil  affairs  and  an 
active  figure  in  all  projects  for  community  welfare. 

Mr.  Miller  was  born  at  Mifflinville,  Columbia  County, 
Pennsylvania,  on  January  2,  1866,  son  of  George  and 
Mary  (Martz)  Miller,  both  of  wiiom  were  members  of 
old  Pennsylvania  families  and  who  are  both  now  de- 
ceased. George  Miller  was  born  in  Columbia  County  and 
was  for  many  years  a  successful  farmer. 

Charles  W.  Miller  received  his  education  in  the  public 
schools  of  Mifflinville,  assisting  in  the  farm  work  while 
carrying  on  his  studies,  and  he  later  entered  Wyoming 
Seminary  at  Kingston.  Upon  the  completion  of  his 
course,  he  matriculated  at  the  Bloomsburg  State  Normal 
School  where  he  was  an  apt  and  diligent  student.  After 
finishing  his  studies,  he  accepted  a  position  as  bookkeeper 
at  Weatherley,  Pennsylvania,  and  in  1887,  came  to 
Wilkes-Barre  as  aforementioned.  Through  his  industry 
and  ability,  he  prospered  continuously  and  in  1900,  entered 
business  for  himself,  during  the  year  purchasing  the 
business  formerly  owned  by  the  J.  C.  Bright  and  Com- 
pany. He  has  ever  since  continued  in  the  oil  business, 
having  been  connected  with  this  present  ■  location  for 
forty  years  and  is  the  oldest  oil  dealer  m  point  of  service 
in  this  city.  Business  increased  so  that  he  opened  and 
iiow  operates  a  branch  of  his  enterprise  at  the  corner  of 
North  Main  and  North  streets.  Taking  an  active  interest 
in  the  city's  progress,  he  as  a  member  of  the  Greater 
Wilkes-Barre  Chamber  of  Commerce  and  as  a  director 
of  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association,  has  ever  had 
the  best  interests  of  the  city  at  heart.  In  fraternal  organi- 
zations, he  takes  a  prominent  part,  being  a  member  of 
Landmark  Lodge,  No.  442,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons  in 
which  he  is  Past  Master ;  Shekinah  Chapter,  No.  182, 
Royal  Arch  Masons ;  Dieu  le  Veut  Commandery,  No.  45, 
Knights  Templar;  Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order 
Nobles  of  the  Mystic.  Shrine,  and  the  Shrine  Country 
Club.  In  politics,  he  has  always  followed  the  principles 
of  the  Republican  party  and  in  his  religious  affiliations  is 
a  rnember  of  the  First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
having  been  a  trustee  for  many  years. 

Charles  W.  Miller  married  (first),  in  September,  1887. 
Luella  Keller,  of  Mifflinville,  Pennsylvania,  daughter  of 
William  and  Margaret  (Bowman)  Keller,  and  they  had 
one  daughter,  Mary,  married  M.  G.  Robbins.  of  Kingston, 
and  their  children  are  Charles  and  Melvin.  Mrs.  Miller 
died  in  September.  1894.  ^^-  Miller  married  (second), 
in  December,  1897.  Helen  Doron,  of  this  city,  daughter 
of  William  E.  and  Elizabeth  (Barnes)  Doron,  and  they 
have  one  daughter.  Elizabeth,  who  married  Albert  R. 
May  of  this  city,  and  they  have  a  son,  A.  Robinson  Mav, 
Jr.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Miller  reside  at  No.  281  North  Main 
Street,  in  the  home  which  he  built  more  than  thirty  one 
years  ago.  

MICHAEL  ALEXANDER— For  nearly  forty  years 
the  residents  of  Nanticoke  have  been  pleasantly  familiar 
with  the  commercial  house  of  Michael  Alexander,  deal- 


ing in  dry  goods  and  garments  for  women.  Established 
by  Micha>?l  Alexander  in  1889,  at  Nos.  15  and  17  East 
Main'  Street,  the  original  location  has  been  found  satis- 
factory, although  they  have  moved  once,  merely  to  cross 
the  street,  even  with  the  growth  of  the  city  and  the 
expansion  of  their  business.  The  name  seems  to  be 
synonymous  with  the  .business  section  in  which  it  is 
located,  so  firmly  have  the  members  of  the  firm 
entrenched  themselves  in  the  good  will  of  the  trading 
populace.  Joseph  and  Herman  Alexander  today  comprise 
the  firm  and  both  have  displayed  such  deep  interest  in 
the  prosperity  of  the  city,  in  its  enterprises,  its  social, 
religious,  political  and  fraternal  affairs  that  they  are 
held  to  be  citizens  of  high  merit  and  worthy  of  all  the 
good  fortune  that  has  attended  their  industry. 

Michael  Alexander  was  born  in  Germany,  emigrating 
to  America  when  a  young  man  and  locating  in  Nanti- 
coke, where  he  spent  his  life  as  a  merchant.  His  wife 
was  Minna  Meyer,  also  of  German  birth,  still  surviving 
him,  who  died  in  1913.  She  was  the  mother  of  nine  chil- 
dren, Rose,  her  first  born,  being  the  wife  of  H.  Fruden- 
thal,  a  hat  manufacturer  of  New  York  City.  In  the 
order  of  their  births  the  others  were  Max,  a  manufac- 
turer of  hats,  operating  in  New  York  City;  Joseph,  who 
is  a  partner  in  the  Nanticoke  firm  of  M.  Alexander  Sons; 
Alexander,  also  a  New  York  hat  manufacturer;  Leo, 
in  similar  business;  Herman,  a  partner  of  his  brother 
Joseph  in  the  Nanticoke  firm;  Bertha,  wife  of  J.  H. 
Margolies,  of  West  Chester,  Pennsylvania;  Hilda,  and 
Gertrude,  wife  of  W.  S.  Green,  of  New  York  City.  In 
addition  to  conducting  the  dry  goods  store  in  Nanti- 
coke, Joseph  and  Herman  Alexander  own  and  operate  a 
hat  store  for  men  at  No.  2  West  Market  Street,  Wilkes- 
Barre,  which  they  founded  in  1917. 

Joseph  Alexander,  the  elder  of  the  two  brothers  com- 
prising Ihe  firm,  was  born  in  Germany,  August  4,  1880, 
was  brought  to  Nanticoke  by  his  parents  and  educated 
rn  the  public  schools  here.  He  entered  into  association 
with  his  father  at  the  conclusion  of  his  elementary  edu- 
cation and  soon  became  a  partner  in  the  concern.  He 
continued  in  that  occupation  until  the  death  of  his  father, 
then  entering  into  partnership  with  his  brother  and  con- 
tinuing the  business.  He  is  a  director  in  the  Nanticoke 
National  Bank  and  holds  membership  in  Antiquity  Lodge, 
No.  II,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons;  Caldwell  Consis- 
tory, of  Bloomsbury;  Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic 
Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine  and  in  the  Crafts- 
men's Club.  He  is  held  to  be  one  of  the  most  progres- 
sive citizens  of  Nanticoke. 

Herman  Alexander  was  also  born  in  Germany,  in 
1886;  was  brought  to  Nanticoke  by  his  parents  and  was 
educated  in  the  public  schools  here.  He  was  taken  into 
his  father's  store  to  learn  the  business  and  continued 
there  until  his  father's  death  brought  about  the  change 
that  made  him  a  partner  of  his  brother,  Joseph,  in  the 
business.  Hiis  popularity  is  on  a  plane  with  that  of  his 
brother,  the  two  being  looked  upon  by  their  fellow- 
citizens  as  men  of  substantial  character  and  high  worth 
to  the  community.  Herman  is  a  member  of  New  York 
Lodge,  No.  743,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons ;  of  Cald- 
well Consistory;  Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order 
Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  and  of  the  Craftsmen's 
Club. 


WALTER  C.  SUTHERLAND— From  a  very  mod- 
est beginning,  the  firm  of  Sutherland  and  McMillan, 
wholesale  grocers  and  importers,  of  Pittston,  Pennsyl- 
vania, has  aeveloped  into  the  largest  jobbing  concern 
in  Luzerne  County.  Founded  by  Walter  C.  Sutherland 
and  Charles  L.  McMillan,  more  than  thirty-six  years  ago, 
the  enterprise  has  been  guided  by  the  business  ability 
of  the  founders  through  all  these  years,  and  is  now 
(1928)  doir.g  a  volume  of  business  which  aggregates 
over  a  million  dollars  annually.  The  firm  handles 
groceries  and  feed,  specializing  in  Columbia  Flour,  and 
Fox  Hill  and  Columbia  canned  goods,  their  own  brands. 
Mr.  Sutherland  is  a  director  of  the  People's  Union  Sav- 
ings Bank,  and  has  for  many  years  been  active  in  public 
affairs  in  Pittston. 

The  Sutherland  family  is  one  of  the  old  families  of 
Scotch  ancestry,  tracing  back  to  William  Sutherland,  who 
came  to  this  country  from  Scotland.  He  settled  in 
Dutchess  County,  New  York,  and  reared  a  family  there, 
the  line  to  Walter  C.  Sutherland  of  Pittston,  descendirig 
through  William  Jr.,  son  of  the  immigrant,  born  in 
Dutchess  County,  New  York,  in  1690;  his  son  Colonel 
David  Sutherland,  of  Dutchess  County,  born  in  1722, 
who  served  as  a  colonel  in  the  6th  New  York  State 
Militia  during  the  Revolutionary  War;  his  son,  Joel, 
born  August  30,  1755;  his  son,  Brush,  born  June  5,  1785; 


375 


his  son.  Smith,  born  October  21,  1818     All  of  the  above 
were  born  in  Dutchess  County,  New  York. 

Smith  Sutherland,  born  in  1818,  was  educated  in, 
Gilbertsville  Academy.  Otsego  County,  New  York,  and 
served  as  justice  of  the  peace  and  as  captain  of  a  mili- 
tary company  in  Otsego  County.  New  York,  where  he 
was  also  a  superintendent  of  schools.  In  1850,  when  he 
was  alwut  thirty-two  years  of  age.  he  came  to  Pittston, 
Pennsylvania.  Here  be  became  a  successful  merchant,  and 
continued  to  follow  that  line  of  business  activity.-  He 
was  a  man  of  wide  interests,  active  in  local  affairs,  and 
a  progressive  and  helpful  citizen.  A  supporter  of  the 
Republican  party,  and  a  member  of  the  Universalist 
Church  he  was  for  more  than  forty  years  a  substantial 
and  progressive  citizen  of  Pittston,  continuing  to  be 
actively  interested  in  its  affairs  to  the  time  of  his  death, 
which  occurred  in  1891,  at  the  age  of  seventy-three  years. 
H?  married  (first)  Lucy  P.  Fuller,  and  to  this  marriage 
two  children,  both  of  whom  are  deceased  were  born: 
Charles  F„  born  May  25,  1848.  and  George  H.,  borp 
January  5,  1850.  Smith  Sutherland  married  (second) 
Laura  Stanton,  and  to  this  marriage  two  children  were 
born:  Lucy  F.,  born  March  6,  1864,  who  married  Jos- 
eph B.  Hayes;  and  Walter  C,  of  further  mention. 

Walter  C.  Sutherland,  son  of  Smith  and  Laura  Loomis 
(Stanton)  Sutherland,  was  born  in  Exeter  Township, 
Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania.  November  7,  1862,  and 
received  his  early  education  in  the  public  schools  of 
West  Pittston.  Later,  he  was  a  student  in  Kingston 
Seminary,  and  before  his  seminary  course  he  spent  one 
year  in  the  United  States  Navy,  under  Commander 
Kobley  B.  Evans.  When  his  training  was  completed, 
he  entered  the  employ  of  Githens,  Rexsamer  and  Com- 
pany, wholesale  grocers  of ;  Philadelphia,  with  whom  he 
remained  for  a  period  of  ten  years,  1882-92,  In  1892, 
he  engaged  in  the  wholesale  grocery  line  in  Pittston. 
forming  a  partnership  with  C.  L.  McMillan,  and  through 
the  years  which  have  passed  since  that  time  he  has  con- 
tinued in  this  business,  developing  it  to  the  proportions 
which  place  it  at  the  head  of  jobbing  houses  in  the 
county.  In  1912.  W,  A.  Hay  was  admitted  as  a  partner. 
but  the  business  continued  to  operate  under  the  original 
name  of  Sutherland  and  McMillan.  Their  operations 
cover  the  Wyoming  Valley  and  part  of  Lackawanna 
County,  and  the  present  impressive  annual  business  has 
developed  from  the  original  annual  sale  of  one  hundred 
thousand  dollars.  Six  salesmen  are  kept  on  the  road, 
and  the  firm  has  a  reputation  which  has  been  one  of  its 
valuable  assets  for  more  than  three  decades.  The  estab- 
lishment is  located  at  No.  10  Sutherland  Place,  in  Pitts- 
ton,  and    is   one   of   the    leading   concerns   of    the   city. 

Mr.  Sutherland  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  has 
always  been  deeply  interested  in  the  general  welfare  of 
West  Pittston.  serving  for  seven  years  as  a  member  of 
the  West  Pittston  Council,  during  which  time  he  was 
president  of  the  council  for  one  year.  He,  is  well  known 
in  the  Masonic  Order,  being  a  member  of  St,  John's 
Lodge,  No.  233,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons ;  Pittston 
Chapter,  No.  242,  Royal  Arch  Masons ;  Wyoming  Val- 
ley Commandery,  No,  57,  Knights  Templar;  Irem  Temple, 
Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  He 
is  also  a  member  of  the  New  England  Society,  of  New 
England,  and  the  Pennsylvania  Society;  of  the  Sons  of 
the  Revolution,  the  Wyoming  Valley  Historical  and 
Geological  Society ;  and  of  numerous  clubs,  including 
the  Westmoreland  Club,  Craftsmen's  Qub.  Fox  Hill 
Country  Qub.  in  which  he  served  as  treasurer  and  presi- 
dent of  the  board  of  governors.  His  religious  affiliation 
is  with  the   Presbyterian  Church. 

Walter  C.  Sutherland  married,  April  17,  1889.  Grace 
Klotz,  of  West  Pittston.  Pennsylvania,  daughter  of 
Joseph  Klotz,  a  pioneer  settler  in  Pittston,  and  they  have 
three  children:  i.  Martha  S,,  who  married  Major  S. 
K,  Mitchell,  a  member  of  the  firm  of  P.iddle  and  Eno, 
of  Wilkes-Barre.  Pennsylvania.  2.  Marian  S..  who  mar- 
ried Allen  P.  Kirby.  of  Wilkes-Barre.  3.  Esther,  who 
lives  at  home.  Mrs.  Sutherland  is  a  member,  and  actively 
interested  in  the  work  of  the  Woman's  Club  and  the 
Presbyterian  Church.  The  family  residence  is  at  No. 
.so   Susquehanna   Avenue.   West   Pittston. 

CHARLES  L,  McMILLAN— In  the  commercial 
development  of  Pittston.  Charles  L.  McMillan  lias  t.ikcn 
a  prominent  part  as  member  of  the  wholesale  grocery 
concern  of  Sutherland  &  McMillan,  one  of  this  city's 
most  progressive  business  establishments,  doing  busi- 
ness over  a  wide  area  and  expanding  steadily  and  con- 
sistently by  reason  of  their  efficiency,  modern  methods 
of  operation  and  thorough  consideration  for  their  cus- 
tomers.    Mr.   McMillan  is  thoroughly  acquainted  with 


tliis  branch  of  commerce  having  been  connected  with 
the  grocery  business,  both  retail  and  wholesale,  for  the 
entire  period  of  his  active  career.  His  present  partner- 
ship with  Mr.  Sutherland  was  formed  ii)  1892  and  it  has 
continued  firmly  and  successfully  during  the  ensuing 
years,  and  today  this  concern  is  one  of  the  foremost 
factors  in  Pittston's  commercial  advance.  In  civil  life, 
Mr.  McMillian  is  prominent  in  everything  pertaining  to 
public  welfare,  while  in  fraternal  and  social  organiza- 
tions he  is  a  popular  and  energetic  member, 

Mr.  McMillan  was  born  in  Hawley.  May  14,  1862, 
son  of  James  L.  McMillan,  who  died  in  1908,  and  Marian 
U.  (Muir)  McMillan,  born  in  1843  and  died  in  1915- 
James  L.  McMillan  was  born  in  Dumfriesshire,  Scotland, 
and  came  to  the  United  States  in  1855,  settling  in  Pitts- 
ton where  he  spent  the  greater  part  of  his  life.  For 
a  time  he  resided  in  Avoca  where  he  conducted  a  gen- 
eral merchandise  store  and  was  also  interested  in  coal 
operations,  later  being  elected  president  of  the  New  York 
&  Pittston  Coal  Company  in  which  office  he  served  for 
manv  years.  He  was  also  director  of  the  First  National 
Bank  of  Pittston,  and  an  elder  in  the  Presbyterian 
Church  at  West  Pittston,  having  held  similar  office  for 
a  lime  at  Avoca.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McMillan  were  the 
parents  of  twelve  children,  all  of  whom  reached  matur- 
ity, of  whom  Charles  L.  (of  whom  further)  was  the 
eldest. 

Charles  L.  McMillan  was  educated  in  the  public  schools 
of  this  vicinity  and  upon  the  completion  of  his  formal 
education,  entered  upon  his  business  career  by  working 
in  his  father's  store.  At  the  age  of  twenty-two  years, 
he  embarked  on  an  independent  business  venture  and 
opened  a  general  store  at  Moosic  which  he  conducted 
with  great  success  for  several  years,  until  he  entered 
into  his  present  partnership  in  1892,  Mr.  McMillan  is 
a  leading  factor  in  the  financial  and  industrial  life  of  this 
section,  hciiig  a  director  of  the  People's  Union  Bank  of 
Pittston  and  a  director  of  the  New  York  &  Pittston  Coal 
Company.  His  fraternal  affiliations  are  with  St.  John's 
Lodge.  No.  233,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons;  and  Pitts- 
ton Chapter,  Royal  Arch  Masons.  His  social  and  recrea- 
tional activities  are  confined  to  the  Fox  Hill  Club  and 
the  Craftsmen's  Club,  and  his  religious  adherence  is  given 
to  the  Presbyterian  Church  at  West  Pittston. 

Charles  L.  McMillan  married,  November  15,  1887, 
Mabel  M.  Olds  of  Moosic,  daughter  of  William  E.  and 
Margaret  M.  Olds,  and  to  this  union  have  been  born 
three  children:  I,  Olds,  married  Laura  Breese,  and 
they  have  two  children ;  Ann  and  Mabel,  the'  family 
residing  in  New  York  City  where  Mr,  McMillan  is  a 
broker,  2,  Kenneth  D.,  married  Ruth  Latham  of  Chicago 
and  they  reside  at  Forty  Fort.  They  have  two  children : 
Ruth  and  Kenneth.  3,  Norman  S.,  unmarried,  a  promi- 
nent broker  in  New  York  City.  The  family  residence 
is  located  at  912  Susquehanna  Avenue,  West  Pittston. 

ROBERT  H.  GARRAHAN— Prominent  in  the  fields 
of  scientific  farming  and  real  estate  development  in  Lu- 
zerne County.  Robert  H.  Garrahan,  of  Forty  Fort.  Penn- 
sylvania, is  widely  and  favorably  known  in  his  community 
and  county,  where  he  has  done  much  to  bring  about 
needed  improvements,  especially  in  all  matters  pertaining 
to  the  use  and  development  of  land. 

He  was  born  at  Plymouth.  Luzerne  County,  Pennsyl- 
vania on  October  15.  1875.  son  of  Michael  and  Margaret 
(Hutchinson)  Garrahan.  He  received  his  early  educa-. 
lion  in  the  Wyoming  Seminary,  and  then  entered  Penn- 
sylvania State' College,  where  he  took  up  his  agricultural 
studies  Upon  completion  of  his  academic  work,  he  be- 
came an  instructor  in  agriculture  at  the  Umversity  of 
Tennessee,  Knoxville,  Tennessee,  where  he  remained  for 
two'  years.  At  the  end  of  that  period  he  decided  to  enter 
a  more  practical  field  of  agriculture,  and  settled  in 
Kingston,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  did  agricultural  work 
on  his  own  behalf,  and  where,  from  small  beginnings,  he 
developed  his  own  large  farming  enterprise,  marketing 
his  own  products  through  the  firm  of  R.  H.  Garrahan  and 
Son  cr-'anized  liv  him  in  conjunction  with  his  son.  Kalph 
K  Garrahan.  Contributing,  while  engaged  in  actual  farm- 
ing, much  to  the  cause  of  scientific  agriculture.  Mr.  Gar- 
rahan kept  his  m.odel  truck  farms  on  the  rich  soil  of  the 
flats  contiguous  to  Wilkes-Barre.  and  here  made  marked 
contributions  to  the  science  »*  ^tsetable-growing  He 
had  as  i.ianv  as  one  hundred  and  thirty  acres  ot  ground 
under  intensive  cultivation,  all  of  which  was  excuisiveiy 
devoted  to  the  raising  of  garden  vegetables.  The  farm, 
in  four  tracts,  lay  in  Forty  Fort.  ,   .     i        ■  „ 

Although  Mr.  Garrahan  is  still  mterested  m  farming, 
he  is  now  perhaps  more  active  in  the  development  ol 
real  estate  projects,  giving  especial  attention  to  develop- 


376 


ing  the  new  "Westmore"  district  in  Kingston,  known  as 
the  "New  Westmore  Section."  He  has  done  extensive 
improvement  work  there,  and  has  filled  in  a  large  portion 
of  land  with  a  view  to  developing  three  ponds,  while  he 
has  also  laid  several  miles  of  sidewalk.  He  has  installed 
sewer  systems,  and  has  brought  about  increases  in  the 
valuation  of  property  with  consequent  increased  taxation 
figures  and  greater  municipal  prosperity.  Mr.  Garrahan 
is  vice-president  of  the  Forty  Fort  State  Bank,  a  director 
of  the  Kingston  Bank  and  Trust  Compain .  and  a  member 
of  the  Rotary  Club  and  the  Wilkes-Barre  Chamber  of 
Commerce.  He  was  at  one  time  a  director  of  the  Penn- 
sylvania State  Chamber  of  Commerce.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  is  active  in  the  affairs 
of  this  order,  and  in  it  is  affiliated  with  the  Knights 
Templar  and  the  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the 
Mystic   Shrine. 

Robert  H.  Garrahan  married,  on  October  2.  igol. 
Mabel  Keller,  of  Kingston,  Pennsylvania.  By  this  mar- 
riage there  were  two  children:  Ralph  K. ;  Jean  C,  who 
became  the  wife  of  J.  H.  Bremen.  The  family  residence 
is  situated  at  No.  1830  Wyoming  .Avenue,  Forty  Fort. 

WILLIAM  S.  LEE — One  of  the  best  authorities  on 
automobiles  in  the  Wyoming  Valley  is  William  S.  Lee, 
proprietor  of  Lee's  garage  in  Wilkes-Barre.  Mr.  Lee, 
who  comes  from  one  of  the  earliest  English  families 
to  settle  in  this  State,  has  been  in  the  automobile  busi- 
ness since  its  infancy,  having  started  in  this  line  as  early 
as  1906  when  automobiles  were  almost  a  novelty.  He  is 
the  son  of  the  late  Conrad  Lee  who  was  a  dealer  in 
lumber,  proprietor  of  the  Wyoming  planing  mill,  and 
otherwise  largely  interested  in  the  business  affairs  at 
Wilkes-Barre  and  elsewhere. 

Conrad  Lee  was  born  at  Hanover  Township.  Luzerne 
County,  Pennsylvania,  November  3,  1842,  a  son  of 
Stephen  and  Jane  (Lines)  Lee.  His  paternal  grand- 
father, James  Lee,  and  his  maternal  grandparents.  Con- 
rad and  Mary  (Fairchild)  Lines,  were  pioneer  settlers 
in  Newport  and  Hanover  townships.  Luzerne  County. 
Conrad  Lines,  born  July  26,  1789.  passed  all  his  married 
life  of  about  fifty-three  years  in  Newport  Township.  He 
was  a  blacksmith  by  trade,  and  accumulated  a  valuable 
tract  of  coal  land  of  over  two  hundred  acres.  He  reared 
a  family  of  six  children. 

Stephen  Lee  and  Jane  Lines  were  married  February 
ID,  1824,  and  removed  to  Delaware  County,  Ohio,  where 
Mr.  Lae  cleared  and  improved  a  farm  at  times  also 
working  at  his  trade  which  was  that  of  a  plasterer. 
After  a  residence  there  of  six  years  he  returned  to 
Liizerne  County,  Pennsylvania,  locating  in  Wright  Town- 
ship, where  he  erected  a  sawmill  and  engaged  in  lumber- 
ing and  farming.  After  a  period  of  twenty-two  years 
he  removed  to  Wilkes-Barre,  and  purchased  the  planing 
mill  at  Canal  and  North  streets.  He  died  in  that  city 
June  12.  1874,  at  the  age  of  sixty-two  years.  His  widow- 
died  September  25,  i88r,  at  her  home  on  North  Street. 
Stephen  and  Jane  (Lines)  l.ee  had  .seven  children:  Con- 
rad, of  whom  later;  John  R. :  Mary,  who  at  her  death 
devised  all  of  her  property  (some  $25,000)  to  her  nephews 
and  nieces,  died  at  the  old  homestead :  Priscilla,  mar- 
ried M.  S.  Roberts,  of  Askam,  Hanover  Township,  and 
had  seven  children ;  .ATnanda.  married  Edward  Luts^ 
now  retired,  of  Clarke  Summit,  and  thev  had  three  chil- 
dren. 

Conrad  Lee.  eldest  child  of  Stephen  and  Jane  (Lines) 
Lee,  was  reared  in  his  native  county,  and  completed  his 
education  at  the  Wyoming  Seminary,  Kingston.  In 
his  early  manhood  he  taught  school  for  several  terms 
in  the  home  neighborhood,  and  on  attaining  his  majority, 
went  to  Rome  Corners,  Delaware  County,  Ohio,  where 
he  taught  school  for  a  term.  The  following  three  years 
he  was  yard  foreman  in  the  lumber  department  of  John 
L.  Gill  and  Company,  at  Columbus.  Ohio.  Returning 
to  Luzerne  County.  Pennsylvania,  he  gave  some  time  to 
dealing  in  government  mules  and  Western  cattle,  dispos- 
ing of  them  in  the  principal  markets  throughout  the 
country.  In  1865  when  but  twenty-three  years  of  age. 
he  was  appointed  an  outside  superintendent  of  the  .\von- 
dale  coal  mines,  a  position  which  he  held  for  twenty- 
one  years,  being  marked  with  peculiar  experiences. 
Shortly  after  his  appointment,  a  sudden  freshet  threat- 
ened the  sweeping  away  and  entire  loss  of  the  timber 
for  the  erection  of  the  coal  bunkers  which  had  been 
floated  to  a  point  just  below  Plymouth.  Mr.  Lee  with 
the  aid  of  his  men,  lashed  tlie  timliers  to  trees,  and  in 
the  morning  discovered  that  a  continued  rising  of  water 
had  brought  it  to  a  convenient  height,  cut  his  lashings 
and  floated  his  timbers  over  fields  and  fences  to  the  exact 
spot    where   they    were    needed.      The   owner.    John    C. 


Phelps,  coming  to  the  river  bank  in  the  morning  and 
unaware  of  what  had  occurred,  seeing  no  trace  of  the 
timber,  gave  it  up  for  lost,  and  considered  himself  thou- 
sands of  dollars  out  of  pocket.  When  the  water  had 
subsided  enough  for  him  to  cross  the  stream  he  found 
his  property  on  the  spot  to  which  it  had  been  conveyed 
by  Mr.  Lee,  to  whom  he  expressed  his  gratitude  and 
admiration,  and  thenceforward  he  reposed  unbounded 
confidence  in  one  who  had  served  so  faithfully  and 
sagaciously.  During  the  Molly  Maguire  difliculties,  Mr. 
Lee  was  regarded  with  hatred  by  the  murderous  band, 
and  his  footsteps  were  dogged  on  various  occasions,  but 
he  fortunately  escaped  unhurt.  While  in  charge  of  the 
mines  the  first  great  mining  disaster  in  the  coal  region 
occurred  September  6,  1869,  in  which  one  hundred  and 
eight  men  lost  their  lives.  This  accident  was  the  direct 
cause  of  the  passage  of  the  law  known  as  the  "mine 
ventilation  law."  which  makes  it  obligatory  to  have  two 
openings  to  every  mine. 

In  his  younger  days  at  home.  Mr.  Lee  had  become  thor- 
oughly familiar  with  the  lumber  business,  through  his 
association  with  his  father  in  the  mill  in  Wright  Town- 
ship, and  after  the  death  of  the  latter  in  1874.  young 
Conrad  became  interested  in  the  Wyoming  planing  mill 
and  lumber  business  at  Wilkes-Barre.  with  which  his 
father  had  been  connected,  and  also  in  mercantile  busi- 
ness at  Avondale.  After  1886,  he  was  the  sole  proprietor 
of  the  planing  mill  and  lumber  business,  which  he 
expanded  very  greatly,  making  one  great  enterprise.  Mr, 
Lee  was  also  president  of  the  George  F.  Lee  Coal  Com- 
l:any  ;  the  F~orty  Fort  l.and  Company  :  and  a  stockholder 
in  the  Wyoming  Valley  Trust  company.  He  was  one  of 
the  original  members  of  the  firm  of  Scouton.  Lee  and 
Company,  of  Parsons.  Pennsylvania.  He  was  a  large 
owner  o'f  and  dealer  in  real  estate  in  Wilkes-Barre,  and 
was  a  most  enterprising  and  public-spirited  man,  taking 
an  active  part  in  community  affairs  and  exerting  himself 
to  further  advancement  of  the  varied  interests  of  the  city 
and  county.  He  was  an  active  member  of  the  .Wilkes- 
Barre  Board  of  Trade;  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  and  in  his  politics  he  was  a  Republican.  In  all 
of  his  relations,  both  social  and  in  business,  he  was 
regarded  with  entire  confidence  for  his  unassailable  integ- 
rity, while  his  personal  qualities  of  character  made  him 
a  favorite  wherever  he  was  known  in  a  broad  circle  of 
friends.  ...  ^,r  ■ 

On  July  28,  1868,  Conrad  Lee  married  Agnes  Weir, 
daughter  of  Martin  and  Jane  (Govan)  Weir,  of  Hazle- 
ton  and  natives  of  Renfrewshire,  Scotland.  To  this 
marriage  were  born  four  children:  George,  Margaret 
Weir,  Jean,  and  William  S.,  of  whom  further.  Both 
Mr    and  Mrs.  Conrad  Lee  are  now  deceased. 

William  S.  Lee  was  born  at  Plymouth.  Luzerne  County, 
Pennsylvania.  February  24.  1880.  He  was  brought  to 
Wilkes-Barre  by  his  parents  when  he  was  only  six  years 
of  age  and  grew  up  here,  where  he  received  his  educa^ 
tioii  in  the  public  schools  and  the  Harry  Hillman 
Academy.  After  finishing  school  he  engaged  in  the  lumber 
business  with  his  father  until  1906,  when  he  saw  the 
possibilities  of  the  automobile  business  and.  leaving  the 
lumber  business  launched  into  the  automobile  game,  and 
has  continued  successfullv  in  it  ever  since.  For  twenty- 
two  years  he  has  been  active  in  automobile  progress. 
The  first  line  of  cars  that  he  handled  were  the  Oldsmo- 
hile  and  the  Thomas ;  this  was  back  in  1906  when  the 
business  was  in  its  infancy,  and  for  the  past  hfteen 
years  he  has  been  the  distributor  for  the  famous  Franklin 
motor  cars.  With  his  knowledge  of  cars  and  the_  trade 
in  general  he  has  held  a  comnianding  position  in  the 
automobile  business  in  this  section.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Wilkes-Barre  Lodge.  No.  109.  Benevolent  and  pro- 
tective Order  of  Elks ;  ihe  Memorial  Presbyterian  Church 
of  Wilkes-Barre;  and  in  his  politics  he  is  a  Republican. 
He  is  also  secretary  and  treasurer  and  part  owner  ot 
Camp  Thomhurst  in  the  Pocoiia  Mountains  in  Lacka- 
wanna County.  Pennsylvania. 

William  S  Lee  married  Ada  Burnaford.  of  Wilkes- 
Barre  and  they  are  the  parents  of  two  children,  Eliza- 
beth L.,  imd  William  S..  Jr. 

JOSEPH  CONNOLLY— Since  Joseph  Connolly 
learned  the  cabinet  maker's  trade  more  than  twenty  years 
ago,  he  has  been  steadilv  progressing  in  his  chosen  line 
of  business  Since  1910  he  has  been  developing  a  cabinet 
making  business  of  his  own  under  his  ovyn  name,  m 
Plymouth,  and  his  progress  has  been  steady.  He  has 
occupied  tl.iec  different  locations  since  beginning,  not 
counting  his  present  commodious  three  story  plant  at 
the  corner  of  River  and  Hanover  streets,  and  each  move 
has  been  made  because  his  business  had  outgrown  its  old 


377 


quarters.  Now,  in  his  fourth  housing,  he  has  made  sure 
of  ample  space  and  of  every  possible  convenience,  and,  in 
addition  to  a  general  cabinet-making  and  mill  work  busi- 
ness, is  manufacturing  specialties  for  the  silk  mill  trade, 
show  cases,  and  store  fixtures.  By  appointment  he  has 
served  as  secretary  of  the  borough  of  Plymouth  from 
1024  to  1928. 

Joseph  Connolly  was  bom  in  Ireland,  April  8.  1879, 
and  was  brought  to  this  country  by  his  parents  when  he 
was  an  infant  only  one  year  old.  His  father,  John  Con- 
nelly, born  in  Ireland  in  1850,  is  a  cabinet  maker  by 
trade,  and  is  still  living  (1928).  His  mother,  Ruth 
Connolly,  also  a  native  of  Ireland,  was  born  in  1S50, 
and  died  in  1905.  The  boy  received  his  education  in  the 
public  schools  of  Jersey  City,  New  Jersey,  and  then  found 
employment  in  New  York  City,  where  he  continued  to 
work  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age.  He  then,  in 
1900,  came  to  Pennsylvania,  locating  in  Larksville,  Lu- 
zerne County,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  learned  the  trade 
.  which  his  father  has  always  followed,  that  of  the  cabinet 
maker.  He  learned  his  trade  with  Clark  Brothers,  of 
Plymouth,  and  then  remained  with  them  until  1908.  a 
period  of  more  than  eigllt  years.  From  1908  to  1910  he 
did  general  jobbing  in  the  cabinet  maker's  line,  operat- 
ing under  his  own  name,  in  igio  opening  a  small  shop 
jr.  the  rear  of  the  Shawnee  Cash  Store,  where  he  con- 
tinued to  build  up  the  patronage  which  he  had  already 
secured.  By  19-12  his  business  had  so  increased  that 
more  space  and  better  accommodations  were  needed,  and 
he  leased  a  small  building  in  Commercial  .-Mlcy,  leasing 
from  Z.  F.  Wagner.  When  change  aeaiii  became  desir- 
able, even  imperative,  he  purchased  the  property,  includ- 
ing the  shops  of  C.  C.  Ransom,  a  profierty  facing  the 
railroad,  located  in  the  rear  of  No.  56  East  Main  Street. 
The  accommodations  here  met  his  requirements  until 
1921,  when  he  sold  and  leased  a  property  from  the  Plym- 
outh Lumber  Company,  located  at  the  corner  of  River 
and  Hanover  streets.  Here  he  has  a  three-story  building, 
and  his  business  has  grown  ta  proportions  which  require 
the  services  of  about  nine  men.  His  general  cabinet- 
making  work  is  well  known  in  this  \icinity,  and  he  has 
long  been  known  also  as  an  expert  manufacturer  of 
specialties  for  the  silk  mill  trade,  show  cases,  store  fix- 
tures, and  for  general  mill  work.  Mr.  Connolly  is  a 
Republican  in  his  political  sympathies  and  is  actively 
interested  in  local  civic  afifairs,  but  he  is  110  office  seeker, 
and  prefers  to  render  the  quiet  and  able  service  which 
a  good  business  man  and  a  loyal  private  cili:?en  may 
render  to  the  community.  He  has,  however,  by  appoint- 
ment served  as  secretary  of  the  borough  from  1924  to  1928, 
and  during  that  time  he  gave  to  his  public  duties  the 
same  careful  attention  which  he  gives  to  his  own  private 
business.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Plymouth  Chamber 
of  Commerce  and  has  always  been  litleral  in  supporting 
philanthropic  and  civic  enterprises  in  the  community. 
Fraternally,  he  is  identified  with  the  Knights  of  Pythias 
and  the  Knights  of  Malta,  rnd  he  is  also  a  member  of  the 
Kiwanis  Qub.  His  religious  affiliation  is  with  the  First 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Plymouth,  which  he  has 
served  as  financial  secretary  for  the  past  ten  years. 

Joseph  Connolly  was  married,  December  24,  1008,  to 
Amy  Eleanore  Low,  of  Plymouth,  daughter  of  Charles 
W.  and  Sarah  Low,  and  they  have  seven  children  :  Ruth 
Low,  Sarah  Ethel,  Amy  Lareda,  Josephine  Elizabeth, 
Paul  Joseph,   Charlotte   Eleanore,  and   Margaret  Louise. 

RICHARD  BRINSLEY  SHERIDAN— It  was  more 
than  thirty-five  years  ago  that  a  young  Irish  lad  felt  the 
urge  that  possessed  so  many  of  his  countrymen  to  cross 
the  Atlantic  Ocean  and  seek  his  fortune  in  America.  This 
young  man  was  Richard  Brinsley  Sheridan,  son  of 
Thomas  Brinsley  and  Elizabeth  (Mc.'\uley)  Sheridan, 
Ijoth  deceased.  Mr.  Sheridan  was  born  in  6ublin,  Janu- 
ary 27,  1871,  in  which  city  his  father  had  for  many  years 
been  a  barrister,  highly  educated  and  acknowledged  a 
leader  of  the  bar  in  that  section  of  Ireland.  The  elder 
Mr.  Sheridan  was  the  father  of  six  children,  five  of  whom 
attained  maturity.  Richard  Brinsley  was  the  only  boy, 
the  others  being  Kathleen,  Frances,  Lilly  and  Margaret, 
all  still  residing  in  Ireland. 

Mr.  Sheridan  acquired  his  first  knowledge  of  letters  at 
the  Loretta  Convent,  which  was  located  at  St.  Stephen's 
Green,  Dublin.  Later,  he  attended  Belvidere  College  in 
Dublin  and  from  that  institution  took  a  course  at  the  St. 
Finian's  Seminary,  in  County  Meath.  For  a  short  time 
after  ceasing  his  studies  Mr.  Sheridan  took  a  position,  as 
a  clerk  in  a  Drogheda  grocery  store  but,  naturallv,  he 
had  the  feeling  that  such  work  was  most  unsuitable  for  a 
young  man  of  his  learning  and  ability.  He  stuck  to  it 
for  about  two  years,  however,  and  then  saw  the  shores 


of  his  native  land  recede  from  view  as  he  stood  on  the 
deck  of  a  ship  bound  for  America.  He  arrived  in  this 
country  in  October,  1893,  and  speedily  obtained  employ- 
ment in  a  grocery  store  in  Nanticoke,  Luzerne  County. 
He  had  ever  before  him  the  career  of  his  father  and  he 
was  determined,  if  possible,  to  follow  the  profession  in 
which  his  sire  had  made  a  brilliant  record.  Mr.  Sheridan 
tnck  up  the  study  of  law  in  the  oflBce  of  the  late  John  T. 
Lenehan.  and  in  1899  he  was  admitted  to  the  practice  of 
law  before  the  Luzerne  County  Bar.  Since  the  day  of  his 
admission  to  practice  he  has  been  actively  engaged  in  his 
chosen  field,  not  confining  himself  to  any  particular 
branch  of  the  law  but  covering  all  sections  of  his  profes- 
sion. He  is  attorney  for  the  People's  Street  Railway 
and  for  the  People's  Saving  and  Trust  Company,  both  of 
Nanticoke.  For  sixteen  years  he  was  borough  solicitor 
for  Nanticoke,  and  is  now  city  solicitor  for  that  munici- 
pality. He  is  a  member  of  the  Luzerne  County  and 
American  Bar  associations,  and  is  ever  active  in  the 
circles  of  the  Knights  of  Columbus,  the  Ancient  Order  of 
Hibernians  and  with  the  Wilkes-Barre  Lodge,  No.  log. 
Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks.  He  is  affili- 
ated' with  St.  Francis'  Roman  Catholic  Church  at  Nanti- 
coke. Luzerne  County,  where  he  has  resided  since  his 
arrival  in  this  country.  Politically,  he  is  a  Democrat 
and  has  been  a  loyal  and  active  party  worker  for  the 
past  twenty-five  years. 

Mr.  Sheridan  was  married,  September  11,  191 1,  to 
Genevieve  R.  Corgan,  daughter  of  Michael  H.  and  Har- 
riet Corgan,  of  Nanticoke.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sheridan  have 
four  children,  Michael  H..  Richard  B.,  Jr.,  Thomas  B. 
and  Harriet. 


WILLIAM  CHALLENGER— The  Qiallenger 
Store,  of  Nanticoke,  located  at  56-58-60  East  Main 
Street,  was  established  by  William  Challenger  in  1903, 
as  a  grocery  business.  From  groceries  he  turned  to 
general  merchandise,  and  in  1912  to  furniture,  carpets 
and  pianos,  until,  at  the  present  time  (1928)  the  firm 
has  grown  until  the  store  has  four  floors  and  a  base- 
ment, measuring  on  its  base  dimensions  one  hundred  and 
thirty-two  by  forty  feet,  and  is  one  of  the  most  modern 
of  department  establishments  in  the  Wyoming  X'alley. 
Mr.  Challenger  maintains  in  stock  the  best  of  goods  in 
every  line.  On  the  fourth  floor,  which  has  a  mezzanine, 
are  displayed  many  of  the  choicest  wares;  on  the  third 
are  upholstered  goods  and  pianos ;  on  the  second,  carpets, 
rugs,  floor  coverings  of  all  kinds ;  and  in  the  basement, 
stoves  and  kitchen  furnishings.  The  street  floor  is,  of 
course,  given  over  to  a  general  range  of  stock,  calculated 
to  interest  the  more  casual  shopper.  The  trade  of  the 
Challenger  Store  extends  the  length  and  breadth  of 
Luzerne  County,  and  supplies  employment  to  some 
twenty-five  or  thirty  persons.  It  is  a  great  store,  sound 
in  its  financial  rating:  but  it  is  only  one  of  the  interests  of 
William   Challenger. 

William  Challenger  was  Dorn  in  Drifton,  Luzerne 
County,  Acgust  17,  1873,  a  son  of  William  and  Eliz- 
abeth (John)  Challenger.  William,  Sr..  was  born  in 
Bristol,  Erigland,  and  after  location  in  Nanticoke  was 
employed  in  the  mines.  He  died  at  the  age  of  forty-seven, 
in  1893;  his  widow  died  September  12,  1925,  at  the  age 
of  eighty-six.  They  were  the  parents  of  two  children: 
William,  of  whom  follows,  and  Mary,  wife  of  John  W. 
Griffith. 

At  the  age  of  nine  years  William  Challenger  went  to 
work  in  the  mines,  as  breaker  boy.  Later  he  became 
a  liriver,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty  secured  employment 
as  grocer's  clerk.  He  learned  all  phases  of  the  business, 
and  the  theories  and  practices  of  retail  trading.  .\t 
twenty-nine  years  of  age,  in  1903,  he  engaged  in  the 
grocery  business  under  his  own  name ;  and  his  first 
modest  venture  was  not  only  the  nucleus  of  the  Chal- 
lenger Store  with  its  four  stories  and  basement,  but  also 
the  nucleus  of  subsequent  extensive  operations  in  several 
commercial  directions.  In  1920  Mr.  Challenger  founded 
the  Nanticoke  P'oundry  &  Machine  Company,  in  associa- 
tion with  others  interested,  and  became  its  first  president. 
In  1925.  after  a  prosperous  five  years  of  operation,  Mr. 
Challenger  and  associates  suspended  the  Nanticoke  Foun- 
dry &  Machine  Company,  and  it  was  at  once  converted 
into  a  factory  for  the  manufacture  of  ice  cream,  while  a 
portion  of  its  warehousing  space  was  and  is  leased  out. 
In  1922.  Mr.  Challenger  erected  a  fabricated  steel  busi- 
ness block  of  five  stories,  at  the  intersection  of  Main 
Street  and  Broadway.  This  substantial  building  houses 
twenty-five  renters,  and  is  apportioned  into  apartments, 
stores  and  offices,  as  well  as  the  State  Theatre,  \vhich 
occupies  the  greater  part  of  the  ground  floor.  Mr.  Chal- 
lenger owns  a  building   on   Market   Street,   comprising 


378 


four  stories  and  twenty-nine  apartinents.  Furthermore, 
he  owns  three  stores,  other  than  the  Challenger  Store, 
a  warehouse,  and  a  garage.  This  last  is  forty-eight  by 
one  hundred  and  sixty-five  feet  in  its  outside  dimensions, 
and  was  constructed  in  1917.  by  Mr.  Challenger.  In 
1927  he  erected  a  building,  ninety-eight  by  one  hundred 
and  seventpen  feet,  to  house  twenty-four  apartments  and 
a  garage;  this  building  was  completed  in  full  detail  m 
I92».  All  of  these  buildings  and  businesses  have  come  to 
Mr  Challenger  through  his  own  efforts;  the  boy  who 
was  a  coal  picker  has  become  the  man  of  many  properities. 
indeed.  ,,       .     ,       ^,       ^,    ,, 

In  the  general  affairs  of  Nanticoke  Mr.  Challenger 
takes  an  interested  part,  and  is  known  widely  as  one  of 
the  community's  most  public-spirited  citizens.  Politically, 
he  is  influential,  but  employs  his  influence  to  the  best 
ends,  and  quietly.  Fraternally,  he  is  a  member  of  Lodge 
No  541,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons;  Caldwell  Consis- 
tory at  Bloomsburg,  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite, 
and  '  Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  ot 
the  Mystic  Shrine.  Also,  he  is  a  member  of  the  Knights 
of  Pythias,  lodge  of  Nanticoke.  and  a  communicant  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  In  matters  of  charity, 
as  in  all  others,  Mr.  Challenger  deals  largely;  his  con- 
tributions are  made  without  thought  of  race  or  creed 
benefited.  During  the  World  War,  while  somewhat  too 
advanced  in  years  for  service  in  the  military,  he  did  serve, 
tirelessly  and  well,  on  the  many  boards  and  comtnittees 
in  charge  of  prosecution  of  the  conflict  from  within  this 
country,  and  was  instrumental  most  beneficially  to  the 
country'  in  the  Liberty  Loan  campaigns. 

On  September  14,  IQ04,  Mr.  Challenger  was  united 
in  marriage  with  Ida  Ruloff,  daughter  of  the  Rev.  F. 
H.  Ruloff,  pastor  of  the  Zion  Reformed  Church  of 
Nanticoke ;  and  to  this  union  have  been  born  children  : 
I.  Mary.  2  Elizabeth.  3.  Dorothy.  4.  William  F.  5. 
Ruth.  6.  Christine.  7.  Robert.  The  family  reside  at 
No.   100  East  Main  Street. 

NELSON  GEORGE  PRINGLE— Born  in  Kings- 
ton, April  5,  i860,  son  of  a  distinguished  old  Pennsyl- 
vania family.  Nelson  George  Pringle  took  over  opera- 
tion of  the  general  store  which  his"  father  had  established 
upon  the  death  of  the  latter,  and  continued  merchandis- 
ing in  the  town  of  his  birth  until  his  own  death  Sep- 
tember 15,  1908.  One  of  the  most  highly  esteemed 
citizens  Kingston  has  ever  had.  Mr  Pringle  was  identi- 
fied with  the  life  of  the  town  throughout  an  important 
period  of  its  development,  and  a  history  of  the  com- 
munity would  not  be  complete  without  a  record  of  his 
life.  In  his  business  dealings  Mr.  Pringle  had  a  reputa- 
tion for  honesty  and  integrity  that  was  unassailable,  and 
all  his  custome'rs  were  his  friends.  He  was  constantly 
lending  his  aid  and  influence  to  further  public  better- 
ment causes  and  was  instrumental  in  the' institution  of 
a  number  of  civic  reforms. 

Alexander  J.  Pringle,  father  of  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  was  born  at  Plvmouth.  Pennsylvania,  September 
3  1824  and  came  to  Kingston  as  a  teacher  in  the  pub- 
lic schools.  He  taught  in  the  Wilkes-Barre  public 
schools  from  1853  to  1862.  In  i860  he  was  made  a 
trustee  of  the  Wyoming  Seminary,  in  which  capacity  he 
continued  to  serve  throughout  the  remainder  of  his  life, 
being  treasurer  of  the  board  from  1872  until  his  death. 
Alexander  J.  Pringle  enioyed  the  highest  respect  of  the 
people  about  Wilkes-Barre  and  Kingston  and  was  ac- 
corded many  positions  of  trust.  He  was  a  trustee  and 
treasurer  of  the  Kingston  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
and  contributed  to  and  aided  in  the  erection,  in  1872  and 
1873.  of  the  church  building  which  now  stands.  He  was 
one  of  the  organizers  and  first  directors  of  the  Wilkes- 
Barre  Deposit  and  Savings  Bank  in  1871,  a  trustee  for 
a  number  of  years  of  the  Forty  Fort  Cemetery  .^sso- 
ciation,  and  served  as  executive  and  trustee  of  innumer- 
able estates.  He  establi.shed  the  general  store  which  his 
son  later  took  over  and  operated  it  several  years  before 
his  death  August  12,  1881.  He  married.  October  21, 
1858  Mary  Price,  daughter  of  George  and  Clarissa 
(Cooper)  Price.  Nelson  George  Pringle  was  their  one 
child. 

Mr  Pringle  attended  Wyoming  Seminary,  graduating 
with  the  class  of  1879.  and  then  went  to  Vale  University, 
where  he  was  with  the  class  of  1884,  but  in  the  mean- 
time his  father's  death  had  occurred  and  he  had  assumed 
active  management  of  the  Kingston  store,  assuming, 
along  with  his  business  aff'airs.  his  father's  responsibilities 
in  community  life.  He  aided  in  work  of  t'ne  Methodist 
Church  and.  Republican  in  politics,  exerted  his  influence 
to  keep  able  men  in  local  offices.  Mr.  Pringle  was  a 
member  of  Yale  Alumni  Association,  of  which  he  was 


secretary  and   treasurer    for   some  time;   a   member   of 
Sigma  Epsiion  Fraternity  and  the  Westmoreland  Club.- 

On  January  3.  1884,  Mr.  Pringle  married  Sarah  Aldu  a 
Copeland,  who  died  April  19,  1922,  daughter  of  Dr.  David 
and  Sarah  (Wheelock)  Copeland  thereby  joining  two 
families  both  noted  in  educational  work,  for  Dr.  Lope- 
land  was  president  of  Wyoming  Seminary  for  ten  years, 
from  1872  to  1882.  Born  at  Bramtree,  Vermont,  Decem- 
ber 21,  1832,  he  was  graduated  from  Wesleyan  Uni- 
versity, Middletown,  Connecticut,  m  1855  with  a  Bachelor 
of  Arts  degree  In  1858  he  commenced  his  work  as 
teacher,  joining  the  Genesee  Conference.  From  that 
time  on  he  taught  in  religious  schools  of  the  East  and 
Middle  West,  coming  to  Kingston  "P«."  !^K'"8  "P  "'%™°'^ 
at  Wyoming  Seminary.  He  married  in  1857  barali 
Wheelock,  daughter  of  Hon.  David  and  Ame  la  (Davis) 
Wheeiock  of  Royalton,  Vermont.  Dr  Copeland  held  a 
number  of  scholastic  and  honorary  degrees.  He  was 
g"ve„  a  Master  of  Arts  degree  by  Wesleyan  Umver- 
lity;  won  his  Ph.  D.  degree  from  Lafayet  e  College  m 
1875,  and  held  a  D.  D.  degree  from  both  Wesleyan  and 

'^  From'the'union'S'  the  Copeland  and  Pringle  families 
were  born  two  daughters,  Elizabeth  Harvey  Pringle  edu- 
cated at  Wilkes-Ba4Te  Institute;  graduated  from  Wyo- 
ming Seminary  in  1909;  Vassar  College  in  1913.  w"" 
the  Bachelor  of  Arts  degree,  and  Bertha  Aldula  Pr  ngle 
also  educated  at  Wiikes-Barre  Institute,  graduate  ot 
Wyoming  Seminary  in  1912,  and  Vassar  College  in  191b, 
with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  ot  Arts.  Both  daughters 
reside  at  No.  245  College  Avenue,  Kingston. 

CHARLES  ERNEST  BANKER— Energetic,  ambi- 
tious and  successful,  Charles  E.  Banker,  a  leading  coal 
operator  and  dealer  of  Wilkes-Barre,  is  an  example  to 
all  who  would  prove  for  themselves  that  taking  advantage 
of  ooportunities  to  improve  one's  talents  is  sure  to  win  the 
race  in  the  pursuit  of  success.  Mr.  Banker  is  the  son  of 
Ihe  late  Charles  H.  Banker,  who  died  Decemoer  23.  > 926. 
and  Emma  Banker,  still  living  in  Wilkes-Barre.  Charles 
H  Banker  was  the  son  of  Philip  Banker,  a  well-known 
contractor  and  builder  of  Wilkes-Barre,  who  erected 
many  of  th-  churches,  schools  and  other  public  buildings 
in  and  around  this  city.  Eight  children  were  born  to 
Mr  and  Mrs.  Charles  H.  Banker:  i.  P.  W.,  who  has  a 
drug  store  in  Wilkes-Barre  and  also  in  Kingston,  Penn- 
svlvania  2.  Willamina,  who  is  a  trained  nurse.  3- 
MartKa  who  is  the  wife  of  Norman  Hoover  ot  Wilkes- 
Barre  4.  Elizabeth,  the  wife  of  Fred  Lamereaux  of 
Fo  y  Fort,  Luzerne  County.  5.^  Charles  Ernest^  of  whom 
further  6  Elsie,  the  wife  of  Arthur  E.  Morgan  of 
Wiikes-Barre.  7.  George  F.  8.  Clara  E.,  accountant  for 
Ihe  various  companies.  .    ,u      ••    „f  w;il;p«- 

Charles  Ernest  Banker  was  born  in  the  city  of  Wilkes 
BaVre  Novetnber  1,  .887.  He  grew  up  in  his  native  city 
where  he  aUended  the  public  schools  and  graduated 
"rom  the  high  school  in  the  class  of  1904.^  After  leaving 
sch^o  he  took  a  position  as  a  clerk  in  the  office  of  the 
LeWg  and  Wilkes-Barre  Coal  Company,  where  he  re- 
mained  for  ten  years.  After  that  time,  he  went  into  the 
mfi  t  ooe^Iting  side  of  the  coal  business  and  became  a, 
wholesale  dealer  in  coal  which  he  has  continued  with 
giituccel  eler  since.  His  field  of  -"ivity  is  by  ijo 
nipans  confined  to  one  ocahty,  he  is  president  ot  the 
Banker  Coa  Company  and  the  Lehigh  and  Wyoming 
Vallev  Coal  Company  in  the  State  of  Pennsylvatiia,  ad 
president  of  the  City  Coal  Company  of  Bn.§hamton  and 
Hornell  New  York.  Also  he  is  vice-president  of  the 
Central  Coal  Company  of  Hudson,  Luzerne  County  a,,d 
Lehigh  Coal  Company  o  Haz  eton.  When  °"'  »"/'^f " 
th^t  Mr.  Banker  began  his  business  ^"" j;*^°f,,"it'"the 
and  his  present  holdings  and  operations  are  e"t're'y  "'J 

^j-i'giir^^i^dro^ihe^t^H'-S 

82  Royal  Arch  Masons;  Dieu  le  Vent  Commandery  Na 
^  d»Ls^;e^y^i:^h»nfSnU^ 

of  Commerce  and  the  U"ited  States.  Chamber  of  Com- 
merce. He  is  a  Republican  in  politics  and  member  01 
Ihe  Lutheran  Church.  ,      ,       i-        .  R„,w,.r  mar- 

dren  •     Ali«  F.,  Jane  L.,  and  Ernestme  Clair. 


^mi^i^^^ 


ojucx^  C^A>Hjuj7r\0-o-A4^«.,>v._^ 


379 


SAMUEL  J.  REYNOLDS— Working  (or  four 
years  at  the  hard  task  of  a  breaker  hoy  at  the  coal  mines, 
when  he  was  sixteen  years  of  age  Samuel  J.  Reynolds 
determined  to  make  something  of  himself  and  undertook 
to  learn  carpentry.  Industrious  and  intelligent,  ambitious 
and  frugal,  keen  witted  and  scrupulously  honest,  he  could 
not  fail  in  his  quest  for  fortune,  which  has  answered  his 
demand  by  virtue  of  his  hard  work  and  unflagging  de- 
votion to  a  single  cause.  Honors  have  come  to  him 
because  of  his  outstanding  citizenship,  wherein  he  has 
ever  displayed  the  keenest  interest  in  affairs  of  worthy 
concern  to  the  people  at  large.  He  has  been  chosen  for 
elective  office  by  unanimous  selection  and  in  every  case 
has  so  administered  his  posts  that  satisfaction  has  been 
widespread.  He  is  a  man  of  the  iJeople,  a  citizen  of 
highest  probity,  a  worker  who  has  been  a  mighty  power 
in  the  growth  and  development  of  Plymouth  and  the 
surrounding  district  of  Pennsylvania, 

He  was  born  in  Plymouth,  August  13,  1879,  a  son  of 
Samuel  Reynolds,  a  native  of  England  and  a  stationary 
engineer,  who  died  in  1921,  and  of  Mary  (Hoskin) 
Reynolds,  also  English,  whose  death  occurred  in  1920. 
Samuel  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Plymouth, 
leaving  them  at  the  age  of  twelve  years  to  work  on  (he 
coal  breakers.  When  he  was  sixteen  he  began  the  prac- 
tical study  of  carpentry,  at  the  same  time  taking  the  con- 
tractor's and  builder's  course  at  the  International  Corres- 
pondence Schools,  at  Scranton.  Completing  this  course 
in  1906.  he  formed  a  partnership  with  William  M.  Long 
and  established  a  contracting  and  building  business,  which 
they  continued  together  until  1 914,  in  which  year  the 
association  was  severed  and  Mr.  Reynolds  has  since 
operated  independently,  employing  an  average  of  twelve 
men.  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics  and  belongs  to  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  of  which  he  is  on  the  official 
board,  as  well  as  the  building  coijimittee  for  the  remodel- 
ing of  the  edifice.  He  was  elected  to  membership  in  the 
City  Council  in  1922  and  reelected  without  opposition  in 
1927  for  a  four-year  term.  He  was  the  first  and  second 
vice-president  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  and  on  Jan- 
uary I,  1928,  was  elected  to  the  presidency  of  that  organi- 
zation. Since  1920  he  has  been  treasurer  of  Plymouth 
Fire  Company,  No.  l.  His  fraternal  affiliations  include 
the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  Patriotic  Order 
Sons  of  .America,  Junior  Order  United  American  Me- 
chanics, Foresters  of  America,  Lodge  No.  2;  Knights  of 
Pythias.  Radiant  Lodge,  No.  178;  and  the  Kiwanis  Club, 
of  which  he  is  a  charter  member.  For  two  years  just 
passed  he  has  been  chairman  of  the  Crippled  Children's 
Committee  of  the  last  named  organization  and  had  charge 
of  the  federation  drive  for  Plymouth  of  the  Kiwanis 
Qub. 

Samuel  J.  Reynolds  married,  December  24.  1906, 
Frankie  Dodson,  daughter  of  John  and  Jane  Dodson,  one 
of  the  pioneer  families  of  Plymouth,  Pennsylvania. 


EDGAR  B.  STR'YKER— In  the  active  business  life 
of  Nanticoke,  Edgar  B.  Stryker  is  one  of  the  foremost 
leaders  in  his  capacity  as  proprietor  of  the  Buick  Sales 
&  Service  Station,  located  at  No.  20  West  Broad  Street, 
serving  the  needs  and  requirements  of  the  motorists  of 
this  community  as  well  as  tourists  and  travelers  in  this 
section  of  the  State.  Mr.  Stryker  has  achieved  a  splendid 
reputation  for  the. superior  service  afforded  by  his  garage 
and  repair  department  and  his  establishment  is  well 
known  by  Pennsylvania  autoists  for  its  absolute  dependa- 
bility in  both  materials  and  supplies  and  the  courteous 
manner  in  which  all  needs  are  attended.  In  promoting 
the  progress  and  development  of  this  community,  he  has 
been  of  invaluable  assistance  by  creating  a  feeling  of 
good-will  and  affability  among  the  travelers  stopping  in 
this  city  who  take  away  with  them  the  most  favorable 
impressions  of  this  city  and  its  ireople.  He  also  served 
as  a  deputy  sheriff  in  1913-16. 

Mr.  Stryker  was  born  in  Neshanic,  New  Jersey,  Feb- 
ruary 27,  1889,  son  of  William  and  Mary  (Agens) 
Stryker.  William  Stryker.  who  is  now  deceased,  was  a 
farmer  for  many  years  in  Somerset  County,  New  Jersey, 
and  was  a  highly  esteemed  and  respected  member  of  his 
vicinity. 

Edgar  B.  Stryker  was  educated  in  the  public  schools 
of  New  Jersey  and  grew  to  manhood  on  the  family  home- 
stead. .^fter  finishing  his  formal  education  at  Coleman's 
Busmess  College,  he  embarked  on  his  business  career  at 
the  age  of  sixteen,  and  was  connected  with  a  grocery 
organization  for  two  years,  familiarizing  himself  with 
this  enterprise  and  acquiring  a  thorough  and  excellen* 
knowledge  of  business  principles.  Going  to  New  York 
V' t^-'«''^.™^\^"o°''i2'<=d  '<"■  'hree  years  with  the  firm  of 
JelliB,  Wright  &  Company,  after  which  he  returned  to 


the  old  homestead  and  remained  three  years,  assisting  his 
father  in  agricultural  pursuits.  Returning  to  the  grocery 
business,  he  continued  in  this  line  until  1916,  when  he 
came  to  Wilkes-Barre  and  accepted  a  position  in  the 
repair  department  of  the  automobile  firm  of  Henderson 
&  Cobb,  His  satisfactory  service  and  expert  knowledge 
caused  him  to  progress  rapidly  until  1921,  when  he  came 
to  West  Nanticoke  and  opened  an  independent  garage, 
holding  the  agency  for  Buick  cars,  carrying  on  a  large 
and  prosperous  business  at  that  location  for  four  years, 
being  one  of  the  west  side's  foremost  men  in  commercial 
alTairs.  In  August,  1925,  Mr.  Stryker  moved  to  his 
present  location  in  Nanticoke  and  ever  since  his  opening 
of  this  modern  and  improved  enterprise,  he  has  been 
consistently  successful,  maintaining  a  public  garage  of 
the  finest  type,  car  storage  in  perfect  safety  and  assur- 
ance, automobile  salesrooms  of  a  distinctive,  attractive 
nature,  and  a  service  station  that  is  unrivalled  for  quality 
workmanship  and  efficiency.  The  reputation  of  his  reiair 
department  has  spread  throughout  this  vicinity  and  as  a 
result  he  employs  five  men  steadily  in  this  branch  of  the 
business  alone  to  care  for  the  continual  demand  for 
prompt  and  perfect  repairs.  In  his  agency  for  the  Buick 
automobiles,  he  covers  the  territory  embracing  Lower 
Askin,  Hanover,  Wanamie,  Aldin,  Glen  Lyon,  Huntock's 
Creek,  West  Nanticoke  to  Avondale  and  Nanticoke.  In 
the  civic  life  of  Nanticoke,  Mr.  Stryker  takes  a  prominent 
part  and  can  always  be  depended  upon  to  aid  by  his 
influence  and  support  every  movement  which  has  for  its 
pur|X)Se  the  advancement  or  improvement  of  the  town 
and  its  people.  His  popularity  in  fraternal  associations 
is  attested  by  his  membership  in  Nanticoke  Lodge,  No. 
541,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons;  Keystone  Consistory; 
and  Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the 
Mystic  Shrine.  He  is  an  active  member  of  the  American 
Legion  and  during  the  World  War  saw  considerable 
active  service.  Mr.  Stryker  enlisted  in  the  United  States 
.\rniy,  July,  1917,  and  was  attached  to  the  312th  Ammu- 
nition Train,  87th  Division,  spending  three  weeks  at 
Camp  Dix,  after  which,  with  his  outfit,  he  sailed  from 
Montreal.  Canada,  to  Southampton,  England,  and  thence 
to  Le  Havre,  France,  where  they  entrained  for  Bordeaux, 
France.  He  was  stationed  in  France  until  after  the 
-Armistice,  being  mustered  out  of  service  in  March,  1919. 
Edgar  B.  Stryker  married.  May  30,  1917,  May  L.  Rit- 
teniiicyer,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  and  they  reside  at  121  East 
Main  Street,  Nanticoke.  They  also  have  a  summer  home 
at  Sylvian  Lake.  Mr.  Stryker,  although  still  a  compara- 
tively young  man,  has  established  a  splendid  position  for 
himself  in  the  commercial  life  of  this  section  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  his  career  is  a  remarkable  example  of  unflag- 
ging energy  and  constant  striving  to  attain  his  desired 


HARR'y  L.  FREEMAN— Long  established  as  a  gen- 
eral law  practitioner  in  which  he  has  made  a  most  desirable 
and  pleasing  record  in  the  courts  of  Luzerne  County, 
Harry  L.  Freeman  has  attained  distinction  as  a  pleader 
and  as  a  legal  advisor,  both  in  behalf  of  leading  local 
financial  institutions  and  the  individual  clientele.  Honors 
have  come  to  him  mainly  because  of  his  personal  and 
unaided  eflJort  to  attain  the  best  things  in  his  profes- 
sion, and  because  of  his  strict  adherence  to  high  prin- 
ciple and  integrity  of  purpose. 

Harry  L.  Freeman  was  born  November  2Ti,  1877,  '" 
Plymouth,  a  son  of  Leopold  and  Rosa  (Stcindler)  Free- 
man, natives  of  Austria,  the  father  dying  November  3, 
J914.  Leopold  Freeman  came  to  the  United  States  in 
1865,  and  he  enlisted  in  the  United  States  Army  for  about 
one  year.  Coming  to  Wilkes-Barre  in  t866,  he  removed 
to  Plymouth  in  1867,  where  he  was  employed  in  business 
for  about  forty-seven  years.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Freeman 
were  the  parents  of  twelve  children;  Alfred  Freeman, 
a  New  ^'ork  City  architect ;  Harry  L.  Freeman,  of 
whom  further ;  Martha  Freeman,  who  married  .\bram 
S.  Galland,  of  Wilkes-Barre;  Frances  Freeman,  who 
married  the  late  Isadore  Clou ;  Ida  Freeman,  deceased, 
married  .Arthur  A.  Caspar,  deceased ;  Stella  Freeman, 
married  Harry  W'eis,  of  Sunbury,  Pennsylvania ;  Stanley 
L.  Freeman,  M,  D..  a  Wilkes-Barre  physician;  Jerome 
Freen-.an,  a  merchant  of  Eloomsburg.  Sydney  Freeman, 
a  merchant  at  Wilkes-Barre;  Kathryn  Freeman,  who 
resides  in  New  ^'ork  City ;  Miriam  Freeman,  married 
Dr.  Julian  Long,  of  Wilkes-Barre;  Milton  Freeman, 
deceased  in  childhood.  Mrs.  Freeman,  who  is  seventy- 
two  years  old,  has  resided  at  Plymouth  for  the  past 
fifty  years. 

Harry  L.  Freeman  attended  the  Plymouth  public 
schools,  and  was  graduated  at  the  Harry  Hillman  Acad- 
emy  in    Wilkes-Barre.     In    1900,   he   entered    upon   the 


study  of  law  in  the  offices  of  Judge  Seligman  J.  Strauss, 
and  he  was  admitted  to  the  Luzerne  County  Bar  on 
January  6,  1902.  Active  in  his  profession  for  over  a 
quarter  of  a  century,  Mr.  Freeman  is  a  member  of  the 
board  oi  directors  and  is  attorney  for  the  Plymouth 
^National  Bank;  he  is  attorney  for  the  borough  of  Lu- 
zerne; a  member  of  the  Luzerne  County  Bar  Association, 
and  the  Pennsylvania  State  Bar  Association;  and  has 
practiced  before  the  Superior  and  Supreme  courts  of 
Pennsylvania,  and  the  Federal  courts  of  the  UniteS 
States.  In  political  matters,  he  votes  an  Independent 
ticket.  He  :s  director  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  of 
Plymouth  and  the  Kiwanis  Club  of  Plymouth. 

Harry  L.  Freeman  married,  April  22,  1903,  Mary 
Boyes,  of  Germantown,  Pennsylvania,  daughter  of  James 
and  Mary  (Keath)  Boyes.  ThJr  children:  Leo  B. 
Freeman,  a  graduate  of  the  University  of  Pemisylvania; 
now  pursuing  a  medical  course  at  the  University  of 
Pennsylvania  Medical  Graduate  School ;  Dorothy  R.,  a 
graduate  at  Cedar  Crest  College,  at  Allentown,  Penn- 
sylvania. 


ROBERT  A.  LENTZ— One  of  the  leading  business 
men  of  Freeland,  Pennsylvania,  is  Robert  A.  Lentz,  pro- 
prietor of  the  extensive  lumber  yards  situated  at  the  foot 
of  Washington  Street.  The  business  was  founded  in  1912, 
and  has  grown  rapidly  and  steadily.  Mr.  Lentz  has  been 
a  resident  of  Freeland  since  1892,  and  is  a  carpenter  by 
trade,  but  he  has  been  engaged  in  contractmg  and  build- 
ing m  this  vicinity  for  more  than  thirty  years.  His  prac- 
tical experience  as  a  carpenter  fitted  him  for  the  man- 
agement of  his  contracting  and  lumber  business,  and  he 
also  handles  a  full  line  of  hardware.  He  is  active  in  local 
affairs  and  is  well  known  in  fraternal  circles. 

Robert  A.  Lentz  was  born  in  Washington  Township, 
Lehigh  County.  Pennsylvania,  December  9,  1867,  son  of 
Dr.  and  Mary  (Fenstmacher)  Lentz.  He  received  his 
education  in  his  native  county,  and  then  learned  the  car- 
penter's trade.  In  the  spring  of  1892,  he  came  to  Luzerne 
County,  locating  in  Freeland.  and  here  followed  his  trade. 
As  time  passed  he  engaged  in  contracting  on  his  own 
account.  He  was  successful  as  a  contractor,  and.  realiz- 
ing the  advantages  of  handling  his  own  lumber,  he  de- 
cided, after  some  twenty  years  of  experience,  to  establish 
a  lumber  business  and  operate  that  in  connection  with 
his  activities  as  a  contractor  and  builder.  Accordingly, 
in  1912,  he  began  handling  lumber  in  a  small  way,  increas- 
ing the  amount  of  stock  carried  as  his  patronage  grew. 
His  practical  knowledge  of  the  carpenter's  trade  added  to 
his  experience  as  a  contracting  builder  enabled  him  to 
know  most  thoroughly  the  needs  of  those  who  purchase 
his  line  of  goods  in  this  locality,  and  success  came  to 
him  in  abundant  measure.  His  plant  is  located  at  the 
foot  of  Washington  Street,  in  Freeland,  and  from  the 
small  beginnings  of  his  venture  into  this  enterprise,  his 
business  has  grown  to  proportions  which  require  the  use 
of  his  extensive  yards  covering  125  by  270  feet  of  ground 
space,  upon  which  he  has  erected  sheds  for  drying  stor- 
age, etc.  He  carries  not  only  lumber  but  all  kinds  of 
building  materials,  including  hardware,  and  for  many 
years  now  his  has  been  one  of  the  leading  lumber  estab- 
lishments of  Freeland.  He  has  continued  his  operations 
as  a  building  contractor,  erecting  all  kinds  of  structures 
and  giving  employment  to  ten  or  twelve  men.  He  has 
consistently  limited,  his  building  operations  to  Freeland 
and  vicinity,  and  here  he  has  long  ago  established  a 
reputation  for  excellent  workmanship  and  for  honest 
business  dealings.  While  achieving  marked  success  in 
his  business.  Mr.  Lentz  does  not  fail  to  find  time  for 
personal  and  active  interest  in  the  affairs  of  the  borough. 
He  has  served  as  a  member  of  the  borough  council,  and 
IS  always  ready  to  support  any  well  planned  project  for 
the  improvement  of  the  place.  He  is  a  member  of  Lodge 
No.  1145,  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks-  of 
Arbutus  Lodge,  No.  611.  Free  and  Accepted  Masons;  also 
ot  Lehigh  Consistory;  and  he  holds  membership  in  the 
Patriotic  Order  Sona  of  America  and  in  the  Junior  Order 
United  American  Mechanics.  His  religious  interest  is 
with  the  Reformed  Church  of  Freeland,  of  which  he  is 
a  communicant  and  which  he  serves  as  a  member  of  the 
official  board. 

T  ■u^^^'i^V  ^"  ^^"*^  "^^^  married.  August  13.  i8qi,  to 
H'lj,^r  »  •  ,  Lehigh  Countv,  Pennsylvania,  daughter 
ot  lilman  Mohr.  and  they  are  the  parents  of  ten  children  ■ 
I.  Mamie,  wife  of  Harry  Horrax.  of  Oakdale.  2.  Charles. 
^"°  VS  associated  with  his  father  in  business;  married 
Ruth  Williams  v  Harold,  also  with  his  father.  4.  Edith. 
5.  Howard.  6.  Ida.  7.  Ferris.  8.  Minerva.  9.  Jennie.  10. 
Ruth.  The  family  home  is  located  at  No.  966  West  Wal- 
nut Street,  in  Freeland. 


JOSEPH  P.  BURKE,  M.  D..  is  of  the  third  gen- 
eration of  the  family  in  this  country  and  in  Pittston.  His 
grandparents,  both  paternal  and  maternal,  who  established 
the  family  here,  came  from  County  Mayo,  Ireland,  a 
county  which  has  contributed  to  this  region  through  its 
emigrants  and  their  descendants  many  ot  the  most  patri- 
otic and  valuable  citizens.  Oliver  Burke,  the  doctor's 
paternal  grandfather,  married  Barbara  McDonald.  His 
maternal  grandparents  were  Peter  and  Julia  Cowley. 

Dr.  Joseph  P.  Burke,  one  of  a  family  of  twelve  chil- 
dren, was  born  in  Pittston,  March  22,  1883,  son  of  Oliver 
E.  and  Julia  (Cawley)  Burke.  He  did  his  college  pre- 
paratory work  in  local  schools  and  then  matriculated  at 
Holy  Cross  College.  Worcester,  Massachusetts,  from 
which  he  was  graduated  with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  oi 
Science.  He  then  entered  the  Medical  School  of  George- 
town University,  and  graduated  with  the  degree  of  Doctor 
of  Medicine.  Then  to  gain  practical  experience  he  served 
a  period  as  interne  in  St.  Joseph's  Hospital,  Paterson^ 
New  Jersey,  and  followed  this  by  a  term  of  service  as 
house  physician  in  Mercy  Hospital.  Wilkes-Barre.  Thus 
equipped  he  began  the  private  practice  of  his  profession 
in  Pittston  in  1914.  He  was  progressing  at  a  very  satis- 
factory rate  when  the  United  States  entered  the  World 
War.  Then,  of  course,  he  could  do  naught  but  set  per- 
sona! interests  aside  and  enhst  to  fight  the  foes  of 
democracy.  On  September  10,  1917,  he  entered  the  Medi- 
cal Department  of  the  I02d  Infantry,  26th  Division  and 
sailed  for  France  two  dajs  later.  He  participated  in  the 
Seicheprey  defensive.  St.  Mihiel  offensive,  and  Chavingion 
defensive.  He  was  taken  prisoner  at  the  latter  engage- 
ment on  April  20,  1918.  and  held  until  after  the  signing 
of  the  Armistice.  He  was  mustered  out  of  the  service 
in  the  spring  of  1919  with  the  rank  of  lieutenant. 

Dr.  Burke  is  a  member  of  the  county  and  State  medical 
societies  and  of  the  American  Medical  Association.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  staff  of  St.  Mary's  Keller  Hospital. 
His  fraternal  memberships  are  in  the  Benevolent  and 
Protective  Order  of  Elks,  the  Knights  of  Columbus  and 
Phi  Beta  Pi. 

On  June  25,  1920,  Dr.  Joseph  P.  Burke  married  Rose 
Conway  of  Scranton.  They  are  members  of  St.  John's 
Roman  Catholic  Church.  Mrs.  Burke  is  an  active  mem- 
ber of  the  Woman's  Catholic  Club  and  the  Organists 
Guild  of  Scranton.  The  family  residence  is  at  159  Phila- 
delphia Avenue,  .West  Pittston. 


THOMAS  J.  LEWIS— Dignity  of  character,  serious 

entertainment  of  progressive  political  questions,  tireless 
industry  and  devotion  to  the  best  interests  of  his  fellow- 
citizens  have  together  contributed  to  the  esteem  in  which 
Thomas  J.  Lewis,  burgess  of  Freeland,  is  held  by  the 
community.  He  has  accepted  office  only  when  it  sought 
him  with-  convincing  force  and  has  administered  his 
charge  faithfully  and  efficiently,  adding  thereby  to  his 
already  large  circle  of  staunch  friends.  From  boyhood 
he  has  mingled  with  men  of  action  and  industrious  pro- 
duction and  has  from  them  absorbed  the  best  knowledge 
that  can  be  gained  from  such  association,  bringing  it  to 
l)ear  In  his  labors  in  business  and  in  civic  activities  with 
happy  effect.  A  man  whose  life  has  been  spent  in  hardy 
labor,  he  is  naturally  a  leader  in  outdoor  sports,  an 
attribute  that  has  brought  to  him  the  admiration  and 
fealty  of  the  younger  element  and  thereby  added  sup- 
porters of  his  cause  when  he  has  been  induced  to  enter 
the  political  lists  as  a  nominee  for  office.  Mr.  Lewis 
is  regarded  by  his  fellow-citizens  of  the  district  in  which 
he  has  long  resided,  as  a  worthy  member  of  the  body 
politic. 

He  was  born  in  Wales.  British  Isles.  August  4,  1865. 
a  son  of  David  and  Anna  (Harris)  Lewis,  and  began 
working  in  the  mines  of  his  native  land  when  he  was 
twelve  years  of  age,  continuing  until  he  was  seventeen, 
when  he  emigrated  to  the  United  States  and  followed 
a  natural  path  to  the  anthracite  fields  of  Pennsylvania, 
locating  in  Freeland.  Here  he  found  employment  in  the 
Drifton  shops  of  the  Lehigh  Valley  Coal  Company  as  a 
laborer.  Fidelity  to  his  employers  brought  reward  and 
promotion  came  to  him  from  grade  to  grade  until  he 
became  foreman  of  the  shops,  a  position  he  has  held 
for  years  and  which  he  has  administered  to  the  complete 
satisfaction  of  the  company,  as  well  as  to  his  force  of 
workers  and  his  own  personal  credit.  He  was  called  to 
office  as  treasurer  of  Foster  Township  and  later  was 
elected  burgess  of  Freeland,  which  position  he  has  filled 
since  1925.  making  an  efficient  administrator  and  justify- 
ing the  confidence  of  the  electorate  that  gave  him  an 
overwhelming  majority  at  the  election.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Fraternal  Order  of  Eagles  of  Hazlcton  and  attends 
the  Baptist  Church. 


^,S^^^^<:^^-f-*t^^Ci/ 


REV.  A.  G.  LAPAJ — The  clergy  of  the 
Hazleton  area  accord  to  Father  Lafaj  the 
deepest  of  respect.  Well  trained  for  the 
priesthood,  he  gives  to  his  charges  the  utmost 
of  devotion,  and  carries  the  teacliingrs  of  the 
Lord  into  the  souls  of  his  many  parishion- 
ers. He  is  pastor  of  St.  Stanislaus  Polish 
Roman  Catholic  Church,  at  Carson  and  Eighth 
streets,  Hazleton.  Within  the  parish  are  four 
hundred  and  fifty  families.  Father  Lafaj  was 
born  in  Wilkes-Barre,  June  3,  1897,  son  of 
George  and  Julia  Lafaj.  George  Lafaj  was  a 
native  of  Poland,  and  came  to  this  country 
as  a  young  man.  In  Wilkes-Barre  he  worked 
as  a  miner  through  long  years,  until  his 
death,   in   1904. 

Following  graduation  from  school  at  Or- 
chard Lake,  Michigan,  Father  Lafaj  studied 
at  St.  Mary's  College,  and  continued  his 
studies  at  St.  Cynthia's  Seminary,  being  or- 
dained to  the  priesthood  in  1921  by  Bishop 
Hoban.  in  South  Scranton.  For  fifteen  months 
thereafter  he  was  a  curate  at  Dixon  City, 
then  took  the  pastorate  of  St.  John's  Church, 
at  Exeter,  where  he  remained  eight  months. 
Following  this  charge  he  was  removed  to  St. 
Joseph's,  at  Morris  Run,  Tioga  County.  After 
four  years  and  three  months  there  he  came 
to  his   present  charge   in   Hazleton. 

St.  Stanislaus  Roman  Catholic  Church 
(Polish)  was  established  in  1S91,  through  an 
amalgamation  of  Polish  and  Lithuanian  peo- 
ples. It  was  founded  by  Rev.  Bruno  Dembin- 
ski,  who  stayed  with  the  church  until  1896. 
He  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Richard  Aust,  who 
held  the  charge  until  death  came,  in  1913. 
Rev.  Aust  was  followed  by  Rev.  Kowalczyk, 
during  whose  administration  Rev.  Tolpa  was 
temporarily  in  executive  place.  Next  was 
Rev.  Nowak,  who  came  to  the  parish  when 
Father  Kowalczyk  retired  from  it  In  1919. 
Rev.  Nowak  held  the  charge  until  July,  1925, 
being  succeeded  by  Rev.  'V.  S.  Matuszewski, 
who  gave  way  to  Rev.  W.  Kwiatkowski. 
Father  Kwiatkowski  retired  from  the  church 
in  August,  1927:  and  it  was  then  that  Father 
Lafaj    came    to    the    Hazleton    parish. 

St.  Stanislaus  has  a  seating  capacity  of 
three  hundred,  and  at  the  present  time  (this 
is  written  in  1928)  erection  of  a  new  church 
and  school  is  under  process,  at  the  same  lo- 
cation. These  will  afford  much  needed  facili- 
ties, as  the  parish  has  grown  materially  in 
membership.  Father  Lafaj  administers  to 
the  needs  of  his  parishioners  with  love  and 
understanding.  They  turn  to  him  at  every 
occasion. 

Father  Lafaj  is  affiliated  with  the  Benevo- 
lent and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  as  mem- 
ber of  Lodge  No.  173,  at  Williamsport;  and 
with  the  Knights  of  Columbus,  Lodge  No. 
2161,  at  Blossburg.  He  takes  pleasure  in  out- 
of-door  relaxations  and  sports,  being  particu- 
larly fond  of  hunting  and  fishing.  He  is  very 
well  liked  by  all  who  know  him,  for  he  is 
genial,  possessed  of  a  wit  that  is  pleasing 
and  laughter  that  rings   sincere. 


GEORGE  PICKERIIVG  COOPER — Though 
not  yet  thirty  years  of  age  George  Pickering 
Cooper  is  president  of  three  successful  busi- 
ness organizations,  all  of  which  he  organized 
and  all  of  which  are  not  only  successful  but 
are  rapidly  growing.  Five  years  ago  Mr. 
Cooper  was  associated  with  his  father  in 
business,  but  in  1923  he  withdrew  and  since 
that  time  he  has  brought  into  existence  and 
placed  upon  a  solid  foundation  the  Cooper 
Construction  Company,  the  Cooper  Crushed 
Stone  Company,  Inc.,  and  The  Plymouth 
Excavating  Company,  Inc.,  all  of  which  he 
has  served  as  chief  executive  since  their 
organization,  the  first  two  in  1925,  and  in 
1928    he    completed    the    organization    of    the 


Plymouth  Excavating  Company,  Inc.,  of 
which  he  is  to  be  president  and  manager. 
He  was  also  the  youngest  district  president 
which  the  Patriotic  Order  Sons  of  America 
had   ever  elected. 

George  Pickering  Cooper  was  born  in 
Plymouth,  Pennsylvania,  July  29,  1899,  son 
of  Ralph  Cooper,  a  native  of  Rloomsburgh, 
Pennsylvania,  who  is  engaged  in  business  as 
a  general  contractor,  and  of  Cora  (Picker- 
ing) Cooper,  who  is  a  native  of  Plymouth, 
Pennsylvania.  As  a  boy  he  attended  the  pub- 
lic schools  here,  graduating  from  the  high 
school  with  the  class  of  1916,  after  which  he 
took  a  commercial  course  in  the  Broadway 
High  School.  When  his  commercial  training 
was  finished  he  secured  employment  in  the 
Ambrose  West  Knitting  Mill,  but  after  about 
a  year  in  that  connection  he  engaged  in  busi- 
ness for  himself  as  a  huckster,  beginning  in 
1919  and  continuing  until  1921.  In  that  year 
he  became  associated  with  his  father  in  a 
general  contracting  and  trucking  business 
under  the  name  of  R.  Cooper  and  Sons,  and 
that  partnership  was  continued  until  1923, 
when  Mr.  Cooper  withdrew  and  began  con- 
tracting under  his  own  name.  Two  years 
later,  in  1925,  he  organized  the  Cooper  Con- 
struction Company,  also  the  Cooper  Crushed 
Stone  Company,  Inc.,  and  since  that  time  he 
has  been  the  efficient  president  of  both  com- 
panies. In  1928  he  organized  the  Plymouth 
Excavating  Company,  Inc.,  and  of  this  enter- 
prise he  is  president  and  general  manager. 
Thus  it  is  that  Mr.  Cooper,  at  the  age  of 
twenty-nine,  is  at  the  head  of  three  success- 
ful business  enterprises,  employing  on  an 
average  of  seventy  men.  His  executive  ability 
is  recognized  by  his  associates  and  his  more 
than  usual  business  ability  is  bringing  him 
substantial  rewards.  As  an  administrator,  he 
wins  easily  the  cooperation  and  the  earnest 
support  of  those  with  whom  he  works,  and 
at  the  present  time  (1928)  he  has  the  honor 
of  being  the  youngest  chief  executive  of  a 
district  ever  elected  by  any  district  of  the 
Patriotic  Order  Sons  of  America.  In  this  con- 
nection, as  in  his  business  administration, 
Mr.  Cooper  is  a  "live  wire,"  and  is  an  able 
leader  of  his  group.  In  his  political  sympa- 
thies he  is  a  Republican,  and  he  is  well 
known  in  the  Masonic  Order,  being  a  member 
of  Lodge  No.  332,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons; 
of  Dieu  le  Veut  Coinmandery,  Knights  Tem- 
plar; and  of  Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic 
Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  He  is  an 
interested  member  of  the  Plymouth  Chamber 
of  Commerce,  and  his  club  is  the  Craftsmen's 
Club.  His  religious  affiliation  is  with  the 
Presbyterian  Church. 

George  Pickering  Cooper  was  married,  in 
September,  1922,  to  Leona  Evans,  of  Plym- 
outh, Pennsylvania,  daughter  of  John  O.  and 
Margaret  Evans,  and  they  have  one  daughter, 
Dorothy  E.,  who  was  born  in  March,  1924. 
Their  home  is  at  No.  24  Girard  Avenue,  in 
Plymouth. 


FRED  MORGAN  KIRBY — One  of  the  prin- 
ciple factors  in  the  financial  and  industrial 
circles  of  the  Eastern  States  is  Fred  Morgan 
Klrby,  vice-president  and  director  of  the  F. 
W.  Woolworth  Company,  which  is  a  consoli- 
dation of  the  three  hundred  and  eighteen 
stores  of  F.  W.  Woolworth  &  Company,  one 
hundred  and  twelve  stores  of  S.  H.  Knox  & 
Company,  ninety-six  stores  of  F.  M.  Kirby 
&  Company,  fifteen  stores  of  C.  S.  Woolworth, 
ten  stores  of  E.  P.  Charlton,  and  two  stores 
of  W.  H.  Moore,  a  total  of  five  hundred  and 
fifty-three  stores.  Although  his  activities  are 
country-wide,  Mr.  Kirby  maintains  his  head- 
quarters In  the  Miners'  Bank  Building, 
Wilkes-Barre,   the  scene  of  his  first  business 


success.  The  story  of  the  inception  and 
development  of  the  F.  W.  Woolworth  Com- 
pany, of  which  Mr.  Kirby  is  one  of  the 
founders,  is  a  story  of  a  romance  of  Ameri- 
can business,  and  shows  what  determination, 
aided   by   genius   and   ability,   can   accomplish. 

Mr.  Kirby  was  born  in  Brownville,  Jeffer- 
son County,  New  York,  October  30,  1861, 
the  son  of  William  and  Angeline  Elizabeth 
(Slater)  Kirby,  the  father  a  native  of  New 
Brunswick,  who  sailed  around  Cape  Horn  in 
the  days  of  '"49,"  and  took  part  in  the  gold 
rush  of  that  adventurous  era.  For  six  years 
he  remained  in  California  and  upon  his  return 
to  Jefferson  County  engaged  in  agriculture. 
William  Kirby  was  married  in  Hounsfield, 
Jefferson  County,  New  York,  April  S,  1S58,  to 
Angeline  Elizabeth  Slater,  the  daughter  of 
Joseph  and  Zylpha  (Morgan)  Slater.  They 
were  the  parents  of  two  children,  as  follows: 
1.  Fred  Morgan,  of  whom  this  is  a  record.  2. 
Charlotte  Elizabeth,  born  June  5,  1869,  near 
Stowell's  Corners,  Jefferson  County,  New 
York,  died  August  16,  1870,  in  Pamelia,  Jef- 
ferson County. 

The  early  education  of  Mr.  Kirby  was 
obtained  in  the  public  schools  of  his  commu- 
nity, and  at  the  age  of  fourteen  years  he 
attended  the  high  school  at  Watertown,  Jef- 
ferson County.  When  about  fifteen  years  of 
age,  Mr.  Kirby  became  a  clerk  in  the  dry 
goods  store  of  Moore  &  Smith,  at  Water- 
town.  Among  his  fellow-employees  in  this 
store  were  F.  W.  and  C.  S.  Woolworth,  both 
of  whom  were  to  become  his  associates  in  the 
operation  of  five-and-ten-cent  stores.  It 
was  in  the  Moore  &  Smith  establishment  that 
the  flve-and-ten-cent  store  idea  had  its  in- 
ception. A  former  resident  of  Watertown. 
who  was  the  senior  partner  in  the  firm  of 
Barrett  &  Goulding,  of  Port  Huron,  Michi- 
gan, while  visiting  the  former  city,  mentioned 
that  a  firm  in  Micliigan  had  experienced  great 
success  in  getting  rid  of  some  slow-moving 
stock  by  putting  up  temporary  counters  and 
offering  any  article  thereon  at  five  cents. 
Mr.  Moore  was  greatly  impressed  with  the 
story  and  during  the  next  "Fair  Week,"  then 
the  busiest  part  of  the  year  in  Watertown,  he 
gave  the  idea  a  trial,  with  the  result  that  he 
got  rid  of  a  lot  of  merchandise  that  had  been 
for  some  time  on  his  shelves.  This  was  the 
circumstance  that  revealed  the  possibilities 
of  the  five-and-ten-cent  system,  and  which 
eventually  led  nearly  all  the  employees  of 
the  Moore  &  Smith  store  into  the  new  field. 
For  eight  years  Mr.  Kirby  remained  with 
the  Moore  &  Smith  concern  and  then,  with 
his  savings  of  five  hundred  dollars  as  his 
share  of  the  capital,  he  formed  a  partnership 
with  C.  Sumner  Woolworth,  of  Scranton, 
Lackawanna  County.  On  September  1,  1884, 
the  firm  of  Woolworth  &  Kirby  opened  its 
first  five-and-ten-cent  store  at  No.  172  East 
Market  Street,  Wilkes-Barre,  in  that  part  of 
the  HoUenback  Block  owned  by  Edward 
Welles.  This  partnership  lasted  for  three 
years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  Mr.  Kirby 
purchased  Mr.  Woolworth's  interest.  In  the 
spring  of  1888,  Mr.  Kirby  took  in  his  father 
as  a  partner  and  the  business  continued  under 
the  Arm  name  of  F.  M.  and  W.  Kirby.  In  1892 
they  removed  to  a  new  location  in  the  Derr 
Block,  at  the  western  corner  of  Market  and 
Washington  streets  and,  after  the  death  of 
the  elder  Kirby,  the  firm  name  became  F.  M. 
Kirby  &  Company.  After  1888,  the  expan- 
sion of  the  firm  began  with  the  founding 
throughout  the  country  of  stores  similar  to 
the  Wilkes-Barre  establishment,  operating 
under  the  name  of  F.  M.  Kirby  &  Company. 
On   January   12,    1910,   the   company   that   had 


made  such  a  humble  beginning  in  1SS4  was 
incorporated  with  a  capital  of  three  million 
dollars,  which  in  the  following  month  was 
increased  to  five  millions.  By  the  close  of  the 
year  1911,  F.  M.  Kirby  &  Company  owned 
and  operated  ninety-six  stores,  located  in  as 
many  towns  throughout  the  United  States. 
On  January  1,  1912,  occurred  the  great  mer- 
ger of  the  five-and-ten-cent  stores  of  the 
country.  The  consolidation  was  incorporated 
with  a  capital  of  sixty-five  million  dollars, 
the  stores  number  over  a  thousand,  and  they 
have  become  a  recognized  National  institution. 
In  addition  to  his  interests  in  the  five-and- 
ten-cent  stores  combination,  of  which,  as 
stated,  he  is  vice-president  and  director,  Mr. 
Kirby  was  elected  second  vice-president  of 
the  Second  National  Bank  of  Wilkes-Barre, 
which  post  he  held  until  his  resignation  in 
October,  1916.  On  November  3,  1909,  he  was 
elected  a  director  of  the  Miners'  Savings 
Bank,  became  first  vice-president  April  23, 
1913.  and  succeeded  to  the  presidency  Sep- 
tember 29,  1914,  and  is  now  chairman  of  the 
board.  He  is  a  director  and  executive  com- 
mitteeman of  the  Lehigh  Valley  Railroad; 
president  of  the  Wilkes-Barre  Railway  Com- 
pany; director  of  the  United  States  Lumber 
Company,  the  Mississippi  Central  Railroad, 
and  a  trustee  of  the  American  Surety  Com- 
pany, of  New  York.  In  many  Wilkes-Barre 
and  Wyoming  Valley  enterprises  Mr.  Kirby 
was  for  a  long  time  associated  with  Abrara 
Nesbitt. 

The  residence  of  Mr.  Kirby,  at  the  corner 
of  River  and  South  streets,  is  located  on  a 
very  historic  spot.  It  is  the  site  of  a  log 
house  where  Colonel  Denison,  who  was  next 
in  command  to  Colonel  Zebulon  Butler  at 
the  battle  of  Wyoming,  July  3,  1778,  was 
married  to  Elizabeth  Sill,  the  first  marriage 
in  the  Wyoming  Valley.  Later,  a  large  frame 
house  was  erected  by  Rosewell  Welles,  one 
of  the  four  lawyers  admitted  to  the  bar  on 
the  foundation  of  llie  county  and  the  organi- 
zation of  the  courts.  The  present  mansion 
was  erected  in  1873-74  by  S.  L.  Thurlow  and 
was  occupied  in  1875.  The  property  changed 
hands  several  times  before  coming  into  the 
possession  of  Mr.  Kirby,  by  whom  it  was 
remodeled  into  the  present  beautiful  resi- 
dence. The  summer  home  of  Mr.  Kirby  is  a 
handsome  stone  structure  located  at  Glen 
Summit  Springs. 

All  the  educational,  charitable  and  philan- 
thropic institutions  of  Wyoming  Valley  have 
the  generous  support  of  Mr.  Kirby.  He  is  a 
trustee  of  Lafayette  College  and  of  Wyoming 
Seminary;  a  director  of  tlie  Wilkes-Barre 
City  Hospital.  Since  1S99  he  has  been  a  ves- 
tryman of  St.  Stephen's  Protestant  Episcopal 
Church.  His  clubs  include  the  Wyoming  Val- 
ley   Country    Club,    the    Franklin,    Press    and 

,  Craftsmen's  Clubs,  all  of  Wilkes-Barre;  the 
Concordia  Society,  of  Wilkes-Barre;  the  Rocky 
Mountain,  Hardware,  Union  League,  Metro- 
politan, Recess  and  Bankers'  clubs,  of  New 
York  City;  the  Scranton  Club,  of  Scranton, 
Pennsylvania,  and  the  Hazleton  Country  Club, 
of  Hazleton,  Pennsylvania.  He  is  affiliated 
with  Watertown  Lodge,  No.  49,  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons,  of  Watertown,  New  York; 
the  Keystone  Lodge  of  Perfection,  and  Irem 
Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the 
Mystic  Shrine. 

During  the  World  War  Mr.  Kirby  turned 
over  to  the  United  States  Government  his 
yacht,  "Suzanne,"  a  steel-hulled  craft  of  one 
hundred  and  ten  feet  with  a  beam  of  seven- 
teen and  a  half  feet.  This  vessel  Mr.  Kirby 
turned  over  to  the  Government  without  cost 
for  the  duration  of  the  war  and  it  was  used 


w- 


383 


in  the  coast  patrol  service  as  the  "S.  P.  510." 
His  part  in  the  five  Liberty  Loan  drives  was 
a  most  responsible  one,  while  in  the  drives 
for  the  Red  Cross  and  the  organizations 
whose  sphere  was  personal  work  among  the 
soldiers  and  sailors,  he  gave  most  liberally 
of  his   time  and   his  money. 

On  May  27,  1S86,  Mr.  Kirby  married  Jessie 
Amelia  Owen,  born  in  Ogdensburg,  New  York, 
January  5,  1S61,  the  daughter  of  James  Con- 
gress and  Huldah  (Main)  Owen.  Mrs.  Kirby 
is  active  in  charitable  and  philanthropic  work 
in  Wilkes-Barre.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kirby  were 
the  parents  of  three  children,  as  follows:  1. 
Harold,  born  July  G,  18SS,  died  August  25, 
18SS.  2.  Allan  Price,  born  July  31,  1S92;  edu- 
cated in  the  Harry  Hillman  Academy,  Wyom- 
ing Seminary,  Lawrenceville  School,  at  Law- 
renceville.  New  Jersey,  Black  Hall  School, 
of  Lyme,  Connecticut,  and  Lafayette  College; 
served  in  the  United  States  Navy  during  the 
World  War;  vice-president  and  a  director  of 
the  Second  National  Bank;  married,  Febru- 
ary 14,  191S,  Marion  Grace  Sutherland;  has 
three  children:  Grace  Jessie,  born  November 
18,  1918;  Fred  Morgan,  2d,  born  November 
23,  1919,  and  Anne  Sutherland,  born  August 
16,  1928.  3.  Sumner  Moore,  born  September  5, 
1895;  educated  in  the  public  schools,  the 
Harry  Hillman  Academy  and  Cornell  Univer- 
sity; served  in  the  United  States  Navy  in 
the   World  War. 


ALLAN^  PRICE  KIRHY — Though  a  young 
man,  Allan  P.  Kirby  has  been  prepared  for 
his  present  responsible  position  as  president 
of  The  Kirby-Davis  Company,  Inc.,  by  thor- 
ough academic  training  and  by  a  diversified 
business  experience.  He  is  a  graduate  of 
Lafayette  College,  is  known  as  an  able  and 
resourceful  business  man,  and  is  one  of  the 
active  and  progressive  citizens  of  Wilkes- 
Barre.  The  Kirby-Davis  Company,  Inc.,  are 
distributors  of  the  Chrysler  motor  cars,  with 
sales  rooms  and  office  at  the  corner  of  Market 
and  Gates  streets,  in  Kingston.  Mr.  Kirby, 
who  lives  in  Wilkes-Barre,  is  also  vice- 
president  of  the  Second  National  Bank,  of 
Wilkes-Barre,  and  is  active  in  promoting  the 
best  interests  of  the  city,  serving  as  a  trus- 
tee   of   the   Wilkes-Barre    Institute. 

Allan  P.  Kirby  was  born  in  Wilkes-Barre, 
Pennsylvania,  July  31,  1892,  son  of  Fred  Mor- 
gan and  Jessie  A.  (Owen)  Kirby,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre  (q.  v.).  Mr.  Kirby  received  his  early 
education  in  the  Harry  Hillman  Academy,  at 
Wilkes-Barre,  and  at  Wyoming  Seminary,  at 
Kingston,  and  then  prepared  for  college  at 
Lawrenceville,  New  Jersey,  and  at  Black 
Hall  School.  He  then  entered  Lafayette  Col- 
lege, at  Easton,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  com- 
pleted his  course  with  graduation  in  1915, 
receiving  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Science. 
After  graduation  from  college  Mr.  Kirby 
entered  the  employ  of  the  Bathurst  Lumber 
Company,  of  Bathurst,  New  Brunswick,  Can- 
ada. In  1915  he  returned  to  Wilkes-Barre, 
where  he  engaged  in  the  food  packing  busi- 
ness. In  1920  he  was  one  of  the  organizers 
of  The  Kirby-Davis  Company,  Inc.,  of  which 
he  is  president.  The  company  distributes  the 
Chrysler  cars,  his  territory  covering  Luzerne, 
Columbia  and  Schuylkill  counties,  and  is  now 
(1929)  one  of  the  successful  and  well  estab- 
lished business  concerns  of  the  city.  Mr. 
Kirby  enlisted  May  18,  1917,  in  the  United 
States  Naval  Reserve  Force,  serving  until 
December,  1918,  when  he  received  his  hon- 
orable discharge  as  boatswain.  Along  with 
his  business  interests  Mr.  Kirby  has  found 
time  for  civic  and  philanthropic  work  and  for 
identification   with   various  helpful   organiza- 


tions, as  well  as  with  fraternal  organizations. 
He  is  a  Republican  in  his  political  sympathies, 
and  is  interested  in  all  that  pertains  to  the 
welfare  of  Wilkes-Barre.  As  a  trustee  and 
treasurer  of  the  Wilkes-Barre  Institute  and 
trustee  and  treasurer  of  the  Angeline  Eliza- 
beth Kirby  Health  Center,  he  is  rendering 
most  efficient  and  valuable  service.  He  is 
a  director  of  the  Wyoming  Seminary,  and 
member  of  Tau  Chapter  of  Zeta  Psi  Frater- 
nity. He  is  a  member  of  Landmark  Lodge, 
No.  4  4  2,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons;  of  She- 
kinah  Chapter,  No.  182,  Royal  Arch  Masons; 
Dieu  le  Veut  Commandery,  No.  45,  Knights 
Templar;  Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order 
Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  of  Wilkes-Barre; 
and  of  Irem  Temple  Country  Club.  He  is  also 
a  member  of  the  Fox  Hill  Country  Club, 
Hazleton  Country  Club,  the  Everglades  Club, 
and  Bath  and  Tennis  Club,  both  of  Palm 
Beach,  Florida;  the  Union  League,  of  Phila- 
delphia; the  Westmoreland  Club,  at  Wilkes- 
Barre;  Wyoming  Valley  Country  Club,  North 
Mountain  Club,  and  of  other  organizations. 
His  religious  membership  is  with  St.  Stephen's 
Episcopal  Church,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  and  ves- 
tryman of  the  Bethesda  by  the  Sea  Episcopal 
Church  of  Palm  Beach,  Florida. 

Allan  P.  Kirby  married,  February  14,  1918, 
Marion  G.  Sutherland,  of  West  Pittston, 
Pennsylvania,  daughter  of  W.  C.  and  Grace 
(Klotz)  Sutherland.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kirby  are 
the  parents  of  three  children:  Grace  Jessie, 
Fred  Morgan,  and  Ann  Sutherland.  The  fam- 
ily home  is  at  Glen  Summit  Springs,  Penn- 
sylvania. 


AVESLEY      EL,L,S^'ORTH      WOODUUPF,    of 

Wilkes-Barre,  was  born  at  Salem,  Pennsyl- 
vania, son  of  Rev.  Dr.  James  Oscar  and  Eliza 
(Townley)  Woodruff.  Matthew  Woodruff 
came  from  Surrey,  England,  to  the  Mas- 
sachusetts Bay  Colony  soon  after  1630,  with 
the  company  headed  by  Elder  Thomas  Hooker. 
Most  of  them  went  to  Connecticut  and  were 
among  the  early  settlers  of  Hartford  and 
Saybrook.  The  family  was  identified  through 
succeeding  generations  in  Connecticut,  notice- 
ally  at  Litchfield  where  the  name  has  been 
known  continually  from  the  earliest  days  to 
the  present.  Others  of  the  same  descent 
ventured  to  Long  Island  and  North  Jersey. 
Thomas  Woodruff  of  Connecticut  Farms,  New 
Jersey,  was  a  m.inute-man  during  the  Revolu- 
tion and  saw  service  in  that  area.  His  native 
village  was  devastated  in  Knyphausen's  raid 
following  the  Battle  of  Springfield,  which  lat- 
ter struggle  has  been  immortalized  by  Bret 
Harte.  Thomas  Woodruffs  son  David  Wood- 
ruff, married  Mary  C.  Davis,  of  Westfield,  and 
they  had  several  children.  Among  these, 
Wesley  V.,  who  served  five  years  with  Sher- 
man's army  during  the  Civil  War  and  became 
lieutenant  of  infantry.  Another,  Jacob  Wood- 
ruff, was  first  a  clergyman,  and  afterward 
physician. 

Rev.  Dr.  James  O.  Woodruff,  father  of  the 
present  subject,  and  another  son  of  David  and 
Mary  C.  (Davis)  Woodruff,  was  for  nearly 
forty  years  a  member  of  the  Wyoming  Con- 
ference of  the  Methodist  Church,  and  held 
some  of  its  most  important  posts.  He  was 
several  years  secretary  of  the  Board  of  Trus- 
tees of  Wyoming  Seminary  and  during  his 
pastorate  in  Wilkes-Barre,  the  present  First 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  on  North  Frank- 
lin Street  was  built.  He  was  given  the 
degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity  by  Wesleyan 
University  in  1886,  and  was  recognized  as 
among  the  gifted  preachers  of  his  generation, 
a  student,  and  a  man  of  unusual  executive 
ability,    and    of    strong    personality.      At    the 


3«4 


time  of  his  death  he  was  presiding  elder  of 
the  Binghamton  District  "Wyoming  Confer- 
ence. 

On  the  maternal  side,  Mr.  Woodruff's 
mother,  Eliza  Townley,  was  descended  from 
an  Englisli  ancestor  who  came  to  New  Jersey 
around  1725.  The  Townley  descendants  of 
Union  and  Essex  counties  had  a  prominent 
part  in  the  Revolution,  and  there  were  sev- 
eral officers  of  the  line  among  them,  as  noted 
in  a  published  Townley  genealogy.  Their 
liberal  representation  in  military  affairs  con- 
tinued through  the  Civil  War  days.  Two  of 
the  collateral  kindred  were  killed  at  the 
Bloody  Angle,  Gettysburg,  near  the  spot 
where  Lieutenant  Woodruff,  a  West  Pointer 
and  commander  of  a  battery,  was  killed  in 
the  artillery  duel  preceding  Pickett's  cliarge. 

Wesley  Ellsworth  Woodruff  prepared  for 
college  at  Wyoming  Seminary  and  was  grad- 
uated from  Wesleyan  University  with  special 
honors  in  history.  Later  the  same  institution 
gave  him  the  degree  of  Master  of  Arts. 
After  college  he  was  city  editor  of  the 
Wilkes-Barre  "Record,"  then  city  editor  of 
the  "Leader,"  and  then  editor  of  the  "News." 
He  was  admitted  to  the  Bar  of  Luzerne 
County  in  1905;  became  editor  of  the  "Luzerne 
Legal  Register,"  and  in  1920,  secretary  of 
the  Wilkes-Barre  Law  and  Library  Asso- 
ciation. His  legal  activity  has  been  almost 
altogether  the  editing  of  law  reports. 
Through  the  years  Mr.  Woodruff  has  kept 
up  his  newspaper  work,  editorial,  free  lance, 
and  musical  criticism,  and  has  been  for  a 
number  of  years  associate  editor  of  the 
"Times-Leader"  of  Wilkes-Barre.  His  music 
writings  have  found  place  in  many  of  the 
musical  journals  of  the  country  and  his 
critiques  have  been  quoted  widely.  As  avoca- 
tion, he  has  been  known  as  a  public  speaker 
and  lecturer  on  historical  and  literary  topics. 
His  affiliations  have  been  with  the  Delta 
Kappa  Epsilon  college  fraternity;  Sons  of 
the  Revolution;  for  many  years  member 
of  the  Westmoreland  Club;  charter  member  of 
the  Wyoming  Valley  Country  Club,  sometime 
member  of  the  Elks  and  Masons;  of  the 
Board  of  tlie  United  Charities,  and  historiog- 
rapher of  the  Wyoming  Historical  and 
Geological  Society.  In  1926  he  was  given 
the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Literature  by  Sus- 
quehanna University,  and  in  1928  was  made 
a  member  of  the  Alumni  Council  of  Wesleyan 
University.  As  chairman  of  the  music  com- 
mittee, Sesqui-Centennial  of  the  Battle  of 
Wyoming,  1928,  he  selected  a  large  part  of 
the  music  program,  organized  and  directed 
the  chorus  of  1,000  at  the  preliminary  mass- 
ing of  the  choirs,  and  directed  the  Echo 
Chorus   of   the   pageant. 

Mr.  Woodruff  married,  in  1905,  Mary  Caro- 
line Davis  of  Tonkers,  New  York,  a  graduate 
of  Vassar  College.  Mr.  Woodruff  has  two 
sisters,  both  in  the  far  West,  and  a  brother, 
Oscar  Abbott  Woodruff,  of  the  Controllers' 
Division,  Metropolitan  Life  Insurance  Com- 
pany. 


CAMILLUS  A.  ROGABJ — Following  the  ex- 
ample of  many  other  members  of  his  profes- 
sion, Camillus  A.  Rogan,  attorney  at  law  of 
Hazleton,  used  teaching  as  a  stepping-stone 
to  eventual  success  in  legal  practice,  having 
taught  school  at  various  periods  in  order  to 
obtain  money  to  complete  his  law  studies. 
Despite  the  fact  that  his  period  of  training 
was  interrupted  at  a  most  vital  period,  Mr. 
Rogan  has  become  one  of  the  conspicuous 
members  of  his  profession  in  this  town,  al- 
though still  a  very  young  man,  yet  in  his 
thirties.     Mr.    Rogan    was    born    July    6,    1894, 


at  Freeland,  Pennsylvania,  son  of  John  anS 
Hannah  Rogan,  who  reside  at  Freeland.  John 
Rogan  has  followed  the  arduous  life  of  a 
miner  throughout  his  life.  He  was  born  in 
Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania,  which  has 
since  been  the  scene  of  his  endeavors. 

Camillus  A.  Rogan  received  his  elementary 
education  in  tlie  parochial  schools  of  Free- 
land.  A  young  man  possessed  of  ambition,  he 
tlien  entered  East  Stroudsburg  State  Normal 
School,  which  graduated  him  in  1912.  Seeking 
higher  education,  he  matriculated  at  Du- 
quesne  University,  and  was  given  his  degree 
of  Bachelor  of  Arts  by  this  institution  in 
1926,  and  later,  in  1927,  this  university  hon- 
ored him  with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of 
Laws.  In  the  meantime,  however,  Mr.  Rogan 
had  taught  in  the  Freeland  schools  for  two 
years,  from  1912-14.  and  from  1914-17  was 
a  teacher  at  Carrolltown,  Pennsylvania.  A 
few  months  after  the  entrance  of  the  United 
States  into  the  World  War,  Mr.  Rogan  enter- 
ed the  service,  being  attached  to  Battery  D, 
314th  Field  Artillery.  Going  overseas,  he  par- 
ticipated in  the  several  major  engagements, 
among  them  being  Saint  Mihiel  and  the  Ar- 
gonne  Offensive.  Having  acquitted  himself 
most  valorously  on  behalf  of  his  country,  he 
received  his  honorable  discharge  June  7, 
1919,  holding  a  corporal's  warrant  at  that 
time.  He  immediately  returned  to  Carroll- 
town  and  resumed  teaching,  which  was  to 
occupy  him  until  1923,  the  year  he  entered 
Duquesne  University,  combining  his  study  of 
law  with  teaching,  however,  and  was  a  teach- 
er in  the  preparatory  department.  It  was  on 
September  12,  1917,  that  Mr.  Rogan  was 
admitted  to  the  bar  of  Luzerne  County,  and 
he  established  his  office  at  Hazleton,  where 
he  has  since  conducted  a  general  practice, 
rapidly  attaining  prominence  among  his  con- 
freres and  participating  in  various  civic 
projects  with  enthusiasm. 

Mr.  Rogan  recalls  his  soldier  days  through 
his  membership  in  Hazleton  Post  No.  76, 
American  Legion,  and  has  been  one  of  the 
most  vital  factors  in  the  many  achievements 
of  this  post's  Americanization  worl\.  A  de- 
voted Catholic,  he  attends  St.  Gabriel's  Roman 
Catholic  Church,  and  expedites  the  work  of 
the   local   Knights   of  Columbus   organization. 

Mr.  Rogan  married,  August  16,  1922,  Othella 
Thomas,  daughter  of  C.  J.  and  Sylvania  (Dis- 
hardt)  'Thomas,  of  Qfirrolltown,  and  the  chil- 
dren of  this  marriage  are:  Camilla  Marie, 
Thomas  Patrick,  and  Paul  Joseph.  The  Rogan 
family  resides  at  No.  620  West  Twelfth 
Street,  Hazleton,  while  Mr.  Rogan  has  his 
office   in   the   Markle   Building,  Hazleton. 


GEORGE  R.  DRAKE,  M.  D. — With  the 
interests  of  his  community  ever  in  mind.  Dr. 
George  R.  Drake,  of  Plymouth,  is  active  in 
all  public  affairs,  a  leader  in  various  civic 
endeavors  and  in  addition,  one  of  this 
section's  foremost  physicians,  having  con- 
ducted a  large  and  steadily  expanding  med- 
ical practice  since  coming  to  this  town  in 
1907.  Dr.  Drake  is  a  true  follower  of  this 
most  merciful  profession,  devoting  himself 
unselfishly  to  the  aid  of  his  fellowmen,  work- 
ing untiringly  for  the  alleviation  of  the  suf- 
fering and  the  restoration  to  health  of  his 
patients.  In  matters  concerning  public  health, 
he  is  frequently  consulted,  while  in  the 
realm  of  medical  science  he  is  prominently 
identified  among  the  leaders  of  his  profession, 
being  a  constant  and  careful  student  and 
keeping  abreast  of  every  new  discovery 
brought  to  light,  making  use  of  the  most 
modern  and  progressive  methods  which  have 
been  demonstrated  as  valuable  acquisitions 
towards  medical  advancement.  In  local 
activities.    Dr.    Drake   is   an    active   factor   in 


I  /f-^^^-^OyL^ 


£:nafd'-ed   hr    Camabell   N.I 


/^^^ //^  A^^.^^^ 


385 


financial  affairs  besides  taking  a  deep  inter- 
est  in   educational   and   athletic   endeavors. 

Dr.  Drake  was  born  in  Bristol,  Vermont, 
February  24,  1S79,  son  of  Warner  T.  Drake, 
born  in  1S34,  and  died  in  1915,  and  Eleanor 
(Roberts)  Drake,  born  in  1S42,  died  in  1906, 
both  of  w-hom  were  natives  of  Bristol,  Ver- 
mont. Warner  T.  Drake  was  engaged  in 
agriculture   all   his   life. 

George  R.  Drake  was  educated  in  the  pub- 
lic schools  of  his  native  town  and  after  high 
school,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1898, 
he  entered  Middlebury  College  at  Middlebury, 
Vermont,  receiving  his  degree  of  Bachelor  of 
Arts  with  the  class  of  1902.  He  then  decided 
to  study  medicine  and  entered  the  Univer- 
sity of  Pennsylvania,  Philadelphia,  and  ap- 
plied himself  to  the  arduous  studies  neces- 
sary for  this  profession,  graduating  with  the 
class  of  1906  and  receiving  his  degree  of 
Doctor  of  Medicine.  He  served  his  interne- 
ship  at  the  Wilkes-Barre  General  Hospital 
for  a  year,  and  in  1907  came  to  Plymouth 
and  opened  an  office  for  general  medical 
practice.  He  immediately  made  many  friends 
by  his  courteous  manner,  considerate  treat- 
ment and  expert  medical  and  surgical  skill 
and  his  practice  grew  and  extended  to 
embrace  a  large  area  in  and  about  this 
town.  Dr.  Drake's  estimable  qualities  and 
remarkable  abilitj'  soon  brought  him  deserved 
recognition  with  the  result  that  he  was 
elected  to  the  staff  of  the  Wilkes-Barre 
General  Hospital,  in  which  capacity  he  still 
continues.  Maintaining  a  deep  interest  in 
the  rising  generation,  he  has  served  as  coach 
of  the  football  team  of  the  local  high  school 
since  1910,  and  has  been  a  splendid  guiding 
influence  to  the  boys  under  his  direction. 
He  is  a  director  of  the  Plymouth  National 
Bank  and  his  fraternal  connections  are  with 
the  Chi  Psi  Fraternity  at  Middlebury  College, 
Vermont,  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  the  Kiwanis 
Club,  and  the  Wyoming  Valley  Country  Club. 
In  his  religious  adherence,  he  is  a  member 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  In  the 
organizations  connected  with  his  profession 
he  is  prominently  identified  with  the  Luzerne 
County,  Pennsylvania  State  and  American 
Medical  associations,  and  in  1927  had  the 
honor  to  serve  as  president  of  the  Luzerne 
County  Medical  Society.  He  is  one  of  the 
trustees  of  Middlebury  College  at  Middle- 
bury, Vermont.  His  political  principles  are 
those  of  the  Republican  party  of  which  he 
is  a  staunch  supporter.  While  studying  at 
the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  Dr.  Drake 
achieved  a  distinguished  place  in  athletic 
circles  by  his  glorious  achievenients  as  a 
member  of  the  varsity  football  team  on  which 
he  played  end. 

Dr.  George  R.  Drake  married,  in  1907, 
Frances  Gertrude  Crane,  of  Philadelphia, 
daughter  of  John  and  Margaret  Crane,  and 
to  this  union  has  been  born  one  son,  George 
R.,  Jr.,  born  April  3,  1917.  His  professional 
offices  are  located  at  No.  135  West  Main 
Street,   Plymouth. 


RICHARD  TRETHAWAY — For  many  years 
Richard  Trethaway  has  occupied  an  impor- 
tant place  in  the  industrial  life  of  Wilkes- 
Barre,  his  native  city.  Before  191S,  he 
achieved  distinction  for  his  careful  handling 
of  the  affairs  of  Trethaway  Brothers,  manu- 
facturers of  all  kinds  of  tin  and  metal  ware, 
of  which  he  was  president  and  part  owner; 
and  as  a  director  of  the  Union  Savings  Bank 
and  Trust  Company  and  the  Industrial  Loan 
Company,  both  of  Wilkes-Barre,  he  is  main- 
taining the  reputation  for  splendid  accom- 
plishment and  fair  dealing  which  so  long  has 
been  his. 

His   father,    James   Trethaway,   a    native   of 


England,  is  now  deceased;  while  his  mother, 
Martha  (Pascoe)  Trethaway.  also  of  England, 
is  likewise  deceased.  They  were  the  parents 
of  nine  children:  1.  Ella,  the  wife  of  George 
R.  Sailor,  of  Scranton,  Pennsylvania.  2. 
James,  deceased.  3.  Richard,  of  further  men- 
tion. 4.  Thomas,  deceased.  5.  William  H., 
of  Kingston,  Pennsylvania.  6.  Joseph,  of 
Wilkes-Barre.  7.  John,  ot  Wilkes-Barre.  S. 
Charles,  deceased.  9.  Bertha  M.,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre. 

Richard  Trethaway  was  born  on  January 
21,  1S6.S,  in  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania.  He 
attended  the  public  schools  of  this  city,  and 
when  seventeen  years  old  began  to  learn  the 
machinist's  trade,  having  become  an  appren- 
tice in  this  sort  of  work  with  the  Dickson 
Manufacturing  Company,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  on 
May  1,  1S83,  and  having  remained  with  this 
firm  until  ISSS,  when  he  was  employed  for 
one  year  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio.  Then  he  was  in 
the  employ  of  the  Vulcan  Iron  Works  for 
about  four  years.  And,  in  1S94,  he  formed 
a  p.artnership  with  his  brothers,  William  H., 
Joseph,  John,  and  Charles  Trethaway,  for 
which  the  name  Trethaway  Brothers  was 
adopted.  This  firm  immediately  began  the 
the  manufacture  of  metal  ware;  and  from 
the  very  start.  It  made  rapid  progress,  until 
it  came  at  length  to  employ  about  five  hun- 
dred persons.  But  when  fire  destroyed  the 
building,  machinery,  and  stock  on  April  25, 
1918,  it  was  considered  inadvisable  to  rebuild. 
Richard  Trethaway  decided,  instead,  to  enter 
the  business  of  printing,  binding,  and  litho- 
graphing; and  he  was  president  of  the  Raeder 
Company,  which  was  later  sold  and  he  is  now 
retired    from   active    business. 

At  all  times  Jlr.  Trethaway  has  taken  an 
active  part  in  the  public  life  of  his  com- 
munity, and  has  shown  himself  ready  and 
■w^illing  to  support  any  movement  which  he 
has  believed  would  bring  certain  and  last- 
ing benefits  to  Wilkes-Barre  and  vicinity. 
He  was  vice-president  of  the  Luzerne  County 
branch  of  the  Pennsylvania  Manufacturers' 
Association;  he  is  a  director  and  vice-presi- 
dent of  the  Wilkes-Barre  City  School  Board, 
to  which  position  he  was  elected  in  Novem- 
ber, 1925,  for  a  six-year  term:  and  a  director 
of  the  Wilkes-Barre  General  Hospital.  In 
his  political  alignments,  he  is  a  member  of 
the  Republican  party.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Knights  of  Malta,  the  Franklin  Club,  and 
the  Wilkes-Barre  Rotary  Club,  and  the 
Wilkes-Barre-Wyoming  Valley  Chamber  of 
Commerce.  He  is  a  member  and  a  trustee 
of  the  First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  of 
Wilkes-Barre. 

On  May  13,  1891,  Mr.  Trethaway  married 
Annie  Wallace,  a  daughter  of  George  and 
Ellen  Wallace,  of  Wilkes-Barre.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Trethaway  are  the  parents  of  two  chil- 
dren: 1.  Mabel,  who  is  the  wife  of  E.  P. 
Dietrick,  of  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  by  which 
marriage  there  are  three  children,  Marion, 
Dorris  and  Frank  E.  2.  Robert  C,  publisher 
of  the  Printing  Equipment  Cooperative  Cata- 
logue, and  one  of  the  coming  men  of  impor- 
tance in  this  community.  He  married  Eleanor 
Kirkendall,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  and  they  have 
two  children,  Richard  and  Cordelia.  Mr. 
Trethaway  resides  at  No.  12  Riverside  Drive, 
Wilkes-Barre. 


J.\MES     SHAW     CR.4WFORD— Postmaster 

of  Freeland  since  1922,  originally  appointed 
by  President  Warren  G.  Harding.  James 
Shaw  Crawford,  although  a  native  of  Penn- 
sylvania, spent  many  years  of  his  life  in  the 
southwest.  He  assisted  in  constructing  one 
of  the  best  known  transcontinental  railroads 
in  the  United  States,  and  at  another  time 
was  a  locomotive  engineer.     His  public  serv- 


386 


ice  has  included  many  offices  of  trust  in  tliis 
community  and  lie  is  well  and  favorably 
known  in  various  walks  of  life  throughout 
Luzerne   County. 

Mr.  Crawford  was  born  September  30,  1S66, 
son  of  David  and  Isabel  (Shaw)  Crawford, 
at  Eckley,  Pennsylvania,  both  parents  natives 
of  Belfast,  Ireland.  David  Crawford,  during- 
the  early  portion  of  his  mature  lite,  was  a 
sea  captain,  and  later  became  a  pattern- 
maker. He  entered  the  Civil  War,  being 
attached  to  Company  K,  81st  Regiment, 
Pennsylvania  Volunteers.  He  was  transfer- 
red to  the  Signal  Corps,  and  received  severe 
wounds  in  battle.  At  the  close  of  the  Civil 
War,  like  many  other  veterans  of  this  con- 
flict, lie  migrated  to  the  southwest  with  the 
intention  of  engaging  in  agriculture.  How- 
ever, he  became  interested  in  railroad  build- 
ing after  having  taken  up  a  soldier's  claim, 
and  was  made  foreman  of  track  layers  work- 
ing on  the  Santa  F6  Railroad.  His  home- 
stead was  located  in  Southeastern  Kansas. 
He  died  March  8.  1882,  in  Arizona,  and  was 
buried  near  the  Old  Mexico  boundary,  by  his 
son,  an  Indian,  and  a  Mexican.  David  Craw- 
ford now    (1928)    is  survived  by   his  widow. 

James  Shaw  Crawford  went  %vest  with  his 
parents  in  1871.  He  had  studied  in  the  public 
schools  of  his  native  district  and  had  attended 
a  mechanical  training  institute  at  Freeland, 
also  had  studied  at  night  scliools.  As  a 
young  boy  he  drove  a  scraper  team  for  the 
Santa  Fe  Railroad,  having  assisted  in  lay- 
ing the  tracks  for  this  transportation  line 
from  Benson,  Arizona,  to  the  Old  Mexico 
boundary.  Later  he  was  similarly  occupied 
on  the  Missouri,  Kansas  &  Texas  Railroad, 
working  with  this  corporation  from  Wichita, 
Kansas,  through  the  Indian  Territory  (now 
a  part  of  Oklahoma).  He  later  returned  to 
Larned,  Kansas,  the  family  homestead.  In 
1883,  at  the  age  of  seventeen,  James  S.  Craw- 
ford came  back  to  Luzerne  County  and 
located  at  Drifton,  where  he  was  employed 
by  Cox,  Miller  &  Company,  working  in  the 
machine  shops  as  a  blacksmith.  Eventually 
he  became  a  fireman  on  the  Delaware,  Sus- 
quehanna &  Schuylkill  Railroad,  and  for 
nine  years  was  a  locomotive  engineer,  his 
"run"  being  from  Hazleton,  Pennsylvania, 
to  Perth  Amboy,  New  Jersey.  In  1904,  he 
returned  to  Drifton  and  was  employed  as  a 
blacksmith  in  the  shops  of  the  Lehigh  Rail- 
road, being  so  occupied  until  August  30,  1922, 
when  he  was  appointed  postmaster  at  Free- 
land,  this  appointment  coming  through  the 
influence  of  Congressman  Clarence  D.  Cough- 
Ian.  On  January  1,  1927,  Mr.  Crawford  was 
reappointed  by  President  Coolidge,  this  ap- 
pointment being  effected  through  the  influ- 
ence of  Congressman  Carpenter.  Freeland 
has  had  fe^w  postmasters  as  efficient  as  Mr. 
Crawford,  and  in  his  conduct  and  supervision 
of  the  local  post  office  he  has  gained  and 
held  the  respect  and  admiration  of  his  con- 
stituents. 

A  staunch  supporter  of  the  Republican 
party,  its  principles  and  its  candidates,  Mr. 
Crawford  has  exercised  great  influence  in  the 
affairs  of  this  political  division,  as  has  been 
illustrated  by  his  close  friendships  with 
prominent  public  officials  of  Pennsylvania. 
He  also  has  taken  interest  in  local  political 
affairs,  having  been  treasurer  of  Freeland 
Borough  Council,  in  1905;  in  1906  was  elected 
to  the  Freeland  Borough  Council,  Second 
Ward:  1916,  again  elected  councilman  from 
the  Tliird  Ward,  and  in  1920  chosen  from 
this  same  ward  as  councilman.  He  was  also 
a  director  of  the  Freeland  Building  and  Loan 
in  1923.  Every  movement  designed  for  the 
benefit  of  his  community  has  received  hia 
generous    support,    and    fraternal,    social,    and 


religious  institutions  value  him  highly  on 
tlieir  rolls.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Benevol- 
ent and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  the  Free- 
land  Fishing  Club,  the  James  G.  BrookmiFe 
Camp,  No.  188,  Sons  of  Veterans  of  the  Civil 
War,    and    the   Presbyterian   Church. 

James  Shaw  Crawford  married,  October  3, 
1894,  Sophie  Hart,  of  Highland,  daughter  of 
James  and  Sophia  (Buck)  Hart.  Their  chil- 
dren; 1.  Charles  William,  resides  in  the 
South;  is  a  machinist;  served  in  the  Ordnance 
Department  during  the  World  War.  2.  James, 
deceased.  3.  Edward  Cunningham,  born  in 
1898,  died  in  1920  at  the  age  of  twenty-two 
years.  The  armistice  was  signed  shortly 
after  he  took  the  oath  in  the  military  service 
during  the  World  War.  4.  Ethel,  now  de- 
ceased; married  Adair  Renshaw,  and  they 
had  a  child;  Ruth,  now  being  reared  by 
her  grandparents,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Crawford. 
The  Crawfords  reside  at  No.  1021  Center 
Street,    Freeland. 

HENRY  LEES — When  he  first  located  in 
Plymouth,  sixty-six  years  ago,  it  was  as  an 
unknown  youth  from  a  foreign  land.  Today, 
Henry  Lees  is  one  of  its  oldest  citizens — 
both  in  point  of  years  and  of  residence — and 
a  highly  respected  leader  in  the  borough. 
At  the  age  of  eighty-seven,  still  vigorous 
mentally  and  physically,  and  at  the  head  of 
an  important  financial  institution,  he  stands 
as  an  inspiring  example  of  how  success — 
using  the  term  not  merely  in  a  financial 
sense,  but  in  its  broadest  signification — may 
l)e  achieved.  And  because  of  the  helpful  light 
that  this  narrative  of  Mr.  Lees'  career  may 
shed  upon  the  path  of  young  readers  of  this 
volume,  the  biographer  is  taking  the  liberty 
of  pointing  out  some  of  the  factors  that 
have  contributed  toward  placing  Mr.  Lees 
in  the  enviable  position  he  occupies.  Of 
course,  the  qualities  and  attributes  to  be 
mentioned  have  been  observed  and  known 
to  two  generations  in  Plymouth,  and  it  is 
the  just  recognition  of  these  personal  char- 
acteristics by  his  contemporaries  that  has 
won  for  him  the  high  esteem  in  which  he 
is  so  generally  held.  When  young  Lees 
went  to  work  in  the  mines  away  back  in 
1862,  he  was,  to  all  outward  appearances, 
just  one  of  a  lot  of  unimportant  laborers; 
and  he  owes  his  rise  from  that  humble  sta- 
tion in  life  to  no  influence  of  friend  or  freak 
of  fortune,  but  to  his  own  intelligently 
directed  industry,  thrift,  correct  habits, 
straightforward  dealings  in  every  relation  of 
life  and  genuine  interest  in  the  welfare  of 
his  fellowmen.  He  has  proven  that  in  think- 
ing first  of  service  to  others  the  individual 
finds    he   also    best    serves    himself. 

Henry  Lees  was  born  in  Somercotes,  Eng- 
land, February  14,  1841,  son  of  George  and 
Anna  (Ashley)  Lees.  His  lineage,  both  pater- 
nal and  maternal,  is  of  that  old  substantial, 
industrious  and  right-living  English  stock 
from  which  came  such  a  large  proportion 
of  the  founders  of  this  Nation  and  which 
have  been  such  welcome  additions  to  our 
population  from  Colonial  days  to  the  pres- 
ent time.  When  Henry  Lees  came  to  America, 
in  1862,  he  went  to  work  in  the  mines  in 
Plymouth.  But  he  was  young,  and  had  not 
been  here  long  before  he  began  to  hear  won- 
derful tales  of  the  vast  West.  Adventurous 
in  spirit,  confident  of  his  ability  to  take 
care  of  himself  in  any  circumstances,  he 
yielded  to  the  lure  and  went  to  Helena,  Mon- 
tana. In  those  days  the  West  was,  indeed, 
"wild  and  woolly."  What  he  saw  and  experi- 
enced during  the  five  years  he  worked  in  the 
mines  out  there  would  make  interesting 
reading;     for     they     belong     to     a     period     in 


387 


American  history  that  even  now  is  lengend- 
ary.  But  he  did  not  lose  his  head,  though 
the  temptations  were  great  for  a  bold 
vigorous  youth.  Keeping  in  mind  his  goal, 
he  worl<ed  hard,  saved  his  earnings  when 
others  were  scattering  theirs  to  the  four 
winds,  their  characters  going  with  their 
money,  and  when  Mr.  Lees  returned  to 
Plymouth  at  the  end  of  the  period  mentioned, 
he  brought  with  him  sufficient  capital  to 
establish  himself  in  business  as  a  merchant. 
From  a  modest  beginning  he  developed  a 
large  and  prosperous  business  by  studying 
the  needs  of  the  community,  through  careful 
buying  so  as  to  be  able  to  give  his  customers 
the  greatest  value  possible  for  their  money 
and  by  unfailing  courtesy.  He  handled  men's 
clothing  and  furnishings  and  did  merchant 
tailoring  and  by  the  methods  mentioned  built 
up  a  reputation  that  extended  far  beyond 
the  confines  of  the  borough  of  Plymouth. 
In  the  spring  of  1903,  having  reached  the 
age  of  sixty-two  and  acquired  a  competence 
that  made  the  comfort  of  his  remaining  years 
secure,  he  retired  from  active  business  to 
the  enjoyment  of  a  well-earned  leisure.  But 
idleness  could  find  no  place  in  his  life.  The 
previous  spring  he  had  been  elected  a  direc- 
tor of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Plymouth, 
and  he  had  not  been  long  out  of  business 
until  he  was  drafted  to  serve  as  vice-presi- 
dent of  the  bank.  He  remained  in  that  office 
until  1915,  when  he  was  elected  president  and 
has  held  that  position  ever  since.  His  wide 
acquaintance,  his  sound  judgment,  his  broad 
experience  in  business  and  with  men  and  the 
universal  confidence  of  the  community  in  him 
as  a  financier  and  as  a  man  all  contribute 
to  malie  him  the  ideal  as  chief  executive 
of  such  a  financial  institution.  Mr.  Lees  is  a 
Republican,  but  has  never  sought  political 
preferment.  However,  in  a  quiet  "way,  he 
has  always  taken  his  share  of  the  burden  as 
a  Christian  patriot  in  promoting  the  -welfare 
of  the  borough  in  every  way  in  his  power. 
He  is  a  member  of  Plymouth  Lodge,  No.  332, 
Ancient  Free  and  Accepted  Masons  and  of 
Shaviaiee  Chapter,  Royal  Arch  Masons.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  Men's  Club  and  an  elder 
in  the  Presbyterian   Church. 

Henry  Lees  married  Lorinda  Davenport, 
born  in  Plymouth,  October  12,  1S38,  daugh- 
ter of  Oliver  and  Lydia  (Ransom)  Daven- 
port. Mrs.  Lees  died  in  1915.  Both  the  Ran- 
som and  the  Davenport  families  trace  back 
to  an  early  date  in  New  England  history. 
Samuel  Ransom,  who  estalilished  this  fam- 
ily in  America,  was  born  in  or  near  Ipswich, 
England,  about  1737.  His  marriage  to  Esther 
Lawrence  on  May  5,  1756,  is  recorded  in 
Canaan,  Litchfield  County,  Connecticut.  She 
was  born  in  Windham  County,  that  State, 
about  1739.  She  survived  her  husband  and 
married  Captain  James  Bidlacli,  senior,  and 
returned  "with  him  to  Norfolk,  Connecticut, 
where  she  died  in  August,  1794.  Samuel 
Ransom  was  a  soldier  in  one  of  the  Connect- 
icut battalions  during  the  French  and  Indian 
War.  His  name  first  appears  in  Wyom- 
ing records  under  date  of  October  2,  1773, 
when  he  purchased  of  John  Ransom  "Lower 
tier  lot  No.  10"  in  Plymouth  Township, 
Wyoming  Valley.  He  removed  there  from 
Canaan  about  this  time  with  his  family  and 
was  admitted  an  inhabitant.  On  March  2, 
1774,  he  was  selectman  of  Westinoreland 
(Wyoming),  and  surveyor  of  highways  and 
the  next  year  \vas  constable  of  the  town. 
In  -August,  1776,  he  hauled  the  first  log  for 
the  erection  of  Fort  Shawnee.  At  this  time 
he  was  captain  of  the  3d  Company,  24th 
Regular  Connecticut  Militia,  having  received 
his  commission  in  the  previous  October.  He 
gave  up  his  command  of  the  militia  when  he 


was  commissioned  captain  in  the  Continental 
service  on  August  26,  1776,  and  with  Captain 
Durkee  began  to  raise  the  two  Wyoming 
independent  companies. 

Captain  Ransom  and  his  men  were  with 
Washington  in  tlie  campaign  of  1777  at 
Bound  Brook,  Mud  Creek,  Brandywine,  Ger- 
mantown  and  other  points  and  went  into 
winter  quarters  at  Valley  Forge.  He  has- 
tened back  to  Wyoming  the  following  May 
and  participated  in  all  the  events  preceding 
and  during  the  battle.  Early  in  the  fight 
he  was  wounded  in  the  thigh.  He  was  left 
on  the  field  and  fell  into  the  liands  of  the 
enemy.  Later,  when  the  bodies  of  slain 
Americans  were  gathered  for  burial.  Cap- 
tain Ransom's  body,  covered  with  gashes 
and  with  the  head  severed  from  it,  was 
found  near  the  ruins  of  Fort  Wintermoot. 
After  the  battle  his  widow  fled  with  her  chil- 
dren to  Delaware  but  returned  with  her 
family   to   Plymouth   early    in    1780. 

George  Palmer  Ransom,  third  child  and 
second  son  of  Captain  Samuel  and  Esther 
(Lawrence)  Ransom,  was  born  in  Canaan, 
January  3,  1762  and  died  in  Plymouth,  Penn- 
sylvania, September  5,  1S50.  He  was  twice 
married,  his  second  wife,  (through  whom  this 
line  descends)  whom  he  married  January  9, 
1794,  was  Elizabeth  Lamoreux,  born  October 
IS,    (or    25),    1776,    and    died    August    27,    1S59. 

Their  sixth  child  was  Lydia  Ransom,  born 
in  Plymouth,  January  9,  1S04  and  died  there 
July  20,  1872.  In  that  town  she  married,  July 
4,  1840,  Oliver  Davenport.  Their  daughter 
Lorinda  married  Henry  Lees,  as  already 
stated. 

Henry  and  Lorinda  (Davenport)  Lees  had 
one  child,  Rush  Oliver  Lees,  born  in  Plym- 
outli,  December  15,  1873.  He  was  educated  in 
the  public  schools  of  his  native  town  and 
Wyoming  Seminary  at  Kingston.  After  grad- 
uation from  Harvard  Medical  School  he 
served  as  interne  in  the  Massachusetts  Gen- 
eral Hospital  and  was  connected  with  the 
hospital  at  Pittston  for  a  year  and  a  half. 
This  was  followed  by  a  period  in  the  great 
institutions  of  Vienna  where  he  was  a  stu- 
dent under  the  world-famous  Dr.  Lorenz. 
Upon  his  return  to  this  country.  Dr.  Lees 
settled  in  Utica,  New  York,  and  established 
himself  as  a  specialist  in  diseases  of  the 
nose  and  throat.  He  married  Margaurita 
Van  Ness,  and  they  have  a  daughter.  Norma 
Lees,  who  is  a  graduate  of  Bennett's  College, 
near   Schenectady,   New   York. 


HARRY  D.  ADAMY — Starting  as  a  messen- 
ger boy  in  the  Wyoming  National  Bank,  of 
Wilkes-Barre,  when  he  was  twenty  years  of 
age,  leaving  that  occupation  to  accept  a 
clerkship  in  the  offices  of  the  Lazarus  Broth- 
ers, at  a  very  small  "wage  a  week,  in  four- 
teen years  Harry  D.  Adamy  has  risen  to  be 
vice-president  and  general  manager  of  that 
commercial  organization.  He  is  also  presi- 
dent and  treasurer  of  the  Merchants'  Gold 
Stamp  Company,  of  Wilkes-Barre.  Sheer 
merit  alone  advanced  this  young  man  to  the 
business  eminence  he  occupies,  a  position  in 
which  he  has  made  a  great  circle  of  friends, 
by  reason  of  his  high  character,  business 
ability,    and    pleasing    personality. 

Harry  D.  Adamy  was  born  in  Sayre,  Penn- 
sylvania. October  31,  1892,  a  son  of  "Walter 
A.  and  Ruby  E.  (Smith)  Adamy.  both  of 
whom  now  reside  in  Johnson  City,  New  York. 
The  father  is  a  successful  contractor.  There 
were  six  sons  of  this  marriage,  Harry  D. 
being  the  second.  His  brother  Owen  died  at 
the  age  of  twenty-one  years,  while  in  the 
service  of  the  New  York  State  National  Guard 
during     the     World    War.       Another    brother. 


Basil  Earl,  is  associated  witli  tiie  firm  of 
whicli  Harry  D.   is  vice-president. 

Harry  D.  Adamy  was  brought  by  liis  par- 
ents to  Willies-Barre  in  190S,  and  here  was 
educated  in  the  public  schools,  graduating 
from  the  high  school,  and  afterward  taking  a 
post-graduate  course  in  the  same  institution. 
He  followed  this  -with  a  business  course  at 
Wyoming  Seminary,  Kingston,  Pennsylvania. 
In  1912  he  accepted  a  position  with  the  Wy- 
oming National  Bank,  later  coming  to  the 
company  with  which  he  since  has  been  asso- 
ciated. The  Wilkes-Barre  Dry  Goods  Com- 
pany has  made  great  strides  in  the  field,  and 
now  holds  a  commanding  position  in  the 
trade  of  the  region.  It  was  originally  Dazarus 
Brothers,  now  incorporated  under  the  name 
of  the  W^ilkes-Barre  Dry  Goods  Company, 
located  in  South  Main  Street,  Wilkes-Barre. 
Increasing  business  has  compelled  enlarge- 
ment of  store  space,  this  being  accomplished 
by  the  erection  of  its  own  building  at  Nos. 
57  and  59  South  Main  Street,  and  at  Nos.  14 
and  17  West  Northampton  Street,  where  there 
are  three  floors  and  basement,  with  a  total 
area  of  60,000  square  feet.  The  building  is 
one  of  the  most  modern  in  Wilkes-Barre, 
with  extensive  windows  for  display  and  every 
facility  for  the  efBcient  transaction  of  its  ever 
growing  business. 

Harry  D.  Adamy  is  a  Republican  in  poli- 
tics, and  a  member  of  the  Grace  Protestant 
Episcopal  Church,  of  Kingston,  Pennsylvania. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Directors  of 
Georgetown  Settlement  and  a  director  and 
member  of  the  Executive  Board  of  the  Ameri- 
can Red  Cross.  He  belongs  to  the  Rotary 
Club  of  Wilkes-Barre,  of  which  has  been  a 
director  and  vice-president;  is  vice-president 
and  director  of  the  Wilkes-Barre-Wyoming 
Valley  Chamber  of  Commerce,  also  member 
of  the  Executive  Board;  a  member  of  the 
Franklin  Club,  Wyoming  Valley  Country 
Club,  and  the  Craftsmen's  Club.  His  fra- 
ternal afllliations  are  with  Kingston  Lodge, 
No.  395,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons;  Shekinah 
Chapter,  No.  182,  Royal  Arch  Masons;  Dieu 
le  Veut  Commandery,  No.  45,  Knights  Tem- 
plar; and  Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order 
Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  also  holding 
membership  in  the  Shrine  Country  Club. 

Mr.  Adamy  married,  August  10,  1912,  Elsie 
May  Haslam,  daughter  of  Arthur  Willis  and 
Emma  (Knowles)  Haslam,  of  Wilkes-Barre, 
both    deceased. 


SECOND  NATIONAI,  BANK  OP  WILKES- 
BARRE — During  the  year  1S62  it  became 
apparent  that,  if  this  Government  were  to 
emerge  victorious  from  the  Civil  War,  all 
the  available  resources  of  the  Nation  must 
be  used.  The  Government  was  hampered  in 
all  its  financial  operations  by  the  lack  of  a 
stable  currency  and  a  satisfactory  basis  of 
credit.  President  Lincoln  in  his  message  of 
January  17,  1863,  urged  Congress  to  adopt 
the  National  Banking  Act  which  provided 
for  a  currency  based  upon  the  pledge  and 
credit  of  the  Government.  On  February  25, 
1863.  this  act  became  a  law  and  by  the  prompt 
organization  of  National  Banks  throughout 
the  North,  the  people  were  able  to  come  to 
the  aid  of  the  Government  by  buying  its 
bonds  and  sustaining  its  credit.  As  a  result 
the  Government  was  enabled  to  prosecute  the 
war  "With  renewed  vigor  and  the  Union  was 
preserved. 

On  September  19,  1863,  a  group  of  men  met 
In  the  office  of  Messrs.  Hoyt  and  Loveland, 
lawyers  in  the  city  of  Wilkes-Barre,  and 
signed  the  Articles  of  Association  and  sub- 
scribed for  the   stock   of  the   Second  National 


Bank  of  Wilkes-Barre,  Pa.  These  signers 
and  subscribers  were:  Thomas  F.  Atherton, 
Abram  Nesbitt,  Charles  Parrish,  Samuel  Hoyt, 
Lazarus  D.  Shoemaker,  Benjamin  F.  Pfouts, 
M.  L.  Everitt,  George  Coray,  William  C.  Reyn- 
olds, John  Sharpe,  Jr.,  Abram  H.  Reynolds, 
Isaac  Everitt  and  William  S.  Ross.  The  bank 
was  chartered  and  on  December  3,  1863,  was 
opened  for  business,  being  the  one  hundred 
and  fourth  organized  under  the  act  of  Con- 
gress. Thomas  P.  Atherton  and  M.  L.  Everitt 
were  elected  president  and  cashier  respec- 
tively. The  first  board  of  directors  consisted 
of  the  following:  Thomas  F.  Atherton,  George 
Coray,  M.  L.  Everitt,  Samuel  Hoyt,  Abram 
Nesbitt,  A.  H.  Reynolds  and  John  Sharpe, 
Jr.  These  men  were  favorably  known 
throughout  the  valley  for  their  integrity  and 
responsibility,  and  the  institution  immedi- 
ately won  the  confidence  of  the  public  and 
started  auspiciously   on   its  successful  career. 

The  bank  began  business  in  what  was  then 
known  as  the  Chahoon  Building,  on  West 
Marliet  Street,  in  the  room  now  occupied  by 
Jordan  &  Son.  In  1864  larger  quarters  were 
secured  in  the  Anthracite  Building  of  J.  W. 
Hollenback  on  West  Market  Street  near 
River.  These  quarters  were  occupied  until 
May,  1S70.  From  that  time  until  February 
29,  1908,  the  bank  occupied  the  building  on 
the  northwest  corner  of  Franklin  and  Market 
streets,  now  occupied  by  the  Dime  Deposit 
Bank.  On  February  29,  1908,  the  bank  moved 
into  its  present  home  on  the  northeast  corner 
of    Franklin    and   Market   streets. 

The  Second  Natioiial  Bank  was  capitalized 
at  $100,000  at  the  time  of  its  organization. 
This  was  increased  to  $300,000  in  December, 
1863.  On  June  30,  1864,  the  capital  was  in- 
creased to  $400,000.  On  July  2,  1868,  a  further 
increase  of  $50,000  an  on  October  16,  1906, 
another  Increase  of  $50,000  was  made.  In 
1922  the  capital  was  increased  to  $1,000,000 
and    the    surplus    to    $2,000,000. 

On  January  1,  1865,  Walter  G.  Sterling,  who 
had  been  conducting  the  business  of  a  private 
banker  on  West  Market  Street  was  elected 
vice-president  of  the  bank  and  his  business 
was   taken    over. 

On  February  1,  1917,  under  authority 
granted  by  the  Federal  Reserve  Act,  the  Sec- 
ond National  Bank  organized  and  established 
a  trust  department.  On  October  1,  1922,  the 
bank  opened  to  the  public  a  thoroughly  mod- 
ern and  spacious  safe  deposit  department 
with  every  facility  for  the  safe-keeping  of 
valuables.  Early  in  1929  the  bank  occupied 
its  new  and  enlarged  banking  room  thus 
providing  its  patrons  w^ith  every  modern  con- 
venience in  its  various  departments. 

The  Second  National  Bank  came  into  exist- 
ence during  the  dark  days  of  the  Civil  War. 
It  has  made  progress  during  the  periods  of 
prosperity  which  have  come  since  the  war;  it 
has  aided  every  legitimate  business  enter- 
prise that  has  called  for  its  help  in  times, 
of  prosperity  and  depression;  and  it  has  come 
through  every  period  of  financial  disaster 
unscathed. 

Officers  and  their  respective  terms  of 
service: 

Thomas  F.  Atherton,  President,  1863-1870. 

L.   D.   Shoemaker,   President,    1870-1878. 

Abram    Nesbitt,    President,    1878-1920. 

Abram  G.  Nesbitt,  President,  1920-1926. 

W.  E.  Lewis,  President,  1926-. 

M.  L.   Everitt,   Cashier,   1863-1872. 

E.   A.   Spalding,   Cashier,    1872-1882. 

E.   W.  Mulligan,  Cashier,   1882-1919. 

W.  E.  Lewis,  Cashier,   1919-1926. 

W.    G.    Sterling,    Vice-President,    1865-1870. 

Hendrick  B.  Wright,  Vice-President,  1870- 
1871. 

Richard  F.  Walsh,  Vice-President,  1878- 
1903. 


P^jjjj^^ipijn^^^ 


SECOND  NATIONAL  BANK,  WILKES  BARRE,  PA. 


OTirv^.^J.JJuu 


Thomas  H.  Atherton,  Vice-President,  1900- 
1923. 

Edwin   H.   Jones,   Vice-President,   1908-1908. 
P.  M.  Kirby,  Vice-President,  1908-1908. 

Present  list  of  officers  and  directors: 

H.  B.  Scliooley.  Chairman  of  the  Board. 

W.   E.  Lewis,  President. 

W.    T.     Payne,    Vice-President. 

E.  B.  Mulligan,  Vice-President  and  Cashier. 

Allan   P.   Kirby,   Vice-President. 

Sheldon   Evans,  Assistant  Cashier. 

James  Mulligan,  Trust  Officer. 

Directors:  Anthony  C.  Campbell,  S.  H. 
Huber.  James  L.  Morris,  P.  F.  O'Neill,  Abram 
Nesbitt,  2d,  S.  T.  Nicholson,  A.  D.  Shonii, 
Ernest  G.  Smith,  John  B.  Vaughn,  Geo.  M. 
Wall,  P.  J.  Weckesser. 

Growth  of  the  banl<: 


Dec.  3,  1863  . 
January,  1874 
January  1884 
January,  1894 
January,  1904 
January,  1914 
January,  1924 
October,   1928 


Capital,    Surplus, 

Undivided    Profits. 

$100,000   00 

510,000   00 

576,000   00 

625,000   00 

.  .      1,040,000   00 

.  .      1,500,000   00 

.  .      3,000,000  00 

—     4,000,000  00 


Deposits. 

$11,783   64 

298,724   81 

564,931   32 

1,349,033   47 

3,375,991    34 

5,173,066   80 

10,194,364   66 

11,340,900   54 


WALTER  E.  LEWIS  Was  born  in  Homer, 
Ohio.  December  21,  1874.  After  the  death  of 
the  father,  the  family,  mother  and  three  sons, 
moved  to  the  Wyoming  Valley  and  settled  in 
Kingston.  Here  the  boys  were  educated,  the 
subject  of  this  sketch  first  attending  the  pub- 
lic schools  and  later  completing  the  busi- 
ness course  in  Wyoming  Seminary  in  1893. 
January  1,  1894,  he  entered  the  employ  of 
the  Second  National  Bank  of  Wilkes-Barre 
as  clerk.  In  1910  he  was  made  assistant 
cashier,  and  nine  years  later,  namely  in  1919, 
he  became  cashier.  The  death  of  Abram  G. 
Nesbitt  in  1927  brought  about  changes  and 
promotions  in  the  bank  management.  Harry 
B.  Schooley  filled  the  position  of  president 
until  January  1,  1928,  when  he  became  chair- 
man of  the  board,  and  Mr.  Lewis  at  that  time 
became  president.  Mainly  his  interests  have 
been  centered  in  his  career  at  the  bank 
though  he  has  been  at  times  identified  with 
certain  other  business  institutions  of  the 
valley,  and  among  them  he  has  held  a  direc- 
torship   in    the    Vulcan    Iron    Works. 

He  is  a  member  of  the  Wyoming  Valley 
Country  Club  and  of  the  Westmoreland  Club 
and  has  also  been  identified  with  various 
Masonic  bodies,  Kingston  Lodge,  Pree  and 
Accepted  Masons,  and  later  the  Irem  Temple, 
Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic 
Shrine,  and  Dieu  le  Veut  Commandery, 
Knights    Templar. 

Mr.  Lewis  married  Ruth  B.  Piatt  of  Tunk- 
hannock.  He  has  been  a  consistent  sup- 
porter of  the  church  and  of  various  institu- 
tions devoted  to  welfare,  and  has  been  a 
director  of  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Asso- 
ciation. 

This  story  of  a  centralized  attention  to  a 
particular  career,  and  the  rise  from  a  clerk- 
ship to  presidency  of  one  of  the  strongest 
financial  institutions  of  the  valley,  is  suf- 
ficient to  indicate  how  and  why  the  subject 
has  gained  success,  and  the  esteem  of  his 
generation  both  in  the  business  world  and 
in  social  and  eleemosynary   concerns. 


EDAVARD  BOWMAN  MULLIGAN — Through 
all  his  business  career  Edward  Bowman  Mul- 
ligan has  been  associated  with  the  Second 
National  Bank  of  Wilkes-Barre.  From  posi- 
tions of  minor  responsibility  he  has  risen  to 
those  of  the  greatest  confidence  and  trust, 
and  now  as  vice-president,  cashier  and  a 
member   of   the   board   of   directors,   he   exer- 


cises an  important  influence  in  the  bank's 
affairs,  his  services  in  official  capacity  having 
proved  repeatedly  of  the  greatest  value.  He 
has  not  neglected  other  phases  of  community 
affairs,  however,  and  has  been  particularly 
active   in   charitable  and  welfare  work. 

Mr.  Mulligan  was  born  in  Wilkes-Barre  on 
May  4,  1880,  the  only  child  of  Edwin  L.  and 
Julia  (Bowman)  Mulligan,  of  this  city.  His 
father  was  long  associated  with  the  .Second 
National  Bank,  and  it  was  natural  that  the 
son   should   desire   to   follow    in  his   footsteps. 

Edward  Bowman  Mulligan  received  his  edu- 
cation in  the  Wilkes-Barre  public  schools, 
and  later  attended  Harry  Hillman  Academy, 
and  Phillips  Academy,  at  Andover,  Massa- 
chusetts. He  was  eager  to  begin  the  busi-' 
ness  of  life,  and  with  the  completion  of  his 
academic  training,  returned  to  Wilkes-Barre 
and  entered  the  employ  of  the  bank  as  a 
runner.  Although  anxious  to  forge  ahead,  he 
was  determined  that  any  advancement  which 
came  to  him  should  be  thoroughly  well 
merited,  and  so,  while  discharging  the  duties 
of  the  minor  positions  which  he  first  filled, 
he  took  the  opportunity  to  become  familiar, 
with  all  details  of  sound  banking  operation. 
His  industry  and  loyal  services  "were  soon 
rewarded,  and  he  rose  gradually  to  the  higher 
positions  in  the  bank.  Thus  in  the  thirty  years 
of  his  connection  with  this  institution,  his 
record  has  been  one  of  constant  advance  and 
progress.  With  his  broad  background  of 
experience  in  all  departments  of  the  bank, 
and  a  wide  kno'wledge  of  local  problems,  his 
direction  of  affairs  in  executive  capacity  has 
resulted  most  happily  both  for  the  bank  and 
for  the  community  which  it  serves.  He  was 
appointed  cashier  and  vice-president  in  1923, 
continuing  in  this  office  until  the  present 
time. 

In  politics  Mr.  Mulligan  supports  Repub- 
lican principles  and  candidates,  and  although 
he  has  never  cared  to  seek  public  office,  he 
has  maintained  a  warm  interest  in  the  civic 
progress  and  the  successful  solution  of,  gov- 
ernmental problems.  He  is  affiliated  frater- 
nally with  the  local  lodge.  No.  109,  of  the 
Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks, 
while  he  is  also  a  member  of  the  Wilkes- 
Barre  Chamber  of  Commerce,  and  of  several 
other  clubs  and  associations,  including  the 
Westmoreland  Club  of  which  he  was  presi- 
dent in  1929,  and  the  Wyoming  Valley  Coun- 
try Club.  Mr.  Mulligan  is  a  trustee  of  the 
Wilkes-Barre  General  Hospital,  and  the  Nes- 
bitt West  Side  Hospital,  of  Kingston,  Penn- 
sylvania, while  he  is  also  treasurer  of  the 
Welfare  Federation  of  Wilkes-Barre.  With 
his  family  he  worships  in  the  Episcopal  faith, 
and  has  been  active  for  many  years  in  the 
affairs  of  St.  Stephen's  Church  of  this  denomi- 
nation at  Wilkes-Barre,  serving  now  as 
treasurer    and    vestryman    here. 

On  October  18,  1905,  Edward  Bowman  Mul- 
ligan married  Louise  Stark,  of  Wilkes-Barre, 
a  daughter  of  Colonel  Benjamin  F.  and  Mary 
Frances  (Warner)  Stark.  Two  children  were 
Ijorn  of  this  marriage:  1.  Edward  Bowman, 
Jr.,  born  September  25,  1906.  2.  Ellen  Stark, 
born  April  20,  1908.  The  family  home  is 
situated  at  No.  84  James  Street,  Kingston, 
while  Mr.  Mulligan  maintains  his  offices  in 
the  Second  National  Bank  Building  in  Wilkes- 
Barre. 

SHELDON  REYNOLDS  EVANS — Twenty 
years  ago  Sheldon  R.  Evans  came  to  the 
Second  National  Bank  of  Wilkes-Barre,  as 
a  messenger  boy.  He  had  just  come  from 
Wyoming  Seminary,  where  he  had  completed 
his  course  with  graduation,  and  he  was  con- 
scious    of     the    fact    that    after    graduation 


390 

comes  the  true  commencement  of  a  busi- 
ness career.  He  was  able  and  industrious, 
holding  a  modest  estimate  ot  himself,  but 
withal,  ambitious  to  win  the  success  which 
hard  work  and  close  application  alone  can 
bring.  Through  the  years  he  has  held  stead- 
ily to  his  plans,  and  since  1923  he  has  been 
assistant  cashier  of  the  bank,  which  is  one 
of  the  largest  National  Banks  in  North- 
eastern  Pennsylvania. 

The  Evans  family  is  of  Welsh  origin  a.nd 
Mr.  Evans  represents  the  third  generation 
of  his  particular  branch  of  the  family  in  this 
country.  William  H.  and  Ann  (Richards) 
Evans,  grandparents  of  Mr.  Evans,  were  born 
in  Wales  and  came  to  this  country  about 
1S61.  They  were  the  parents  of  three  chil- 
dren: Richard  L..,  John  D.,  and  James,  of 
whom   further. 

James  Evans,  son  of  William  H.  and  Ann 
(Richards)  Evans,  was  born  in  Kingston, 
Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania,  and  during 
the  greater  part  of  his  active  life  was  em- 
ployed as  a  salesman,  but  is  now  living 
retired  in  Forty  Fort,  Pennsylvania.  He 
married  Margaret  Waters,  and  they  became 
the  parents  of  five  children:  Sheldon  R.,  of 
further  mention;  Mabel,  who  married  W.  H. 
Pethick,  of  Forty  Fort,  Pennsylvania;  Nellie, 
who  married  G.  W.  Turner,  of  Forty  Fort; 
Chester  W.,  who  is  a  salesman  in  the  employ 
of  Deemer  and  Company,  ot  Wilkes-Barre; 
and    Margaret    W.,    who    is    living   at   home. 

Sheldon  R.  Evans,  son  of  James  and  Mar- 
garet (Waters)  Evans,  was  born  in  King- 
ston, Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania,  August 
15,  ISSS.  He  received  his  early  education  in  the 
public  schools  of  Kingston  and  of  Forty  Fort, 
graduating  from  Forty  Fort  High  School  with 
the  class  of  1905.  He  then  became  a  student 
in  Wyoming  Seminary,  at  Kingston,  where 
he  completed  his  course  with  graduation  in 
1907.  After  graduation  he  became  associated 
Willi  the  Second  National  Bank  of  Wilkes- 
Barre  as  a  messenger  boy,  and  his  connec- 
tion with  this  financial  institution  has  been 
continuous  to  the  present  time  (1929).  He 
was  promoted  from  messenger  boy  to  clerk, 
then  was  made  book-keeper,  then  teller,  and 
in  1923  was  promoted  to  his  present  responsi- 
ble position  as  assistant  cashier.  Mr.  Evans 
is  well  known  in  banking  circles  in  the  Wyo- 
ming Valley  and  has  won  in  a  high  degree 
the  esteem  of  his  business  associates.  Fra- 
ternally he  is  identified  with  William  B. 
Warren  Lodge.  No.  209,  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons,  of  Chicago,  Illinois  and  is  a  mem- 
ber of  all  the  bodies  of  the  Scottish  Rite; 
also  of  Keystone  Consistory,  in  which  he 
holds  the  thirty-second  degree;  and  with 
Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles 
of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  of  Wilkes-Barre.  He 
is  a  member  of  Irem  Country  Club,  West- 
moreland Club,  Craftsmen's  Club  and  of  Black 
Diamond  Post,  No.  395,  American  Legion,  of 
Kingston,  and  is  a  member  and  assistant 
treasurer  of  Greater  Wilkes-Barre  Chamber 
of   Commerce. 

Upon  the  entrance  of  the  United  States 
into  the  World  War  Mr.  Evans  joined  the 
Quartermaster  Department  of  the  United 
States  Army  and  was  commissioned  a  Cap- 
tain. He  was  assigned  to  the  central  depart- 
ment and  stationed  at  Chicago,  Illinois,  where 
he  served  on  the  staff  of  General  Leonard 
Wood,  and  was  mustered  out  of  service  in 
1919   with   the   rank   of  major. 

Sheldon  R.  Evans  was  married,  in  1914,  to 
Minnie  Yeager,  of  Forty  Fort.  Pennsylvania, 
daughter  of  Harvey  and  Margaret  (Smith) 
Yeager.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Evans  are  the  par- 
ents ot  two  children:  Winifred  L.,  and  Shel- 
don   R.,   Jr. 


JAMES  MULLIGAN — For  the  administra- 
tion and  care  of  the  affairs  of  the  trust  de- 
partment, the  Second  National  Bank  has  placed 
the  responsibility  of  the  department  upon 
James  Mulligan,  who  is  the  son  of  E.  W. 
Mulligan. 

The  Mulligan  family  has  been  connected 
with  this  bank  in  various  capacities  for  gen- 
erations. James  Mulligan's  father,  the  late 
B.  W.  Mulligan,  was  cashier  of  the  Second 
National  Bank  for  forty  years.  He  was  born 
in  Reading  and  devoted  most  of  his  life  to 
the  welfare  and  financial  development  of 
his  adopted  city.  He  and  his  wife,  the  former 
Alice  Morris,  were  the  parents  of  seven  chil- 
dren- James,  of  whom  further;  Eugene  W., 
Michael  M.,  Eleanor,  Alice,  Margaret  and 
Edward. 

James  Mulligan  was  born  November  \l, 
1S91,  in  Wilkes-Barre,  and  was  educated  in 
the  public  schools  there.  He  was  graduated 
in  1908  from  the  Harry  Hillman  Academy. 
He  was  enrolled  as  a  student  at  George- 
town University,  Washington,  District  of 
Columbia,    from   which   he   was   graduated   in 

After  graduation  he  returned  to  Wilkes- 
Barre  and  became  a  clerk  in  the  Second  Na- 
tional Bank.  He  was  appointed  trust  officer 
in  November,  1921.  He  has  always  been  inde- 
pendent in  politics  and  is  a  member  of  St. 
Mary's  Catholic  Church.  He  also  holds  mem- 
bership in  the  Westmoreland  Club  and  the 
Wyoming  Valley  Country  Club.  He  is  unmar- 
ried. 

JOHN  HERBERT  REYNOLDS— The  Rey- 
nolds are  one  of  the  oldest  families  in  the 
Wyoming  Valley,  their  ancestors  having  set- 
tled here  in  tlie  colonial  period  under  the 
Susquehanna  Company,  after  a  previous  resi- 
dence in  Connecticut.  They  participated  in 
the  battle  and  massacre  of  Wyoming,  July  3, 
1778,  and  otherwise  have  been  conspicuous  in 
the  history  of  the  Commonwealth.  John  Her- 
bert Reynolds,  a  descendant  of  this  pioneer 
family  has  been  engaged  in  the  coal  business 
for  years  with  offices  at  No.  806  Coal  Ex- 
change, Wilkes-Barre,  and  home  at  No.  226 
Maple  Avenue,  Kingston. 

His  paternal  grandfather  was  William  C. 
Reynolds.  His  father,  Abram  H.  Reynolds, 
died  December  4,  1890,  at  seventy-one  years 
of  age,  was  for  many  years  in  the  coal  and 
mercantile  business  in  Kingston;  he  was  a 
lifelong  Democrat  and  for  many  years  a  lead- 
ing member  of  the  Kingston  Presbyterian 
Church;  and  a  foremost  citizen  of  his  com- 
munity He  married  Elizabeth  Shepard  Hoyt, 
who  died  September  22,  1901,  at  seventy  years 
of  age,  a  sister  of  Henry  M.  Hoyt,  a  former 
Governor  of  the  State  and  native  of  this 
county.  They  were  the  parents  of  Charles 
H.  and  Emily  Fuller,  both  deceased,  and  John 
Herbert,  of  whom  further. 

John  H.  (J.  Herbert)  Reynolds  was  boxn  at 
Kingston,  May  10,  1876,  and  grew  to  maturity 
in  his  birthplace,  attended  the  public  school 
and  Wyoming  Seminary  there;  and  on  reach- 
ing his  majority  he  launched  into  a  business 
career  at  Plymouth  in  the  coal  trade.  After  a 
long  period  of  success  he  sold  his  interests 
and  located  in  Wilkes-Barre,  where  he  has 
continued  since.  Politically  he  is  a  Demo- 
crat: serves  as  an  elder  in  the  Kingston 
Presbyterian  Church;  and  is  a  member  of 
the  Westmoreland  Club  and  the  Wyoming 
Valley  Country  Club. 

CHARLES  J.  KITSCHKE— One  of  the  best 
known  men  of  Northeastern  Pennsylvania, 
Charles  J.  Kuschke,  of  Plymouth,  is  prominent 


391 


in  the  legal,  financial  and  civil  affairs  of  this 
vicinity  having  been  engaged  in  the  practice 
of  law  since  1899,  besides  which  he  is  presi- 
dent of  the  Plymouth  National  Bank,  and 
active  in  matters  of  public  interest.  Mr. 
Kuschke  is  a  man  of  many  attainments  and 
capable  of  giving  to  each  of  his  diversified 
interests  the  same  measure  of  his  keen  and 
penetrative  ability,  possessing  as  he  does  a 
remarkably  intuitive  sense  in  affairs  of  law 
and  commerce.  His  reputation  as  an  attorney 
of  unusual  talents  has  been  long  established 
in  this  county  and  he  maintains  legal  offices 
in  both  Plymouth  and  Wilkes-Barre  where 
he  conducts  general  professional  practice 
and  attends  the  needs  of  his  clients.  In 
1921,  Mr.  Kuschke  was  elected  to  his  pres- 
ent executive  position  as  head  of  Plymouth's 
leading  banking  institution,  and  under  his 
rSgime  the  affairs  of  this  establishment  have 
flourished  and  prospered  with  unusual  suc- 
cess. 

Mr.  Kuschke  was  born  in  Plymouth,  Octo- 
ber 2J,  1S74,  son  of  Christian  B.  Kuschke, 
born  in  Germany,  and  Margaret  (Llewellyn) 
Kuschke,  born  in  Wales,  who  died  in  August, 
1927.  Christian  B.  Kuschke  was  prominent 
for  many  years  as  a  merchant  in  this  to"wn 
and    is    now   retired    from    active    business. 

Charles  J.  Kuschke  was  educated  in  the 
public  schools  of  Plymouth,  and  after  high 
school,  entered  "U'yoming  Seminary  and  com- 
pleting his  studies  there,  proceeded  to  the 
Law  School  of  the  University  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, from  which  he  was  graduated  with  the 
degree  of  Bachelor  of  Laws  with  the  class 
of  1S99.  Admitted  to  the  bar  of  the  State 
of  Pennsylvania  that  same  year,  he  opened 
his  office  and  practiced  law  in  the  Luzerne 
County  courts,  later  establishing  an  addi- 
tional office  in  Wilkes-Barre  and  ever  since 
conlinuing  to  conduct  the  affairs  of  both 
these  branches  of  his  legal  business.  At 
the  organization,  in  1902,  of  the  Plymouth 
National  Bank,  Mr.  Kuschke  became  one  of 
the  directors,  and  upon  the  death  of  John 
J.  Moore  in  1921,  he  was  elected  president  of 
the  organization  and  has  continued  in  this 
capacity  ever  since.  Always  active  in  mat- 
ters of  jurisprudence  and  civic  government, 
Mr.  Kuschke  was  appointed  assistant  district 
attorney  of  Luzerne  County,  and  served  from 
1912  to  1916,  while  he  is  at  present  director 
of  the  poor,  representing  this  district.  In 
politics,  he  is  a  staunch  supporter  of  the 
principles  of  the  Democratic  party  and  by 
his  influence  and  support  aids  every  worthy 
campaign,  having  the  interests  of  the  com- 
munity ever  in  mind.  His  social  and  frater- 
nal activities  are  confined  to  the  Shawnee 
Club  and  the  Kiwanis  Club,  in  the  latter 
being  vice-president.  In  his  religious  affil- 
iation, he  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church. 

Charles  J.  Kuschke  married,  in  September, 
1906,  Ida  M.  McCaa,  of  Plains,  daughter  of 
Robert  D.  and  Millie  M.  McCaa,  and  they  are 
the  parents  of  one  son:  Robert  D.,  now  a 
student    at    Lafayette    College    at    Easton. 

The  Plymouth  National  Bank  of  which  Mr. 
Kuschke  is  president  is  one  of  the  strongest 
and  best-known  financial  institutions  in 
Pennsylvania,  having  been  organized  in  1902 
with  the  following  officers:  John  R.  Powell, 
president:  John  J.  Moore,  vice-president;  R. 
J.  Faust,  cashier.  The  present  officers  of 
this  progressive  bank  are  Charles  J.  Kuschke, 
president:  Dr.  C.  L.  Ashley,  vice-president; 
Abdiel  Phillips,  cashier.  The  present  modern 
banking  building,  an  architectural  addition 
to  the  town,  was  erected  at  No.  25  East  Main 
Street  in  1907,  and  here  it  continues  to  serve 
the  populace  of  Plymouth  and  the  vicinity 
within   a   large  radius. 


WILLIAM  H.  D.  MOVER — Having  learned 
the  cigar-maker's  trade  early  in  his  youth, 
William  H.  D.  Moyer  followed  that  occupa- 
tion for  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  century, 
during  which  period  he  became  head  of  a 
firm  of  cigar  manufacturers,  which  he  con- 
ducted until  1923.  In  that  year  he  was  ap- 
pointed Sealer  of  Weights  and  Measures  of 
Luzerne  County,  a  post  he  held  until  1928, 
when  he  was  appointed  postmaster  of  White 
Haven  by  President  Calvin  Coolidge.  In 
this  office  he  is  performing  his  duties  most 
satisfactorily  and  giving  to  the  people  of 
White  Haven  service  that  compares  favorably 
with  any  other  office  of  like  size  in  the 
United  States.  Active  for  many  years  in 
political  circles,  he  also  has  assumed  inter- 
ests not  directly  connected  with  his  manu- 
facturing business,  and  has  been  a  promi- 
nent factor  in  the  affairs  of  fraternal  and 
social  organizations.  Born  at  Auburn,  Schuyl- 
kill County,  Pennsylvania,  in  1876,  son  of 
Samuel  B.  and  Susan  (Diefenderfer)  Moyer, 
William  H.  D.  Moyer  removed  early  in  life 
to  Orweigsburg,  Pennsylvania.  Samuel  B. 
Moyer,  also  a  native  of  Schuylkill  County, 
was  a  stone  mason  by  trade,  and  followed 
this  calling  until  his  death  in  1883.  Susan 
(Diefenderfer)  Moyer  "was  born  near  Read- 
ing,   Pennsylvania,   and  passed  away   in    1894. 

William  H.  D.  Moyer,  after  finishing  his 
studies  in  school,  became  an  apprentice  of 
the  cigar-maker's  trade,  and  for  the  ensu- 
ing sixteen  years  devoted  himself  to  this 
industry.  It  was  in  1905  that  he  came  to 
White  Haven  and  became  a  member  of  the 
cigar  manufacturing  firm  of  W.  H.  D.  Moyer 
&  Company.  This  firm  experienced  steady 
growth  and  prestige  under  his  supervision, 
which  lasted  until  1923.  Retiring  from  active 
participation  in  the  manufacture  of  cigars  in 
this  year,  he  became  Sealer  of  Weights  and 
Measures  of  Luzerne  County,  functioning 
most  thoroughly  in  this  office  until  1928, 
when  he  became  postmaster  at  White  Haven. 
Since  his  assumption  of  the  duties  of  post- 
master here,  Mr.  Moyer  has  devoted  himself 
assiduously  to  bettering  the  service,  and  that 
his  efforts  have  been  successful  is  attested 
by  the  fact  that  the  ^'hite  Haven  post  office 
has  attained  high  rating  among  postal  au- 
thorities. A  Republican  in  political  allegi- 
ance, Mr.  Moyer  has  proved  himself  almost 
invaluable  in  the  conduct  of  affairs  of-  this 
party  locally,  and  has  evidenced  his  public 
spirit  by  his  conscientious  service  as  a  mem- 
ber and  secretary  of  the  local  school  board, 
for  a  period  of  four  years.  He  also,  for  five 
years,  has  been  associated  with  the  Guaran- 
tee Mutual  Building  and  Loan  Association, 
acting  as  local  collector  for  that  organiza- 
tion. A  popular  member  of  Lodge  No.  157, 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  Past 
Noble  Grand:  he  also  holds  membership  in 
Schuylkill  Lodge,  No.  138,  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons.  He  and  his  family  are  followers 
of  the  Lutheran  faith,  and  attend  the  church 
of    that   denomination    here. 

Mr.  Moyer  married,  October  21,  1905,  Anna 
M.  Heist,  of  Orweigsburg,  Pennsylvania, 
daughter  of  Daniel  H.  and  Emma  Heist.  The 
children  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Moyer  are;  1. 
Catherine  R.,  born  September  8,  1906;  grad- 
uate of  White  Haven  High  School  and  of 
Temple  LTniversity  on  the  teacher  staff  at 
Hillcrest,  the  city  Orphanage  of  Washington, 
District  of  Columbia.  2.  Horace  B.,  born 
August    19,    1917. 

RALPH     DAVENPORT     WORTHINGTON' — 

Conspicuous  success  has  attended  the  efforts 
of  Ralph  Davenport  Worthington,  of  Plym- 
outh, mining  engineer,  now  division  engineer 
of  the  Ashley  &  Sugar  Notch  division  of  the 


392 


Lehigh  &  Wilkes-Barre  Coal  Company. 
Descendant  on  both  sides  of  pioneer  fam- 
ilies of  Pennsylvania,  Mr.  Worthington  up- 
holds the  traditions  of  progress  handed  down 
through  the  generations  by  his  forebears 
having  been  conspicuous  for  his  industry  and 
unfailing  devotion  to  those  vv^ho  call  upon  his 
professional  skill.  Reared  in  a  mining  atmo- 
sphere, it  was  but  natural  that  he  should 
choose  a  career  in  accordance  with  the  most 
prominent  industry  of  the  district,  while 
such  selection  has  been  a  matter  of  equal 
profit  to  himself  and  the  community  depen- 
dent upon  tlie  mines  as  an  important  part 
of  the  general  prosperity.  His  fitness  for  the 
taslcs  he  has  been  called  upon  to  perform 
is  established  by  the  office  he  holds,  for  the 
engineers  of  this  exacting  profession  must 
be  of  the  highest  class.  He  is  a  member  of 
this  class,  also  an  able  and  upright  citizen 
and  a  man  of  the  highest  integrity,  a  credit 
to    the    body    politic    wherein    he    lives. 

He  was  born  in  Plymouth,  Pennsylvania, 
December  11,  1881,  a  son  of  Joseph  L.  Worth- 
ington, a  native  of  Plymouth,  now  retired, 
and  Emily  (Davenport)  Worthington,  also 
of  Plymouth  and  living  here.  Both  parents 
are  menibers  of  families  that  settled  in  the 
Wyoming  Valley  in  the  early  days  and  were 
materially  assistful  in  the  work  that  resulted 
in  the  present  commercial  prosperity.  Some 
of  them  fought  in  the  War  of  the  Revolu- 
tion, and  through  this  ancestry  Mr.  Worthing- 
ton holds  membership  with  the  Sons  of  the 
American  Revolution,  while  all  were  active 
in   many   fields   of  development. 

Ralph  Davenport  Worthington  acquired  his 
education  in  the  local  public  schools,  grad- 
uating from  high  school  in  1899  and  then 
attending  the  Harry  Hillman  Academy  for 
one  year,  after  some  years  he  became  a  stu- 
dent at  the  extension  school  of  the  Penn- 
sylvania State  College.  In  1901  he  entered 
the  service  of  the  Lehigh  &  Wilkes-Barre 
Coal  Company,  rising  step  by  step  until  he 
was  appointed  to  the  position  he  now  oc- 
cupies, with  his  headquarters  in  Wilkes- 
Barre.  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics  and  a 
member  of  the  Plymouth  Fire  Company  No. 
1,  also  of  the  Kiwanis  Club.  His  church 
is   the   Presbs'terian. 

Ralph  Davenport  Worthington  married,  in 
1919,    Flossie   Phillips  Bragg. 


WILLIAM  JOSEPH  PAHEY — An  important 
figure  in  Wilkes-Barre  legal  circles,  William 
Joseph  Fahey  has  come  rapidly  to  the  front 
in  his  profession  since  he  began  practice  in 
this  city  in  1924.  Possessing  a  wide  knowl- 
edge of  legal  principles,  together  with  their 
application  in  modern  court  procedure,  he 
has  scored  many  notable  victories  for  the 
causes  which  he  has  espoused,  and  in  addi- 
tion has  been  very  active  in  civic  affairs  and 
the   general  life  of  the  community. 

Mr.  Fahey  was  born  in  Kingston,  Pennsyl- 
vania, on  September  14,  1896,  a  son  of  John 
Fahey,  'who  was  born  in  Pringle,  Luzerne 
County,  Pennsylvania,  and  has  been  a  con- 
ductor on  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  and 
Western  Railroad  for  some  years,  and  of 
Mary  (Joyce)  Fahey,  who  was  born  at  Ashley, 
Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania,  and  who  died 
on   May   26,    1915. 

William  Josepli  Fahey  attended  the  public 
schools  of  his  birthplace,  and  was  graduated 
from  the  Kingston  High  School  in  1915,  being 
president  of  his  class.  Thereafter  he  spent 
one  year  at  Valparaiso  University,  in  Indiana, 
where  he  began  the  study  of  law.  With  the 
entry  of  the  United  States  into  the  World 
War,  Mr.  Fahey  volunteered  in  his  country's 
cause,  and  was  commissioned  lieutenant  of 
infantry,     commanding     Company     C,     407th 


Labor  Battalion,  stationed  in  the  South.  He 
served  in  this  capacity  for  eighteen  months, 
receiving  his  final  discharge  on  January  31, 
1919.  Mr.  Fahey  was  also  captain  in  the 
American  Red  Cross  at  Newport  News,  Vir- 
ginia, representing  several  southern  States 
for  five  months  on  the  States  Welcome  Home 
Project. 

With  his  return  to  civil  life,  Mr.  Fahey 
entered  Holy  Cross  College  where  he  pursued 
his  studies  from  1919  until  1922,  and  then 
transferred  to  Georgetown  University  from 
which  he  was  graduated  in  1923  with  the 
degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts,  cum  laude.  He 
had  already  determined  upon  a  legal  career 
some  years  earlier,  and  so  "with  a  further  year 
of  study  at  Duquesne  University  in  Pitts- 
burgh, he  was  awarded  the  degree  of  Bache- 
lor of  Laws.  On  September  29,  1924,  he  was 
admitted  to  practice  before  the  Supreme 
Court  of  Pennsylvania,  Western  District,  and 
then  coming  to  Wilkes-Barre,  was  admitted 
to  the  bar  here  in  October  of  that  year.  He 
began  the  general  practice  of  his  profession 
immediately  afterwards,  opening  offices  in 
the  Bennet  Building  in  this  city  where  he  is 
still  to  be  found.  In  the  few  years  which 
have  elapsed  since  he  came  to  Wilkes-Barre, 
Mr.  Fahey  has  come  to  be  regarded  as  one  of 
the  leaders  of  the  local  bar,  a  clever  attor- 
ney, and  a  sound  advisor  in  all  legal  ques- 
tions. 

In  spite  of  the  demands  made  upon  him  by 
his  profession,  Mr.  Fahey  has  found  time  to 
maintain  an  interest  in  the  civic  and  social 
life  of  the  community.  In  politics  he  is  a 
supporter  of  Democratic  principles  and  can- 
didates, standing  higli  in  party  councils  in 
this  part  of  the  State.  In  1926  he  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Democratic  Executive  Committee 
of  Wilkes-Barre,  while  in  the  recent  Presi- 
dential campaign,  he  served  as  a  member  of 
the  Speakers'  Bureau  of  the  Smith-Robinson 
Club.  He  has  also  been  for  soine  time  a 
member  of  the  Zoning  and  Planning  Com- 
mission of  the  Borough  of  Kingston.  Mr. 
Fahey  is  affiliated  fraternally  with  the  Black 
Diamond  Post  of  the  American  Legion,  and 
with  the  local  council  of  the  Knights  of 
Columbus,  of  which  he  is  Advocate.  He  is 
also  a  member  of  the  Holy  Cross  Alumni 
Club  of  Eastern  Pennsylvania,  while  with 
his  family  he  worships  in  the  Roman  Catholic 
faith,  attending  St.  Ignatius  Church  of  this 
denomination  at  Wilkes-Barre.  He  has  con- 
tributed liberally  to  the  support  of  church 
work,  and  to  many  worthy  movements, 
whether  civic   or  benevolent  in   nature. 

On  September  10,  1923,  William  Joseph 
Fahey  married  Beatrice  Fagan  of  Hopedale, 
Massachusetts,  a  daughter  of  William  F.  and 
Anna  (Dean)  Fagan  of  that  place.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Fahey  are  the  parents  of  two  children: 
Eleanor  Ann,  who  was  born  at  Hopedale, 
Massachusetts,  on  August  13,  1925,  and  Pa- 
tricia Marie,  born  at  Wilkes-Barre,  May  18, 
1929.  The  family  residence  is  situated  at  No. 
428  Schuyler  Avenue,  Kingston,  Pennsylvania. 


JAMES  ROBESON  BRYANT — In  1919, 
James  R.  Bryant,  a  druggist  of  thorough 
training  and  long  experience,  established 
the  store  in  Hudson,  which  he  has  operated 
since  that  time.  Mr.  Bryant's  obvious  skill 
as  a  pharmacist,  together  with  the  progres- 
sive policies  which  he  initiated  and  his  execu- 
tive ability,  have  brought  him  a  prosperous 
trade  and  much  success.  Aiuong  his  fellow- 
townsmen  he  is  highly  esteemed  as  a  public- 
spirited  citizen,  active  in  civic  and  social 
life. 

Mr.  Bryant  was  born  in  Stroudsburg,  Penn- 
sylvania, May  24,  1883,  a  son  of  Charles  M. 
Bryant,    a   druggist   of    that   place,    who    was 


^,.^/wAJ^ 


393 


born  in  Brooklyn,  New  York,  in  1859,  and 
aied  in  1907,  and  of  Emma  (Robeson)  Bryant, 
who  was  born  in  Stroudsburg,  in  1862,  and 
died  in  1903.  The  son  attended  the  public 
schools  and  the  high  school  of  his  birthplace, 
from  which  latter  institution  he  was  grad- 
uated in  1898,  and  later  entered  the  Phila- 
delphia College  of  Pharmacy,  f^oni  which  he 
was  graduated  in  1902,  with  the  degree  in 
pharmacy.  Returning  to  Stroudsburg,  he 
became  associated  with  his  father  in  the 
drug  business  there,  this  arrangement  con- 
tinuing until  the  year  1905.  Thereafter,  for 
several  years,  he  was  employed  in  the  Swain- 
bank  drug  store  in  Wilkes-Barre,  and  later 
in  the  Merritt  Drug  Store  at  Plains.  In 
1916,  however,  he  became  connected  with  the 
Internal  Revenue  Service,  continuing  their 
work  until  1920.  In  August,  1919,  he  opened 
the  drug  store  at  Nos.  1-3  Miner  Street,  in 
Hudson,  which  he  has  operated  under  his  own 
name,  devoting  all  his  time  and  attention  to 
this  enterprise  since  1920.  Politically  Mr. 
Bryant  supports  the  principles  and  candi- 
dates of  the  Democratic  party.  He  is  afHl- 
iated  fraternally  with  the  Benevolent  and 
Protective  Order  of  Elks,  in  which  organiza- 
tion he  is  a  member  of  Lodge  No.  109.  He 
is  a  member  and  a  liberal  supporter  of  the 
local  Lutheran  Church. 

In  1905,  James  Robeson  Bryant  married 
Amy  C.  Engle,  of  East  Stroudsburg,  Pennsyl- 
vania, daughter  of  Christopher  and  Christina 
Engle  of  that  place.  Mrs.  Bryant  has  been 
of  great  assistance  to  her  husband  in  his 
various  business  ventures. 


l,OUIS  Ji.  JACOBS — Pew  residents  of 
Exeter  have  a  record  that  has  comprised 
the  experiences  encompassed  in  the  life  of 
Louis  N.  Jacobs  of  Exeter,  one  of  the  organ- 
izers of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Exeter, 
of  which  he  is  now  director  and  president. 
Starting  his  career  as  a  breaker-boy  in  the 
coal  mines  of  Luzerne  County,  Mr.  Jacobs 
since  has  engaged  in  diverse  callings,  includ- 
ing experience  as  a  barber,  hotel-keeper,  real 
estate  dealer,  and  public  offlcial,  in  addition 
to  his  present  occupation  of  banking.  To 
this  varied  life  may  be  credited,  in  part,  the 
success  attained  by  this  man  in  finance,  for 
thus  he  became  familiar  with  the  details  of 
commerce  and  trade  that  are  so  necessary  to 
one    in    his    position. 

Mr.  Jacobs  was  born  February  23,  1872,  at 
Wilkes-Barre,  both  his  parents  having  been 
natives  of  Germany.  The  father,  Conrad 
Jacobs,  was  born  in  1856,  migrated  to 
America,  and  for  many  years  was  a  hotel- 
owner  in  Wilkes-Barre.  He  died  in  1918, 
and  his  wife,  Magdeline  (Conrad)  Jacobs, 
born  in  1S5S,  passed  away  two  years  later, 
in    1920. 

Louis  N.  Jacobs  attended  the  public  schools 
of  Wilkes-Barre  for  a  time,  but  early  in  life 
entered  the  mines  as  a  breaker-boy,  which 
was  to  occupy  him  for  a  five-year  period. 
Dissatisfied  with  his  lot  in  the  mining  indus- 
try, Mr.  Jacobs  purchased  a  barber  shop  in 
Wilkes-Barre,  and  subsequently  operated 
similar  establishments  in  Exeter  and  other 
towns  of  the  section,  following  this  occupa- 
tion for  about  twenty-five  years.  There- 
after he  was  owner  and  operator  of  a  hotel 
in  Exeter  bearing  his  name,  his  tenure 
therein  continuing  for  ten  years,  or  until 
1920.  when  he  became  interested  in  real 
estate.  Since  that  time  he  has  operated  a 
real  estate  firm  under  his  own  name  in 
Exeter,  although  he  has  assumed  numerous 
other  interests. 

When  the  First  National  Bank  of  Exeter 
was  being  organized,  Mr.  Jacobs  assumed  the 
lead  in  the  organization  work,  and  upon  the 


completion  of  this  task,  became  president  of 
the  institution,  also  serving  as  a  director. 
The  other  officials  of  the  First  National  Bank 
of  E.xeter  are:  W.  A.  Clark,  vice-president, 
Edward  A.  Bedner,  cashier,  and  George  Busha, 
secretary,  while  the  directorate  is  composed 
of  many  prominent  citizens  of  the  community. 
They  are:  B.  Berkovitz,  retired;  G.  Busha, 
real  estate  and  contracting;  W.  A.  Clark, 
captain  of  the  Pennsylvania  State  Police; 
Rev.  Father  Jurica,  priest;  Frank  Pinola, 
attorney  and  president  of  the  Liberty  Bank 
of  Pittsburgh;  A.  Petrillo,  Pitts  Sporting 
Goods  Company;  J.  Schwartz,  meat  dealer; 
S.  Schrinock,  miner  and  school  director,  and 
Y.  Yuchins,  merchant.  This  bank  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Federal  Reserve  System,  and  the 
best  materials,  equipment  and  furnishings 
were  used  in  its  home.  The  directors'  room 
was  finished  in  red  oak,  and  the  bank  room 
and  officers'  space  in  birch.  All  modern 
improvements  are  provided  in  this  structure, 
and  the  scheme  of  decoration  is  in  extremely 
good  taste.  This,  the  only  bank  in  Exeter, 
opened  its  doors  on  February  11,  1928,  and 
is  located  at   No.   1137   Wyoming   Avenue. 

Mr.  Jacobs  also  has  other  financial  hold- 
ings, including  the  Kingston  Bank  &  Trust 
Company,  of  which  he  is  a  director.  Recogni- 
tion by  his  fellowmen,  of  this  puljlic-spirited 
citizen,  has  caused  him  to  be  called  upon 
to  serve  in  various  offices  of  public  trust. 
His  political  connections  are  with  the  Repub- 
lican party,  and  he  has  been  councilman  here 
for  about  fifteen  years,  and  burgess  of 
Exeter  since  1925.  In  both  these  offices  he 
has  given  generously  of  those  talents  and 
of  the  experience  gained  in  business  to  for- 
ward the  interests  of  his  community.  Further 
demonstrating  Mr.  Jacobs'  inexhaustible 
energy  are  the  many  fraternal  organiza- 
tions which  have  his  name  on  their  rolls, 
and  in  wliich  he  takes  active  part,  includ- 
ing the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows, 
Loyal  Order  of  Moose,  and  Lodge  No.  381, 
Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  all 
of  Pittston.  Following  the  religious  faith  of 
his  parents,  Mr.  Jacobs  attends  the  German 
Lutheran  Church. 

Louis  N.  Jacobs  was  married,  in  1889,  to 
Catharine  McAllister  of  Swoyersville,  Penn- 
sylvania, daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Daniel 
McAllister,  and  they  have  one  child:  Mar- 
guerite R.  The  family  residence  is  located 
at  No.  963  Exeter  Street,  Exeter. 


CHARLES     JAMES     HIGGS,     M.     D. — In     the 

ranks  of  the  physicians  and  surgeons  of 
Luzerne  County,  Dr.  Charles  J.  Higgs,  of 
Wilkes-Barre,  holds  a  prominent  place  by 
reason  of  his  learning  and  ability.  A  member 
of  the  younger  group  of  the  medical  frater- 
nity, he  has  exemplified  during  the  period  of 
his  practice  the  highest  traditions  of  the  pro- 
fession. He  enjoys  good  standing  in  the 
learned  bodies  of  the  associated  physicians 
and  surgeons  of  county.  State  and  the  Na- 
tion, and  is  a  veteran  of  the  Mexican  Border 
campaign,  holding  also  the  confidence  of  the 
people  of  Wilkes-Barre.  to  a  large  number 
of  whom  he  has  rendered  professional  service. 
Born  in  Wilkes-Barre,  August  4,  1889,  Dr. 
Charles  James  Higgs  is  the  son  of  William 
L.  and  Susie  (Larish)  Higgs,  and  has  two 
sisters,  the  Misses  Hazel  and  Margaret  Higgs. 
His  father,  born  in  Wilkes-Barre,  December 
5,  1867,  was  city  assessor  of  that  city  for 
fifteen  years,  and  is  now  a  well-known  and 
successful  real  estate  operator  there.  The 
mother  was  born  in  New  Columbus,  Luzerne 
County,  June  9.  1872.  Dr.  Higgs  attended  the 
grade  schools  of  Wilkes-Barre  and  was  grad- 
uated from  the  high  school  of  that  city  in 
1908,    taking'   his   preparatory   course    of   one 


394 


year  at  Bellefonte  Acaclemy,  Bellefonte,  "which 
he  left  in  1909  to  enter  Pennsylvania  State 
College,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in  the 
class  of  1913  with  the  degree  of  Baclielor  of 
Science.  He  took  his  professional  course  at 
the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  from  which 
he  received  his  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine 
in  the  class  of  1915.  His  interneship  of  one 
year  was  served  at  Mercy  Hospital  in  Wilkes- 
Barre,  and  this  was  followed  by  the  service 
of  an  enlistment  of  one  year  on  the  Mexican 
Border  as  a  member  of  the  Pennsylvania 
Field    Artillery. 

Dr.  Higgs  entered  practice  at  Wilkes- 
Barre  and  has  been  successfully  engaged  in 
his  profession  there  for  the  entire  period 
since.  His  ministrations  to  his  clientage  are 
of  that  quality  which  have  won  him  a  large 
and  desirable  following  in  the  city  and  its 
environs.  Further  attest  of  his  professional 
ability  is  had  in  the  fact  of  his  election  to 
fellowship  in  the  American  Medical  Associa- 
tion, and  membership  in  the  Pennsylvania 
State  Medical  Society  and  the  Luzerne  County 
Medical  Society. 

In  the  various  activities  of  the  people  of 
Wilkes-Barre,  Dr.  Higgs  enters  with  an  en- 
thusiasm and  a  cooperative  spirit  which  give 
impetus  to  the  movements  for  betterment  of 
the  different  community  departments.  In 
politics  he  is  a  Republican,  and  in  fraternal 
life  lie  is  affiliated  with  Wilkes-Barre  Lodge, 
No.  12S,  Loyal  Order  of  Moose;  the  Moose- 
heart  Legion,  Phi  Chi  (medical)  fraternity, 
and  the  Patriotic  Orders  Sons  of  America,  the 
Sons  of  Veterans,  and  is  a  Past  Dictator  of 
the  Wilkes-Barre  Moose  Lodge.  He  is  also  a 
member  of  the  American  Legion.  His  relig- 
ious connection  is  with  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church,  of  which  he  is  a  consistently 
liberal  supporter. 

Dr.  Charles  J.  Higgs  was  married,  in  1913, 
to  Eva  Brown,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  daughter  of 
Charles  and  Callie  Brown,  and  they  have  a 
son,   Robert  Donald,  born  November  15,  1916. 


MATTHEW  RRANCIS  KELLY — ^Handi- 
capped by  a  meagre  education,  having  been 
forced  to  enter  the  coal  mines  as  a  breaker- 
boy  at  the  tender  age  of  nine  years,  Matthew 
Francis  Kelly,  through  his  untiring  efforts 
and  unquencliabl©  determination,  has,  never- 
theless, overcome  those  and  many  otlier  ob- 
stacles to  attain  his  present  position  in  life, 
and  in  his  native  town  of  Plains  he  is  both 
honored  and  respected.  His  undertaking 
establishment,  under  his  tactful  and  sym- 
pathetic guidance,  has  been  serving  the  needs 
of  this  neighborhood  for  more  than  thirty 
years,  having  been  established  in  1SS9.  While 
Mr.  Kelly  has  devoted  himself  most  assi- 
duously to  his  duties  as  mortician,  he  has. 
proved  a  valuable  member  of  his  town  in 
other  respects,  being  especially  devoted  to 
the  good  works  of  his  church.  While  he 
has  at  times  assumed  public  office,  he  has 
preferred  the  quiet  life  of  his  home  to  out- 
side social  affiliations.  Born  October  30,  1869, 
Mr.  Kelly  is  the  son  of  James  and  Sarah 
(Cavanaugh)  Kelly.  His  father  was  a  native 
of  Ireland,  and  until  the  time  of  his  death, 
in  1SS7,  was  a  coal  miner.  His  mother,  also 
a   native   of   Ireland,   passed   away   in   1917. 

Matthew  Francis  Kelly  attended  the  public 
schools  in  Plains  for  only  two  years,  at  the 
end  of  that  time,  when  only  nine  years  of 
age,  going  to  work  as  a  breaker-boy  in  the 
coal  mines.  Here  he  remained  for  six  years, 
and  realizing  that  there  was  little  promise 
for  the  future  in  such  employment,  lie  entered 
a  grocery  store  as  a  clerk.  This  occupa- 
tion he  followed  for  sixteen  years,  but  once 
more  decided  that  he  had  not  made  the 
proper   choice   for   his   life's   work.     He   then 


came  to  New  York  City,  and  there  matricu- 
lated at  Renouard  Training  School  of 
Embalming.  After  completing  his  studies  in 
this  institution,  he  then  entered  Eckles 
School  in  Philadelphia,  and  also  was  grad- 
uated therefrom.  At  this  time  he  believed 
himself  thorouglily  qualified  to  enter  the 
undertaking  lousiness,  and  returning  to  Plains 
in  1899,  establislied  the  firm  he  has  since 
conducted.  When  this  concern  was  first 
founded,  Mr.  Kelly  operated  it  under  his 
own  name,  but  since  1906,  at  which  time 
his  son  assumed  a  partnership  therein,  it  has 
borne  the  title  of  M.  F.  Kelly  &  Son.  In 
this,  the  most  trying  of  occupations,  one 
which  requires  the  utmost  understanding  of 
human  nature  and  a  sympathetic  spirit,  Mr. 
Kelly  has  made  many  friends,  not  alone 
through  his  business  operations,  but  in  other 
circles.  Democratic  in  political  beliefs,  for 
six  years  he  served  as  tax  collector  of  Plains 
Township,  and  in  the  conduct  of  this  ofHce 
proved  himself  a  highly  qualified  public  of- 
ficial. A  communicant  of  the  Catholic  faith, 
Mr.  Kelly  has  for  many  years  devoted  him- 
self to  assisting  in  the  deeds  and  work  of 
the  Sacred  Heart  Catholic  Church,  of  Plains. 
His  only  other  affiliation  is  membership  in 
the  Knights  of  Columbus,  with  fourth  degree. 
Matthew  Francis  Kelly  married,  Octoljer 
26,  1897,  Julia  Ruddy  of  Miners  Mills,  Penn- 
sylvania, daughter  of  Michael  and  Bridget 
Ruddy.  Twelve  children  have  been  born  to 
this  marriage,  eight  of  them  are  now  (1928) 
living:  1.  Mary,  educated  at  St.  Mary's  High 
School,  Wilkes-Barre,  and  State  Normal 
School,  Stroudsburg;  taught  school  in  Plains 
for  seven  years;  she  married  John  Carragher, 
and  they  reside  in  Newark,  New  Jersey.  2. 
Thomas  A.,  graduate  of  St.  Mary's  High 
School,  Wilkes-Barre,  and  Eckles'  School  of 
Embalming,  Philadelphia;  now  associated 
with  his  father  in  business.  3.  Francis  M., 
educated  at  St.  Mary's  High  School,  Wilkes- 
Barre,  St.  Mary's  School,  Emmitsburg,  Mary- 
land, for  two  years,  and  finished  at  St. 
Thomas.  4.  Joseph  P.,  graduated  from  St. 
Mary's  High  School,  and  Rutgers  School  of 
Pharmacy.  5.  James,  graduated,  1929,  from 
Sacred  Heart,  Plains.  6.  Margaret  M.,  now 
a  student  at  Sacred  Heart,  Plains.  7.  Rita. 
8.  Matthew,  Jr.  Thomas  A.  Kelly  is  associated 
in  business  with  his  father.  Mr.  Kelly  has 
one    grandchild,    John    Matthew    Carragher. 


ALEXANDER   ARMSTRONG,   M.   D. — One  of 

White  Haven's  foreinost  physicians.  Dr.  Alex- 
ander Armstrong  has  followed  this  profession 
for  more  than  three  decades,  and  during  that 
time  has  become  one  of  the  best  informed 
authorities  on  the  ravages  of  the  great  white 
plague  in  the  State  of  Pennsylvania.  To  this 
disease  and  its  cure,  Dr.  Armstrong  has 
devoted  himself  most  earnestly,  and  to  such  an 
extent  that  he,  perhaps,  has  sacrificed  much 
of  the  material  things  of  this  life.  Although 
he  devotes  much  time  to  this  one  depart- 
ment of  his  profession,  he  does  not  neglect 
other  associations  and  problems  confronting 
health  officials  in  this  country.  He  is  enrolled 
with  many  of  the  local.  State,  and  national 
groups  organized  for  the  advanceinent  of 
their  calling  and  for  the  welfare  of  their 
fellow-citizens,  some  of  which  he  was  instru- 
mental in  organizing.  Non-professional  af- 
fairs, too,  are  helped  substantially  by  his 
participation  therein,  and  he  is  a  foremost 
worker  in  the  circles  of  the  Masonic  Order. 
Born  November  20,  1S73,  at  Trenton,  New 
Jersey,  Dr.  Armstrong  is  tlie  son  of  Hugh 
and  Ann  (Robinson)  Armstrong,  both  natives 
of  Ireland,  and  both  now  deceased.  Hugh 
Armstrong,  who  was  born  in  1830,  attained 
to    considerable    prominence    as    a    manufact- 


£iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii 


395 


urer  of  packing  boxes  and  for  many  years 
operated  a  planing  mili,  previous  to  his 
deatli  in  1899.  Ann  (Robinson)  Armstrong, 
who  was  born  in  1839,  lived  to  the  rare  old 
age  of  eighty-three  years,  having:  passed 
away    in    1922. 

Dr.  Alexander  Armstrong  received  from  the 
public  schools  of  Trenton.  New  Jersey,  a 
sound,  preliminary  education,  having  grad- 
uated from  the  high  school  there  in  18S9. 
He  was  next  found  at  the  University  of  Penn- 
sylvania, and  during  his  studies  at  this  insti- 
tution, devoted  himself  to  obtaining  all  pos- 
sible knowledge  of  the  medical  profession. 
At  the  time  of  his  graduation  from  this 
university  in  1895,  with  the  degree  of  Doctor 
of  Medicine,  he  spent  two  years  as  an  interne 
in  the  Philadelphia  General  Hospital.  This 
proved  most  valuable  experience  to  Dr.  Arm- 
strong and,  when,  at  the  expiration  of  this 
period  he  came  to  Trenton  and  began  prac- 
tice, he  was  most  thoroughly  (lualified  there- 
for. After  practicing  in  Trenton  for  eleven 
years,  or  until  190S,  Dr.  Armstrong  came  to 
White  Haven,  when  he  began  his  work  in 
White  Haven  Sanitarium,  and  here  he  has 
remained  since,  specializing  in  the  treatment 
of  tuberculosis.  He  has  not  gone  into  this 
department  half-heartedly,  but  has  given 
every  possible  moment  of  his  time  toward 
eradicating  this  plague.  For  four  years  he 
was  superintendent  of  the  White  Haven 
Sanitarium,  and  now  (1929)  is  visiting  physi- 
cian and  member  of  the  board  of  directors 
of  that  institution.  He  also  is  visiting 
physician  to  Sunny  Rest  and  Clair  Mont, 
private    sanitarium. 

Dr.  Armstrong's  qualifications  can  be  under- 
stood easily  through  looking  over  his  affil- 
iations with  the  various  organizations  con- 
cerning his  profession.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Luzerne  County  Medical  Association, 
Pennsylvania  State  Medical  Association, 
American  Medical  Association,  the  National 
Tuberculosis  Association,  the  International 
Tuberculosis  Association,  and  the  Lehigh 
Valley  Medical  Association.  Of  this  last- 
named  organization  Dr.  Armstrong  is  sec- 
retary. It  has  been  in  existence  for  almost 
half  a  century.  Attesting  to  the  distinction 
in  which  he  is  held  in  White  Haven  among 
his  colleagues  and  fellow-citizens,  is  his 
membership  on  the  Board  of  Health,  of  which 
he  is  president.  A  Republican  in  political 
beliefs,  he  has  never  participated  in  politics 
to  a  great  extent,  although  he  does  take 
part  in  the  local  organization  of  this  party. 
Many  years  ago  Dr.  Armstrong  became  a 
Mason  and  has  obtained  higli  rank  in  that 
fraternity.  Among  his  affiliations  with  this 
order  may  be  mentioned  his  membership  in 
Lodge  No.  466,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons; 
Lehigh  Consistory,  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish 
Rite,  of  Allentown,  and  Irem  Temple,  Ancient 
Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine. 
He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Pennsylvania 
Forestry  Association.  Dr.  Armstrong  is  a 
good  citizen  to  the  full  extent  in  "vvhich  that 
designation  may  be  given,  and  is  a  member 
of  the  Presbj-terian  Church,  and  an  elder 
in  that  denomination.  Among  his  numerous 
writings  are  the  following:  "Present  Status 
of  Therapeutic  Pneumosthorax  in  Pulmonary 
Tuberculosis,"  "Heliotherapy  in  the  Treat- 
ment of  Tuberculosis,"  "Pulmonary  Tubercu- 
losis and  Tonsillectomy,"  "Therapeutic  Pneu- 
mosthorax," "Value  of  Roentgen  Rays  and 
other  Rays  in  Tuberculosis,"  "Thoracic  Sur- 
gery," and  many   others. 

Dr.  Alexander  Armstrong  married,  in  1901, 
Louise  Carhart  Weir,  of  Trenton,  daughter 
of  Elbridge  Gerry  and  Matilda  (Carhart) 
Weir.  The  doctor  and  his  wife  have  one 
son:      Alexander   E.,    born    July    12,    1902.      In 


1925  he  graduated  from  Syracuse  Univer- 
sity with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts. 
Dr.  Armstrong  and  his  wife  reside  at  No. 
330   Towanda  Street,   White  Haven. 

The  Free  Hospital  for  Poor  Consumptives 
and  White  Haven  Sanatorium  Association,  In 
which  Dr.  Armstrong  has  taken  so  deep  an 
interest,  was  organized  in  1895,  but  it  was 
not  until  the  beginning  of  the  twentieth 
century  that  the  association  constructed  its 
own  sanatorium  at  White  Haven,  the  build- 
ings being  located  at  a  height  of  1,650  feet 
above  sea  level.  White  Haven  is  on  both 
the  Lehigh  Valle.v  and  the  Central  Railroad 
of  New  .Tersey,  and  is,  therefore,  very  con- 
venient of  access.  The  sanatorium  has  a 
capacity  for  two  hundred  and  sixty  patients, 
and  the  board  of  directors  of  the  association 
is  composed  of:  Lawrence  W.  Flick,  M.  D., 
of  Philadelphia,  president:  Joseph  Walsh,  M. 
D.,  Philadelphia,  vice-president:  M.  S.  Kem- 
merer,  Mauch  Chunk,  Pennsylvania,  vice- 
president;  Edward  A.  Millar,  Philadelphia, 
treasurer;  Miss  Mary  G.  Marren,  Philadel- 
phia, secretary:  in  addition  to  a  number  of 
other  prominent  doctors  and  laymen  of  Penn- 
s.N'lvania.  Dr.  Armstrong  is  one  of  the  nine 
visiting  physicians  to  the  institution,  and  is 
also  one  of  the  directors.  As  its  title 
indicates,  the  White  Haven  Sanatorium  treats 
many  victims  of  tuberculosis,  at  a  minimum 
charge,  the  institution  being  maintained 
through  the  generosity  of  contributors,  and 
the  magnitude  of  its  operations  is  attested 
by  the  financial  report  showing  expenditures 
of    over    $200,000    for    the    year    1928. 


D.  M.  HOBBES — His  relationships  with  the 
legal  life  and  activity  of  Luzerne  County 
have  constituted  a  considerable  proportion 
of  the  interesting  career  of  D.  M.  Hobbes, 
general  law  practitioner  and  very  able 
pleader  at  the  bar;  yet  it  may  very  aptly  be 
stated  that  the  earlier  educational  chapter  of 
his  life,  that  of  teacher  and  principal  of  pub- 
lic schools,  "was  to  a  considerable  degree  a 
preparation  for  the  profession  of  which  he  has 
made  the  latter  choice.  In  both  vocations,  Mr. 
Hobbes  has  performed  a  useful  and  memor- 
able part;  and  as  an  attorney-at-law  he  holds 
a  place  of  decided  prominence,  his  activities 
therein  bearing  witness  to  a  mind  of  training 
and   cultivation. 

D.  M.  Hobbes  was  born  January  1,  1858, 
in  Union  Township,  son  of  Peter  and, Jane 
(McDaniels)  Hobbes,  both  parents  now  de- 
ceased. Peter  Hobbes  was  a  farmer  and  a 
blacksmith  in  Union  Township,  a  son  of  John 
and  Elizabeth  (Baer)  Hobbes,  and  she  was  a 
cousin  of  George  F.  Baer,  of  Reading  Rail- 
road fame.  The  Hobbes  family  are  recorded 
as  among  the  early  settled  families  of  Union 
Township,  and  Grandfather  John  Hobbes  and 
his  "wife  ■were  the  parents  of  ten  children:  1. 
Samuel  Hobbes,  who  went  West  and  settled 
in  Mason  City,  Illinois,  and  one  of  his  sons 
is  Douglas  Hobbes,  a  lawyer  of  St.  Louis, 
Missouri.  2.  Hannah,  who  married  Joseph  G. 
Dodson,  and  whose  son  is  Dr.  Boyd  Dodson, 
of  Wilkes-Barre.  3.  Lucinda,  "who  married 
John  Tomlin,  of  Mason  City,  Illinois.  4.  Eliza- 
beth, who  married  George  W.  Miller,  deceased, 
tor  forty  years  a  leading  merchant  of  Shick- 
shinny,  Luzerne  County.  5.  Susan,  who  mar- 
ried John  T.  Rath,  of  Shickshinny.  6.  Peter, 
of  whom  further.  7.  Jacob,  a  farmer  in 
LTnion  Township,  among  whose  children  ia 
Mary  Hobbes,  a  'O'ell-known  teacher  in 
Wilkes-Barre  public  schools.  8.  Catherine, 
deceased,  for  thirty-five  years  a  teacher  in 
Luzerne  County  public  schools.  9.  Adelaide, 
married  B.  B.  Place,  of  St.  Joseph,  Missouri. 
10.  Sarah,  also  a  teacher,  deceased  at  Mason 
City,   Illinois. 


396 


Peter  Hobbes  and  Jane  (McDaniels)  Hobbes 
were  the  parents  of  six  children:  D.  M. 
Hobbes,  of  whom  further;  Frank  P.,  died 
unmarried,  at  Shicltshinny,  in.  August,  1928: 
Charles  B.,  also  of  Shickshinny,  a  retired 
farmer;  Dr.  C.  B.  Hobbes,  a  dentist  of  Wilkes- 
Barre;  Fred  L,.,  a  farmer  at  Muhlenburg; 
Oscar   D.,    a    contractor    at    Shickshinny. 

Reared  on  the  old  farm  in  Union  Town- 
ship, D.  M.  Hobbes  meantime  attended  the 
public  schools,  and  was  graduated  at  the 
Bloomsburg  State  Normal  School  in  the  class 
of  1SS3.  He  was  afterwards,  and  successively, 
principal  of  public  schools  of  Luzerne  Bor- 
ough; Dallas  High  School;  Pleasant  Hill 
Academy;  Dorranceton ;  Ashley  Borough;  and 
at  Kingston,  covering  a  period  of  twenty-five 
years. 

Mr.  Hobbes  entered  upon  the  study  of  law 
in  the  office  of  Isaac  P.  Hand,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre,  and  was  admitted  to  the  Luzerne 
County  bar  in  1901,  and  since  that  date  he 
has  actively  engaged  in  the  general  practice 
of  law.  While  a  teacher,  he  was  a  member 
of  the  State  Examining  Board  for  teachers* 
permanent  or  life  certificates;  and  he  also 
introduced  into  the  public  schools  the  present 
method  of  reading  by  the  sound  method,  now 
in  general  use  in  Luzerne  County.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Luzerne  County  Bar  Associa- 
tion; and  his  religious  faith  is  that  of  the 
Methodist   Episcopal    Church. 

D.  M.  Hobbes  married,  June  29,  1887,  Ida 
J.  Sutliff,  of  Union  Township,  daughter  of 
D.  C.  and  Maria  (Whitesell)  Sutliff.  Their 
children;  1.  Gertrude  Hobbes,  married  Pro- 
fessor Joseph  E.  Pooley,  the  present  head- 
master of  Madison  Academy,  Madison,  New 
Jersey.  2.  Ina  I.,  deceased,  married  Howard 
Remaly,  of  the  George  F.  Lee  Coal  Company, 
of  Nanticoke,  and  they  had  one  son,  Howard 
Hobbes  Remaly.  3.  Ethel  E.,  deceased.  She 
was  a  trained  nurse,  "who  died  while  on  duty 
during  the  influenza  epidemic,  nursing  sol- 
diers at  Tobyhanna.  4.  William  H.,  assistant 
State  superintendent  of  State  roads  in  Lu- 
zerne County;  graduate  of  the  Pennsylvania 
State  College,  with  the  degree  Mechanical 
Engineer:  he  married  Velma  Eastman,  who 
was  assistant  superintendent  of  public 
schools  at  Marshall,  North  Carolina.  5.  Marie 
S.  Hobbes,  a  student  at  Drexel  Institute, 
Philadelphia. 


WILLIAM  H.  VEALR — Time  was,  within 
the  memory  of  those  not  yet  old,  when  pro- 
gressive men  engaged  in  dealing  in  horse- 
drawn  vehicles  began  to  recognize  the  pos- 
sible passing  of  the  old  order  of  things  by 
adding  to  their  stock  an  occasional  automo- 
bile or  by  taking  over  the  agency  of  some 
current  make  of  that  innovation  as  a  means 
of  travel.  Today,  the  once  jeered-at  auto- 
mobile is  so  thick  upon  our  rapidly  increasing 
mileage  of  paved  roads  that  the  regulation 
of  traffic  is  a  serious  problem.  Today,  here 
and  there,  a  progressive  dealer  in  automo- 
biles is  adding  to  his  stock  of  motor  cars 
designed  for  travel  upon  the  highways  a 
motor  vehicle  designed  for  the  higher  ways 
of  the  air  above,  where  traffic  is,  as  yet, 
uncongested.  Here  and  there  a  dealer  in 
automobiles  is  taking  over  the  agency  for 
the  product  of  some  manufacturer  of  air 
crafts — and  he  is  selling  the  aeroplanes,  too. 

In  Hazleton,  Pennsylvania,  the  progressive 
man  who  is  combining  the  air  craft  business 
with  a  flourishing  automobile  business  is 
William  H.  Veale,  a  practical  flyer  who  has 
held  his  pilot's  license  for  more  than  five 
years,  and  who,  since  December,  1927,  has, 
in  addition  to  the  management  of  his  pros- 
perous automobile  business,  served  as  distri- 
butor, covering  Eastern  Pennsj'lvania,  for  the 
Kreider-Reisner     Aircraft     Company,     which 


manufactures  the  Challenger  plane.  Mr. 
Veale  holds  the  agency  for  Dodge  cars,  cover- 
ing Hazleton  and  vicinity,  and  his  business 
is  housed  in  his  own  steel  framed  structure 
at  Nos.  13-23  East  Green  Street,  in  Hazle- 
ton. His  aviation  field  and  hangar  are 
located  at  St.  Johns,  about  six  miles  north  of 
the    center    of   Hazleton. 

William  H.  Veale  was  born  in  Hazleton, 
Pennsylvania,  May  13,  1SS8,  son  of  Samuel 
W.,  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Veale  Brothers, 
contractors,  who  is  still  living  (1928),  and 
of  Celia  (Bolitho)  Veale.  He  received  his 
education  in  the  public  schools  of  Hazletoi. 
and  then  spent  some  time  with  his  father 
in  the  contracting  business.  Being  of  a 
mechanical  turn  of  mind  and  interested  in 
automobiles  he  made  a  change  In  1920,  estab- 
lishing, April  1,  of  that  year  an  auto  business 
of  his  own.  Beginning  in  a  modest  way, 
he  first  took  over  the  agency  for  the  Hahne 
trucks  and  for  the  Hupmobile.  Being  a 
young  man  of  energy  and  ability  and  of 
sound  business  judgment,  he  soon  built  up 
a  prosperous  enterprise,  and  in  1923  he  took 
over  the  agency  for  the  Dodge  car,  covering 
Hazleton  and  vicinity.  In  1925  he  erected 
the  fine  steel-framed  absolutely  fire-proof 
building  at  Nos.  13-23  East  Green  Street,  in 
which  his  steadily  growing  business  is  now 
housed,  a  two-story  structure  of  brick  and 
cement,  ninety  by  one  hundred  feet  in  dimen- 
sion, providing  housing  for  garage  and  serv- 
ice station  and  a  public  garage  with  accom- 
modations  for   forty   cars. 

Mr.  Veale  has  for  some  years  been  inter- 
ested in  aeronautics,  and  some  five  years 
ago  received  his  pilot's  license.  He  Is  known 
as  a  good  practical  flyer,  and  on  December 
1,  1927,  he  was  appointed  the  first  distributor 
of  the  Challenger  plane,  manufactured  by 
the  Kreider-Reisner  Aircraft  Company.  His 
district  for  this  plane  covers  all  of  Eastern 
Pennsylvania  and  at  St.  John,  located  on  the 
outskirts  of  the  city,  about  six  miles  north 
of  the  center,  he  has  established  his  aviation 
field.  There  he  has  built  his  hangar  and 
storage  space,  sixty  by  one  hundred  feet,  and 
there  he  gives  instruction  In  the  art  of  fiying 
and  also  gives  demonstrations  of  the  Chal- 
lenger car  to  prospective  purchasers.  As  the 
pioneer  in  this  particular  field  of  aeronautics 
as  a  business,  in  tliis  section,  he  is  doing  a 
very  satisfactory  amount  of  selling,  and  there 
Is  every  indication  that  the  aircraft  depart- 
ment of  his  enterprise  will  grow  in  impor- 
tance with  the  passing  of  each  year.  As 
Instructor  Mr.  Veale  has  been  very  success- 
ful, and  well-to-do  young  men  of  this  sec- 
tion who  can  afford  to  own  a  plane  are 
deeply  interested  in  Mr.  Veale's  aviation 
field. 

Along  with  his  successful  business  activi- 
ties Mr.  Veale  also  finds  time  for  attending 
to  his  full  share  in  civic  affairs.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Hazleton  Chamber  of  Com- 
merce, Is  active  in  local  politics,  and  Is  gen- 
erally Interested  in  the  betterment  of  the  city 
of  Hazleton.  Fraternally,  he  is  identified 
with  Lodge  No.  200,  Benevolent  and  Protec- 
tive Order  of  Elks;  and  Is  prominent  in  the 
Masonic  Order,  being  a  member  of  Azalia 
Lodge,  No.  207,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons; 
of  Caldwell  Consistory;  and  of  Irem  Temple, 
Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic 
Shrine.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Kiwanis 
Club  and  of  the  Valley  Country  Club,  and  his 
religious  affiliation  is  with  the  English  Luth- 
eran   Church. 

William  H.  Veale  was  married,  September 
12,  1907,  to  Mary  Dietrich,  of  Hazleton,  and 
they  are  the  parents  of  two  children:  Jean 
Evelyn  and  Stewart  Samuel.  The  family 
home  is  located  at  No.  303  East  Chapel  Street, 
in    Hazleton. 


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JOHIV  T.  KIEL.TY.  M.  D. — Rising-  in  the 
medical  profession  of  Wyoming  Valley,  where 
he  has  been  established  but  a  short  time, 
John  T.  Kielty,  of  Kingston,  gives  promise 
of  rapid  advancement  in  his  chosen  calling. 
He  is  a  young  man  of  excellent  reputation, 
industrious,  ambitious  and  with  a  finished 
education,  to  which  he  is  constantly  adding 
through  association  with  older  practitioners 
and  the  reading  of  such  literature  as  is  of 
value  in  his  work.  His  personality  is  engaging 
and  he  is  an  affable  man  who  makes  friends 
readily  and  holds  them  firmly.  It  will  be 
a  source  of  surprise  to  those  who  have 
watched  his  work  here  if  he  does  not  early 
attain  to  a  position  of  great  importance  in 
the  medical  field  of  Pennsylvania. 

He  was  born  in  Hazleton,  Pennsylvania, 
July  6,  1901,  a  son  of  Patrick  F.  Kielty,  a 
native  of  Archbold,  now  in  the  insurance 
business  in  Wilkes-Barre,  and  Bridget  (Mc- 
Andrew)  Kielty,  of  the  same  place.  His  edu- 
cation began  in  the  public  schools  of  Wilkes- 
Barre  and  was  continued  in  St.  Mary's 
Parochial  School,  from  which  institution  he 
took  the  preparatory  medical  course  at  Villa- 
nova  College  and  then  went  to  Jefferson 
Medical  College,  in  Philadelphia,  from  which 
he  was  graduated  with  the  degree  of  Doctor 
of  Medicine  in  the  class  of  1925.  He  then 
served  one  year  as  interne  in  St.  Mary's 
Hospital  in  Philadelphia  and  at  the  conclu- 
sion of  this  work  came  to  Kingston,  where 
he  established  himself  in  independent  prac- 
tice. He  is  a  member  of  the  staff  of  Mercy 
Hospital  and  belongs  to  the  American  Med- 
ical Association  and  to  the  State  and  County 
medical  societies.  He  is  a  Republican  in  poli- 
tics and  attends  St.  Mary's  Roman  Catholic 
Church. 


JOHN     LEONARD      I/AVIJV,    M.    D. — One    of 

the  foremost  practitioners  of  medicine  in 
Luzerne  County  is  John  Leonard  Lavin,  "who, 
being  a  native  of  this  part  of  Pennsylvania, 
is  thoroughly  acquainted  with  the  local  peo- 
ple and  conditions,  and  is  able  the  better 
to  meet  their  needs  in  practicing  his  pro- 
fession. He  has  shown,  in  the  course  of 
his  medical  career  in  Swoyersville,  that  he 
is  e^'er  willing  to  devote  his  time  and  energies 
unstintingly  to  the  "welfare  of  his  patients 
and  the  cause  of  health  advancement  in  his 
community:  and  this  trait,  coupled  with  his 
excellent  skill  as  a  physician  and  surgeon, 
makes  him  one  of  the  most  useful  members 
of    his    profession. 

Dr.  Lavin  was  born  in  Swoyersville,  the 
place  in  which  he  now  practices  medicine, 
February  29,  1892,  a  son  of  Thomas  and  Ellen 
(Quinn)  Lavin.  His  father,  a  native  of  Ire- 
land, came  to  the  United  States  early  in  life 
and  settled  in  this  region  of  Pennsylvania, 
where  he  was  at  first  engaged  in  the  mining 
industry,  and  later  entered  politics  in  Luzerne 
County,  having  held  several  important  pub- 
lic positions,  such  as  supervisor  and  tax  col- 
lector of  Kingston  Township;  while  the 
mother,  Ellen  (Quinn)  Lavin,  was  also  born 
in     Ireland. 

Dr.  John  Leonard  Lavin  received  his  edu- 
cation in  the  Sacred  Heart  School,  Luzerne, 
and  attended  Saint  Mary's  High  School  in 
Wilkes-Barre,  from  which  he  was  graduated 
in  the  class  of  1909,  and  St.  Thomas's  College, 
Scranton.  Later  he  became  a  student  at 
Jefferson  Medical  College,  in  Philadelphia, 
from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1915  with 
the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine.  After  he 
completed  the  academic  part  of  his  profes- 
sional work,  he  became  an  interne  at  Saint 
Joseph's  Hospital  in  Philadelphia.  Then, 
when  he  finished  this  work,  he  began  his  own 
general  practice  of  medicine  in  Swoyersville, 


where  he  has  been  engaged  in  his  profes- 
sional work  ever  since  that  time  and  has 
won  a  host  of  dear  friends  and  loyal  sup- 
porters. 

In  addition  to  his  own  practice.  Dr.  Lavin 
is  a  member  of  the  staff  of  Mercy  Hospital, 
in  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania,  and  is  asso- 
ciate surgeon  there.  He  also  holds  member- 
ships in  the  American  Medical  Association, 
the  Pennsylvania  State  Medical  Association 
and  the  Luzerne  County  Medical  Associa- 
tion, through  "n^hich  organizations  he  keeps 
constantly  in  touch  with  the  newest  develop- 
ments in  his  profession.  While  the  United 
States  was  a  participant  in  the  World  War, 
Dr.  Lavin  served  as  captain  in  the  Medical 
Corps  in  the  United  States  Army  overseas. 
While  on  the  other  side  of  the  Atlantic,  he 
was  stationed  at  Base  Hospital  No.  64.  He 
was  abroad  at  that  time  for  twelve  months, 
during  all  of  which  time  he  was  actively 
engaged  in  his  country's  military  service. 
His  discharge  from  the  army  came  in  June, 
1919. 

When  he  returned  to  the  Luzerne  County 
region  to  resume  his  practice,  he  immediately 
took  part  in  a  number  of  the  public  affairs 
of  his  community.  He  is  now  president  of 
the  Board  of  Health  of  Swoyersville,  and  is 
chief  medical  inspector  of  the  schools  in 
this  place.  He  is  a  keen  observer  of  political 
affairs,  and  is  himself  affiliated  with  the 
Republican  party,  whose  policies  and  candi- 
dates he  regularly  supports.  He  holds  mem- 
berships in  the  Knights  of  Columbus  and 
the  American  Legion,  Post  No.  644,  and  his 
religious  aflfiliation  is  with  the  Hol.v  Name 
Roman    Catholic    Church. 

On  January  3,  1927,  Dr.  Lavin  married  Cath- 
erine C.  Delahunt,  of  Windber,  Pennsylvania, 
daughter  of  Thomas  and  Margaret  Delehunt. 
By  this  marriage  there  has  been  one  son, 
John  Leonard,  Jr.,  born  October  27,  1927.  Dr. 
and  Mrs.  Lavin  reside  at  No.  202  Shoemaker 
Street,  and  his  office  is  at  No.  2S1  Chapel 
Street,   Swoyersville. 


RVISH  TRESCOTT — The  Trescott  family  of 
which  Rush  Trescott,  prominent  Wilkes- 
Barre  attorney,  was  a  part,  proceeds  from 
English  ancestry  and  since  the  early  part  of 
the  seventeenth  century  has  made  its  mark 
in  the  affairs  of  the  United  States.  Its  sturdy 
members  have  graced  the  military,  the.  sci- 
ences and  the  educational  world.  They  bore 
an  honorable  part  in  the  early  struggles  of 
the  colonists,  participating  in  the  Indian 
wars,  an  expedition  against  Canada  and 
the  war  of  the  American  Revolution.  In  the 
early  days  they  were  closely  associated  with 
Dorchester,  Milton  and  other  towns  of  East- 
ern Massachusetts.  From  these  pioneers  went 
forth  a  settler  to  Luzerne  County,  Pennsyl- 
vania, who  there  established  the  name  which 
has  ever  since  been  one  of  distinction  in  the 
Keystone  State.  The  descent  to  Rush  Tres- 
cott is  through  the  following  line: 

(I)  William  Trescott  (1614),  of  Dorchester, 
married  Elizabeth  Dyer. 

(II)  Their  son,  Samuel  Trescott  (1646- 
1730),  served  in  King  Philip's  War,  was 
identified  with  Milton;  married  Margaret 
Rogers    (1653-1742). 

(HI)  Their  son,  Ebenezer  Trescott  (1680), 
of  Milton,  later  Mansfield;  married  Bridget 
Fenton. 

(IV)  Their  son,  Samuel  Trescott  (1715), 
known  as  "The  Surveyor,"  was  a  resident  of 
Mansfield,  Connecticut:  he  married  Hannah 
Purchas,  of  Springfield,  Massachusetts,  of 
whose  nine  children  the  seven  sons  entered 
the  Colonial  Army  during  the  Revolution  and 
at  least  three  received  pensions  from  the 
United    States     Government.      The     record    of 


398 


their  service  is  found  more  fully  in  Vol.  XVI 
of  "Massachusetts  Soldiers  and  Sailors  of  the 
Revolutionary  War."  Samuel  Trescott  and 
his  sons,  Solon  and  Samuel,  Jr.,  also  survey- 
ors, migrated  to  Huntington,  Luzerne  County, 
about  1770,  where  they  laid  out  the  tovifnship 
of  Huntington  and  built  a  cabin  on  Hunting- 
ton Creek  near  the  present  site  of  Harvey- 
ville.  This  work  was  done  at  the  instance  of 
the  Susquehanna  Company,  of  Windham 
County,  Connecticut,  which  was  formed  with 
the  purpose  of  settling  Wyoming  Valley, 
Pennsylvania.  Mr.  Trescott  and  his  two  sons 
returned  to  Connecticut  and  served  in  George 
Washington's  command  during  1776  and  1777. 
They  and  the  younger  brothers  were  active 
in  numerous  battles  and  campaigns,  and  at 
the  end  of  the  war  Solon  and  Samuel  returned 
to  Huntington  in  1778.  Soon  thereafter  they 
enlisted  in  the  Huntington  Valley  Company 
under  the  command  of  Captain  John  Frank- 
lin. This  company  defended  Wyoming  Valley 
against  the  Indians  and  Tories,  and  the  Tres- 
cott brothers  assisted  in  the  destruction  of  a 
large  quantity  of  whiskey  poured  into  the 
river  at  Plymouth  so  the  red-skins  and  Tories 
could  not  obtain  it.  The  massacre  of  settlers 
at  Forty  Fort  being  in  progress,  they  reached 
Kingston,  two  miles  away,  while  it  was  at 
Its  height,  and  after  the  battle  there  the 
brothers  went  down  the  river  and  eventually 
made   their   way   back    to   Connecticut. 

(V)  Their  son,  Solon  Trescott  (1750-1826), 
associated  with  Huntington,  also  Harveyville, 
married  Margaret  Lewis,  daughter  of  Edward 
Lewis,  a  soldier  of  the  Revolution,  and 
Bridget  Lewis;  they  died  within  two  days  of 
each  other  and  were  buried  in  a  private 
cemetery  between  Harveyville  and  Hunting- 
ton   Mills. 

(VI)  Their  son,  Peter  Sylvester  Trescott 
(17S9-1SS4),  identified  with  Huntington  Town, 
ship,  married  Susan  Miller,  of  Chester  County, 
whose    parents    were    Welsh    Quakers. 

(VII)  Their  son.  Miller  Barton  Trescott, 
was  born  at  Huntington,  July  12,  1830,  and 
died  December  22,  1897;  he  married  Permelia 
Stevens  Rhone,  born  at  Cambria,  April  22, 
1836,  daughter  of  George  and  Mary  Bowman 
(Stevens)  Rhone.  George  Rhone  "was  a  son 
of  Matthias  and  Naomi  (LaPorte)  Rhone,  the 
former  a  native  of  Lehigh  County,  near  Al- 
lentown,  and  a  farmer  by  occupation.  He 
died  in  1853  near  Benton,  Columbia  County, 
aged  seventy-flve  years,  and  was  interred  in 
St.  Gabriel's  churchyard.  Naomi  (LaPorte) 
Rhone  was  a  daughter  of  a  French  refugee 
"Who  fled  to  America  during  the  French  Revo- 
lution and  settled  at  Asylum,  Bradford 
County,  Pennsylvania;  John  LaPorte,  her 
relative,  was  speaker  of  the  Pennsylvania 
Legislature  in  1832,  and  from  1832  to  1836 
was  a  Member  of  Congress;  he  was  one  of  a 
few  Frenchmen  who  refused  expatriation 
offered  by  Napoleon  Bonaparte.  Mary  Bow- 
man (Stevens)  Rhone  was  a  daughter  of 
Zebulon  Hall  Stevens,  a  descendant  of  Henry 
Stevens,  who  came  to  this  country  from  Eng- 
land April  4,  1669,  with  his  father  and  two 
brothers,  Nicholas  and  Thomas,  and  settled 
in  Taunton,  Massachusetts.  Permelia  (Bow- 
man) Stevens,  wife  of  Zebulon  Stevens,  was 
the  eldest  daughter  of  John  Bowman  (1772- 
1848),  of  Huntington,  who  married  Mary 
Britton,  and  she  died  in  1852.  He  was  a  son 
of  Christopher  Bowman,  who  caiue  to  Bucks 
County  in  1754  from  Germany.  Henry  Stevens 
married  Eliza  or  Elizabeth  Gallup,  a  daugh- 
ter of  Captain  John  Gallup,  son  of  Captain 
John  Gallup,  of  Boston,  Massachusetts,  and 
both  father  and  son  were  noted  Indian  fight- 
ers. Captain  Gallup  married  Hannah  Lake, 
a  relative  of  Governor  Winthrop. 


The  children  of  Miller  Barton  and  Permelia 
S.  (Rhone)  Trescott  numbered  eight:  1.  Syl- 
vester Boyd,  married  Anna  Potter  and  they 
have  a  son,  Paul  Henry  Trescott.  2.  Mary  L., 
a  prominent  attorney  of  Wilkes-Barre,  Penn- 
sylvania. 3.  George  Rhone,  married  Emma 
Harrison.  They  have  two  children,  Leroy, 
married  Hazel  Nixon,  and  Liva  Permelia, 
married  Fred  W.  Blencoe,  of  England.  George 
Rhone  removed  to  Dorranceton,  where  he  was 
burgess  and  a  member  of  the  Borough  Council 
while  he  resided  there.  He  died  at  Waterton, 
Pennsylvania,  in  1922.  4.  Minerva  Patterson, 
married  Charles  W.  Snyder,  Williamsport 
journalist,  and  they  have  five  children,  Mar- 
tha, Barton,  Russell,  Richard  and  Harold 
Snyder,  the  last  named  of  whom  died  at  the 
age  of  ten.  5.  Josephine,  married  Henry  H. 
Davenport,  of  Huntington  Township,  and 
they  have  five  children.  Herman,  Frances, 
Robert,  Irene  and  Mary  Davenport.  6.  Rush, 
of  whom  further.  7.  Emma,  single,  engaged 
in  missionary  work  among  the  foreign-born 
miners,  founder  of  the  Anthracite  Mission 
at  Hazleton,  and  welfare  worker  for  the 
Philadelphia  &  Reading  Coal  Company  at 
Mahanoy  City,  Pennsylvania.  She  died  Sep- 
tember 9,  1927.  8.  Robert,  married  Eliza 
Dreisbach,  great-great-granddaughter  of 
Luther  Trescott,  and  great-granddaughter  of 
Susan  Dodson;  they  had  a  son.  Barton,  born 
June  8,  1914;  Eliza  (Dreisbach)  Trescott  died 
at  the  old  homestead  at  Huntington,  Decem- 
ber  4,    1918. 

(VIH)  Rush  Trescott  was  born  October  5, 
1868,  on  the  plantation  in  Huntington  Town- 
ship, Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania,  and  died 
at  Kingston,  May  7,  1927.  He  grew  to  man- 
hood in  this  rustic  atmosphere,  surrounded 
by  the  glorious  associations  of  nearly  a  cen- 
tury. As  a  boy  he  alternately  worked  on  the 
farm  and  attended  school,  and  later  attended 
the  New  Columbus  and  Huntington  Mills 
academies,  graduating  in  due  time  from  the 
latter.  He  then  entered  the  Law  School  of 
Dickinson  College  at  Carlisle,  from  which  in- 
stitution he  graduated  with  the  degree  of 
Bachelor  of  Law^s  in  the  class  of  1895.  He 
was  admitted  to  the  Luzerne  County  bar  at 
Wilkes-Barre  June  17,  1895,  and  for  thirty- 
tAvo  years  had  been  one  of  the  most  active 
practitioners  at  this  place,  and  quite  success- 
ful in  local.  State  and  Federal  courts.  As 
an  Independent  Democrat  he  had  been  an 
active  party  worker  for  thirty  years,  having 
served  for  many  years  as  a  member  of  the 
Democratic  County  Committee  and  committee 
chairman.  From  1898  to  1901  he  served  as 
assistant  district  attorney  under  the  admin- 
istration of  T.  R.  Martin,  and  made  a  splen- 
did record,  as  county  official.  He  acted  as 
burgess  of  Kingston  from  January  1,  1913, 
to  .lanuary  1,  1921,  with  entire  satisfaction 
to  his  fellow-townsmen.  He  was  a  valued 
member  of  the  Luzerne  County  Bar  Associa- 
tion, and  for  forty  years  he  had  been  active 
in  the  work  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  a  trustee,  superintendent  and  teacher 
in  the  Sabbath  school,  and  first  president  of 
the  Epworth  League  in  Pennsylvania.  Mr. 
Trescott  was  essentially  a  self-made  man  and 
he  had  achieved  a  notable  success  and  was 
highly  respected    throughout   the   community. 

Mr.  Trescott  married  Elizabeth  May  Wil- 
bur June  9,  1899,  a  daughter  of  Henry  and 
Mary  (Fell)  Wilbur,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  and 
their  union  was  blessed  with  a  son,  Wilbur 
Trescott,  a  member  of  the  class  of  1927  at 
Princeton  University.  Princeton,  New  Jersey. 
Mrs.  Trescott,  a  woman  of  great  strength  of 
character  and  many  lovable  traits,  died  Jan- 
uary 31,  1924,  sincerely  mourned  by  all  who 
knew    her. 


399 


HERMAX  S.  VAN  CAMPEN — After  working 
for  nine  years  as  despatcher  and  division 
superintendent  for  the  Wilkes-Barre  Railway 
Company,  Herman  S.  Van  Campen  decided  to 
go  into  business  for  himself,  and  he  there- 
upon purchased  a  general  store  at  Shaver- 
town,  Luzerne  County,  which  he  has  since 
operated  with  profit  to  himself  and  satisfac- 
tion to  his  customers. 

Mr.  Van  Campen  was  born  at  Exeter,  in 
this  county,  on  December  22,  18S9,  the  son  of 
Andrew  and  Elizabeth  (Smith)  Van  Campen, 
the  former  a  native  of  Monroe  County,  where 
he  was  born  in  1859,  and  the  latter  of  Pike 
County.  The  Van  Campen  family  has  a  history 
in  this  section  which  dates  back  to  the  early 
Indian  days  in  Luzerne  County,  and  ances- 
tors of  Mr.  Van  Campen  were  participants  in 
the  Wyoming  Valley  massacre. 

Following  his  early  education  in  the  public 
and  high  schools  of  Exeter,  Mr.  Van  Campen 
went  into  the  railroad  business,  eventually 
becoming  the  despatcher  and  division  super- 
intendent of  the  Wilkes-Barre  Railroad.  In 
Januarj',  1922,  he  purchased  the  general  store 
at  Shavertown  "which  was  then  operated  by 
William  W^ilson,  and  which  he  has  since  con- 
ducted under  his  own  name  u'ith  much  suc- 
cess, carrying  a  general  line  of  merchandise, 
meats  and  provisions,  together  "with  sodas 
and  confectioneries.  In  1922  Mr.  Van  Campen 
w'as  appointed  postmaster  of  Shavertown  by 
President  Harding,  which  post  he  has  since 
held.  In  politics  he  is  a  staunch  Republican. 
He  is  afRliated  with  Dallas  Lodge,  No.  435, 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  and  with  Lodge 
No.  107S,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows, 
of  which  fraternity  he  is  a  Past  District 
Deputy  Grand  Master  of  the  Fourth  District. 
Mr.  Van  Campen  also  belongs  to  the  Shalmer 
Sanctorum,  No.  237,  of  the  Ancient  Mystic 
Order  of  Samaritans,  and  is  a  member  of  the 
Dallas  Rotary  Club.  His  religious  afflliations 
are  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

On  May  26,  191S,  Mr.  Van  Campen  married 
Mae  Shaver,  daughter  of  Olin  and  Ella 
Shaver,  of  Shavertown.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Van 
Campen  are  the  parents  of  one  child,  a  son, 
James  Olin,   born   April  20,   1927. 


W.iLTER  S.  BROADT — As  station  agent 
for  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna,  and  Western 
Railroad,  at  Shickshinny,  Pennsylvania, 
Walter  S.  Broadt  has  discharged  all  the 
duties  of  his  position  in  a  highly  efHcient 
manner,  to  the  complete  satisfaction  both  of 
his  company,  and  of  the  community  which 
appreciates  the  high  standard  of  the  service 
that  he  gives  to  them.  In  addition  to  this 
work,  Mr.  Broadt  is  otherwise  active  in  the 
affairs  of  Shickshinny,  and  in  its  civic  and 
social  life. 

Mr.  Broadt  was  born  on  August  14.  1877, 
at  Nanticoke,  Pennsylvania,  a  son  of  John 
Frederick  Broadt,  who  was  born  at  Buck- 
horn,  Pennsylvania,  and  is  now  deceased,  and 
of  Margaret  Amanda  (Gruver)  Broadt,  also 
now  deceased,  who  was  born  at  Hobble,  Penn- 
sylvania, a  daughter  of  Daniel  and  Sallie 
Gruver.  His  father,  "who  was  an  artist,  saw 
service  in  the  Civil  War  as  a  member  of 
Company  H,  93d  Regiment,  of  the  Pennsyl- 
vania Volunteers,  throughout  a  period  of 
three   years,   nine  months,   and  thirteen  days. 

Walter  S.  Broadt  attended  the  public 
schools  and  the  high  school  at  Nescopeck, 
Pennsylvania,  and  when  he  completed  his 
education,  accepted  a  position  as  telegraph 
operator  with  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad, 
with  whom  he  remained  tor  six  years.  At 
the  end  of  this  time,  on  April  15,  1903,  he 
became  station  agent  at  Shickshinny,  for  the 
Delaware,    Lackawanna    and    Western    Rail- 


road, and  in  this  position  he  has  remained 
since. 

Politically,  Mr.  Broadt  supports  the  prin- 
ciples and  candidates  of  the  Republican  party. 
He  has  always  considered  public  service  no 
less  worthy  of  his  best  attention  than  his 
own  affairs,  serving  for  eight  terms  as  school 
director  in  Shickshinny,  and  for  twelve  years 
as  overseer  of  the  poor.  Mr.  Broadt  is  affili- 
ated fraternally  with  the  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons,  in  which  organization  he  is  a  mem- 
ber of  Sylvania  Lodge,  No.  354,  a  member  of 
all  bodies  of  the  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish 
Rite,  including  Caldwell  Consistory,  at 
Bloomsburg,  Pennsylvania,  and  a  member  of 
Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles 
of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  He  is  also  a  member  of 
the  local  Rotary  Club,  and  a  member  of 
Shickshinny  Presbyterian  Church,  of  which 
he  is  clerk  of  the  Session,  as  well  as  a  liberal 
supporter  and   active  member. 

In  January,  1903,  Walter  S.  Broadt  mar- 
ried Flora  Search,  of  Shickshinny,  daughter 
of  Wilbur  and  Mary  E.  (Agnew)  Search,  and 
a  member  of  a  very  old  family  of  this  sec- 
tion. Mrs.  Broadt  was  educated  in  the  local 
schools,  including  high  school,  and  the  Musical 
Department,  University  of  Wooster,  at  Woo- 
ster,  Ohio.  Wilbur  Search,  a  carpenter,  con- 
tractor and  general  merchant  in  Shickshinny 
for  many  years,  was  born  in  Union  Township, 
Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania,  on  December 
5,  1845,  and  died  in  Shickshinny  in  1914.  His 
wife,  who  before  her  marriage  was  Mary  E. 
Agnew,  was  born  at  Lake  Winola  in  Lacka- 
wanna County,  Pennsylvania,  on  February 
16,  1853,  and  died  on  November  5,  1925.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Broadt  are  the  parents  of  one  child, 
Mary  A.,  who  was  graduated  from  the  local 
high  school,  in  1920;  from  Wyoming  Semi- 
nary, first,  in  1921,  in  Literary  Scientific  De- 
partment and,  in  1922,  in  violin;  and  from 
Syracuse  University,  in  1926,  with  the  degree 
of  Bachelor  of  Science.  She  Is  now  in  charge 
of  the  music  in  the  schools  of  Fonda,  New 
York. 


STANLEY  WOODWARD  SEARCH,  son  of 
Wilbur  and  Mary  E.  (Agnew)  Search,  and 
brother-in-law  of  Walter  S.  Broadt  (q.  v.), 
was  born  in  Ross  Township,  Luzerne  County. 
Pennsylvania,  on  February  28,  1876.  He  at- 
tended the  public  schools  of  Shickshinny,  and 
was  also  graduated  from  the  University  of 
Wooster,  in  Wooster,  Ohio.  He  undertook  the 
course  of  study  in  the  Eckles  School  of  Em- 
balming, from  "which  institution  he  was  grad- 
uated in  1904,  and  then  returned  to  Shick- 
shinny, where  he  established  himself  as  an 
undertaker  and  embalmer,  carrying  a  full  line 
of  the  most  modern  equipment  obtainable.  For 
many  years  he  carried  on  this  work  in  a  verr 
successful  way,  under  his  own  name,  only  re- 
linquishing his  labors  at  the  time  of  his 
death   on   May    9,    1928. 

Politically  Mr.  Search  was  a  member  of  the 
Democratic  party,  and  he  was  affiliated  fra- 
ternally with  the  Free  and  Accepted  Masons, 
being  a  member  of  Ebenezer  Lodge,  at  Woo- 
ster, Ohio,  and  a  member  of  all  bodies  of  the 
Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite,  including 
Caldwell  Consistory,  at  Bloomsburg,  Penn- 
sylvania. Mr.  Search  "was  also  a  member  of 
Irem  Temple  of  the  Ancient  Arabic  Order 
Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  and  a  member  of 
the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  He 
was  a  member  and  one  of  the  elders  of  Shick- 
shinny Presbyterian  Church. 

On  March  26,  1904,  Stanley  Woodward 
Search  married  Gertrude  Gregory,  of  Sweet 
Valley.  Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania,  a 
daughter  of  Charles  Gregory,  a  farmer,  born 
in  Union  Township,  Luzerne  County,  in  1854, 


died  in  1926,  and  of  Frances  (Whitesell) 
Gregory,  who  was  born  in  Snyder  County, 
Pennsylvania,  in  ISfiO,  and  wiio  is  still  living. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Search  became  the  parents  of 
one  child,  Mable  Mary,  born  January  1,  1907, 
who  is  now  attending  business  college  in 
Wilkes-Barre. 


liBOIVARD  D.  MORGAN — Among  the  young- 
er members  of  the  Luzerne  County  bar  is 
Leonard  D.  Morgan,  who  is  a  veteran  of  the 
World  War  and  is  the  only  lawyer  in  North- 
eastern Pennsylvania  who  was  educated  by 
the  United  States  Vocational  Board.  Mr. 
Morgan  was  admitted  to  the  Luzerne  County 
bar  in  September,  1923,  and  since  that  time 
has  been  engaged  in  practice  at  No.  713  Coal 
Exchange  Building,   in  Wilkes-Barre. 

Leonard  D.  Morgan  was  born  in  Bdwards- 
ville,  Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania,  in  March, 
1S96,  only  son  and  child  of  George  E.  and 
Mary  (Davis)  Morgan,  and  grandson  of  John 
S.  Morgan,  who  came  to  this  country  from 
Wales  and  settled  in  Luzerne  County.  Leonard 
D.  Morgan  spent  his  boyhood  in  Edwards- 
ville,  attending  the  public  schools  there,  and 
then  continued  his  studies  in  the  Wyoming 
Valley  Seminary,  at  Kingston,  Pennsylvania, 
frorri  which  he  was  graduated  in  1916.  In 
1917  Mr.  Morgan  enlisted  in  Company  E,  4th 
United  States  Infantry  of  the  Regular  Army, 
and  was  sent  with  the  American  Expedition- 
ary Forces  to  France,  where  he  participated 
in  all  the  major  offensives  against  the  Ger- 
man forces.  In  the  battle  of  the  Argonne, 
October  S,  1918,  he  received  wounds  from  five 
machine  gun  bullets,  and  as  a  result  was 
confined  to  hospitals  in  France  and  in  this 
country  for  a  year.  When  he  was  sufficiently 
recovered  and  was  mustered  out  of  service 
Mr.  Morgan  became  a  student  in  Dickinson 
Law  School,  at  Carlisle,  Pennsylvania,  where 
he  finished  his  course  with  graduation  in 
1923.  He  was  admitted  to  the  Luzerne  County 
bar  in  September  of  that  same  year,  and 
since  that  time  has  been  engaged  in  general 
practice  in  Wilkes-Barre.  As  has  been  stated, 
Mr.  Morgan  has  the  distinction  of  being  the 
only  member  of  the  legal  profession  in  North- 
eastern Pennsylvania  who  was  educated  by 
the  United  States  Vocational  Training  Board, 
and  there  is  every  prospect  that  his  future 
professional  career  will  be  one  of  which  that 
board  can  well  be  proud.  Politically,  Mr. 
Morgan  gives  his  support  to  the  principles 
and  the  candidates  of  the  Republican  party. 
He  is  a  member  of  Nanticoke  Lodge,  No.  541, 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  and  of  all  the 
Scottish  Rite  bodies  up  to  and  including 
Keystone  Consistory,  in  which  he  holds  the 
thirty-second  degree.  He  is  also  a  member 
of  Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles 
of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  of  Wilkes-Barre;  and 
of  the  Irem  Country  Club.  He  also  holds 
membership  in  the  Craftsmen's  Club.  His 
religious  affiliation  and  that  of  his  family  is 
with  Bethesda  Congregational  Church  of 
Edwardsville. 

Leonard  D.  Morgan  was  married,  January 
17,  1920,  to  Hilda  Davis,  of  Glen  Lyon,  Lu- 
zerne County.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Morgan  are  the 
parents  of  two  children:  Edward  M.  and 
Annabelle. 


ANDREW  J.   tEiB — There  are  but   few    of 

the  residents  of  Hazleton  and  its  vicinity  who 
do  not  owe  much  to  the  care  and  skill  of 
Andrew  J.  Leib,  for  he  holds  the  responsible 
position  of  assistant  superintendent  of  the 
Luzerne  County  Gas  and  Electric  Corporation 
for  that  locality.  He  is  a  very  prominent 
member  of  the  community  and  is  active  in  all 
civic  and  welfare  work. 


Mr.  Leib  was  born  in  Hazleton,  February 
26,  1895,  the  son  of  William  S.  and  Isabelle 
K.  (Zeigler)  Leib,  the  former  a  very  promi- 
nent figure  in  the  community,  who  was  born 
in  Indianapolis,  Indiana,  and  moved  to  this 
State  in  his  youth.  He  was  in  the  mercantile 
business  and  was  greatly  to  the  fore  in  all 
public  matters.  He  served  as  deputy  sheriff  of 
Luzerne  County,  and  was  director  of  the  poor 
for  twelve  years.  On  one  occasion  he  was  the 
Republican  candidate  for  State  Senator  and 
was  always  most  active  in  the  affairs  of  that 
party  as  a  member  of  the  Republican  County 
Committee  and  a  delegate  to  all  county  and 
State  conventions.  He  was  a  charter  member 
of  Hazleton  Lodge,  No.  200,  Benevolent  and 
Protective  Order  of  Elks,  and  was  affiliated 
with  the  Lutheran  Church.  He  was  the  fath- 
er of  eight  children:  Frank  R.,  Roy  Z.,  Henry 
D.,  Irene,  who  married  Earle  Heller:  Walter 
G.,  Andrew  J.,  of  whom  this  is  a  record;  Wil- 
liam S.,  Jr.,  a  resident  of  Belleville,  New 
Jersey,  and  John  W. 

Andrew  J.  Leib  was  educated  in  the  pub- 
lic schools  of  Hazleton,  and  graduated  from 
the  high  school  of  this  city  in  the  class  of 
1914.  For  one  year  he  took  a  situation  with 
the  Lehigh  Coal  Company,  at  the  end  of 
which  time  he  became  associated  with  the 
Luzerne  County  Gas  and  Electric  Company, 
with  which  corporation  he  has  since  remain- 
ed, steadily  rising  until  he  now  holds  the 
post  of  superintendent  at  Hazleton.  The  only 
break  in  this  continuous  service  was  when 
he  served  for  fourteen  months  in  the  United 
States  Navy  during  the  World  War  as  first- 
class  radio  operator.  His  first  position  with 
the  local  gas  and  electric  company  was  that 
of  meter  reader,  and  from  that  he  advanced 
steadily  until  in  1921  he  -was  appointed  to  his 
present  responsible  office.  Despite  the  many 
calls  upon  his  time  and  energies,  Mr.  Leib 
has  found  time  to  devote  to  community  mat- 
ters and  civic  affairs  generally.  He  was 
elected  to  the  School  Board  in  1923  and  is  now 
president  of  that  body,  being  one  of  the 
youngest  men  to  achieve  that  distinction. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  local  Kiwanis  Club 
and  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  and  his  fra- 
ternal affiliations  include  Azalea  Lodge,  No. 
6S7,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  and  Hazle- 
ton Lodge,  No.  200,  Benevolent  and  Protec- 
tive Order  of  Elks.  He  is  a  leading  member 
of  the  local  Post  of  the  American  Legion,  and 
is  also  a  member  of  the  East  End  Engine 
and  Hose  Company.  His  religious  affiliations 
are  with  the  St.  Paul's  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church. 

On  July  20,  1918,  Mr.  Leib  married  Kath- 
erine  Isabelle  Slyker,  of  Hazleton.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Leib  are  the  parents  of  two  children, 
as  follows:  Grace  Virginia  and  Andrew  J., 
Jr.  Mrs.  Leib  is  very  active  in  the  work  of 
the  church  and  in  the  organization  of  its 
labors.  The  residence  of  the  family  is  at  56 
South  Laurel  Street,  and  Mr.  Leib  has  his 
office  at  16  North  Laurel  Street,  Hazleton. 


FRED  M'ALSER — Since  leaving  school  Fred 
Walser,  secretary-treasurer  of  the  Hazleton 
Manufacturing  Company.  Incorporated,  has 
been  identified  with  his  present  line  of  busi- 
ness, and  during  nearly  all  of  that  time  he 
has  been  associated  with  the  same  concern 
with  wliich  he  is  now  (1928)  officially  con- 
nected. At  the  time  he  first  became  associat- 
ed with  the  company  it  was  known  as  the 
Hazleton  Coffin  and  Casket  Company,  Incor- 
porated, and  it  still  specializes  in  burial 
caskets  and  in  other  funeral  necessities,  but 
also  conducts  a  general  mill  business,  work- 
ing from  architects'  plans.  The  establish- 
ment is  located  on  North  Cedar  between 
J.T.iple  and  Hunlock  streets,   in  Hazleton,  and 


SpAA^!U^vSv^__. 


401 


is  one  of  the  oldest  concerns  in  the  com- 
munity, having  been  founded  in  1877. 

Fred  Walser  was  born  in  Hazleton,  Penn- 
sylvania, May  28,  1872,  son  of  Frank,  who 
was  for  many  years  superintendent  of  the 
Hazleton  Cemetery  (better  known  as  the 
Vine  Street  Cemetery),  and  who  died  in  1925, 
at  the  age  of  seventy-four  years,  and  of 
Sophia  (Krall)  Walser,  who  is  living  (1928). 
After  receiving  a  practical  education  in  the 
public  schools  of  Hazleton,  Mr.  Walser  be- 
came associated  with  the  Hazleton  Coffin  and 
Casket  Company,  Incorporated,  and  since  that 
time  has  been  continuously  identified  with 
this  line  of  business,  though  he  has  for  short 
periods  associated  himself  with  other  con- 
cerns than  this  in  order  that  he  might  broad- 
en his  general  knowledge  of  the  special  field 
of  business  in  which  he  is  engaged.  Faithful 
attention  to  details  and  natural  ability  have 
brought  the  substantial  rewards  of  promo- 
tion to  more  responsible  positions  and  great- 
er financial  returns,  and  Mr.  Walser  is  no"w 
secretary-treasurer  of  the  concern,  which  is 
now  known  as  the  Hazleton  Manufacturing 
Company,  Incorporated. 

The  business  "was  founded  by  L.  "W.  Drake 
in  1877,  but  six  >'ears  later  it  became  the 
property  of  the  Hazleton  Coffin  and  Casket 
Company,  "which  was  incorporated  in  1S83- 
with  a  capital  of  $50,000.  As  the  years  have 
passed  the  business  has  steadily  expanded 
until  at  the  present  time  (1928)  its  capital 
is  $100,000.  About  twenty  business  men,  most- 
ly residents  of  Hazleton,  are  members  of  the 
company,  which  is  now  known  as  the  Hazle- 
ton Manufacturing  Company.  The  concern 
manufactures  burial  caskets  and  general  fu- 
neral supplies  and  also  does  a  general  plan- 
ing mill  business.  The  plant  covers  two  city 
blocks.  340  by  400  feet,  and  consists  of  two 
main  buildings,  with  a  dry  kiln  power  plant 
and  drying  sheds.  The  business  has  grown 
to  proportions  which  require  the  services  of 
about  eighty-flve  people,  and  its  output  is 
distributed  throughout  the  State  of  Pennsyl- 
vania and  from  New  York  City  and  Newport 
News,  Virginia,  as  distributing  centers. 
Though  they  do  a  very  large  amount  of  gen- 
eral mill  work,  they  specialize  in  their  orig- 
inal line,  burial  caskete  and  general  funeral 
supplies,  and  in  this  field  they  have  a  reputa- 
tion of  many  years  standing.  The  present 
officials  of  the  company  are  as  follows:  Presi- 
dent, George  B.  Markle;  vice-president,  E.  B. 
Markle:  secretary-treasurer,  Fred  Walser. 
These,  with  "W.  W.  Hindunach  and  R.  L. 
Bigelow,  make  up  the  board  of  directors, 
which  has  proved  itself  to  be  a  strong  and 
able  body  of  business  men,  well  able  to  hold 
its  own  in  competition  with  the  most  suc- 
cessful concerns  of  its  kind  in  the  country. 
Mr.  Walser  gives  close  attention  to  the  inter- 
ests of  the  business  and  is  known  as  one  of 
the  important  factors  in  the  marked  success 
which  the  business  has  achieved.  In  civic 
affairs,  as  in  his  business  relationsliips,  Mr. 
Walser  is  responsible  and  interested.  He  is 
serving  his  second  term  as  a  member  of  the 
school  board  and  is  one  of  the  citizens  v^'ho 
have  consistently  aided  in  the  progress  of  the 
community  in  civic,  economic,  social,  and 
political  affairs.  Fraternally,  he  is  very  "well 
known,  being  identified  with  Hazleton  Lodge, 
No.  327,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons:  Hazleton 
Chapter,  Royal  Arch  Masons:  Mount  Vernon 
Commandery,  No.  73,  Knights  Templar;  Cald- 
well Consistory;  and  Irem  Temple,  Ancient 
Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine. 
He  is  also  a  member  of  Mount  Horeb  Council, 
Royal  and  Select  Masters,  of  the  Masonic 
Order;  and  is  identified  with  Lodge  No.  200, 
Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks; 
Lodge     No.      1105,     Vandevere,      Independent 


Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  of  Easton,  Pennsyl- 
vania; and  with  Lafayette  Council,  No.  59, 
Independent  Order  of  America.  His  religious 
affiliation    is   with   the   Reformed   Church. 

Fred  Walser  was  married,  in  1913,  to  Tessie 
Schwartz,  and  they  have  three  children:  1. 
Frederick  S.  2.  Martha  E.  3.  Rodney.  The 
family  home  is  at  No.  218  West  Third  Street, 
in    Hazleton. 


JAMES  T.  BREXNAN— One  of  the  leading 
members  of  the  Luzerne  County  bar  is  James 
T.  Brennan,  whose  offices  are  located  at  Nos. 
307-309  in  the  Bennett  Building  in  Wilkes- 
Barre.  Mr.  Brennan  is  a  graduate  of  Fordham 
University  and  is  known  as  one  of  the  able 
and  resourceful  men  of  his  profession  in  this 
part  of  the  State. 

John  Brennan,  father  of  Mr.  Brennan,  waa 
a  native  of  Kilkenny,  Ireland,  "who  came  to 
this  country  with  his  wife  in  1855.  He  was 
one  of  the  pioneer  merchants  of  the  West 
Side,  where  he  established  a  mercantile  busi- 
ness, at  Larksville,  in  1859,  and  where  he 
conducted  a  store  for  many  years.  He  "was 
educated  in  Ireland  and  "was  a  teacher  there 
before  coming  to  America.  He  married  Jo- 
hanna Brittin,  a  native  of  Tipperary,  Ireland, 
who  was  educated  in  Dublin  and  who  was  a 
grandniece  of  Archbishop  Ryan,  who  was  a 
personal  friend  of  Robert  Emmett,  and  "who 
was  one  of  the  early  advocates  of  Irish  free- 
dom. John  Brennan  and  his  wife  were  the 
parents  of  ten  children,  the  mother  living 
(in  1927)  aged  ninety  years.  The  children 
are:  1.  Thomas  J.,  who  was  a  merchant  at 
his  father's  old  stand  at  Larksville,  Luzerne 
County,  wl"iere  for  twenty-five  years  he  "was 
a  director  of  the  schools  of  Plymouth  Town- 
ship, Luzerne  County,  later  Larksville  Bor- 
ough schools,  in  which  capacity  he  was  largely 
instrumental  in  placing  the  schools  among 
the  best  in  the  State.  He  resides  in  "Wilkes- 
Barre,  engaged  in  the  real  estate  business, 
and  is  the  father  of  eight  children,  all  of 
whom  are  college  graduates,  and  engaged  in 
legal  and  teaching  professions.  2.  Margaret, 
who  married  William  Delaney,  no"w  deceased, 
and  is  the  mother  of  James  Delaney,  the 
famous  athlete  of  Fordham  University,  New 
York,  and  four  daughters  teaching  school, 
and  a  son,  William,  now  attending  Fordham 
University.  3.  William,  a  well-known  plumber, 
steamfltter,  and  contractor  of  Kingston, 
Pennsylvania.  4.  Edward  J.,  of  Kingston.  5. 
Anna  Z.  6.  James  T.,  of  further  mention.  7. 
Bessie  C,  a  graduate  of  Trinity  College,  of 
Washington,  D.  C,  "v\^as  a  teacher  for  several 
years  and  is  now  the  wife  of  Attorney  John 
C.  Conway,  of  New  York  City,  now  deceased. 
S.  John  J.,  a  lawyer  who  resides  in  Santiago, 
California. 

James  T.  Brennan,  son  of  John  and  Jo- 
hanna (Brittin)  Brennan,  was  born  in  Plym- 
outh Township,  Luzerne  Countj',  Pennsyl- 
vania, September  12,  1884,  and  received  his 
early  education  in  the  public  and  parochial 
schools  of  his  native  district.  He  prepared 
for  college  in  Wyoming  Seminary,  from  which 
he  was  graduated  in  1899,  and  then  matricu- 
lated in  Fordham  University,  New  York, 
from  which  he  "v\'as  graduated  "^^ith  the  class 
of  1903.  In  the  fall  of  1903  he  began  the 
study  of  law  in  the  office  of  the  late  James 
Lenahan,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  and  in  1905  he 
was  admitted  to  the  Luzerne  County  bar. 
Since  that  time  he  has  been  one  of  the  active 
and  well-known  general  legal  practitioners 
of  this  city  and  has  made  for  himself  an 
assured  place  in  his  profession.  He  has,  in 
addition  to  the  care  of  his  large  clientele, 
served  as  attorney  for  several  boroughs  in 
Luzerne  County  and  has  been  active  in  social 
and   civic   affairs.     During   the   period   of   the 


402 


participation  of  the  United  States  in  tlie 
World  War  he  answered  the  call  of  his 
country  and  was  very  active  in  the  various 
drives  which  carried  Wilkes-Barre  "over  the 
top"  in  the  home  war  work,  and  he  has  al- 
ways been  a  public-spirited  citizen,  \villingly 
aiding:  in  any  project  which  promised  im- 
provement in  the  general  welfare  of  Wilkes- 
Barre. 

James  T.  Brennan  was  married,  June  11, 
1912,  to  Clara  Hendler,  daughter  of  the  late 
Joseph  Hendler,  a  well-known  railroad  bridge 
builder  of  Wilkes-Barre.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bren- 
nan are  the  parents  of  five  children;  Johanna 
Helen,  James  T.,  Jr.,  Joseph  Thomas,  Mar- 
garet Mary,  and  Elizabeth  Theresa.  The  three 
daughters  are  students  at  Mallinckrodt  Con- 
vent preparing  for  college,  and  the  two  boys 
are  at  Wyoming  Seminary,  also  preparing  for 
college. 

ARTHUR  W.  ALLEN,  M.  D. — A  native  of 
Hazleton,  Arthur  W.  Allen,  M.  D.,  with  the 
exception  of  a  short  period  of  time,  has  spent 
his  life  in  the  town  of  his  nativity,  and  here 
has  attained  to  pron^inence  in  his  profession, 
being  known  as  one  of  the  most  accomplished 
practitioners  of  the  younger  generation  in 
Luzerne  County.  During  the  comparatively 
brief  time  that  he  has  practiced  in  Hazleton, 
Dr.  Allen  has  aligned  himself,  not  only  with 
those  organizations  pertaining  to  his  pro- 
fession, but  has  become  popular  and  influen- 
tial in  other  societies,  and  has  proved  most 
valuable  as  a  citizen.  Dr.  Allen  was  born 
March  14,  1S99,  son  of  Harry  and  Eleanor 
(Welliver)  Allen.  Harry  Allen,  now  deceased, 
for  many  years  was  ranked  as  one  of  the 
leading  merchants  of  Hazleton,  and  was  con- 
spicuous in  affairs  of  import  to  his  com- 
munity. He  was  a  native  of  Williamsport, 
Pennsylvania. 

Arthur  W.  Allen  received  his  preliminary 
education  in  the  public  schools  of  Hazleton, 
graduating  from  the  high  school  there  with 
the  class  of  1915.  Soon  thereafter  he  entered 
Dickinson  College,  and  here  devoted  himself 
assiduously  to  his  studies,  which  resulted  in 
his  graduation  from  that  institution,  in  1919, 
with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts.  A 
further  course  of  training  at  the  University 
of  Pennsylvania  eventuated  in  that  institu- 
tion bestowing  upon  him  the  degree  of  Doctor 
of  Medicine,  in  1922.  Following  the  custom 
of  this  profession  he  then  entered  the  Pres- 
byterian Hospital  at  Philadelphia,  serving  as 
an  interne  therein  for  eighteen  months.  At 
the  expiration  of  this  time  he  felt  himself 
fully  equipped  for  practice,  returned  to  his 
home  town,  and  here  has  maintained  a  grow- 
ing practice  since.  In  this  capacity,  perhaps, 
he  is  one  of  the  best  known  specialists  in 
genito-urinary  diseases,  although  he  con- 
ducts a  general  practice.  Seeking  to  keep 
himself  informed  on  all  new  methods  and  ad- 
ditions to  the  works  of  medicine.  Dr.  Allen 
is  a  member  of  the  Luzerne  County  Medical 
Association,  the  State  Medical  Association, 
and  the  American  Medical  Association.  He  is 
a  member  of  Kappa  Sigma  Fraternity,  Nu 
Sigma  Nu,  a  medical  fraternity,  and  Alpha 
Omega  Alpha,  an  honorary  fraternity.  He  is 
secretary  of  the  Hazleton  Society  and  director 
of  the  County  Society.  Among  his  non- 
professional connections  may  be  mentioned 
Perkins  Lodge,  No.  402,  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons;  the  Exchange  Club,  Valley  Country 
Club,  Young  Men's  Christian  Association;  and 
his  religious  beliefs  are  those  of  the  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  Church,  of  which  he  is  a 
member.  Dr.  Allen  resides  at  No.  559  Locust 
Street,  Hazleton,  while  his  offices  are  located 
in  the  Hazleton  National  Bank  Building, 
Booms  214-15. 


GEORGE:  M.  HUEY — Engaged  in  the  retail 
grocery  and  meat  business  at  Kingston  for 
almost  three  decades,  wherein  he  has  at- 
tained success,  not  only  in  his  retail  estab- 
lishment, but  also  in  real  estate,  banking  and 
financial  institutions,  George  M.  Huey  con- 
ducts one  of  the  most  modern  and  up-to-date 
grocery  firms  in  the  State  of  Pennsylvania, 
and  his  concern  is  favorably  known  through- 
out the  confines  of  Luzerne  County  for  its 
high   class   merchandise   and   efficient   service. 

Mr.  Huey  was  born  December  13,  1S89,  at 
Evans  Falls,  Wyoming  County,  Pennsylvania, 
son  of  Jacob  Huey,  born  at  Evans  Falls,  in 
186S,  a  farmer,  who  died  in  1910,  and  of 
Mary  (Moyer)  Huey,  also  born  at  Evans 
Falls,  in  1870.  George  M.  Huey  came  to 
Dorranceton  with  his  parents  in  1896,  when 
he  was  seven  years  of  age.  Here  he  attended 
the  public  schools,  and  was  graduated  from 
Dorranceton  High  School  in  1905.  Soon  there- 
after he  entered  gainful  pursuits,  and  was 
employed  as  a  clerk  in  various  local  grocery 
stores,  so  continuing  as  an  employee  until 
1910.  Having  gained  a  thorough  understand- 
ing of  retail  merchandising,  in  this  year  Mr. 
Huey  felt  himself  qualified  to  assume  the 
responsibilities  of  his  own  undertaking,  and 
founded  a  store  at  the  corner  of  Union  Street 
and  Schuyler  Avenue.  In  this  location  he 
remained  ten  years,  attracting  a  steadily 
increasing  patronage  and  establishing  a  repu- 
tation for  honesty  and  fair-dealing  among 
his  customers.  In  1920,  Mr.  Huey  purchased 
a  building  at  the  corner  of  Wyoming  Avenue 
and  Union  Street,  Kingston,  and  removed  his 
concern  to  this  location,  which  since  has 
become  known  as  Huey's  Corners.  This  move 
was  a  wise  one,  as  has  been  attested  by  the 
steady  growth  of  the  business,  which  now 
requires  the  services  of  seventeen  employees, 
in  dispensing  groceries,  vegetables  and  fresh 
meats.  With  the  passing  of  the  years,  Mr. 
Huey's  sagacity  and  business  acumen  have 
been  recognized  by  his  business  associates, 
and  he  has  been  called  upon  to  assume  a 
place  upon  the  board  of  directors  of  the 
West  Side  Building  &  Loan  Association.  The 
First  National  Bank  of  Kingston  also  bene- 
fits through  his  membership  upon  its  board 
of  directors. 

A  Republican  in  political  convictions,  Mr. 
Huey  exercises  his  suffrage  in  supporting  the 
candidates  and  issues  sponsored  by  that 
party.  He  is  a  shining  light  in  fraternal 
circles,  having  been  a  member  of  the  Junior 
Order  United  American  Mechanics  for  more 
than  twenty-two  years,  and  having  attained 
the  rank  of  Noble  in  the  Masonic  Order,  be- 
ing affiliated  with  Irem  Temple,  Ancient 
Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  of 
Wilkes-Barre.  He  also  is  a  member  of  Lodge 
No.  395,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons;  Shekinah 
Chapter,  Royal  Arch  Masons,  and  Deus  le  Veut 
Commandery,  Knights  Templar,  and  of  the 
Kiwanis  and  International  clubs.  As  a  further 
testimonial  of  Mr.  Huey's  worth  as  a  citizen, 
is  his  work  in  the  Dorranceton  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  wherein  he  is  a  member  of 
the  official  board  and  chairman  of  the  finance 
committee. 

George  M.  Huey  married,  in  1911,  Mae  Mc- 
Kechnie,  of  Luzerne,  Pennsylvania,  daughter 
of  Charles  and  Margaret  McKechnie,  and  they 
have  one  son;  George  O.,  born  September  22, 
1912.  The  Huey  family  residence  is  at  No. 
585    Charles   Avenue,    Kingston. 


REV.  DEIVNI.S  J.  KANE — During  the  period 
of  his  niinistry  in  the  Roman  Catholic  Church, 
the  Rev.  Dennis  J.  Kane  has  occupied  several 
Pennsylvania  pulpits  always  with  the  fine 
dignity  which  alone  constitutes  genuine  elo- 
quence.    Since    1925,    he    has    been    pastor    of 


the  Sacred  Heart  Church,  in  Plains,  an  able 
director  of  the  temporal  affairs  of  the  parish, 
and  an  inspiration  and  guide  in  spiritual 
things. 

Dennis  J.  Kane  was  born  in  Sugar  Notch, 
Pennsylvania,  a  son  of  James  Kane,  a  miner, 
born  in  Ireland  in  1S52,  died  in  1908,  and  of 
Hannah  (Boyle)  Kane,  also  born  in  Ireland 
in  1S52,  died  in  18S5.  When  he  became  of 
proper  age,  he  attended  the  public  schools  of 
his  birthplace,  and  later  entered  St.  Bona- 
venture  College,  from  which  he  was  gradu- 
ated in  1902.  Deciding  to  follow  the  min- 
istry of  Christ,  he  undertook  the  course  of 
theology  at  St.  Eonaventure's,  which  he  com- 
pleted at  St.  Charles  Seminary,  in  Overbrook, 
and,  on  June  17,  1905,  was  ordained  priest 
in  the  Roman  Catholic  Church  by  Rt.  Rev. 
M.  J.  Hoban  in  St.  Peter's  Cathedral,  Scran- 
ton.  Thereafter  for  a  number  of  years  he 
acted  as  assistant  in  the  parishes  of  Green 
Ridge,  Hawley,  and  Hazleton,  and  from  1916 
to  1918  was  pastor  of  St.  Peter's  Church,  in 
Wellsboro.  When  the  United  States  entered 
tlie  World  War,  Father  Kane  immediately 
volunteered  his  services  as  chaplain  of  the 
troops,  and  in  this  capacity  he  served  during 
all  the  period  of  the  war.  From  1919  to  1925 
he  was  pastor  of  St.  Catherine's  Church,  at 
Moscow,  finally,  in  1925,  coming  to  Plains 
as  pastor  of  the  Sacred  Heart  Church.  Almost 
immediately,  he  won  the  confidence  and  trust 
of  his  people,  and  has  since  remained  their 
friend  as  well  as  their  spiritual  advisor.  Rev. 
Thomas  P.  Monahan  is  curate.  In  connection 
with  the  church  there  is  maintained  grade 
and  high  schools,  with  an  enrollment  of  four 
hundred  pupils,  and  a  teaching  force  of  thir- 
teen Sisters   of  Mercy. 

Father  Kane  is  Supreme  Chaplain  of  the 
Holy  Name  societies  of  the  Diocese  of  Scran- 
ton,  and  is  also  a  member  of  the  Knights  of 
Columbus.  He  is  Spiritual  Director  of  the 
Catholic  Nurses  Guild  of  Luzerne  County. 
His  influence  has  extended  into  the  general 
life  of  the  community,  in  which  he  takes  an 
active   part. 

Throughout  all  the  years  of  his  ministry, 
Father  Kane  has  been  a  builder,  a  contruc- 
tive  worker  in  both  spiritual  and  temporal 
affairs.  He  has  never  once  compromised  his 
high  ideals,  but  he  has  never  forgotten  the 
humanity  of  man. 


ALLAN  COLBY  BROOKS,  M.  D. — Descended 
from  one  of  the  oldest  families  in  the  United 
States,  the  founder  of  the  American  branch 
having  come  to  America  from  England,  to 
Boston,  in  1635,  and  settled  in  Springfield, 
Massachusetts,  in  1649,  Dr.  Allan  Colby 
Brooks  occupies  a  distinguished  position  in 
the  medical  profession,  both  professionally, 
as  a  physician  and  surgeon,  and  socially,  as 
a  gentleman  of  an  honorable  line  of  ances- 
tors, many  of  whom  were  professional  men. 
Dr.  Allan  C.  Brooks  was  born  at  Knowlton, 
New  Jersey,  in  Warren  County,  on  August 
12,  1869,  a  son  of  the  Rev.  Peter  H.  Brooks, 
D.  D.,  and  Catherine  S.  (Colby)  Brooks,  Rev. 
Dr.  Brooks  having  moved  to  Wilkes-Barre 
with  his  family  in  July,  1890. 

The  record  of  the  Brooks  family  is  included 
in  Pierson's  "Genealogies  of  the  First  Settlers 
of  the  Ancient  County  of  Albany,"  in  this 
wise,  that:  "Brooks  (Brocks)  Pieter,  and 
Francyntje  Wendell,  married,  November  7, 
1771,  Frances,  widow  of  Pieter  B.,  April  25, 
1818;  aged  sixty-five  years,  six  months,  five 
days.  Children:  Jonathan,  born  August  13, 
1772;  Rebecca,  baptized  October  15,  1775: 
Johannes,  born  November  11,  1777;  Susanna, 
born  August  11,  1779;  Pieter,  born  May  3, 
1780."  This  Pieter  Brocks  undoubtedly  was 
the      son       of      Jonathan       Brooks       (Brocks, 


Broecks)  who  married,  April  13,  1727,  Re- 
becca Tattem  (Tatton,  Totten),  as  Pieter's 
eldest  son  was  named  Jonathan,  after  his 
grandfather,  and  his  eldest  daughter  was 
named  Rebecca,  after  her  grandmother.  This 
would  appear  to  indicate  beyond  doubt  that 
Peter  Brooks,  ancestor  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Peter 
H,  Brooks  and  his  son.  Dr.  Allan  C.  Brooks,  of 
Wilkes-Barre,  was  of  New  England  birth 
(1733)  and  that  he  removed  when  young  to 
the  Hudson  Valley  and  settled  there  among 
the  Dutch  colonists,  married  a  Dutch  wife, 
and  raised  a  family.  And  it  is  more  than 
probable  that  Peter  (or  Pieter)  was  the  son 
of  Jonathan  Brooks  and  his  wife  Rebecca 
(Tattem)  Brooks.  Family  tradition  has  It 
that  his  father,  Jonathan,  was  of  New  Eng- 
land birth,  and  that  Peter  was  recorded  as 
one  of  the  inhabitants  of  Albany,  after  the 
custom  of  that  ancient  town.  However,  this 
may  have  been  in  fact,  so  far  as  obtainable 
data  is  concerned,  the  full  record  of  the  fam- 
ily must  begin  with  Peter  Brooks  of  Albany, 
who  married  Francina  Wendell  on  November 
7,  1771,  though  the  date  1635  is  fixed  as  the 
founding  date  of  the  Brooks  family  in  New 
England. 

Peter  Brooks,  then,  son  of  Jonathan  and 
Rebecca  Brooks,  "was  born  in  1733,  and  died 
March  8,  1825.  He  lived  in  Albany,  New  York, 
and  was  a  private  soldier  during  the  Revolu- 
tion, as  was  his  son,  Jonathan  Phillips 
Brooks,  in  the  1st  Regiment  of  the  Albany 
County  Militia,  serving  more  than  two  years. 
The  names  of  both  are  found  in  the  military 
rolls  under  land  and  bounty  rights  awarded 
for  service.  Jonathan  Phillips  Brooks  mar- 
ried at  Normanskill,  Ne-w  York,  February  28, 
1791,  Maria  Haverly,  who,  after  the  death  of 
her  husband  removed  to  Glenville  and  later 
to  Schenectady,  New  York,  where  she  died  on 
July  9,  1861,  an  exemplary  Christian  char- 
acter; and  at  the  time  of  her  death  one  of 
her  granddaughters  was  a  grandmother. 
Aaron  Swart  Brooks  was  born  in  Glenville, 
near  Schenectady,  September  1,  1S17,  and 
about  1843  he  exchanged  his  farm  near  West 
Milton,  in  Saratoga  County,  for  a  residence 
in  Schenectady,  where  he  spent  the  remainder 
of  his  life  in  various  business  enterprises, 
during  the  last  of  his  years  having  become 
a  professor  of  religion.  His  wife,  Fanny  Dun- 
can, was  born  in  Schenectady  in  1811,  daugh- 
ter of  Major  John  Duncan  and  granddaughter 
of  John  Duncan  who,  with  his  wife,  Martha 
March,  settled  in  Schenectady  in  1755,  where 
John  Duncan  was  one  of  the  new  class  of 
merchants  engaging  in  trade  across  the 
lakes,  dealing  largely  with  Montreal  and  the 
merchants  and  forwarders  of  that  part  of 
Canada.  Peter  Haverly  Brooks,  son  of  Aaron 
Swart  and  Fanny  (Duncan)  Brooks,  was  born 
in   Glenville  on  December  16,   1837. 

Rev.  Peter  Haverly  Brooks,  D.  D.  was 
educated  in  the  Schenectady  Union  School, 
and  Union  College,  graduating  in  the  class 
of  1862,  then  graduated  from  the  Princeton 
Theological  Seminary  in  1864,  and  received 
from  Union  University  the  degree  of  Doctor 
of  Divinity  in  1897.  As  Licentiate  he  sup- 
plied about  one  year  (1864-1865)  the  pulpit 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church  at  Tom's  River, 
New  Jersey.  He  was  ordained  and  installed 
by  the  presbytery  of  Albany,  New  York, 
served  three  years  as  pastor  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church  of  West  Milton,  New  York, 
and  for  three  years  as  pastor  of  the  Knowl- 
ton and  Hope  Presbyterian  churches  in  New 
Jersey;  in  1871  he  became  pastor  of  the  First 
Presbyterian  Church  at  Susquehanna.  Penn- 
sylvania, serving  in  that  capacity  eighteen 
years,  until  1889;  was  temporary  supply  pas- 
tor of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  of 
Wilkes-Barre   in    1890    and   at   the    same    time 


was  Presbyterial  missionary  under  appoint- 
ment of  the  Laclvawanna  Presbytery,  and 
during  the  many  years  (twenty)  as  stated 
cleric  of  the  Presbytery  he  completed  five 
different  records  of  the  proceedings,  each 
containing  some  five  hundred  pages,  said  to 
be,  for  chirography  and  content,  the  most 
wonderful  records  of  the  kind  ever  seen  in 
any  part  of  the  globe.  He  was  a  master  in 
penmanship:  in  1864  he  wrote  the  Lord's 
Prayei  three  times  upon  the  space  covered 
by  a  silver  three-cent  piece,  without  using  a 
glass  for  the  work,  which  can  be  read  clearly 
by  ordinary  eyes  with  the  use  of  a  magni- 
fying glass.  In  July,  1S90,  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Brooks  removed  to  Wilkes-Barre,  where  he 
continued  in  the  religious  capacities  noted 
and  was  for  a  number  of  years  correspondent 
for  several  religious  papers.  He  published 
several  books,  among  which  were;  "History 
of  the  Lackawanna  Presbytery,"  18S8;  "Fifty 
Golden  Years";  "Eden's  Sunny  Slopes,"  1897, 
Illustrating  the  first  and  second  chapters  of 
Genesis  with  twenty  original  designs.  The 
Rev.  Dr.  Brooks  married  in  Kingston,  New 
Jersey,  on  September  1,  1864,  Kate  S.  Colby, 
daughter  of  Aaron  and  Lydia  (Van  Dyke  Van 
de  Veer)  Colby,  her  father  having  been  a 
teacher  and  a  volunteer  in  1S61  in  the  Civil 
War.  The  founder  of  the  American  branch  of 
the  Colby  family  sailed  from  England  and 
settled  in  Boston  in  1630.  (Antonia  Colby, 
died  in  1661.)  The  Rt.  Rev.  Dr.  Peter  H. 
Brooks,  who  died  February  27,  1922,  and  his 
"wife,  Kate  S.  Brooks,  were  the  parents  of 
five  children:  1.  Lilly,  born  and  died  at  West 
Milton,  New  York,  June  7,  1865.  2.  John 
Duncan,  born  at  West  Milton,  May  9,  1866, 
died  at  Glenolden,  Pennsylvania,  December 
27,  1893.  3.  Allan  Colby,  of  whom  later.  4. 
Phillip  Haverly,  born  at  Susquehanna,  Penn- 
sylvania, November  11,  1874,  died  May  25, 
1876.    5.  Katherine  May,  born  at  Susquehanna. 

Dr.  Allan  C.  Brooks  graduated  from  the 
Susquehanna  Collegiate  Institute  at  Towanda, 
Pennsylvania,  in  June,  1889,  and  from  the 
Jefferson  Medical  College  at  Philadelphia, 
Pennsylvania,  May  15,  1895,  with  the  degree 
of  Doctor  of  Medicine.  After  one  year  as  an 
interne  he  began  practice  in  Wilkes-Barre, 
and  during  succeeding  years  has  maintained 
an  excellent  practice.  His  professional,  social 
and  fraternal  associations  are  wide.  Dr. 
Brooks  was  secretary  of  Riverside  Hospital 
for  eleven  years,  1910-21,  at  which  time  the 
hospital  was  sold.  He  is  the  authorized  medi- 
cal examiner  for  the  aeronautics  branch  of 
the  Department  of  Commerce.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Luzerne  County  Medical  Society, 
the  Pennsylvania  Medical  Society,  and  the 
American  Medical  Association;  he  is  a  mem- 
ber and  deacon  of  the  First  Presbyterian 
Church  of  Wilkes-Barre:  a  member  and  Past 
Master  of  Landmark  Lodge,  No.  442,  of  the 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons:  a  Past  High 
Priest  and  member  and  secretary  of  Shekinah 
Chapter,  No.  182,  of  the  Royal  Arch  Masons; 
member  and  Past  Commander  of  Dieu  le  Veut 
Commandery,  No.  45,  Knights  Templar;  mem- 
ber and  Thrice  Illustrious  Master  of  Mount 
Horeb  Council,  No.  34,  of  the  Royal  and  Se- 
lect Master  Masons:  Keystone  Consistory  of 
Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  Ancient  and  Accepted 
Scottish  Rite  Masons  of  the  thirty-second 
degree;  a  member  of  Irem  Temple  of  the 
Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic 
Shrine  of  Wilkes-Barre;  the  Irem  Country 
Club,  and  the  Craftsmen's  Club. 

Dr.  Allan  C.  Brooks  married,  on  October  6, 
1897,  at  Wilkes-Barre,  Margaret  Hamilton 
Carrick,  daughter  of  Archibald  Carrick,  of 
Wilkes-Barre.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Brooks  are  the 
parents  of  two  children;  1.  Frances  Edna, 
born     on     December     7,     1899,     graduate     of 


Wellesley  College,  class  of  1921,  and  is  now 
librarian  at  the  G.  A.  R.  High  School  of 
Wilkes-Barre.  2.  Margaret  Allan,  born  Feb- 
ruary 22,  1905,  attended  Barnard  College  two 
years,  Columbia  University,  New  York  City, 
and  graduated  from  Wooster  College,  Ohio. 


SAMUEL,  JOSEPH  BANNAN — Since  1910, 
Samuel  Joseph  Bannan  has  been  a  resident 
of  Shickshinny,  Pennsylvania.  In  that  year 
he  established  the  drug  store  here,  vyhich  he 
has  since  conducted,  very  successfully,  under 
his  own  name,  providing  the  community  with 
an  excellent  service  in  pharmaceutical  and 
allied  products.  Mr.  Bannan  is  regarded  in 
Shickshinny  as  a  public-spirited  citizen,  ac- 
tive in  all  phases  of  the  life  of  the  city,  and 
always  willing  to  support  liberally  any  move- 
ment "which  he  considers  designed  to  promote 
the  growth  and  welfare  of  the  community. 

Mr.  Bannan  was  born  in  Delano,  Schuylkill 
County,  Pennsylvania,  on  March  5,  1886,  a 
son  of  Charles  D.  Bannan,  a  foreman  for  the 
Pennsylvania  Railroad  Company,  who  was 
born  in  Tomaqua,  Pennsylvania,  and  of  Emma 
Louisa  (Depew)  Bannan,  who  was  also  born 
in  Tomaqua.  When  he  became  of  suitable  age, 
Samuel  J.  Bannan  attended  the  public  schools 
and  the  high  school  at  Altoona,  Pennsylvania, 
from  which  latter  institution  he  was  gradu- 
ated in  1902.  Subsequently  he  entered  the 
Philadelphia  College  of  Pharmacy,  from 
which  he  was  graduated  in  1908,  with  the  phar- 
macy degree.  After  working  for  one  year  in 
the  drug  business,  Mr.  Bannan  came  to  Shick- 
shinny in  1910.  and  established  his  retail 
drug  store,  his  thorough  training  in  his  pro- 
fession, together  with  marked  business  abil- 
ity,  bringing  him   real   success. 

Politically,  Mr.  Bannan  is  a  member  of  the 
Republican  party,  and  for  one  year  he  served 
as  a  member  of  the  Shickshinny  School  Board, 
and  for  ten  years  as  a  member  of  the  Board 
of  Health,  in  "which  position  he  still  remains. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  local  Chamber  of 
Commerce,  and  at  one  time  "was  vice-president 
of  this  organization.  Mr.  Bannan  is  affiliated 
fraternally  "with  the  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons,  and  in  this  body  he  is  a  member  of 
Sylvania  Lodge,  No.  354,  a  member  of  all 
bodies  of  the  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite, 
including  Caldwell  Consistory  at  Blooms- 
burg,  and  a  member  of  Irem  Temple,  Ancient 
Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  He 
is  also  a  member  of  the  Patriotic  Order  Sons 
of  America.  He  and  his  family  worship  in 
the  faith  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

In  1911,  Samuel  J.  Bannan  married  Maude 
Margaret  Miller,  of  Shickshinny,  a  daughter 
of  Irving  Alonzo  Miller,  a  prominent  and 
well-kno"wn  business  man  of  Shickshinny  and 
vicinity,  and  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  War,  and 
Mable  (Wolfe)  Miller,  both  now  deceased. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bannan  are  the  parents  of  two 
children:  1.  Samuel  J.,  Jr.,  born  January  26, 
1916.  2.  Alonzo  Miller,  born  July  5,  191S.  The 
Bannan  family  home  is  situated  at  No.  7  West 
Union  Street,   Shickshinny. 


SAMUEL  BYRON  ADKINS — Prominent  for 
many  years  in  the  life  and  affairs  of  Shick- 
shinny, Pennsylvania,  San"iuel  Byron  Adkins, 
in  association  with  his  brother.  Mason  Hix 
Adkins,  is  now  editor  and  publisher  of  the 
"Mountain  Echo,"  a  weekly  newspaper  pub- 
lished in  Shickshinny  every  Friday.  By  his 
liberal  and  progressive  policies  Mr.  Adkins 
has  not  only  furthered  the  cause  of  com- 
munity progress,  but  has  also  increased  the 
circulation  of  his  paper,  which  is  soundly 
established  and  financially  secure. 

The  Adkins  family,  an  old  one  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, traces  descent  from  Thomas  Adkins, 
who   was  born   in  Vermont  in  the  year   1730, 


iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiLiiiiiiiiiiihiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii^^  • 


^^ 


40S 


During  the  Revolutionary  War  he  served  in 
Captain  William  Shepard's  company,  and 
Colonel  Cornelius  Douty's  regiment,  of  the 
Vermont  Militia.  There  is  no*  date  of  his 
death  known,  but  he  is  probably  buried  in 
Montpelier.  A'ermont.  His  son,  Isaiah  (or 
Josiah  ►  Adlvins,  was  born  in  "Vermont  on  Sep- 
tember 24,  1760,  and  died  at  Mehoopany, 
Pennsylvania,  May  14,  1S42.  He  also  served 
in  the  Revolutionary  War,  as  a  member  of 
the  23d  Regiment,  Continental  Troops  of 
Massachusetts,  and  in  later  life  was  the  first 
member  of  his  family  to  come  to  Pennsyl- 
vania. He  married  Rhoda  Carey,  born  in 
Massachusetts  in  1755,  died  at  Mehoopany, 
Pennsylvania,  December  26,  1S27,  and  they 
were  the  parents  of  three  cliildren:  1.  Samuel, 
of  whom  further.  2.  Laura,  who  married 
Israel  Furman.  3.  Mary,  who  married  William 
Vaughn.  All  died  near  Mehoopany,  Pennsyl- 
vania. 

Samuel  Adliins,  son  of  Isaiah  and  Rhoda 
(Carey)  Adkins,  was  born  in  Vermont,  May 
10,  1793,  and  married  Hannah  Hix  on  October 
24,  1S16.  For  a  short  period,  during  the  War 
of  1S12,  he  served  in  the  United  States  Army 
and  was  stationed  at  Lake  Erie.  Somewhat 
earlier  he  emigrated  with  his  father's  family, 
the  Hix  and  Carey  families,  to  the  Mohawk 
Valley,  settling  at  Oriskany  Falls  for  a  time, 
then  proceeding  down  the  Susquehanna  River 
on  boats  to  Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania, 
in  ISIO.  Some  members  of  these  families, 
and  Samuel  Adkins'  own  parents  settled  at 
Mehoopany,  tlien  in  Luzerne  County,  where 
they  cleared  farms  near  Forkston,  on  the 
Mehoopany  Creek.  Samuel  Adkins  died  by 
drowning  near  Mehoopany,  on  October  9, 
1847.  His  wife,  Hannah  (Hix)  Adkins,  born 
in  Massachusetts  on  June  17,  1796,  died  near 
Forkston,  Pennsylvania,  on  July  1,  1841. 
The  children  of  Samuel  and  Hannah  (Hix) 
Adkins  were:  1.  Ezra,  born  June  29,  1817, 
died  August  25,  1841.  2.  Martha,  born  Sep- 
tember 15,  1818,  died  at  Russell  Hill,  Wyo- 
ming County,  Pennsylvania,  in  1895.  She 
married  Aaron  Barton  on  October  19,  1842. 
3.  Mary,  born  September  19,  1820,  died  at 
Wyalusing,  Pennsylvania,  in  November,  1882. 
She  married  Warren  Griffiths.  4.  Harriet, 
born  August  9,  1822,  died  at  Wyalusing, 
Bradford  County,  June  IS,  1880.  She  married 
Searle  Peck  Lathrop,  on  January  1,  1843.  5. 
Luther  C,  born  June  6,  1824,  died  at  Mason 
City,  Michigan.  He  saw  service  in  the  war 
with  Mexico.  6.  Elizabeth,  born  May  4,  1826, 
died  July  5,  1893,  the  wife  of  George  Steele. 
7.  Andrew  Jackson,  of  whom  further.  8. 
Samuel  Benjamin,  born  February  11,  1831. 
He  served  in  the  Union  Army  during  the 
Civil  War,  and  died  at  Scranton.  9.  Rhoda, 
born  February  20,  1833,  died  at  Emporium, 
Pennsylvania.  November  30,  1903.  She  mar- 
ried  Wilbur   Russell. 

Andrew  Jackson  Adkins,  son  of  Samuel 
and  Hannah  (Hix)  Adkins,  was  born  May  4, 
1828,  died  at  Shickshinny,  Pennsylvania, 
October  17,  1905.  He  married,  on  November 
19,  1855,  Martha  Jane  Kocher,  born  Septem- 
ber 25,  1835,  in  New  Port  Township,  died  in 
Shickshinny,  June  25,  1916,  daughter  of 
Thomas  Kocher  and  granddaughter  of 
Thomas  Kocher,  who  was  one  of  three 
brothers  to  come  from  Holland  and  settle 
at  Whitemarsh,  near  Philadelphia.  Andrew 
Jackson  and  Martha  Jane  (Kocher)  Adkins 
were  the  parents  of  seven  children:  1.  Samuel 
Byron,  of  whom  further.  2.  Ellen  Josephine, 
born    February    28,    1861,    died    July    11,    1874. 

3.  Harriet  Adel,  born  March  9,  1864,  died 
August    14,    1895.     She   married   Levi    Deubler. 

4.  Martha  Jane,  born  October  15,  1866,  mar- 
ried William  H.  Thomas,  and  now  lives  at 
Sweet  Valley,  Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania. 


5.  Blanche  B.,  born  September  26,  1869,  died 
November  4,  1877.  6.  Mason  Hix,  who  was 
born  on  August  16,  1872.  7.  Wilbur  Russell, 
born  July  20,  1875;  married  Harriet  Hill,  of 
Scranton. 

Samuel  Byron  Adkins  was  born  on  October 
13,  1858,  at  Town  Hill,  Luzerne  County,  Penn- 
sylvania. He  attended  the  public  schools  of 
Shickshinny,  and  when  he  completed  his  edu- 
cation taught  for  one  term  in  the  schools  of 
Huntington  Township.  At  the  end  of  this 
time  he  learned  the  drug  trade  and  for  four- 
teen years  engaged  in  this  business.  For 
three  years  thereafter  he  acted  as  outside 
foreman  for  a  local  coal  company,  after 
which  he  became  connected  with  the  People's 
Telephone  Company,  of  Wilkes-Barre.  In 
these  various  positions  Mr.  Adkins'  fine  en- 
ergy and  ability  were  of  the  greatest  value 
to  the  companies  with  which  he  was  asso- 
ciated. Finally,  however,  in  January,  1916, 
he  and  his  brother.  Mason  Hix  Adiiins,  pur- 
chased the  Shickshinny  "Mountain  Echo," 
and  have  since  given  their  time  and  atten- 
tion to  the  affairs  of  this  paper  of  which 
they  are  sole  owners.  Pursuing  a  non-parti- 
san policy  in  strictly  political  matters,  they 
have  built  up  the  circulation  until  it  num- 
bers 1,500  readers,  while  the  paper's  influence 
is  "widely  extended. 

Politically,  Mr.  Adkins  is  a  member  of  the 
Democratic  party,  and  for  ten  years  he 
served  as  justice  of  the  peace  of  Shickshinny 
Borough.  He  was  also  a  school  director  here 
for  a  period  of  six  years,  and  for  seven  years 
served  on  the  local  Borough  Council.  For 
one  year  he  was  burgess.  Mr.  Adkins  is  affili- 
ated fraternally  with  the  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons,  in  which  organization  he  is  a  mem- 
ber of  Sylvania  Lodge,  No.  354.  He  is  also  a 
member  of  the  Shickshinny  Methodist  Epis- 
copal  Church. 

On  January  12,  1893,  Samuel  Byron  Adkins 
married  Elsie  Allegar,  of  Glen  Lyon,  Penn- 
sylvania, daughter  of  Norman  B.  and  Emma 
(Lanning)  Allegar,  of  that  place.  Of  this 
marriage    there   are   no    children. 

Mason  Hix  Adkins,  associated  with  his 
brother,  Samuel  Byron  Adkins,  in  the  man- 
agement of  the  "Mountain  Echo,"  was  also 
educated  in  the  Shickshinny  public  schools, 
and  when  he  finished  his  high  school  work, 
learned  the  printing  trade  in  the  office  of  the 
"Mountain  Echo,"  which  was  then  owned  by 
Mr.  R.  M.  Tubbs,  under  whom  he  worked. 
Later  Mr.  Adkins  was  employed  as  a  printer 
in  New  York  City,  after  which,  for  twelve 
years,  he  was  connected  "with  the  Raider 
Printing  Company,  in  Wilkes-Barre.  At  the 
end  of  this  time,  in  1916,  he  went  into  part- 
nership with  his  brother  in  the  ownership  of 
the  "Mountain  Echo."  In  the  civic  and  fra- 
ternal life  of  the  town,  he  has  taken  an  active 
part,  holding  now  the  office  of  overseer  of 
the  poor,  and  having  previously  served  as 
school  director.  He  is  a  member  of  Sylvania 
Lodge,  No.  354,  of  the  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons,  and  of  Lodge  No.  ISO,  of  the  Inde- 
pendent Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  He  is  also  a 
member  of  the  local  Rotary  Club.  Mr.  Adkins 
has  achieved  considerable  fame  as  a  musi- 
cian and  vocalist.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
Wilkes-Barre  Concordia  at  the  time  of  the 
winning  of  the  Kaiser  Prize,  and  he  is  also  a 
member  of  the  Shickshinny  Band,  and  is  also 
now  its  president.  Mason  Hix  Adkins  mar- 
ried Maude  Kelly,  daughter  of  F.  P.  and 
Mary  Kelly,  in  1916,  and  of  this  marriage  a 
son,   William,  was  born  on  August  31,  1920. 


JUDGE  EUGENE  POSTER  HELLER — Sit- 
ting in  review  upon  human  actions  is  a  duty 
that  calls  for  fine  powers  of  discrimination, 
requiring  of  the  judge  on  the  bench  that  he 


406 


be  able  to  read  human  nature,  to  stand  in 
the  other  man's  shoes,  and  only  with  such 
adaptability  may  a  judge  be  said  to  possess 
the  qualities  necessary  to  success.  These  at- 
tributes in  abundance  are  part  of  the  equip- 
ment of  Judge  Eugene  Poster  Heller,  since 
1921  in  charge  of  the  Orphans'  Court  of 
Wilkes-Barre  and  Luzerne  County,  whose 
broad  sympathies  and  dependable  judgment 
have  made  his  name  "widely  known  in  the 
district.  Judge  Heller  is  fortunate  not  only 
in  his  knowledge  of  law  and  the  proper  ap- 
plication of  it,  but  in  the  possession  of  a 
background  of  family  tradition  and  accom- 
plishment. 

Eugene  P.  (E.  Foster)  Heller  was  born 
March  9,  1880,  at  Hazleton,  Pennsylvania,  son 
of  Christopher  C.  and  Enna  (Dodson)  Heller. 
Christopher  C.  Heller  was  born  at  Hetler- 
ville,  Columbia  County,  October  2,  1S52,  and 
died  September  29,  1921,  having  been  a  mer- 
chant and  well-known  pitizen  of  Hazleton 
many  years.  Mrs.  Heller,  a  native  of  Luzerne 
County,  also  survives,  and  is  the  mother  of 
three  children:  1.  Eugene  Foster,  of  whom 
further.  2.  Gertrude,  married  F.  P.  Barnhart. 
3.  Ruth,  married  Lewis  Bacon,  Jr.  The  father 
of  Christopher  C.  Heller  and  grandfather  of 
Judge  Heller,  Michael  Heller,  was  a  native 
of  Columbia  County  and  connected  with  a 
family  noted  for  its  constructive  achieve- 
ments. The  Hellers  came  to  Pennsylvania  in 
1732  from  the  Palatinate,  while  the  Dodsons 
were  of  early  Connecticut  ancestry  and  came 
to  the  Wyoming  Valley  among  the  pioneers. 

Judge  Heller  received  his  preliminary  edu- 
cation in  the  local  public  schools,  after 
which  he  matriculated  at  Dickinson  College, 
Carlisle,  Pennsylvania,  from  which  institu- 
tion he  graduated  in  1905  with  the  degree  of 
Bachelor  of  Laws.  In  the  same  year,  he 
passed  the  examinations  of  the  Pennsylvania 
State  Supreme  Court  and  was  admitted  to 
practice,  with  offices  at  Wilkes-Barre.  A 
glimpse  into  his  chambers  and  his  study 
reveals  the  pondering  mind,  before  which  the 
world  is  passing  in  review,  and  particularly 
that  world  in  which  are  quartered  the  poor 
and  the  unfortunate.  In  his  earlier  days  at 
the  law  he  made  the  kind  of  success  the  lay- 
man understands  when  that  term  is  used — - 
he  prospered  financially;  but  of  later  years 
he  has  turned  to  considerations  of  humanity 
and  in  a  big-hearted,  understanding  way  is 
ministering  to  the  hundreds  who  came  into 
his  court  with  tales  of  woe,  and  who  in  many 
cases  are  ready  to  go  the  right  way  as  his 
words  guide  them.  His  administration  of  the 
law  is  just  and  at  the  same  time  merciful, 
making  the  ideal  that  the  people  expect  to 
find  in  a  judge. 

Judge  Heller  is  a  member  of  the  Repub- 
lican party  by  political  persuasion,  but  he 
does  not  always  vote  a  straight  party  ticket 
when  he  sees  an  opportunity  to  vote  inde- 
pendently for  a  man  he  considers  superior  to 
the  nominee.  In  religion  he  is  a  member  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  He  is  quite 
prominent  in  fraternal  order  work,  being  a 
member  of  Landmark  Lodge,  No.  442,  Free 
and  Accepted  Masons:  Shekinah  Chapter  No. 
182,  Royal  Arch  Masons:  Dieu  le  Veut  Com- 
mandery.  No.  45,  Knights  Templar;  Keystone 
Consistory  of  Scranton:  Scottish  Rite  Mason 
of  the  thirty-second  degree;  Irem  Temple, 
Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic 
Shrine,  of  Wilkes-Barre.  Judge  Heller  is  an 
active  and  valued  member  of  the  Luzerne 
County  Bar  Association,  the  Pennsylvania 
State  Board  Association,  and  the  American 
Bar  Association.  Judge  Heller  is  a  member 
of  the  Sons  of  American  Revolution,  his  an- 
cestors— maternal  and  paternal,  having 
fought    in    the    Revolutionary    War.     On    his 


mother's  side,  her  ancestors  took  part  in  the 
Battle  of  Wyoming,  July  3,  1778.  He  is  un- 
married. In  civic  affairs  he  takes  a  leading 
part,  and  in  every  way  lives  up  to  the  name 
of  a  popular  and  useful  citizen. 


J.  D.  MORGAN — Born  in  Carbondale,  Lacka- 
wanna County,  on  March  28,  ISSS,  J.  D. 
Morgan  is  a  son  of  Rev.  T.  P.  and  Mary 
(Davis)  Morgan.  Rev.  Mr.  Morgan  was  born 
in  Wales,  was  for  many  years  minister  in 
the  Baptist  Church  of  Carbondale,  and  is  now 
(1928)  in  retirement  from  the  profession, 
resident  of  Scranton,  Pennsylvania.  Mary 
(Davis)  Morgan  was  born  in  Pottsville, 
Pennsylvania. 

J.  D.  Morgan  received  his  academic  train- 
ing in  the  elementary  and  high  schools,  and 
matriculated  in  Temple  University,  where 
he  studied  pharmacy,  and  whence  he  was 
graduated  in  1914,  with  the  degree  of  Gradu- 
ate of  Pharmacy.  He  passed  the  State  Board's 
examinations  and  went  to  work  with  W.  D. 
White  &  Company,  of  Wilkes-Barre;  later, 
for  three  years,  he  was  connected  with  the 
Nanticoke  Drug  Company,  of  Nanticoke.  In 
1923  he  purchased  the  Nanticoke  Drug  Com- 
pany and  reorganized  it,  under  the  style  of 
J.  D.  Morgan's  Pharmacy.  It  is  located  at 
No.  75  East  Main  Street,  and  in  it  Mr.  Morgan 
carries  complete  stocks  of  drugs  and  sun- 
dries. He  is  skilled  in  the  filling  of  pre- 
scriptions and  has  as  clients  several  of  the 
leading  physicians  of  Nanticoke,  who  know 
from  experience  the  minute  care  "with  which 
he  is  prone  to  execute  formulae.  His  rating 
is  sound  commercially,  and  his  standing  in 
the  Pennsylvania  Pharmaceutical  Associa- 
tion high  indeed.  Aside  from  the  drug  busi- 
ness Mr.  Morgan  devotes  a  large  share  of  his 
time  to  the  general  affairs  of  Nanticoke.  In 
all  movements  calculated  for  the  enhance- 
ment of  the  public  welfare  he  is  interested, 
serving  whenever  possible  in  this  direction. 
He  is  a  member  of  Nanticoke  Lodge,  No.  541, 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons;  the  Chapter, 
Royal  Arch  Masons;  Caldwell  Consistory, 
Bloomsburg,  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite; 
and  Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order 
Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  Also,  he  is  a 
member  of  the  Kiwanis  Club  of  Nanticoke, 
the  Nanticoke  Fire  Department,  and  the 
Baptist  Church. 

On  June  3,  1915,  Mr.  Morgan  was  united 
in  marriage  with  Emily  Williams,  of  Ma- 
hanoy  City,  Pennsylvania;  and  they  are  the 
parents  of  a  daughter,  Helen.  Mrs.  Morgan 
is  active  in  the  Ladies'  Auxiliary  of  the 
Craftsmen's  Club,  and  in  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church.  The  family  reside  at  No.  101 
East  Green   Street,   Nanticoke. 


FRANK  RAYMOND  TUBBS — Associated 
with  the  third  generation  of  the  same  family 
engaged  in  funeral  directing  and  mortuary 
work  in  Nanticoke,  ■where  their  establishment 
is  held  to  be  the  most  elaborate  and  up-to- 
date  in  the  city,  Prank  Raymond  Tubbs  has 
ably  assisted  in  the  work  that  has  brought 
about  this  preeminence  in  business.  The  firm 
is  now  Tubbs  and  Harter,  the  second  partner 
being  a  direct  descendant  of  the  first  Harter 
to   engage   in   the  business  here. 

Mr.  Tubbs  was  born  in  Lehman  Township, 
Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania,  February  21, 
1881.  His  father  was  Simon  Tubbs.  and  his 
mother,  Emma  (Crispwell)  Tubbs.  The  family 
is  one  of  the  oldest  and  most  respected  in 
the  county.  His  grandfather  was  a  farmer 
of  Pairmount  Township  and  his  father  a 
farmer  and   sawmill   owner. 

Prank  Raymond  Tubbs  was  educated  in 
the  public  schools,  afterward  being  employed 
in  various  capacities,  finally  studying  under- 


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taking  under  the  tutelage  of  Aman  L.  Harter, 
•who  had  established  the  business.  He  eventu- 
ally bought  the  interest  of  his  employer  and, 
taking  into  partnership  Drew  R.  Harter,  the 
first  firm  became  known  as  P.  R.  Tubbs  & 
Company.  This  title  was  changed,  January 
1,  1924,  to  Tubbs  and  Harter,  as  it  stands 
today.  The  plant  contains  a  mortuary  chapel, 
where  funeral  services  are  held,  and  has  a 
complete  line  of  motorized  equipment  of  the 
most  modern  design.  Jacob  Harter,  great- 
grandfather of  the  partner  of  Frank  Ray- 
mond Tubbs,  was  born  in  Nescopeck,  Luzerne 
County,  November  25,  1S09.  He  married  Anna 
Marguerite  Detrich,  March  4,  1832,  and  was 
the  father  of  Aman  Luther,  born  in  Nesco- 
peck, December  20,  1S5S,  and  dying  February 
15,  1903.  Aman  Luther  Harter  was  a  cabinet 
maker,  having  learned  the  trade  under 
Thomas  Harter,  at  Catawissa,  Pennsylvania, 
and  in  1SS3  coming  to  Nanticoke,  where  he 
established  the  undertaking  business  in  his 
own  name  by  purchasing  that  of  Frank  Moe 
Harter.  This  he  carried  on  until  his  death, 
when  the  present  Tubbs  bought  it  out.  Drew 
Raugh  Harter,  his  son,  named  for  his  mother, 
who  was  Mattie  E.  Raugh,  was  born  Septem- 
ber 9,  1897,  and  educated  in  Nanticoke  public 
schools  and  the  Wyoming  Seminary.  He 
took  the  course  of  embalming  at  Eckels 
School  and  is  a  member  of  the  National, 
State  and  County  Funeral  Directors'  Associa- 
tions. He  also  holds  membership  in  the  In- 
dependent Order  of  Odd  Fellows;  Junior 
Order  United  American  Mechanics;  Patriotic 
Sons  of  America;  Nanticoke  l^odge.  No.  541, 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons;  Keystone  Con- 
sistory, Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite:  Irem 
Temple,  Ancient  Aral>ic  Order  Nobles  of  the 
Mystic  Shrine,  and  he  attends  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church.  He  married,  May  22,  1919, 
LaBerta  Smith,  daughter  of  A.  D.  and  Minnie 
(Barrall)  Smith,  of  Nanticoke.  Their  children 
are:   Lois,   and   Drew  Raugh,   Jr. 

Frank  Raymond  Tubbs  is  very  active  in 
civic,  social  and  fraternal  affairs  of  Nanti- 
coke and  Luzerne  County.  He  is  a  director 
in  the  People's  Savings  and  Trust  Company, 
and  administers  the  business  affairs  of  the 
local  agency  of  the  Willys-Knight  and  Over- 
land automobile  companies.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  National,  State  and  county  funeral 
directors'  associations,  and  of  Nanticoke 
Lodge,  No.  541,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons; 
Royal  Arch  Chapter,  No.  287,  Royal  Arch 
Masons;  Keystone  Consistory,  Ancient  Ac- 
cepted Scottish  Rite  of  Scranton;  Irem  Temple, 
Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic 
Shrine;  Knights  of  Pythias,  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  Junior  Order  L^nited 
American  Mechanics  and  Woodmen  of  the 
World.    He  attends  the  Baptist  Church. 

Mr.  Tubbs  married,  December  6,  1906,  Mrs. 
Mattie  Rowe  Harter.  They  reside  at  No.  2 
Shea   Street,    Nanticoke. 


ULYSSES  GRANT  BICKELL,,  M.D. — A  native 
of  Pennsylvania,  reared  and  educated  in  this 
State,  Dr.  Ulysses  Grant  Bickell,  of  White 
Haven,  undoubtedly  possesses  a  wider  ex* 
perience,  and  one  that  covers  the  various 
walks  of  life  more  thoroughly,  than  any  other 
physician  of  this  town.  His  practice  has 
covered  many  sections  of  his  native  State 
and  encompasses  a  period  in  the  service  of 
his  government  over-seas,  which  has  proved 
extremely  valuable  to  him  during  the  later 
years  of  his  practice.  He  now  has  a  large  and 
steadily  increasing  clientage  in  White  Haven 
and  the  surrounding  communities,  which 
speaks  eloquently  of  the  confidence  reposed 
in  him  by  his  patients.  Dr.  Bickell  was  born 
August  25.  1865,  at  Jersey  Shore,  Pennsyl- 
vania,   son    of    Mathias    and    Elizabeth    (Cow- 


nick)  Bickell.  Mathias  Bickell,  who  was  a 
native  of  Germany,  born  in  1824,  was  brought 
to  the  United  States  in  1826,  when  he  was 
two  years  of  age.  He  attained  prominence 
in  construction  work,  having  been  a  promi- 
nent contractor  and  builder  in  Jersey  Shore 
until  the  time  of  his  death  in  1897.  The 
mother  of  Dr.  Bickell,  born  in  1828,  at  Ly- 
coming County,  Pennsylvania,  passed  away  in 
1907. 

Ulysses  Grant  Bickell,  after  receiving  the 
full  benefits  of  training  afforded  by  the 
public  schools  of  Jersey  Shore,  attended 
Munsey  Normal  School.  While  in  this  last- 
named  institution,  he  decided  upon  the  call- 
ing that  was  his  future  work,  and  having 
decided  upon  the  medical  profession,  matricu- 
lated at  Jefferson  Medical  College,  there  de- 
voted himself  assiduously  to  study,  and  at 
the  time  of  his  graduation  therefrom,  in 
1893,  held  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine. 
He  chose  Williamsport,  Pennsylvania,  as  the 
place  to  launch  his  independent  practice  and 
remained  there  for  a  number  of  years,  going 
thence  to  Philadelphia.  He  spent  some  years 
in  this  metropolis,  engaged  in  the  pursuit  of 
his  profession  during  all  of  this  time,  but  in 
1922  came  to  White  Haven  and  established 
an  office.  His  activities  in  White  Haven  have 
been  continuous  since  1922,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  that  period  during  which  he  served  in 
the  World  War.  Shortly  after  he  came  to 
White  Haven,  the  United  States  was  drawn 
into  the  war,  and  Dr.  Bickell  enlisted,  being 
commissioned  a  first  lieutenant.  He  was  sent 
over-seas,  and  in  France  was  attached  to 
base  hospital  No.  91,  Commissary  Department. 
He  remained  in  the  army  until  July,  1919, 
at  which  time  he  was  honoraijly  discliarged. 
Dr.  Bickell,  however,  has  retained  his  mili- 
tary connections  and  now  holds  a  captain's 
commission  in  the  Medical  Reserve  Corps.  He 
returned  to  White  Haven  immediately  after 
his  discharge  and  now  resides  with  his  family 
at  No.    207   Wilkes-Barre   Street. 

Dr.  Bickell  married,  in  1S94,  Elizabeth 
Balch,  of  Virginia.  Her  father,  too,  was  a 
physician,  a  member  of  the  Balch  family  so 
well  known  in  the  Old  South.  Dr.  and  Mrs. 
Bickell  have  three  children:  1.  Ernest  M.  W. 
2.  Elizabeth  C.  3.  Harold  G.,  who  now  is  in 
the  aviation  service  of  the  United  States  Army. 


PRAIVK  P.  KELLY — Devoting  the  better 
part  of  his  life  to  important  work  for  the 
city  of  Wilkes-Barre,  Frank  P.  Kelly,  now 
city  treasurer,  was  awarded  this  position  by 
a  grateful  constituency  after  twenty-seven 
years  of  faithful  service  as  deputy  treasurer 
under  five  city  treasurers.  He  is  one  of  the 
leading  citizens  of  the  city,  and  has  the  high 
regard  of  the  population,  regardless  of  politi- 
cal affiliation.  Courteous  in  his  associations 
with  the  public,  genial  in  manner,  sound  in 
political  principles,  devoted  to  the  best  inter- 
ests of  the  community,  his  is  a  position 
among  his  fellows  that  betokens  the  deepest 
respect,  the  most  sincere  admiration. 

He  was  born  in  Wilkes-Barre,  March  IS, 
1866.  His  father  was  Michael  Kelly,  who 
came  to  this  country  from  his  native  Ireland 
some  twenty  years  previous  to  the  birth  of 
Frank  and  settled  in  this  city,  which  was 
then  but  a  small  village,  where  he  became  a 
miner.  In  this  occupation  he  was  killed  when 
Frank  was  two  years  of  age.  His  widow  was 
Bridget  (Hilbert)  Kelly,  also  of  Irish  birth, 
now  deceased.  They  were  the  parents  of  five 
children,  of  whom  Prank  P.  was  the  youngest. 
James  H.,  the  first  born,  died  in  1925;  Nora 
H.  is  the  widow  of  Charles  Dermody.  of  Phil- 
adelphia; William  J.  is  a  grocery  merchant 
of  Wilkes-Barre,   and   Elizabeth   is   single. 


408 


Frank  P.  Kelly  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools  here  and  at  St.  Vincent's  College,  at 
Latrobe,  Pennsylvania.  Upon  completing  these 
courses  of  instruction  he  obtained  a  clerical 
position  in  the  offices  of  the  Lehigh  Valley 
Coal  Company  here,  holding  that  post  until 
1899,  when  he  was  appointed  deputy  treasurer 
of  the  city  under  Bernard  McManus.  This 
position  he  held  for  three  years,  when  he 
became  bookkeeper  for  the  old  People's  Bank, 
remaining  there  until  1905,  when  he  returned 
to  the  city  government  in  his  original  position 
there,  this  time  under  the  late  George  Steg- 
maier.  At  the  city  election  of  November,  1927, 
he  was  chosen  city  treasurer  by  the  largest 
majority  ever  given  a  candidate  for  that 
office.  He  is  a  member  of  Wilkes-Barre 
Lodge,  No.  109,  Benevolent  and  Protective 
Order  of  Elks,  and  of  the  Knights  of  Colum- 
bus, of  Wilkes-Barre.  He  is  a  member  of 
St.  Mary's  Roman  Catholic  Church  and  has 
his  residence,  with  his  family,  at  No.  43S 
South   River   Street,    Wilkes-Barre. 

Mr.  Kelly  married,  in  October,  190S,  Mar- 
garet C.  Buckley,  daughter  of  Dennis  Buck- 
ley, well-known  contractor  and  builder,  of 
this  city,  and  Margaret  (Farrell)  Buckley. 
They  became  the  parents  of  five  children: 
FVank,  Jr.,  Mary  E.,  Margaret,  William,  and 
Robert,  who  died  at  the  age  of  six  years. 


THE  RT.   REV.   J.-VMES    S.   PAGAN,  V.   F. — 

Rector  of  St.  Gabriel's  parish,  in  Hazleton, 
Pennsylvania,  for  more  than  two  decades, 
the  Very  Rev.  James  S.  Pagan,  V.  F.,  has 
accomplished  a  noble  work  in  the  up-building 
of  the  parish  during  his  long  pastorate.  The 
beautiful  new  church  only  recently  com- 
pleted, the  new  and  modern  school,  and  the 
remodeled  convent  building  are  tributes  to 
his  energy  and  executive  ability,  while  the 
spiritual  vitality  so  apparent  in  his  charge 
to  even  the  most  casual  onlooker,  is  evidence 
enough  of  his  fidelity  to  his  sacred  mission. 
Father  Fagan  has  occupied  the  pulpit  of  St. 
Gabriel's  with  the  fine  dignity  which  alone 
constitutes  genuine  eloquence,  and  his  place 
in  the  deep  affection  of  his  parishioners  is 
notably    secure. 

Father  Fagan  was  born  in  New  York,  a 
son  of  Patrick  C.  Fagan,  superintendent  of 
masonry  for  the  Lehigh  Valley  Railroad 
Company,  and  of  Rose  (Simons)  Fagan.  He 
came  to  Wilkes-Barre  as  a  small  child,  and 
here  attended  the  local  public  schools.  Later 
he  entered  Wyoming  Seminary,  and  also 
attended  the  private  school  of  Professor 
Henry  A.  Reid.  He  began  his  preparation 
tor  the  priesthood  at  St.  Vincent's  College,  in 
Westmoreland  County,  about  1880,  and  upon 
the  completion  of  his  classical  course,  he 
entered  St.  Mary's  Seminary,  in  Baltimore, 
for  training  in  theology  and  philosophy.  In 
August,  18SS,  he  was  ordained  to  the  holy 
priesthood  by   the   Rt.   Rev.   Bishop   O'Hara. 

Father  Pagan  was  first  assigned  to  Sus- 
quehanna, where  he  remained  as  an  assistant 
for  seven  years.  At  the  end  of  this  time  he 
was  named  by  Bishop  O'Hara  to  be  pastor 
at  Great  Bend,  continuing  his  duties  there 
for  thirteen  years,  until  his  promotion  to  the 
pastorate  of  St.  Gabriel's,  in  Hazleton,  on 
July  1,  1908.  Father  Pagan's  work  at  St. 
Gabriel's  has  been  one  of  great  accomplish- 
ment. As  early  as  1912,  he  replaced  the  old 
school  building  with  the  present  splendid  and 
modern  structure,  which  accommodates  more 
than  one  thousand  children,  and  he  later 
sponsored  the  remodeling  of  the  convent 
building,  the  living  quarters  of  which  had 
become  inadequate  because  of  the  greatly 
increased  number  of  the  Sisters.  In  1924  he 
embarked  upon  the  crowning  achievement  of 


his  pastorate,  the  erection  of  the  beautiful 
and  magnificent  church,  which  was  com- 
pleted about  three  years  later.  The  church 
itself,  designed  by  Peter  B.  Sheridan  and 
Philip  G.  Knobloch,  registered  architects  of 
Hazleton,  is  in  the  thirteenth  century  Gothic 
style  and  is  considered  by  competent  judges 
to  be  one  of  the  finest  structures  of  its  kind 
in  tlie  country.  It  "was  built  by  James  C. 
Hoe's  Sons,  Inc.,  of  New  York  City.  Father 
Pagan's  constant  effort  toward  the  improve- 
ment and  beautification  of  the  church  prop- 
erty has  been  a  sulDJect  of  admiration 
tliroughout  the  "whole  community.  During 
his  pastorate  at  St.  Gabriel's,  the  following 
priests  have  served  as  assistants:  Fathers 
Martin  Cawley,  D.  J.  Kane,  James  Gilpatrick, 
J.  J.  Featherstone,  Joseph  Reilly,  Joseph 
Gagan,  John  Walsh,  James  Mulholland, 
James  Walsh,  James  A.  Boland,  James  P. 
Flynn.  Thomas  F.  Kelley,  Leo  Gilroy  and 
John   Carroll. 

At  the  time  of  the  late  Rt.  Rev.  Bishop 
Hoban's  death,  in  November,  1926,  Father 
Fagan  was  named  administrator  of  the  Scran- 
ton  diocese  by  His  Eminence,  Dennis  Cardi- 
nal Dougherty,  Archibishop  of  Philadelphia. 
During  this  administratorship,  the  qualities 
which  characterized  him  in  his  own  parish 
have  endeared  him  to  all  the  priests  of  the 
diocese,  who  have  come  to  look  upon  him 
as  one  filled  witli  a  deep  sense  of  justice, 
and  an  understanding,  sympathetic  way. 
Thus  during  Father  Fagan's  pastorate,  the 
finest  traditions  of  the  Church  and  of  St. 
Gabriel's  parish  have  been  loyally  upheld. 
At  the  celebration  attending  the  dedication 
of  the  new  church,  this  fervent  prayer  was 
offered,  on  behalf  of  the  entire  congregation: 

It  is  our  earnest  prayer  then  that  God's 
choicest  blessings  be  showered  upon  him, 
upon  his  worthy  and  earnest  efforts  to  better 
his  parish  both  spiritually  and  materially, 
and  that  he  be  spared  to  us  for  many  years 
to   come.  ' 

On  August  19,  1928,  Father  Fagan  was 
elevated  to  the  dignity  of  Rt.  Rev.  Monsignor, 
Bisliop   Reilly   officiating. 


ROBERT  E.  JONES — Although  one  of  the 
comparatively  younger  members  of  the  bank- 
ing profession  in  Luzerne  County,  Robert  E. 
Jones  has  already  acquired  a  well  deserved 
reputation  for  leadership  in  the  financial 
world  in  and  about  Kingston,  Pennsylvania, 
where  he  is  cashier  of  the  First  National 
Bank.  A  native  of  this  city  and  a  man  who 
has  spent  a  great  deal  of  his  life  in  this  part 
of  Pennsylvania,  Mr.  Jones  is  thoroughly 
acquainted  with  local  men  and  conditions, 
and  it  is  predicted  for  him  that  he  will,  be- 
fore many  years,  be  one  of  the  outstanding 
figures  in  the  State's  banking  business.  The 
institution  in  which  he  holds  this  important 
position  was  organized  on  April  26,  1926,  and 
occupied  its  present  modern  bank  building 
on  February  4,  1927.  Its  president  is  Olin  R. 
Mullison,  who  has  been  associated  with  a 
number  of  men  prominent  in  banking  and 
finance,  among  them  being  R.  H.  Scureman, 
formerly  second  vice-president  and  a  direc* 
tor,  now  deceased,  and  Harry  R.  Hay,  the 
first  cashier  of  the  present  bank.  Mr.  Jones 
has  held  the  cashier's  post  since  December 
27,    1927. 

Born  July  21,  1903,  in  Wilkes-Barre,  Penn- 
sylvania, Robert  E.  Jones  was  a  son  of  Robert 
E.  and  Emma  (Miller)  Jones.  Both  of  his 
parents  were  born  in  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsyl- 
vania, where  his  father  was  throughout  his 
active  career  a  lace  weaver.  His  mother  died 
on  February  12,  1928.  The  son,  Robert  E. 
Jones,  attended  tlie  public  schools  in  his 
early  boyhood,  and  later  went  to  the  Wilkes- 


V  /TjUiru 


Barre  High  School,  which  graduated  him  in 
the  class  of  1921.  He  then  studied  at  the 
Wharton  Night  School,  in  Willtes-Barre, 
where  he  acquired  a  thorough  mastery  of 
business  and  banking  principles  and  fitted 
himself  for  work  as  a  banker.  His  first  work 
was  as  a  clerk  with  the  South  Side  Bank  and 
Trust  Company,  of  Wilkes-Barre.  After  he 
had  been  for  a  short  time  with  that  organi- 
zation, however,  he  came  with  the  First  Na- 
tional Bank  of  Kingston  in  the  capacity  of 
assistant  cashier.  That  was  in  April,  1926. 
It  was  on  December  27,  1927,  that,  recogniz- 
ing his  innate  abilities  and  his  special  talents 
for  the  worlv  which  he  had  undertaken,  his 
superior  officers  in  the  bank  made  him  cash- 
ier. In  this  position,  for  which  he  is  well 
fitted  by  personality  and  inclination,  Mr. 
Jones  attracts  to  the  bank  a  large  number 
of  depositors  and  people  desiring  to  utilize 
this  financial  institution  for  their  banking 
needs:  and  has  established  for  himself  among 
his  fellow  townsmen  a  wide  circle  of  friends. 
In  addition  to  his  work  as  bank  cashier, 
llr.  Jones  participates  extensively  in  the 
social  and  fraternal  life  of  his  community. 
Keenly  interested  in  political  developments, 
he  is  identified  with  the  Republican  party, 
whose  policies  and  candidates  he  supports; 
is  a  member  of  the  Pi  Delta  Epsilon  Frater- 
nity; and  belongs  to  the  Lutheran  Church. 

WILLIAM  J.  KEAR — One  of  the  foremost 
contractors  and  builders  of  Wilkes-Barre, 
William  J.  Kear,  has  won  the  esteem  of  a 
large  number  of  his  fellow-to'wnsmen  with 
whom  he  has  worked  or  had  business  deal- 
ings; he  is  respected  by  his  many  friends  and 
acquaintances,  not  only  because  of  his  splen- 
did business  acumen,  but  for  the  spirit  of 
fairness  that  he  displays  in  all  his  transac- 
tions. Since  1894  he  has  been  a  citizen  of 
Wilkes-Barre,  and  except  for  about  ten  years 
of  that  period  he  has  been  engaged  in  the 
building  and  contracting  business  for  himself. 

A  son  of  Thomas  C.  Kear,  a  shoemaker,  and 
Harriett  (Pickford)  Kear,  he  belongs  to  an 
old  Pennsylvania  family.  He  was  one  of  a 
family  of  nine  children:  Florence,  Edward, 
Thomas,  Eva,  Sarah,  William  J.,  of  further 
mention;     Mary,    George,    and    Frank. 

William  J.  Kear,  who  was  born  on  August 
30,  1870,  in  Danville,  Pennsylvania,  attended 
as  a  boy  the  public  schools  of  his  native 
town  until  he  was  sixteen  years  of  age. 
Then  he  went  to  work,  learning  the  carpen- 
ter's trade  while  still  a  very  young  man.  In 
1894,  when  he  came  to  Wilkes-Barre,  he  con- 
tinued his  trade  for  about  a  decade;  then  he 
engaged  in  the  contracting  and  building  busi- 
ness, which  since  has  occupied  the  greater 
part  of  his  attention.  With  the  passing  years, 
he  has  established  himself  more  and  more 
firmly  in  the  business  life  of  the  community 
In  and  near  Wilkes-Barre,  so  that  to-day  he 
is  recognized  throughout  the  Wyoming  Val- 
ley as  one  of  the  leaders  in  this  branch  of 
industry. 

Mr.  Kear  is  a  busy  man.  For  not  only  is 
he  interested  in  the  business  affairs  of 
Wilkes-Barre,  but  also  takes  time  to  be  active 
in  the  political  and  civic  life  of  the  people. 
In  his  political  views,  he  is  a  Republican, 
having  long  supported  the  principles  of  that 
party.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Free  and  Ac- 
cepted Masons,  in  which  order  he  is  affiliated 
with  Lodge  No.  61,  of  W^ilkes-Barre;  the 
Shekinah  Chapter,  No.  182,  of  Royal  Arch 
Masons;  the  Dieu  le  Veut  Commandery,  No. 
45,  Knights  Templar;  the  Caldwell  Consistory 
of  the  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite  Masons, 
in   which   he   holds   the   thirty-second   degree. 


and  Irera  Temple  of  the  Ancient  Arabic  Order 
Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  being  a  trustee 
of  Irem  Temple.  Mr.  Kear,  along  with  his 
other  activities,  is  an  active  Rotarian,  belong- 
ing to  the  local  club  of  Wilkes-Barre,  and  is 
a  life  member  of  Wyoming  Valley  Historical 
Society,  and  a  member  of  Wilkes-Barre- 
Wyoming  Valley  Chamber  of  Commerce. 

On  April  27,  1897,  he  married  Viola  Lloyd, 
a  daughter  of  Bartlett  and  Jane  (Morgan) 
Lloyd,  of  Danville,  Pennsylvania.  This  mar- 
riage has  been  blessed  with  three  children: 
1.  Bartlett  Lloyd,  who  is  associated  with  his 
father  in  the  contracting  and  building  busi- 
ness. 2.  Ruth  M.,  the  wife  of  Lieutenant  John 
Morrell,  of  the  United  States  Navy.  3.  Wil- 
liam T. 

DR.  CH.tRLES  C.  LAW — For  some  four 
years  Dr.  Charles  C.  Law  has  been  engaged 
in  practice  in  Hazleton,  Pennsylvania,  as  an 
optometrist.  He  is  a  graduate  of  the  Penn- 
sylvania State  College  of  Optometry,  and  has 
his  offices  at  No.  116  West  Broad  Street, 
where  he  has  proved  that  he  is  skilled  in  his 
profession,  and  where  he  is  taking  care  of 
a  large  clientele.  Dr.  Law  is  a  native  of  this 
State,  and  has  been  located  here  in  Hazleton 
since  1924. 

Dr.  Charles  C.  Law  was  born  in  Edwards- 
ville,  Pennsylvania,  February  28,  1902,  son 
of  Thomas  J.  Law,  who  during  the  greater 
part  of  his  mature  years  was  in  the  employ 
of  tlie  Delaware,  Lacka'wanna  and  Western 
Railroad  Company,  and  of  Mary  (McKeown) 
Law,  both  of  whom  are  now  (1928)  deceased. 
Dr.  Law^  attended  the  public  schools  of  Ed- 
wardsville,  and  then  entered  the  Pennsyl- 
vania State  College  of  Optometry,  where  he 
completed  his  course  and  was  graduated  with 
the  class  of  1923.  For  one  year  after  his  grad- 
uation he  was  engaged  in  practice  in  Wilkes- 
Barre,  but  in  19-4  lie  came  to  Hazleton  and 
opened  his  offices  at  No.  116  West  Broad 
Street,  where  he  has  since  devoted  his  atten- 
tion to  the  building  up  of  what  has  grown 
to  be  a  very  substantial  business.  He  has  for 
the  last  four  years  been  well  known  as  one 
who  is  skilled  in  his  calling,  and  each  of 
the  tour  years  of  his  practice  here  has  wit- 
nessed a  very  decided  increase  in  the  number 
of  those  who  seek  his  services.  Dr.  La^v  is 
a  member  of  the  Pennsylvania  Optomefric 
Association  and  of  the  American  Optometric 
Association,  and  has  always  taken  an  active 
interest  in  the  affairs  of  both  organizations. 
Fraternally,  he  holds  membership  in  the 
Knights  of  Columbus,  the  Omega  Delta  Fra- 
ternity Optometrists  Epsilon  Chapter,  Al- 
hambra  Caravan,  No.  4;  and  he  is  also  a 
member  of  the  .Valley  Countr.v  Club.  His 
religious  membership  is  with  St.  Gabriel's 
Roman  Catholic  Church. 

DR.  GLENN  OTIS  ROSSMABJ,  D.  D. — A  native 
of  Clarion  County,  Pennsylvania,  Dr.  Glenn 
Otis  Rossman  left  the  Clarion  State  Normal 
School,  in  May,  1917,  to  enlist  for  service  in 
the  World  War.  He  ^'as  sent  overseas  Tvith 
the  First  Division  of  the  American  Expedi- 
tionary Forces,  as  a  member  of  the  Medical 
Department,  and  "W'ith  that  division  "was  in 
active  service  in  the  most  important  of  the 
major  engagements,  including  Cantigny  and 
St.  Mihiel,  as  well  as  in  numerous  minor  en- 
gagements. After  the  armistice  he  went  into 
Germany  with  the  Army  of  Occupation,  re- 
turning to  this  country  in  the  summer  of 
1919.  He  then  completed  his  course  in  the 
Normal  School  and  entered  the  Philadelphia 
College  of  Osteopathy.  Since  his  graduation 
in  1924  he  has,  with  the  exception  of  a  few 
months  spent  in  an  osteopathic  hospital,  been 


410 


engaged  in  general  practice  here  in  Hazleton. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  State  and  National 
osteopathic  associations,  and  gives  special 
attention   to   psycho-therapy  and   gynecology. 

Dr.  Glenn  Otis  Rossman  was  born  in  Clarion 
County,  Pennsylvania,  January  19,  1896,  son 
of  William  Otis  and  Sarah  Pearl  (Roshline) 
Rossman.  After  attending  the  public  schools 
of  Clarion  County  he  entered  Salem  High 
School,  from  which  he  was  graduated  with 
the  class  of  1915.  The  following  fall  he  began 
study  in  the  Clarion  Normal  School,  planning 
to  take  the  four-year  course.  There  was  then 
little  thought  that  before  he  had  finished  this 
country  would  be  at  war  as  one  of  the  Allies, 
fighting  in  Europe,  but  the  grim  fact  broke 
into  his  life  as  a  student,  as  it  did  into  the 
lives  of  so  many  students  all  over  the  coun- 
try, and  on  May  30,  1917,  he  enlisted  in  the 
Medical  Department  of  the  United  States 
Army  for  service  in  the  World  War.  He  was 
stationed  at  San  Antonio,  Texas,  until  August 
7,  1917,  and  then  was  sent  overseas  with  the 
1st  Division  of  the  American  Expeditionary 
Forces.  Upon  his  arrival  in  France  he  was 
sent  with  his  division  to  the  Toul  Sector,  and 
saw  active  service  in  several  of  the  most 
important  major  engagements,  including 
Cantigny,  Soisson,  two  engagements  at  St. 
Mihiel,  and  two  in  the  Argonne.  He  also 
took  part  in  several  minor  engagements,  and 
after  the  signing  of  the  Armistice  went  into 
Germany  with  the  .\rmy  of  Occupation,  being 
stationed  at  Coblenz.  Returning  to  America, 
August  28,  1919,  he  was  mustered  out  of  serv- 
ice as  a  non-commissioned  officer,  and  upon 
his  return  to  civil  life  returned  to  the  Clarion 
Normal  School,  from  which  he  was  graduated 
with  the  class  of  1920.  He  had  already  de- 
termined that  he  would  enter  the  osteopathic 
profession,  and  with  that  end  in  view  he 
began  study  in  the  Philadelphia  School  of 
Osteopathy,  where  he  completed  his  course 
with  the  class  of  1924.  After  graduation  he 
more  fully  prepared  for  independent  practice 
by  going  to  Grove  City,  Pennsylvania,  where 
he  was  connected  with  an  osteopathic  hos- 
pital until  December,  1925.  He  then  came  to 
Hazleton,  where  he  has  since  been  success- 
fully engaged  in  practice.  Along  with  his 
general  practice  he  gives  special  attention  to 
psycho-therapy  and  to  gynecology,  and  dur- 
ing the  three  years  in  which  he  has  been 
engaged  in  practice  here  he  has  built  up  a 
very  substantial  practice.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Pennsylvania  Osteopathic  Association 
and  of  the  American  Osteopathic  Association, 
and  has  established  a  reputation  for  skill 
and  for  discretion  in  handling  difficult  cases. 
Fraternally,  he  is  identified  with  Clarion 
Lodge,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons:  and  with 
Caldwell  Consistory:  and  he  is  also  a  member 
of  the  American  Legion.  His  religious  mem- 
bership  is  with  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

Dr.  Glenn  Otis  Rossman  was  married,  De- 
cember 29,  1921,  to  Jeanne  Estella  Keeler,  of 
St.  Petersburgh,  Pennsylvania,  and  they  have 
one  daughter,  Yvonne  Jeanne.  The  family 
home  is  located  at  No.  83  North  Church  Street, 
in  Hazleton,  and  Dr.  Rossman  has  his  offices 
at  No.   908   in  the  Markle   Building. 


HUGH  L.  CAMPBE3L,L — As  director,  vice- 
president  and  general  manager  of  the  Hazle- 
ton Brick  Company,  Inc.,  Hugh  L.  Campbell 
has  demonstrated  to  the  stockholders  of  that 
concern  and  interested  observers  his  capacity 
for  the  reinvigoration  of  a  business  that  had 
fallen  on  evil  days  and  bringing  it  to  the 
point  where  it  is  returning  dividends  to  the 
investors  and  permitting  of  the  broadening 
of  its  field  and  the  enlargement  and  im- 
provement of  its  great  plant.  Mr.  Campbell' 
is    a    leading    factor    in    the    commercial    life 


of  Hazleton  and  a  leader  in  all  that  makes 
for  civic  advance  and  community  prosperity. 

Born  in  Hazleton,  August  28,  1870,  Hugh 
L.  Cainpbell  is  the  son  of  John  and  Mary 
(Callahan)  Campbell,  both  parents  natives  of 
Ireland.  He  worked  as  a  breaker-boy  from 
the  age  of  eight  years  until  he  was  eighteen, 
and  obtained  a  good  working  knowledge  of 
that  department  of  coal  mining.  Then  he 
took  up  carpentry  and  learned  the  trade 
thoroughly,  becoming  a  contractor  and  build- 
er. At  the  age  of  twenty-one  he  entered  the 
Stroudsburg  State  Normal  School  and  was  a 
student  there  for  two  years.  That  incident 
in  his  career  furnishes  an  insight  into  his 
character,  wherein  is  to  be  seen  a  laudable 
ambition  to  acquire  an  education  and  to 
equip  himself  for  going  out  into  the  world 
of  business.  Afterwards  he  pursued  his  trade 
and  erected  many  buildings  in  Hazleton  and 
the  vicinity — the  City  Hall,  churches,  business 
blocks  and  other  structures  for  utilitarian 
and  domestic  purposes.  Since  he  reorganized 
the  Hazleton  Brick  Company  he  has  devoted 
practically  all  his  attention  to  the  affairs  of 
that  concern,  his  energy  and  ability  as  execu- 
tive and  manager  having  had  the  most  to 
do  with  its  remarkable  rejuvenation  and 
progress.  Mr.  Campbell  has  been  called  to 
serve  the  city  in  a  number  of  important 
offices,  notably  tax  collector  and  councilman, 
in  each  of  which  he  was  an  incumbent  for 
several  years.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Izaak 
Walton  Club,  the  United  Sports  Club  and  St. 
Gabriel's  Roman   Catholic  Church. 

Hugh  L.  Campbell  married,  in  1906,  Mary 
Sweeney  of  Drifton.  Their  children:  1.  Hugh 
L.,  Jr.,  director  and  manager  of  the  Hazleton 
Brick  Company;  graduated  from  Notre  Dame 
University,  class  of  1927.  2.  Anna,  a  student 
at  Trinity  College.  3.  Marie,  a  student  at 
Villa  Marie  College.  4.  Helen,  a  student  at 
Trinity  College.  5.  Elizabeth,  a  student  at 
St.  Gabriel's  High  School.  6.  John.  The  fam- 
ily residence  is  141  South  Wyoming  Street, 
Hazleton. 

The  Hazleton  Brick  Company,  Inc.,  was 
founded  in  1914  by  Peter  Kehoe,  NicK  Schmidt, 
Jacob  Schmidt,  Arthur  Root,  John  Schneider, 
Prank  Hemingway,  Louis  Carl,  Edmund 
Gibbs,  Hugh  L.  Campbell  and  a  number  of 
other  men,  Mr.  Campbell  being  the  only  mem- 
ber resident  in  Hazleton.  He  had  discovered 
rich  shale  beds  and  obtained  options  on  the 
land  in  which  they  were  located,  and  on  that 
basis  he  promoted  the  company.  The  business 
was  incorporated  with  a  capital  stock  of 
$150,000.  All  the  incorporators,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  Mr.  Campbell,  were  stockholders 
of  the  Diamond  City  Brick  Company.  During 
its  earlier  years  the  concern  passed  through 
serious  difficulties.  In  the  World  War  period 
its  operations  were  held  up  because  of  the 
lack  of  coal,  that  commodity  having  been 
diverted  largely  for  war  and  other  purposes 
incident  to  its  prosecution.  The  slowing  down 
of  building  operations  throughout  the  country 
because  of  war  conditions  was  another  cause 
contributory  to  the  failure.  Finally  the  com- 
pany was  petitioned  into  the  hands  of  a  re- 
ceiver and  the  plant  closed.  After  the  war, 
Mr.  Campbell  and  his  fellow  stockholders  got 
together  and  made  several  attempts  at  re- 
organization, but  these  were  not  fruitful  of 
results  because  of  a  lack  of  confidence  in  the 
plans  for  rehabilitation  of  the  business. 

Mr.  Campbell  eventually  took  matters  in 
his  own  hands,  bought  the  business  outright, 
inclusive  of  the  plant,  and  effected  a  reorgan- 
ization. The  first  two  years  of  the  revived 
business  saw  little  profit,  this  due  to  a  va- 
riety of  causes:  but  Mr.  Campbell  stuck  to 
the  ship  and  plodded  on  with  characteristic 
persistency.     Finally    the    business    began    to 


jA^4^yi4^^i>^^ 


pa^•  dividends  and  the  output  was  increased. 
With  reorganization  effected,  Hazleton  peo- 
ple had  become  stocl5holders,  and  from  among 
their  numi^er  the  officers  were  elected  as  fol- 
lows: President,  Max  Friedlander;  vice- 
president,  and  general  manager,  Hugh  L. 
Campbell:  vice-president,  T.  E.  Snyder;  sec- 
retary-treasurer, Ben  Morris:  directors,  the 
aforementioned  officers  and  Carl  Jacobs,  Jon- 
athan Liebensperger,  N.  H.  Massan,  and  Hugh 
L.   Campbell,   Jr. 

The  annual  output  of  the  company  is  fif- 
teen million  brick.  The  products  comprise  all 
varieties  of  red  brick,  concrete  blocks  and 
crushed  stone;  these  are  distributed  to  all 
parts  of  the  country.  The  company  owns  one 
hundred  and  sixtj'-five  acres  of  land,  on 
which  are  its  shale  deposits,  and  its  equip- 
ment includes  six  rectangular  kilns  and  one 
beehive  kiln.  It  gives  employment  to  one 
hundred  persons  in  all  the  departments.  Un- 
der the  direction  of  General  Manager  Camp- 
bell the  plant  is  constantly  being  beautified: 
the  buildings  are  of  attractive  design  and 
ornamentation  as  far  as  it  is  possible  for  a 
plant  of  this  kind  to  be.  In  the  foreground  is 
a  lake  stocked  with  trout.  At  one  side  is  a 
large  dovecote,  where  the  concern  raises  and 
maintains  homing  pigeons,  which  are  used  in 
a  unique  form  of  advertising  devised  by  Mr. 
Campbell,  whose  keen  mind  is  almost  con- 
stantlj-  producing  ideas  for  attracting  busi- 
ness to  the  plant  and  for  the  increase  of  its 
output.  H.  L.  Campbell,  Jr.,  invented  a  shaker 
bar  for  use  in  the  crushed  rock  department 
that  separates  the  disintegrated  matter  from 
the  rock.  By-products,  including  cinders  and 
brick  bats  are  all  ground  up  and  used  in 
concrete  blocks.  The  white  rock  is  separated 
by  shaker  bars  and  crushed  into  crushed  stone, 
used  for  building  purposes,  roads,  etc.  The 
by-products  are  rapidly  becoming  a  most 
important  factor  in  the  business.  The  enter- 
prise is  today  rated  as  one  of  the  largest 
and  most  prosperous  of  its  class  in  the 
United   States. 


WILLIAM  F.  CHURCH — More  than  sixty 
years  in  the  drug  business  in  Kingston, 
almost  all  of  which  have  been  at  the  same 
location,  No.  220  "Wyoming  Avenue,  have 
brought  to  William  P.  Church  the  satisfac- 
tion of  duty  well  performed  and  a  most  dig- 
nified standing  in  the  community  where  he 
was  born  and  where  he  has  spent  his  entire 
life.  His  origin  is  of  one  of  the  earliest  set- 
tlers in  the  "Wyoming  "Valley,  all  respected 
for  their  solid  citizenship,  for  their  industry 
and  for  their  devotion  to  every  cause  look- 
ing toward  the  improvement  of  commercial, 
industrial,  religious,  fraternal  and  civic  activ- 
ities. The  head  of  this  old  drug  concern  has 
attained  the  highest  pinnacle  of  success,  in 
that  he  has  won  and  held  the  admiration  and 
devoted  respect  of  the  entire  community,  by 
his  admirable  qualities  of  citizenship  through 
every  avenue  of  labor  which  that  elastic  term 
follows. 

He  was  born  in  Kingston,  in  1845,  a  son  of 
Addeson  Carver  and  Mary  (Johnston)  Church, 
both  members  of  historic  "Wyoming  Valley 
families,  "n'illiam  F.  Church  was  postmaster 
of  Kingston  for  two  terms  preceding  1SS5, 
and  was  assistant  postmaster  under  Abram 
Goodwin  for  three  terms,  serving  in  all  from 
1S65  to  1885.  Mr.  Church  was  one  of  the 
first  class  of  five  to  be  made  a  Mason  in 
Kingston  Lodge,  No.  395.  He  is  the  oldest 
living  member  of  that  lodge  and  was  Past 
Master  of  the  lodge  in  1873.  He  has  been  a 
lifelong  Republican  and  for  more  than  sixty 
years  a  member  of  the  Kingston  Presbyterian 


Church,  serving  for  many  years  as  a  ruling 
elder. 

"William  F.  Church  married  Ann  Hoyt  Corss, 
daughter  of  the  Rev.  Charles  Chapin  and  Ann 
(Hoyt)  Corss,  the  first  named  having  been 
a  distinguished  Presbyterian  minister  in 
Northeastern  Pennsylvania.  The  mother,  Ann 
(Hoyt)  Corss,  is  still  living  (1929),  aged 
seventy-eight  years.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Church 
were  the  parents  of  five  children:  1.  H.  Ken- 
neth, of  whom  further.  2.  Mary,  "who  is  un- 
married. 3.  Elizabeth  Hoyt,  wife  of  Oswald 
D.  Ingall,  of  Nantucket,  Massachusetts,  and 
the  mother  of  two  children.  4.  Charles  C,  of 
whom  further.  5.  Frederick  Corss,  who  is 
head  professor  of  history  at  the  University 
of  Idaho. 

H.  Kenneth  Church,  son  of  "William  F.  and 
Ann  Hoyt  (Corss)  Church,  has  been  asso- 
ciated with  his  father  in  the  drug  business 
for  many  years.  He  was  born  in  Kingston 
and  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  here, 
at  "Wyoming  Seminary  and  at  Lafayette  Col- 
lege, Easton,  Pennsylvania.  He  afterwards 
became  associated  as  a  chemist  with  "Worth 
Brothers'  Steel  Company,  of  Coatsville,  com- 
ing back  to  Kingston  in  1902.  He  was  em- 
ployed in  the  post  offices  in  Kingston  and 
"Wilkes-Barre  for  thirteen  years,  then  entered 
into  association  with  his  father  in  the  drug 
and  stationery  business.  He  is  a  Republican 
and  a  member  of  the  Kingston  Presbyterian 
Church.  His  fraternal  associations  include 
Kingston  Lodge,  No.  709,  Independent  Order 
of  Odd  Fellows,  of  which  he  is  Past  Grand 
Master;  Kingston  Lodge,  No.  395,  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons.  He  also  belongs  to  the 
Luzerne  County  "Veteran  Firemen's  Associa- 
tion and  to  the  Kingston  Business  Men's  As- 
sociation.    He  has  never  married. 

Charles  C.  Church,  the  other  brother  asso- 
ciated with  his  father  in  business,  was  also 
born  in  Kingston.  He  was  educated  in  the 
public  schools  here  and  at  "Wyoming  Semin- 
ary, after'ward  taking  a  course  at  the  Phila- 
delphia College  of  Pharmacy.  Since  gradua- 
tion from  the  last  named  institution  he  has 
been  engaged  with  his  father  in  business.  He 
is  a  Republican  in  political  affiliation  and  a 
member  of  the  Kingston  Presbyterian  Church. 
He  belongs  to  Kingston  Lodge,  No.  709,  In- 
dependent Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  of  which  he 
is  Past  Grand  Master;  to  Kingston  Lodge,  No. 
395,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons;  Shekinah 
Chapter,  No.  182,  Royal  Arch  Masons;  Dieu  le 
"Veut  Commandery,  Knights  Templar;  Key- 
stone Consistory,  Scottish  Rite  Masons;  Irem 
Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the 
Mystic  Shrine,  of  "Wilkes-Barre.  He  has 
membership  also  in  Irem  Temple  Country 
Club  and  the  Kingston  Business  Men's  Asso- 
ciation. 


E.  B.  "WESLEY — Springing  from  an  ances- 
try of  Pennsylvania  pioneers,  some  of  whom 
founded  and  carried  on  enterprises  of  a  high- 
ly useful  character  to  the  region  and  whose 
energies  left  them  only  through  death,  E. 
B.  "Wesley  has  embodied  in  him  the  most 
virile  germs  making  for  success  in  life.  His 
foresight  pictured  to  him  the  miraculous  de- 
velopment of  the  automobile  industry,  espe- 
cially in  the  inexpensive  car,  a  vision  of 
which  he  took  advantage.  He  was  fortunate 
in  getting  the  agency  for  the  Ford  Company, 
since  when  he  has  built  up  a  business  of 
great  magnitude  and  one  that  grows  with 
the  days  rather  than  the  years.  His  business, 
centering  in  Nanticoke,  includes  all  of  lower 
Luzerne  County,  but  his  sales  cover  a  far 
greater    territory.     He    is    looked    upon    as    a 


412 


valuable  citizen  of  the  community  and  a  great 
addition  to  its  business  activities. 

E.  B.  Wesley  was  born  at  Benton,  Columbia 
County,  Pennsylvania,  July  23,  1S91.  His 
father  was  Charles  Wesley  and  his  mother, 
Hattie  (Dodson)  Wesley,  the  father  being 
now  deceased.  Charles  Wesley  was  born  in 
Sweet  Valley,  Luzerne  County,  where  he  lived 
until  he  was  twenty-five  years  of  age.  The 
family  is  one  of  the  oldest  in  this  section, 
coming  here  from  Connecticut  with  the  origi- 
nal William  Wesley,  great-great-grandfather 
of  E.  B.  Wesley.  Benjamin,  son  of  William, 
was  a  farmer  of  Ross  Township,  Luzerne 
County,  and  served  his  country  during  the 
Civil  War.  Charles  "Wesley  was  a  cabinet 
maker  and  wheelwright  and  built  the  first 
steam  sawmill  in  his  part  of  the  county.  He 
later  removed  to  Columbia  County,  establish- 
ing the  first  roller-process  flour  mill  at  Ben- 
ton. He  also  built  and  operated  a  paper  mill 
at  Stillwater  for  thirteen  years,  retiring  be- 
cause of  ill  health.  For  years  he  was  the 
only  Republican  in  that  place,  yet,  because  of 
his  progressive  character,  he  was  elected  to 
membership  on  the  school  board  and  other 
offices  in  the  county.  He  was  a  member  of 
the  Christian  Church  and  the  last  active  work 
of  his  life  was  to  build  a  church  edifice  at 
Stillwater.  He  was  one  of  the  men  who  or- 
ganized Benton  Borough.  His  wife  also 
came  of  a  pioneer  family  of  Connecticut,  her 
father  being  Elias  Biggsby  Dodson,  a  farmer 
and  manufacturer  of  lumbering  materials. 
He  served  for  three  years  in  the  Civil  War, 
was  a  strong'  Republican  and  filled  some  of 
the  local  offices  of  his  county.  He  was  born 
in  1S33,  a  son  of  George,  and  Hannah  (Seeley) 
Dodson.  Of  this  ancestry,  B.  B.  Wesley  is 
directly  descended. 

He  received  his  education  in  the  Stillwater 
schools  and  at  the  Eastman  Business  Col- 
lege, Poughkeepsie,  New  York.  For  the  four 
years  following  this  period  of  schooling  he 
worked  as  a  clerk  and  bookkeeper  in  the 
Farmers'  National  Bank  of  Bloomsburg,  then 
coming  to  Nanticoke,  where  he  established 
himself  in  business  with  the  Ford  agency. 
He  has  remained  here,  and  has  control  of  a 
Ford  agency  in  Scranton.  He  is  a  director 
in  the  Nanticoke  National  Bank;  a  charter 
member  of  the  Nanticoke  Kiwanis  Club: 
Wilkes-Barre  Lodge,  Benevolent  and  Protec- 
tive Order  of  Elks,  and  of  the  United  Chris- 
tian Church.  During  the  World  War  he  was 
assistant    food    inspector. 

Mr.  Wesley  married,  September  28,  1912, 
Lorena  Hagenbush,  of  Stillwater,  daughter 
of  O.  D.  and  Ella  (McHenry)  Hagenbush. 
They  have  one  child,   Charles. 

AI.,BERT  REES — A  native  and  life-long 
resident  of  Nanticoke,  Mr.  Rees  has  been 
established  there  for  more  than  ten  years  in 
the  automobile  and  garage  business.  As  the 
local  representative  for  Dodge  motors  he  has 
built  up  a  large  and  lucrative  trade  and  he  is 
considered  one  of  the  most  successful  and 
substantial  business  men  of  the  town,  where 
he  enjoys  the  respect  and  confidence  of  all 
who   know  him. 

His  father,  M.  J.  Rees,  was  a  native  of 
Wales,  British  Isles,  but  spent  the  greater 
part  of  his  lite  in  Nanticoke.  There  he  was 
successfully  engaged  for  many  years  as  a  mer- 
chant. He  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the 
Nanticoke  Hospital  and  a  director  of  the  Nan- 
ticoke Construction  Company  and  of  the  Sus- 
quehannah  Lumber  Company.  He  also  was 
the  owner  of  much  valuable  real  estate  and 
in  every  respect  \vas  one  of  the  most  useful 
citizens  of  Nanticoke.  He  married  Almina 
Meek.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rees,  both  now  deceased, 
were     the     parents     of     six     children:      John; 


Anna,  now  deceased:  Morgan:  Albert,  of 
whom  further;   Roy:   and  May. 

Albert  Rees,  fourth  child  and  third  son  of 
the  late  M.  J.  and  Almina  (Meek)  Rees,  was 
born  at  Nanticoke,  March  21,  ISSS.  He  was 
educated  in  the  public  schools  and,  after  the 
death  of  his  father  in  1913,  entered  the  groc- 
ery business,  which  he  continued  to  carry  on 
successfully  until  1922.  In  the  meanwhile  he 
had  become,  in  1916,  the  sole  agent  for  the 
various  automobiles  made  by  Dodge  Brothers, 
establishing  this  agency  at  that  time  at  No. 
183  Market  Street,  Nanticoke.  Until  1922 
he  carried  on  this  business  in  connection 
with  his  grocery  business,  but,  when  he 
retired  from  the  latter  in  that  year,  he 
located  in  a  new  building,  in  which  he  has 
up-to-date  showrooms  and  where  he  also 
maintains  a  service  station  and  garage.  To 
this  business  he  now  devotes  his  entire  at- 
tention and  under  his  able  management  it 
has  been  brought  to  a  very  high  degree  of 
efficiency  and  prosperity.  He  also  owns  sev- 
eral valuable  pieces  of  real  estate  and  takes 
a  deep  interest  in  the  development  of  his 
native    city. 

Mr.  Rees  married,  in  1914,  Bertha  Wesley, 
a  daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Charles  Wesley. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rees  are  the  parents  of  three 
children:  Albert,  Carl,  and  Dorothy  Rees. 
The  family  home  is  located  on  Market  Street, 
Nanticoke. 


H.  S.  T'WAROW'SKI — Having  entered  the 
banking  business  in  Wilkes-Barre  at  the  age 
of  sixteen  years,  almost  forty  years  ago,  Mr. 
Twarowski  has  been  engaged  in  this  business 
ever  since  and  as  the  result  of  his  untiring 
energy  and  industry  and  his  close  attention 
to  his  duties  has  worked  himself  up  from 
modest  beginnings  to  a  position  of  promi- 
nence and  responsibility  as  treasurer  of  the 
Miners'  Trust  Company  of  Nanticoke,  one  of 
the  leading  financial  institutions  of  that 
section  of  Pennsylvania.  To  this  bank  he 
came  in  1923,  after  having  held  similar  execu- 
tive positions  in  several  other  banks  in  and 
near  Wilkes-Barre,  and  much  of  the  rapid 
and  constant  growth  of  the  Miners'  Trust 
Company  is  attributable  to  his  thorough 
knowledge  of  the  business,  his  energy  and  his 
executive   ability. 

Mr  Twarowski  was  born  at  Hazleton,  Penn- 
sylvania, August  13,  1875,  a  son  of  Zygmont 
and  Julia  Twarowski,  both  natives  of  Poland 
and  now  deceased.  He  was  educated  in  the 
public  schools,  which  he  left  at  the  early 
age  of  eleven  years.  For  the  next  few  years 
he  found  employment  in  different  stores  of 
his  native  town.  At  the  age  of  sixteen  he 
went  to  "Wilkes-Barre  and  there  entered  the 
employment  of  the  Wilkes-Barre  Deposit  & 
Savings  Bank  as  a  messenger  boy.  His  in- 
dustry and  his  many  other  good  qualities  won 
him  rapid  recognition  and  promotion  and, 
when  he  was  only  twenty-three  years  old,  in 
1898  he  was  appointed  teller.  In  this  posi- 
tion he  continued  until  1912,  when  he  resigned 
and  accepted  the  position  of  cashier  with  the 
Slovanic  Bank,  now  the  Pennsylvania  Bank 
&  Trust  Company,  of  Wilkes-Barre.  From 
there  he  went,  in  1923,  to  the  West  Side  Trust 
Company  at  Kingston  as  treasurer.  In  Octo- 
ber of  the  same  year  he  accepted  the  offer  of 
the  treasurership  of  the  Miners'  Trust  Com- 
panv  of  Nanticoke,  a  position  which  he  has 
continued  to  fill  since  with  great  credit  to 
himself  and  to  the  benefit  of  this  bank  and 
its  many  customers.  In  Marcli,  1982,  Mr.  Twar- 
owski was  elected  a  director  of  the  Miners- 
Trust  Company. 

The  Miners'  Trust  Company  of  Nanticoke 
was  founded  in  1920  under  the  name  of  the 
Polish   Deposit  Bank,   with  a  capital  of   $50,- 


ii^iMSil^^S^S 


Qj/;Lc^^ 


000  and  a  surplus  of  $25,000.  In  1923  the 
Miners'  Trust  Company  was  chartered  and 
took  over  the  business  of  the  Polish  Deposit 
Bank.  The  capital  at  that  time  was  increased 
to  $12.5,000  and  the  surplus  to  $150,000.  The 
business  of  the  new  bank  was  very  active 
from  the  first  and  expanded  so  rapidly  that 
the  existing-  facilities  soon  were  found  to  be 
inadequate.  In  1923  ground  at  the  corner  of 
^Market  and  Broad  streets  was  purchased  and 
the  erection  of  a  new  and  up-to-date  bank- 
ing house  was  started.  Completed  in  1924,  it 
is  one  of  the  finest  buildings  in  Nanticoke 
and  one  of  the  most  modern  banking  houses 
in  that  section  of  Pennsylvania,  representing 
an  investment  of  $225,000.  By  1927  the  assets 
had  increased  to  more  than  $3,000,000,  the 
surplus  and  profits  to  $225,000  and  the  de- 
posits to  $2,600,000.  A  general  banking  busi- 
ness is  carried  on,  with  departments  for  sav- 
ings, foreign  exchange,  steamship  tickets, 
and  other  services.  In  1926  the  bank  took  over 
the  educational  thrift  service  of  the  public 
schools  of  Nanticoke.  The  Miners'  Trust 
Company  is  a  member  of  the  Federal  Reserve 
Bank  System  and  of  the  American  Bankers' 
Association.  Besides  Mr.  Twarowski  the  offi- 
cers of  the  bank  are:  Emil  Malinow^ski,  its 
founder  and  president:  John  Malinowski,  vice- 
president  and  trust  officer;  and  M.  J.  Cannon, 
secretary.  The  board  of  directors  consists 
of  the  following  prominent  and  substantial 
citizens  of  Nanticoke:  R.  A.  Quinn,  Stanley 
Budziwski,  Joseph  J.  Janowski,  Michael  Lup- 
cho.  Dr.  J.  A.  Hugo,  Robert  B.  Job,  Harry 
Cimmet,  John  L.  Turner,  B.  Gorski,  Julius 
Hecht,  Sr.,  John  Korbaski,  M.  J.  Cannon,  Emil 
Malinow^ski   and    John    Malinowski. 

Though  naturally  the  responsibilities  of 
his  important  position  as  treasurer  of  the 
Miners'  Trust  Company  have  always  received 
the  major  share  of  Mr.  Twarowski's  time  and 
attention,  he  has  found  it  possible  to  interest 
himself  to  considerable  extent  in  the  general 
life  of  the  community.  For  some  time  in 
1926  he  served  as  a  member  of  the  Nanticoke 
Board  of  Education.  He  is  also  a  member  of 
the  Polish  National  Alliance  and  of  the  Polish 
Union,  as  well  as  of  the  Wyoming  Valley 
Country  Club.  His  religious  affiliations  are 
with  the  Roman  Catholic  Church  and  he  is  a 
devout  communicant  of  both  St.  Stanislaus' 
Polish  Roman  Catholic  Church  and  of  St. 
Francis'    Roman    Catholic   Church. 

Mr.  Twarowski  married,  in  1901,  Nellie 
Stafford  of  Kingston,  Pennsylvania,  a  daugh- 
ter of  Patrick  and  Catharine  (Coyle)  Stafford. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Twarowski  are  the  parents  of 
three  children:  1.  Alice,  employed  in  the 
Second  National  Bank  of  Wilkes-Baj-re.  2. 
Mary,  a  teacher  in  the  public  schools  of  Nan- 
ticoke. 3.  Robert,  a  student  in  the  Nanticoke 
High  School.  The  family  residence  is  located 
at  No.   104  West  Main  Street,  Nanticoke. 

JOHN  T.  HOWEIili,  M.  D. — The  late  Dr. 
John  T.  Howell  was  a  leading  member  of  the 
medical  profession  and  one  of  the  foremost 
citizens  of  Wilkes-Barre,  to  which  he  devoted 
more  than  forty-five  years  of  his  professional 
lite.  He  was  a  member  of  the  staff  of  the 
General  Hospital  for  over  thirty-three  years; 
was  chief  surgeon  for  twenty-five  years  and 
chief  of  staff  from  1915  until  the  date  of  his 
death,  June  16,  1926.  In  other  departments 
of  community  progress  Dr.  Howell  took  a 
part  as  prominent  and  constructive. 

John  T.  Howell  was  born  in  Siegfried, 
Northampton  County,  Pennsylvania,  October 
17,  1850,  son  of  Theodore  Hart  and  Mary  (Le 
Van)  Howell,  both  natives  of  that  county 
and  parents  of  eleven  children.  Dr.  Howell 
was  educated  at  Weaversville  Academy,  at 
Cooperstown    Academy,    in    New    York    State, 


and  at  Jefferson  Medical  College,  in  Philadel- 
phia, where  he  received  his  professional  train- 
ing, graduating  in  18S1  with  the  degree  of  Doc- 
tor of  Medicine.  He  was  an  interne  at  the  Gen- 
eral Hospital  in  Wilkes-Barre  in  1S82.  After 
practicing  for  the  brief  period  of  six  weeks  in 
Scranton,  Dr.  Howell  moved  to  Wilkes-Barre, 
where  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life.  He  cared 
for  a  large  private  practice,  practicing  at  the 
same  location  at  the  corner  of  North  Main 
and  Union  streets  throughout  the  forty-five 
years  of  his  professional  career.  During  a 
large  part  of  that  time  also,  he  was  asso- 
ciated with  the  General  Hospital,  and  for  a 
long  time  he  was  chief  surgeon  for  the  old 
Ninth  Pennsylvania  Regiment.  He  belonged 
to  the  Luzerne  County  Medical  Society,  the 
Lehigh  Valley  Medical  Society,  and  the 
American  Medical  Association.  He  was  past 
president  of  the  county  organization  and  the 
Lehigh  Valley   Society. 

The  fraternal  affiliations  of  Dr.  Howell 
were  with  Lodge  No.  61,  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons;  Shekinah  Chapter,  No.  182,  Royal 
Arch  Masons;  Dieu  le  Veut  Commandery,  No. 
45,  Knights  Templar;  and  Irem  Temple,  An- 
cient Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic 
Shrine.  His  clubs  were  the  Shrine  and  the 
Westmoreland.  He  was  a  communicant  of  St. 
Stephen's   Episcopal   Church. 

John  T.  Howell  married,  June  4,  1890.  Min- 
nie B.  Brandow,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  a  daughter 
of  Oscar  Miner  and  Margaret  (Blair)  Brandow, 
and  they  were  the  parents  of  two  children: 
1.  Margaret  Blair,  wife  of  Effingham  P.  Hum- 
phrey, of  Upper  Lehigh,  and  mother  of  three 
children:  Effingham  P.,  Jr.;  Blair,  and  Molly 
Humphrey.  2.  John  T.  Howell,  Jr.,  whose 
record  accompanies  this. 

Dr.  Howell  died  at  the  advanced  age  of 
seventy-six,  a  practicing  physician  to  the 
time  of  his  last  and  fatal  illness.  The  local 
papers  expressed  the  general  grief  at  the  loss 
of  a  man  at  the  same  time  an  eminent  physi- 
cian and  surgeon  and  a  distinguished  gentle- 
man. That  in  the  Wilkes-Barre  "Record"  of 
June  17,  1926,  reads  as  follows: 

In  the  death  of  Dr.  John  T.  Howell  the  com- 
munity loses  one  of  its  most  prominent  and 
one  of  its  most  higlily  esteemed  citizens.  He 
was  a  resident  of  the  community  for  many 
years.  As  it  grew  in  population  and  in  the 
number  of  citizens  who  became  distinguished 
in  various  ways.  Dr.  Howell  remained  in  the 
very  front  rank  of  those  whose  names  are 
household  words  and  whose  reputations  re- 
main uneclipsed.  To  be  able  to  say  this  of 
any  person  and  to  be  able  to  say  it  in  all 
sincerity  is  indeed  a  tribute  of  the  highest 
order. 

In  his  professional  work,  in  his  family  rela- 
tions, in  his  close  friendships,  in  all  of  the 
various  phases  of  his  life  Dr.  Howell  stood 
out  in  uniform  excellence  of  character.  He 
was  not  of  the  type  of  men  who  appear  to  be 
admirable  in  one  way  and  faulty  in  another. 
•To  know  him  intimately  in  one  phase  of  his 
career  was  to  know  him  in  all  phases.  There 
was  nothing  hypocritical  in  his  make-up.  He 
w'as  one  and  the  same  to  all  men  at  all  times 
and  in  all  manner  of  personal  contact.  To 
him  the  Golden  Rule  was  a  principle  of  con- 
duct easily  attained  because  goodness  and 
justness  and  kindly  consideration  for  others 
were  natural  characteristics  and  he  had  no 
other  thought  or  purpose  in  life. 

We  hear  much  about  the  gradual  disappear- 
ance of  the  family  physician  in  favor  of  the 
specialist,  but  we  cannot  believe  that  the 
tendency  is  in  that  direction  when  we  see 
family  physicians  of  the  type  of  Dr.  Howell — 
practitioners  who  endear  themselves  to  the 
families  to  whom  they  minister  profession- 
ally, who  win  their  way  into  the  hearts  of 
families,  who  are  so  well  trusted  for  their 
professional    skill    and    w-ho    establish    them- 


414 


selves  firmly  in  the  confidence  of  their 
patients.  The  practitioner  who  has  the  happy 
faculty  of  brig-htening-  the  sickroom,  whose 
presence  alone  is  an  important  auxiliary  of 
■  curative  value — the  practitioner  of  that  type 
will  never  lose  favor.  There  will  always  be 
a  place  for  him.  Dr.  Howell  measured  up  to 
that  standard  in  an  eminent  degree. 

It  is  a  commonplace  expression  to  say  that 
he  will  be  missed.  It  is  more  fitting  to  say 
that  in  his  passing  away  the  community  is 
bereaved,  for  the  going  of  a  person  so  well 
beloved,  so  distinguished  in  the  traits  that 
people  most  admire,  is  a  real  community  loss 
and  it  brings  upon  us  more  than  the  mone- 
tary pang  of  sorrow. 


JOHN  T.  HOWEIiL,  JK.,  was  born  June  14, 
1899,  in  Wilkes-Barre,  son  of  Dr.  John  T. 
Howell  (see  accompanying  biography),  and 
his  wife,  Minnie  B.   (Brandow)  Howell. 

He  attended  the  local  public  schools,  gradu- 
ated from  Wyoming  Seminary  at  Kingston, 
Pennsylvania,  in  1918,  after  which  he  ma- 
triculated In  the  University  of  Pennsylvania, 
graduating  in  the  class  of  1922,  with  the 
degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts.  At  the  last 
named  institution,  he  was  a  member  of  the 
Delta  Phi  Fraternity. 

In  September,  1922,  Mr.  Howell  entered  the 
employ  of  the  P.  W.  Woolworth  Company  at 
Philadelphia,  after  which  he  was  transferred 
as  assistant  manager  to  Washington,  District 
of  Columbia,  and  later  to  Shenandoah,  Penn- 
sylvania. In  June,  1923,  he  resigned  from  this 
company  and  with  Henry  L.  Jones,  2d,  who 
had  just  completed  his  college  course,  formed 
the  co-partnership  of  Howell  and  Jones,  to 
engage  in  the  real  estate  and  insurance  busi- 
ness. Careful  study  and  five  years  of  applica- 
tion brought  merited  success  and  in  July, 
1928,  it  was  found  necessary  to  reorganize 
and  enlarge  this  growing  business  by  means 
of  incorporating  it,  which  was  done  under  the 
name  of  Howell  &  Jones,  Incorporated.  This 
move  brought  actively  into  the  firm  Mr. 
Alfred  Darte,  brother  of  Colonel  Fi-anck  G. 
Darte  (an  account  of  whom  is  found  else- 
where), who  is  secretary  of  the  company, 
with  Mr.  Howell  as  president  and  Henry  L. 
Jones,    2d,    vice-president    and    treasurer. 

Mr.  Howell  is  a  Republican  and  vitally  inter- 
ested in  public  affairs.  He  is  an  energetic 
member  of  the  Republican  city  organization, 
although  not  interested  in  seeking  office  for 
himself.  He  is  interested  in  Welfare  Federa- 
tion work  and  is  a  member  of  the  Board  of 
Directors  of  Wilkes-Barre  Blind  Association. 
His  fraternal  affiliations  are  with  the  Free 
and  Accepted  Masons,  Lodge  No.  61,  at 
Wilkes-Barre;  Bloomsburg  Consistory;  Irem 
Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the 
Mystic  Shrine.  His  clubs  are  the  Irem  Coun- 
try Club.  Wyoming  Valley  Country  Club  of 
Wilkes-Barre,  and  the  St.  Elmo  Club  of  Phil- 
adelphia. He  is  a  communicant  of  St. 
Stephen's   Protestant   Episcopal   Church. 


GEORGE  H.  LAWRBNCE  —  Substantial 
reward  for  labor  well  performed  has  come 
to  George  H.  Lawrence,  of  Plymouth,  who, 
since  1917,  has  been  supervising  agent  here 
for  the  Lackawanna  Railroad.  He  has  estab- 
lished himself  in  the  regard  of  the  citizenry 
to  the  extent  of  having  been  called  to  public 
ofl[iC6  of  honor  and  responsibility  by  hand- 
some majorities  and  has  found  popularity 
among  the  fraternal,  religious  and  social 
organizations  of  the  district. 

Mr.  Lawrence  was  born  in  the  Rhondda 
Valley,  South  Wales,  British  Isles,  a  son  of 
George  Lawrence,  a  native  of  England,  born 
in  1828  and  who  was  a  coal  miner  until  his 
death  in  1923.     The  mother  was  Emily  (Pope) 


Lawrence,  also  born  in  England,  in  1832  and 
who  died  in  1918.  The  son  came  to  America 
when  a  boy  and  went  to  work  as  a  brealier 
boy  in  the  mines  of  Schuylkill  County,  Penn- 
sylvania. He  worked  at  mining  until  he 
was  twenty-three  years  of  age,  then  settling 
in  Plymouth  and  becoming  associated  with 
the  Lackawanna  Railroad,  first  as  a  clerk 
and  warehouseman,  then  telegraph  operator 
and  agent  and  eventually  being  appointed 
agent  and  supervisor  here.  In  1921  he  was 
elected  by  the  vote  of  both  political  parties 
to  the  office  of  school  director.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
and  is  secretary  of  tlie  board  of  that  organiza- 
tion. He  is  a  thirty-second  degree  member  of 
the  Masonic  Fraternity,  affiliated  with  Lodge 
No.  332,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons:  Valley 
Chapter,  Royal  Arch  Masons,  and  Past  High 
Priest;  Dieu  le  Veut  Commandery,  Knights 
Templar,  and  Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic 
Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  He  also 
is  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  Past 
Chancellor  for  seventeen  years.  Captain  of 
Uniform  Rank  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias; 
and  of  the  Kiwanis  Club   of  Plymouth. 

George  H.  Lawrence  married  in  1899,  Eliza 
E.  Evans,  of  Wiconisco,  Dauphin  County, 
Pennsylvania,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Ann 
Evans. 


MITCHELL  PLESSETT — For  thirty-five 
years  the  citizens  of  Plymouth,  Pennsylvania, 
have  been  familiar  with  the  retail  clothing 
business  carried  on  by  Alex  Plessett  and  his 
son.  Mitchell  Plessett,  the  younger  member 
of  the  firm  of  Alex  Plessett  and  Son,  is  one 
of  the  aggressive  young  business  men  in 
this  community  and  is  well  known  in  many 
social  and  business  organizations  of  the  city. 
He  is  the  son  of  Alex  and  Hilda  Plessett, 
both  of  whom  are  natives  of  Russia  but  many 
years  age  came  to  this  country,  and,  adopt- 
ing it  as  their  own,  became  naturalized  citi- 
zens and  have  found  their  interests  in  the 
best    welfare   of    this   land. 

Mitchell  Plessett  was  born  at  Wilkes-Barre, 
Pennsylvania,  May  2,  1898.  He  was  educated 
in  the  public  schools  of  Plymouth,  Pennsyl- 
vania, finishing  here  by  completing  the  course 
of  the  high  seliool.  After  this  school  work 
was  completed  and  he  vi'as  ready  to  enter 
the  business  world,  he  engaged  in  business 
with  his  father,  and,  in  1914,  became  a  part- 
ner in  the  firm  of  Alex  Plessett  and  Son. 
He  is  now  considered  one  of  the  leading 
young  merchants  of  Plymouth  where  he  is 
on  the  board  of  directors  of  the  Chamber 
of  Commerce,  a  member  of  the  Kiwanis  Club 
and  a  Knight  of  Pythias.  He  is  an  active 
member  of  the  Congregation  B'nai  Israel,  of 
which  he  was  president  for  eight  years.  He 
is  now  the  chairman  of  the  Board  of  Educa- 
tion of  B'nai  Israel.  In  his  varied  activities, 
he  exemplifies  the  reliable  all-round  citizen 
who  takes  part  in  building  up  the  commun- 
ity in  which  he  lives  and  so  becomes  one  of 
the  dependable  ones  on  whom  the  community 
can  rely  to  put  through  measures  of  prog- 
ress. 

In  1920,  Mitchell  Plessett  married  Rose 
Slcherman,  of  Scranton,  Pennsylvania.  They 
have    two   children:      David,    and   Ruth. 

JOSEPH  G.  SCHULER— One  of  the  most 
prominent  and  influential  men  of  Wilkes- 
Barre  is  Joseph  G.  Schuler.  He  is  president  of 
the  South  Side  Bank  and  Trust  Company,  and 
for  many  years  lias  been  the  owner  of  the 
firm  which  is  now  known  as  Joseph  G. 
Schuler  and  Son,  general  plumbers  and  deal- 
ers in  heating  supplies.  Since  1923  he  has 
been  commissioner  of  accounts  and  finance, 
and  a  member  of  the  Wilkes-Barre  City  Coun- 


f^^=^;^^(i?^-^^-<2£:.,£C^ 


cil,  and  for  fifteen  years  he  served  as  chief 
of  the  local  Fire  Department.  Mr.  Schuler 
has  always  taken  an  active  part  in  the  social 
and    fraternal    life    of   his    community. 

His  father,  Valentine  Schuler,  was  a  mine 
carpenter  and  engaged  in  this  work  until  his 
death.  He  married  Elizabeth  Smoulter.  who 
is  also  now  deceased,  and  they  were  the  par- 
ents of  six  children:  John,  Frank.  Joseph 
G.,  William,  Elizabeth,  who  married  Frank 
Ankner,  of  Wilkes-Barre;  and  Margaret,  who 
is   the   "Wife    of   Fred    Kraft,    of   Wilkes-Barre. 

Joseph  G.  Schuler  was  born  July  9,  1S70. 
at  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania.  He  attended 
the  local  public  and  St.  Nicholas  Parochial 
schools  and  at  the  agre  of  fourteen  years 
began  work  as  a  water  boy  for  John  Tracy, 
a  sewer  contractor  of  Wilkes-Barre.  Later 
he  took  a  position  under  W.  D.  Ingham,  city 
engineer  of  Wilkes-Barre,  remaining  for  over 
two  years.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  he  began 
to  learn  the  plumbing  business  under  J.  W. 
Patten  with  whom  he  remained  for  five  years. 
At  the  end  of  this  time,  in  association  with 
his  brother,  John  Schuler,  he  established  the 
plumbing  firm  of  Schuler  Brothers,  with 
which  he  has  been  connected  since  that  time. 
A  few  years  after  the  founding  of  this  firm, 
Mr.  Schuler  bought  out  his  brother's  interest, 
and  for  the  next  twenty-five  years  conducted 
the  business  alone  and  with  considerable  suc- 
cess under  the  firm  name  of  Joseph  G.  Schuler, 
Incorporated.      Finally,   in    1923,    his    son   Carl 

F.  Schuler  Joined  him  as  an  associate  and 
the  firm   name  took  its   present  form,   Joseph 

G.  Schuler  and  Son,  Nos.  79-Sl  Hazle  Street, 
Wilkes-Barre.  Mr.  Schuler  is  president  of 
the  South  Side  Benk  and  Trust  Company,  and 
is  financially  interested  in  the  Fern  Brook 
Park  Amusement  Company. 

At  the  age  of  sixteen  he  joined  the  city 
fire  department,  and  for  a  time  he  served  as 
foreman  of  Cinderella  Street  hand  drawn 
company  and  Steamer  Company,  No.  1.  Later 
he  became  assistant  chief,  and  still  later  was 
appointed  chief  of  the  department  in  1S99,  by 
Mayor  F.  M.  Nichols,  which  position  he  held 
for  fifteen  years.  By  political  inclination  Mr. 
Schufer  is  a  member  of  the  Republican  party, 
and  in  1923  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the 
Wilkes-Barre  City  Council,  since  which  time 
he  has  also  served  as  commissioner  of  ac- 
counts and  finance.  Mr.  Schuler  was  a  candi- 
date at  the  Republican  primary  in  192S  for 
Mayor  of  Wilkes-Barre,  but  was  defeated 
by  a  small  majority,  by  the  present  mayor, 
Daniel  Hart.  In  1929  he  was  nominated  by 
both  parties  to  the  office  of  city  commis- 
sioner. He  is  affiliated  fraternally  with 
Wilkes-Barre  Lodge,  No.  109,  of  the  Benevo- 
lent and  Protective  Order  of  Elks.  He  is 
also  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  Columbus 
and  St.  Conrad  Society,  the  Franklin  Club, 
the  Wyoming  Valley  Country  Club,  the  Press 
Club  and  the  Pen  and  Pencil  Club.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  St.  Nicholas  Roman  Catholic 
Church   of   Wilkes-Barre. 

On  June  24,  1900,  Joseph  G.  Schuler  married 
Louise  Hartmann,  who  was  born  at  Wilkes- 
Barre.  They  became  the  parents  of  four  chil- 
dren: 1.  Carl  F.,  who  is  now  associated  with 
his  father  in  the  plumbing  business.  2.  Ger- 
trude. 3.  Louise.  4.  Joseph,  who  died  at  the 
age  of  sixteen  years.  Mrs.  Schuler  died  July 
30,   1918. 


has  been  engaged  in  mining  for  some  years. 
at  present,  he  is  with  his  son.  His  mother, 
Mariah  Louise  Roberts,  is  a  native  of  Nanti- 
coke,  Pennsylvania. 

Harry  T.  Roberts  was  born  at  that  section 
of  Plymouth,  Pennsylvania,  known  as  "Jer- 
sey Hill,"  in  1S84.  He  was  educated  here  in 
the  public  schools  and  after  finishing  his 
school  education,  he  learned  the  plumber's 
trade.  Being  energetic  and  ambitious,  Mr. 
Roberts  soon  realized  his  own  executive  abil- 
ity and  initiating  his  own  promotion,  started 
a  contracting  business  which  he  has  carried 
on  since  1907,  a  period  of  twenty-one  years. 
He  employs,  on  the  average,  eight  meii,  and 
his  business  has  been  eminently  successful. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Kiwanis  Club;  the 
Junior  Order  United  American  Mechanics:  the 
Shawnee  Club;  two  fire  companies,  No.  1 
and  No.  2.  In  the  first.  Fire  Company  No. 
1,  he  is  an  active  member,  and  in  Fire  Com- 
pany No.  2,  he  is  an  honorary  member.  He 
is  also  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias 
and  of  the  Baptist  Church.  In  politics,  Mr. 
Roberts  is  a   Republican. 

On  August  12,  1913,  Harry  S.  Roberts  mar- 
ried Stella  M.  Daniels,  daughter  of  John  and 
Mary  Daniels  of  Plymouth,  Pennsylvania. 
Mr.    and    Mrs.    Roberts    have    no    children. 


HARRY  T.  ROBERTS— Well  known  as  a 
master  plumber  since  a  young  man  in  this 
community  and  since  1907,  as  a  contracting 
plumber,  Harry  T.  Roberts,  of  Plymouth, 
Pennsylvania,  is  the  son  of  John  E.  and 
Mariah  Louise  Roberts.  His  father  was  born 
in    Wales    and    since    coming    to    this    country 


THOM.4S        VINCENT       BRENNAN  —  When 

Thomas  Vincent  Brennan  was  twenty-two 
years  of  age,  he  had  been  working,  and 
working  hard,  for  fourteen  years.  He  was 
not  afraid  of  hard  work  and  was  able  to  do 
his  full  share,  but  he  was  discerning  enough 
to  see  that  unskilled  labor  oftenest  brings 
prosperity  to  somebody  else.  He  had  had 
plenty  of  time  to  observe  that  fact  while 
working  as  a  coal  breaker  and  also  while 
working  as  a  peddler  in  the  employ  of  his 
father.  He  resolved  to  procure  the  training 
which  would  enable  him  to  operate  a  busi- 
ness of  his  own,  and  after  looking  about  a 
bit  chose  the  undertaking  business.  With 
this  end  in  view  he  secured  his  training  in 
one  of  the  best  embalming  schools  in  Phila- 
adelphia,  and  in  1909  he  engaged  in  busi- 
ness for  himself  in  Plymouth,  Pennsylvania, 
operating  under  his  own  name.  For  nineteen 
years  he  has  been  serving  the  people  of  this 
vicinity,  and  during  that  time  he  has  taken 
his  place  as  one  of  the  leading  morticians 
of  Plymouth.  His  modern,  fully  equipped 
establishment  is  located  at  No.  133  West  Main 
Street,    in  Plymouth, 

Thomas  Vincent  Brennan  was  born  at 
Welsh  Hill,  Plymouth,  Pennsylvania,  Decem- 
ber 4,  ISSO.  His  father,  Andrew  J.  Brennan, 
born  in  Heckscherville,  Schuylkill  County, 
Pennsylvania,  in  1S46,  was  a  successful  mer- 
chant in  Plymouth  for  some  forty  years,  and 
died  here,  September  10,  1926.  His  mother, 
Ellen  (Roan)  Brennan,  was  born  in  Hecks- 
cherville, Pennsylvania,  in  1.S51,  and  died  here 
in  Plymouth,  Pennsylvania,  December  29,  1927. 
Both  were  highly  respected  among  their 
friends  and  associates,  and  are  sadly  missed 
in  the  community.  Thomas  Vincent  Brennan 
attended  the  parochial  and  the  public  schools 
of  Plymouth  until  he  was  eight  years  of  age, 
and  then  began  work  as  a  coal  breaker  here. 
At  that  laborious  work  he  continued  until  he 
was  eighteen  years  old,  a  period  of  ten  years, 
doing  several  different  kinds  of  work  in  and 
about  the  mines,  but  when  he  was  eighteen 
he  left  the  mines  and  entered  the  employ  of  his 
father,  first  selling  goods  from  door  to  door, 
and  later  assisting  in  the  general  store  which 
the  father  had  established.  After  four  years 
of  association  with  his  father's  business,  Mr. 
Brennan  decided  to  fit  himself  for  the  under- 
taking business,  and  began  study  in  the 
Eckles  School  of  Embalming,  in  Philadelphia. 


4i6 


He  was  twenty-two  years  of  age  at  this  time, 
and  after  graduation  he  worked  for  a  year 
in  the  Oliver  H.  Baer  funeral  parlors,  in 
Philadelphia,  thus  supplementing  his  regular 
training  witli  the  best  of  urban  experience 
in  his  chosen  profession.  After  a  year  and 
one  month  spent  in  this  connection,  he  went 
to  Buffalo,  New  York,  for  a  year,  and  then, 
fortified  with  a  little  more  than  two  years 
of  practical  experience,  he  returned  to  Plym- 
outh and  established  his  own  business,  in 
1909.  Since  that  time  he  has  operated  under 
his  own  name  and  his  been  steadily  develop- 
ing one  of  the  finest  establishments  in  this 
locality.  He  has  a  full  line  of  modern  equip- 
ment, including  well  planned  funeral  parlors 
and  show  room  for  his  stock,  and  he  has  long 
been  known  as  one  of  the  skilled  and  depend- 
able men  of  his  profession.  Tact,  considera- 
tion, unobtrusive  sympathy  and  expert  serv- 
ice have  made  easier  for  many  the  difBcult 
seasons  of  bereavement,  and  the  well-known 
Integrity  of  Mr.  Brennan  in  business  matters 
.las  won  him  many  friends  and  patrons.  Polit- 
ically, he  is  a  Democrat,  and  at  the  present 
time  (1928)  he  is  serving  as  deputy  coroner 
for  this  district.  He  is  a  charter  member  of 
the  local  chapter  of  the  Knights  of  Colum- 
bus and  of  the  local  lodge.  Fraternal  Order 
of  Eagles,  and  holds  membership  in  the 
Shawnee  Club.  His  religious  affiliation  is 
with   the   Roman   Catholic  Church. 

Thomas  Vincent  Brennan  was  married,  in 
1908,  to  Elizabeth  Morgan,  of  Danville,  Penn- 
sylvania, daughter  of  James  and  Mary  Mor- 
gan, and  they  are  the  parents  of  three  chil- 
dren: 1.  Helen  E.,  born  November  2,  1908, 
is  now  attending  the  Conservatory  of  Music, 
at  Ithaca,  New  York.  2.  Andrew  J.,  born 
April  1,  1909,  is  now  (1928)  attending  George- 
town University,  at  Washington,  District  of 
Columbia.  3.  James  V.,  born  February  2, 
1911. 

Mr.  Brennan  is  one  of  the  public-spirited 
and  progressive  citizens  of  Plymouth,  and 
both  he  and  his  family  are  popular  among  a 
large  circle  of  acquaintances.  As  the  j^ears 
have  passed,  events  have  amply  justified  his 
early  decision  that  thorough  preparation  for 
some  useful  line  of  business  activity  would 
be  a  paying  investment,  and  all  of  his  fam 
ily  are  sharing  with  him  the  benefits  of  his 
wisdom  and  discretion. 


HARRY  G.  D.WIS — One  who  is  prominent 
.n  the  affairs  of  Plymouth,  Harry  G.  Davis 
is  a  native  of  this  comniunity.  He  was  born 
February  13,  1883,  son  of  William  and  Jane 
(Reese)  Davis,  both  of  whom  were  born  in 
Wales,  British  Isles.  William  Davis  was  born 
in  1856  'and  died  in  1910,  having  been  a  mine 
employee  for  many  years.  Jane  (Reese) 
Davis  was  born  November  30,  1859,  and  died 
May    12,    1928. 

Harry  G.  Davis  secured  his  earliest  educa- 
tion in  the  public  schools  of  Plymouth  and 
went  to  work  in  boyhood  as  breaker  boy  in 
the  mines.  This  work  he  continued  for  five 
years,  and  in  1899  entered  Wyoming  Semi- 
nary, where  he  studied  for  three  years.  For 
three  years  also  he  ^vorked  as  a  coal  inspec- 
tor for  the  Dehigh  &  Wilkes-Barre  Coal  Com- 
pany. Then,  tor  four  years,  he  was  with 
the  Delaware  &  Hudson  Coal  Company,  in 
the  company's  electrical  department,  and  sub- 
sequently secured  a  good  connection  with  the 
Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western  Coal  Com- 
pany, with  which  organization  he  was  en- 
gaged in  construction  work  for  eight  years. 
In  1911  Mr.  Davis  studied  in  the  Eckles 
School  of  Embalming,  Philadelphia,  and  on 
February  7,  1912,  opened  his  present  busi- 
ness as  mortician  and  funeral  director.  By 
invitation    he    is    a    member   of    the    National 


Selected  Morticians.  He  carries  a  complete 
line  of  modern  equipment,  maintains  in  his 
funeral  home  a  private  chapel  and  sho'W 
room,  and  is  accounted  one  of  the  foremost 
directors  of  the  region  around  Plymouth.  He 
is  a  Republican,  member  of  the  Plymouth 
Park  Commission,  past  president  of  the  Cham- 
ber of  Commerce,  past  president  of  the  Penn- 
sylvania State  Funeral  Directors'  Association 
(president  in  1925),  and  is  affiliated  frater- 
nally with  the  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  in 
which  order  he  is  a  member  of  Lodge  No. 
291,  of  Scranton:  the  Knights  of  Pythias, 
Knights  of  Malta,  Patriotic  Order  Sons  of 
America,  and  the  Junior  Order  United  Ameri- 
can Mechanics.  He  is  a  charter  member  of 
the  Kiwanis  Club  and  a  communicant  of  the 
Baptist  Church. 

Harry  G.  Davis  married,  in  1912,  Clara 
Martin,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  daughter  of  F. 
Howard  and  Elizabeth  (Hawkins)  Martin. 
P.  Howard  Martin  was  born  in  Bucks  County, 
Pennsylvania,  July  23,  1855,  and  is  now  liv- 
ing, a  machinist  by  trade.  Elizabeth  (Haw- 
kins) Martin  is  a  native  of  Boston,  Massachu- 
setts, born  October  6,  1859. 

ANTHONY     LAWRENCE     WILLIAMS — The 

late  Anthony  Lawrence  Williams,  for  more 
than  four  decades  engaged  in  general  and 
corporation  practice  of  law,  "was  born  in 
Ebervale,  Hazle  Township,  Luzerne  County, 
Pennsylvania,  October  10,  1862,  son  of  Rich- 
ard and  Mary  (Thomas)  Williams,  natives  of 
Wales,  who  came  to  Luzerne  County  in  1856 
or  1857.  His  father  was  engaged  in  mining 
for  many  years  and  served  two  years  in  the 
House  of  Representatives  of  Pennsylvania, 
during  which  time,  in  1871,  the  bill  was  pre- 
sented to  incorporate  the  city  of  Wilkes- 
Barre. 

Mr.  Williams  attended  the  public  schools 
of  his  native  district  and  continued  his  edu- 
cation at  the  State  Normal  School  of  Millers- 
ville,  Pennsylvania,  from  which  he  gradu- 
ated in  1881,  following  which  he  taught  in 
the  public  schools  of  Luzerne  County  for  a 
period  of  two  years.  He  then  entered  the 
law  office  of  the  late  Alexander  Farnham, 
Esquire,  of  Wilkes-Barre;  he  was  admitted 
to  the  bar  of  Luzerne  County  in  1885  and 
subsequently  admitted  to  practice  in  the 
-Appellate  Courts  of  the  State  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, Federal  Courts,  and  to  the  Supreme 
Court  of  the  United  States  in  1920.  Mr.  Wil- 
liams specialized  principally  in  corporation 
law,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death  was  general 
counsel  of  the  Susquehanna  Collieries  Com- 
pany. 

For  thirteen  years  Mr.  Williams  was  presi- 
dent of  the  Luzerne  County  National  Bank, 
and  when  that  bank  merged  with  the  Miners 
Bank  of  Wilkes-Barre  he  became  a  member 
of  the  board  of  directors.  He  was  a  trustee 
of  Wyoming  Seminary;  trustee,  director  and 
a  former  president  of  the  Young  Men's  Chris- 
tian Association  of  Wilkes-Barre;  and  for  a 
number  of  years  he  was  a  member  of  the 
board  of  directors  of  the  Children's  Home. 

The  religious  affiliation  of  Mr.  Williams 
was  with  the  First  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.  At  the  time  of  his  death  he  was 
president  of  the  board  of  trustees  and  for 
many  years  served  as  superintendent  of  the 
Sunday  school.  Fraternally,  he  was  identified 
with  Landmark  Lodge,  No.  442,  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons:  Shekinah  Royal  Arch 
Chapter,  No.  182,  Dieu  le  Veut  Commandery, 
No.  45,  Knights  Templar:  and  Irem  Temple, 
Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic 
Shrine.  Mr.  Williams  was  a  staunch  sup- 
porter of  the  principles  of  the  Republican 
party.  He  was  a  member  of  the  county,  State 
and     American     bar     associations;      Wilkes- 


.:tiii^':v9iiijiC;;^:dh^liiiila^lililililiiillQil^^il!lll^liiy/liiiilJ^ll!£J^^ll,^N^ 


^St^^^^- 


417 


Barre  Law  and  Library  Association;  Wyo- 
ming- Historical  and  Geological  Society; 
Wilkes-Barre-Wyoming  Valley  Chamber  of 
Commerce;  Wyoming  Valley  Motor  Club; 
Cambro-American  Society;  Pennsylvania  So- 
ciety of  New  York;  and  the  General  Assembly 
of  Mooseheart.  His  clubs  were:  Westmore- 
land, Wyoming  Valley  Country,  Irem  Temple 
Country  and  SIvytop. 

On  July  24.  1929,  Mr.  Williams,  accompanied 
by  his  sister.  Miss  Mary  Williams,  left 
Wilkes-Barre  for  a  land  cruise  to  Alaska. 
While  on  this  trip,  on  August  4,  1929,  at 
Portland,  Oregon,  Mr.  Williams  suddenly 
passed  away.  An  unusually  sad  incident  was" 
that  his  sister.  Miss  Mary  Williams,  pre- 
ceded him  in  death  by  a  few  hours.  By  their 
deaths  the  family  group,  which  had  origi- 
nally consisted  of  six  brothers  and  sisters, 
was  reduced  to  one,  tlie  surviving  member 
being  Mr.    Morris   Williams    of   Philadelphia. 

Evidence  of  the  great  loss  to  the  com- 
munity in  the  death  of  Mr.  Williams  is  found 
in  the  following  e.xcerpts  from  an  editorial 
in   the  Wilkes-Barre   "Times-Leader": 

Known  as  a  leading  la^wyer,  of  learning  and 
and  of  probity,  he  had  achieved  a  large 
measure  of  success  in  his  profession  and  he 
had  never  released  his  interest  in  the  con- 
cerns that  should  have  proportionate  interest 
of  every   right-minded  citizen. 

There  was  in  him  that  fine  vein  of  loyalty 
that  kept  him  keenly  interested  in  affairs  of 
Welshmen.  He  was  ever  to  be  found  at  great 
occasions  sponsored  by  them,  particularly 
when  music  was  a  feature.  And  by  them  he 
was   frequently   honored,   as   was   his   due. 

His  ability,  his  faithfulness,  his  wide  inter- 
ests, his  large  heart  of  human  sympathy,  his 
ready  comprehension  of  the  problems  that 
beset  individuals  and  organized  bodies, 
ranked  him  among  our  most  representative 
citizens,  whose  cooperation  is  essential  to  the 
best  community  achievements,  and  whose 
loss  is  always  correspondingly  heavy  and 
depressing. 

Mr.  Williams  was  the  type  of  man  whose 
identification  with  any  enterprise  meant 
active  and  prominent  and  valuable  work 
therein.  He  adorned  whatever  he  undertook 
and  not  a  single  organization  with  which  he 
was  an  officer  failed  to  profit  by  his  counsel 
and  his  effort.  Because  of  a  great  deal  of 
unrecorded  kindness  and  consideration  to- 
ward people  and  things,  grief  for  his  death  is 
very  largely  spread  through  the  city  and 
valley. 


ROBERT    SIESBITT    CI-ARK.  M.  D.— In  the 

personage  of  Dr.  Robert  Nesbitt  Clark,  King- 
ston possesses  one  of  the  most  promising 
younger  members  of  the  medical  profession. 
Medicine,  perhaps,  or  rather  the  practice 
thereof,  exerts  great  influence  upon  the  wel- 
fare of  any  city,  due  to  the  fact  that  prac- 
tically every  business  or  endeavor  needs 
healthy  men  and  women  for  its  conduct. 
Thus,  in  administering  to  the  ailments  of 
the  citizens  of  Kingston,  aiding  materially  in 
promoting,  not  only  the  health  of  his  patients, 
and  curing  their  ills,  but  also  assisting  sub- 
stantially in  maintaining  healthful  living 
conditions,  Dr.  Clark  is  an  important  mem- 
ber of  his  community  and  is  doing  his  full 
share  to  the  best  of  his  ability.  Within  the 
comparatively  few  years  during  which  he 
has  been  engaged  in  general  practice  in 
Kingston.  Dr.  Clark  has  evidenced  exceptional 
talents  for  his  profession  in  various  ways, 
and  has  maintained  his  search  for  the  mod- 
ern methods  and  practices  therein.  In  addi- 
tion to  this,  he  is  a  member  of  the  staff  of 
a  hospital,  affiliated  with  the  various  asso- 
ciations peculiar  to  his  profession,  and  active 
in  the  circles  of  the  political  party  of  his 
choice,   the   Republican. 

Robert  Nesbitt  Clark  was  born  July  27,  1893, 
•in     the     city     of     Wilkes-Barre,     son     of     Dr. 


George  A.  Clark,  also  a  physician  and  sur- 
geon, born  in  Greenvillage,  Franklin  County, 
Pennsylvania,  in  1861.  He  was  a  graduate  of 
the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  class  of  1885, 
receiving  his  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine 
in  that  year.  He  is  still  practicing  medicine 
and  with  his  wife,  Mary  Elizabeth  (Teasdale) 
Clark,  resides  in  Wilkes-Barre.  Mrs.  George 
A.  Clark  was  born  June  14,  1858,  and  is  a 
native    of    Wilkes-Barre. 

Dr.  Robert  Nesbitt  Clark  received  a  splen- 
did education  in  the  public  schools  of  Wilkes- 
Barre,  graduating  from  high  school  there  In 
1911.  As  has  been  noted,  his  father  was  a 
physician,  and  this  influenced  the  son  in  the 
choice  of  his  profession,  resulting  in  his 
matriculation  at  Lafayette  College,  from 
which  he  was  graduated  in  1916,  with  his 
degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts,  and  where  he  had 
laid  the  ground-work  for  his  medical  training. 
To  obtain  this  he  entered  the  University  of 
Pennsylvania,  was  graduated  therefrom  with 
the  class  of  1920,  standing  high  among  his 
classmates,  and  holder  of  the  degree  of  Doc- 
tor of  Medicine.  Thence,  following  the  usual 
procedure,  he  served  as  an  interne  in  the 
Wilkes-Barre  General  Hospital.  Feeling  con- 
fident that  his  studies  and  experience  gained 
as  an  interne  had  qualified  him  for  his  pro- 
fession, he  thereupon  began  practice  in  King- 
ston, which  has  since  been  the  scene  of  his 
labors.  In  addition  to  caring  for  his  con- 
stantly increasing  clientele  in  Kingston,  Dr. 
Clark  is  on  the  staff  of  Wilkes-Barre  Gen- 
eral Hospital.  Realizing  that  each  day  brings 
many  newer  and  better  methods  and  dis- 
coveries in  medicine.  Dr.  Clark  keeps  himself 
thoroughly  informed  in  this  respect  through 
his  membership  in  several  professional 
groups,  among  them  the  Wilkes-Barre  Med- 
ical Association,  the  Luzerne  County  Medical 
Association,  the  State  Medical  Association, 
and  the  American  Medical  Association.  While 
he  has  not  found  it  advisable  to  enter  into 
politics  as  an  office-holder,  he  does  take  an 
interest  in  the  principles  and  candidates  of 
the  Republican  party.  With  his  family  he 
attends    the    Presbyterian    Church. 

Dr.  Robert  N.  Clark  married,  August  22, 
1922,  Etna  Frey,  of  \\'ilkes-Barre,  daughter 
of  Martin  and  Geraldine  Frey,  and  of  this 
marriage  there  are  two  children:  1.  IVIary 
Elizabeth,  born  September  25,  1924.  2.  Rob- 
ert Nesbitt,  Jr.,  born  November  19,  1926.  Dr. 
Clark  and  his  family  reside  at  No.  408  Wyo- 
ming  Avenue,    Kingston. 


WILSON  JACOB  HAUSER — Starting  life 
as  a  telegrapher,  Wilson  Jacob  Hauser,  now 
retired,  is  best  known  in  Luzerne  County 
through  his  construction  and  many  years  of 
operation  of  the  electric  light  and  power 
plant  at  White  Haven,  where  he  now  resides. 
This  plant,  now  owned  by  the  Lehigh  Po"wer 
Securities  Company,  at  one  time  was  owned 
in  its  entirety  by  Mr.  Hauser.  A  dominant 
factor  in  the  Democratic  party,  locally,  ;Mr. 
Hauser  has  never  taken  what  might  be  called 
an  interest  in  public  office  holding,  although 
at  one  time  he  was  a  member  of  the  school 
board.  Mr.  Hauser  was  born,  April  16,  1867, 
at  Slatington,  Pennsylvania,  son  of  William 
Henry  and  Priscilla  (Bilheimer)  Hauser. 
William  Henry  Hauser,  native  of  Moore 
Township,  Northampton  County,  was  born 
in  1834.  He  attained  prominence  in  com- 
mercial circles  of  Slatington  through  his 
dealings  as  a  retail  coal  merchant,  until  his 
death  in  1903.  Priscilla  (Bilheimer)  Hauser, 
also  a  native  of  Northampton  County,  was 
born  in  1837,  and  has  been  deceased  since 
1919. 

Wilson  Jacob  Hauser  received  his  elemen- 
tary education    in  the  public  schools  of  Slat- 


4I& 


ington,  being  graduated  from  the  high  school 
tliere.  After  completion  of  liis  studies  he 
tool\  up  telegraphy,  becoming  quite  proficient 
in  this  calling,  and  followed  it  for  several 
years.  He  was  first  employed  by  the  Lehigh 
Valley  Railroad  for  one  year  and  tlien,  for 
eight  years,  was  a  telegrapher  for  the  Cen- 
tral Railroad  of  New  Jersey.  In  1S91,  Mr. 
Hauser  built  the  electric  liglit  and  power 
plant  at  White  Haven,  then  l^nown  as  the 
White  Haven  Blectric  Illuminating  Plant. 
After  several  years  of  untiring  labor,  Mr. 
Hauser  brought  this  public  utility  up  to  a 
high  standard  of  efficiency,  and  in  1923,  the 
concern  was  incorporated.  Mr.  Hauser,  who 
owned  the  entire  stock  of  this  industry,  held 
the  office  of  president,  so  continuing  until 
1926.  In  this  year  he  received  a  generous 
offer  from  the  Lehigh  Power  Securities  Com- 
pany for  his  plant,  sold  it  to  this  corporation, 
and  retired  from  active  business.  Since  that 
time  he  has  lived  in  White  Haven,  enjoying 
the  well-earned  rest  that  is  his  due.  As 
previously  noted,  Mr.  Hauser  is  Democratic 
n  political  beliefs,  but  his  public  office  hold- 
ng  has  been  confined  to  t^velve  years  dur- 
ng  which  he  served  on  the  White  Haven 
School  Board.  He  and  his  family  are  Pres- 
bj'terian  in  religious  convictions  and  attend 
the  church  of  that  denomination. 

Wilson  Jacob  Hauser  married  in  1890,  Ger- 
trude Flock  of  White  Haven,  daughter  of  John 
and  Alice  Flock,  and  this  marriage  has  been 
blessed  by  three  children:  1.  Jolin  Flock, 
born  June  1.  1891;  enlisted  for  service  during 
the  World  War,  and  died  of  influenza,  Octo- 
ber 24,  1918,  while  a  member  of  the  military 
forces.  2.  Lenore  G.,  married  I.  R.  Schu- 
mal^er,  of  Kingston.  3.  Muriel,  married  Peter 
Mogagna.  Jr.,  of  White  Haven.  There  are 
four  grandchildren  in  the  family:  I.  R. 
Schumalier,  Jr.,  Lenore  Gertrude  Schumaker, 
John  Flock  Schumaker,  and  Muriel  Wilson 
Mogagna. 

Mrs.  Gertrude  (Flock)  Hauser,  a  graduate 
of  White  Haven  High  School,  has  been  a. 
dominant  factor  in  social  circles  of  that 
town.  In  1908  she  organized  the  White 
Haven  High  School  Alumni,  in  which  she 
remains  active,  and  also  was  the  organizer 
of  the  first  Red  Cross  Society  here.  A  mem- 
ber of  the  American  Legion  Auxiliary,  she 
was  one  of  tlie  foremost  promoters  of  this 
social  body,  and  for  three  years  served  as 
its  president.  Many  other  civic  and  social 
movements  of  White  Haven  have  benefited 
through  the  participation  of  Mrs.  Hauser  in 
their  ranks.  The  Hausers  reside  at  No.  412 
Northumberland    Street,    White    Haven. 


FRANK    El,L,SWORTH    PARKHURST — The 

Parkliurst  family,  of  which  a  leading  member 
is  Frank  Ellsworth  Parkhurst,  president  of 
the  fire  insurance  agency  of  Thompson  Derr 
&  Brother,  Inc.,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  appears  in 
English  records  as  early  as  the  year  1000 
A.  D.  About  two  centuries  ago  a  family  of 
Parkhursts  left  Parlchurst  Colony,  on  the  Isle 
of  Wight,  and  proceeded  to  Surrey,  England, 
and  it  is  from  that  branch  that  the  American 
Parkhursts  sprang.  The  original  seat  of  the 
family  was  "Parkhurst  Manor,"  between 
Guilford  and  Epsom;  its  proprietors  were 
supporters  of  the  exiled  Stuarts,  and  it  was 
confiscated  in  1745  by  the  rising  young  dy- 
nasty. The  Lord  Mayor  of  London  was  a 
Parkhurst  in  1635.  Bishop  Parkhurst,  of  Nor- 
wich, England,  Ijorn  in  1574,  is  believed  to 
have  been  an  ancestor  of  George  Parkhurst, 
American  founder  of  the  family.  Queei. 
Elizabeth  granted  the  Parkhurst  arms  in  the 
second  year  of  her  reign,  and  they  are  as 
follows: 


Arms — A  shield  silver,  cross  ermine,  in 
each  quarter  a  buck   trippant. 

Crest — A  demi-griffin  with  wings  addorsed 
in  black,  holding  in  the  dexter  paw  a  cutlass 
in  silver,  with  hilt  and  pommel  of  gold. 

Motto — The  Cross  Our  Stay. 

Frank  Ellsworth  Parkhurst  is  in  the  tenth 
American  generation  from  George  Parkhurst, 
whose  name  appears  on  the  records  of  Water- 
town,  Massachusetts,  in  1643,  and  from 
George  Parkhurst  the  descent  is  through  the 
following  line: 

George  Parkhurst's  son,  George,  born  in 
1618,  also  of  AVatertown,  who  took  a  promi- 
nent part  in  town  affairs  during  his  day.  His 
son,  John,  born  in  1644,  likewise  of  Water- 
town.  His  son,  Deacon  John,  born  in  1671,  a 
resident  of  Weston,  Massachusetts.  His  son, 
Josiah,  also  of  Weston,  born  in  1706.  His  son, 
Josiah,  born  in  1736,  lived  in  Weston  but  in 
1762  removed  to  Pramingham.  His  son, 
Ephraim,  born  in  1765  in  Framingham.  His 
son,  John  Look.  His  son,  Leonard  Woods, 
born  March  31,  1836,  in  Standish,  Maine,  ninth 
child  of  John  Look  Parkliurst  and  fourth  by 
his  second  wife,  Marcia  C.  (Harriman)  Park- 
hurst. He  engaged  in  farming,  but  later  in 
the  manufacture  of  clothing.  He  married, 
June  7,  1860,  Mary  P.  Knapp,  of  Chelsea, 
Massachusetts,  and  they  had  the  following 
children:  John  J.,  born  March  31,  1861,  mar- 
ried Gertrude  Nason;  Frank  Ellsworth,  of 
whom  additional;  Shirley  Lincoln,  died  in 
childhood:  Ella  Florence,  married  Frank  E. 
Sargent;  Albert  Grant,  died  in  infancy;  May 
Louise,  married  Frank  E.  Bridgman;  Marcia, 
married  Fred  Chamberlain. 

Frank  Ellsworth  Parkhurst,  second  son  of 
Leonard  Woods  and  Mary  P.  (Knapp)  Park- 
hurst, was  born  October  26,  1862,  at  Gorham, 
Maine.  He  attended  the  grammar  and  high 
schools  of  Gorham,  and  completed  his  educa- 
tion at  the  Phillips  Andover  Academy  at 
Andover,  Massachusetts.  In  1883,  on  becom- 
ing of  the  age  twenty-one,  he  removed  to 
Allentown,  Pennsylvania,  and  there  estab- 
lished a  new  store  as  manager  of  the  Great 
Atlantic  and  Pacific  Tea  Company.  He  re- 
mained here  a  year,  until  the  store  had  become 
firmly  established,  then  proceeded  to  Wilkes- 
Barre,  where  he  opened  another  as  the  com- 
pany's only  local  establishment.  His  energetic 
administration  of  his  duties  made  him  popu- 
lar in  a  wide  circle  of  friends,  and  he  made  a 
notable  success  of  the  business  until  1891. 
Bj'  this  time  he  had  attracted  such  attention 
in  older  business  circles  that  a  brilliant  fu- 
ture was  predicted  for  him,  and  he  was  per- 
suaded to  give  up  the  store  and  accepted  a 
responsible  position  with  the  fire  insurance 
firm  of  Thompson  Derr  and  Brother,  which 
at  that  time  was  doing  a  general  insurance 
business.  A  decade  later,  in  1901,  he  was 
made  a  member  of  the  firm,  and  this  proved 
to  be  a  fortunate  turning  point  in  his  career, 
for  he  made  such  strides  that  in  1915,  when 
Andrew  P.  Derr  died,  he  was  made  the  head 
of  the  concern.  This  concern  had  been  found- 
ed in  1858  and  has  continued  successfully  in 
business  ever  since,  until  it  is  probably  the 
most  important  fire  insurance  agency  in 
Northeastern  Pennsylvania.  Mr.  Parkhurst's 
progress  has  been  commensurate  with  that 
of  the  firm;  for  twenty  years  he  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  LTnderwriters'  Association  of  the 
Middle  Department  of  Pennsylvania.  On 
January  15,  1914,  he  was  elected  president 
of  the  Franklin  Fire  Insurance  Company  of 
Philadelphia,  and  creditably  discharged  the 
duties  of  that  office  for  two  years,  at  the 
end  of  which  time  he  was  retained  on  the 
Board  of  Directors.  He  is  also  a  director  of 
the    Miners'    Bank    of    Wilkes-Barre,    and    a 


C^    (d,    iyh^ii^pyyyi^if'r'^ — 


director  of  City  of  New  York  Insurance 
Company. 

There  is  decidedly  another  side  to  Frank 
E.  Parkhurst  than  the  business  side.  It  con- 
cerns his  activities  in  lines  of  educational, 
religious  and  civic  endeavor,  especially  Sun- 
day school  affairs.  He  is  not  only  an  influence 
in  the  local  religious  life  but  is  connected 
prominently  with  an  organization  whose  ac- 
tivities extend  to  every  habitable  part  of  the 
globe.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Executive  Com- 
mittee of  the  World  Sunday  School  Associa- 
tion, and  takes  great  pride  in  the  work  which 
thus  devolves  upon  him.  Locally,  he  is  presi- 
dent of  the  l3oard  of  trustees  of  the  Memorial 
Presbyterian  Church,  superintendent  of  the 
Sunday  school  of  this  institution  and  vice- 
president  of  the  Pennsylvania  State  Sunday 
School  Association.  He  is  a  director  of  the 
Young  Men's  Christian  Association  of  Wilkes- 
Barre  and  trustee  of  the  Young  Women's 
Christian  Association.  He  holds  membership 
in  the  Corporation  of  the  Wilkes-Barre  Gen- 
eral Hospital,  and  recreates  himself  in  the 
pleasing  atmosphere  of  the  Westmoreland 
and  Wilkes-Barre  Country  clubs.  He  is  also 
a  member  of  the  New  England  Society  and 
the  Pennsylvania  Society,  the  Chamber  of 
Commerce,    and   the    Rotary    Club. 

Mr.  Parkhurst  is  a  valued  and  popular 
member  of  the  Wilkes-Barre  Lodge,  No.  442, 
of  the  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  and  in  the 
Caldwell  Consistor.v  of  Ancient  and  Accepted 
Scottish  Rite  Masons  at  Bloomsburg  he  has 
taken   the   thirty-second   degree. 

Mr.  Parkhurst  married,  June  3,  1SS6,  at 
Philadelphia,  Mary  Piatt,  daughter  of  Thomas 
D.  and  Mary  Hunt  (Carson)  Piatt,  of  that 
city,  and  they  have  had  four  children:  1. 
Mildred  Hunt,  born  July  17,  1SS7,  married 
Arthur  W.  Kuschke,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  and 
they  have  a  son,  Arthur  W.,  Jr.,  and  a 
daugliter,  Mary  Carson.  2.  Cornelia  Carson, 
born  July  14,  1SS9,  married  Joseph  W.  Cough- 
lin,  now  deceased,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  and  they 
had  two  children.  Joseph  W.,  Jr.,  and  Bar- 
bara L.  3.  Frank  Ellsworth,  Jr.,  born  Novem- 
ber 27,  1895,  married  Elsie  Palmer,  and  they 
have  three  children,  Cornelia,  Frank  Ells- 
worth, 3d,  and  John  J.  4.  Leonard  Woods,  2d, 
born  September  27,  1902,  married  Martha  B. 
Schaller.  Mr.  Parkhurst's  offices  are  in  the 
Miners'  Bank  Building  and  he  and  his  family 
reside  at  No.  170  North  Franklin  Street. 


E.  D.  SNYDER  was  born  in  Friedensburgh, 
Pennsylvania,  in  1873,  son  of  Mahlon  and 
Margaret  (Dnibervicse)  Snyder.  He  attended 
school  for  a  few  years,  but  when  he  was  a 
boy  of  twelve  years  he  left  the  school  room 
behind  him  and  began  to  prepare  himself 
for  the  task  of  earning  a  living  by  apprentic- 
ing himself  to  a  butcher.  He  learned  the 
meat  business  in  all  its  branches,  and  for 
twenty  busy  years  continued  in  that  line  of 
business  activity.  In  1905,  when  he  was 
thirty-two  years  of  age,  he  decided  to  estab- 
lish a  milk  business  of  his  own,  and  the  fact 
that  he  must  start  in  a  small  "U'ay  did  not  dis- 
courage him.  He  began  by  delivering  twenty- 
four  quart  bottles  a  day,  but  he  was  alive  to 
the  fact  that  the  time  had  come  when  the  pub- 
lic health  was  to  be  the  first  consideration  of 
the  man  who  would  serve  the  people  w^ith 
this  staple  food.  Health  departments  of  many 
States  were  looking  into  the  milk  business 
as  never  before  and  special  attention  was 
devoted  to  it  by  the  agricultural  bureaus  of 
both  State  and  Nation.  The  need  of  know- 
ing more  about  the  article  in  which  he  dealt 
became  apparent  to  Mr.  Snyder,  and  with  his 
usual  promptness  and  directness  he  set  about 
the  task  of  learning  all  there  was  to  be 
known   about   milk   as   a   food.      He   had   built 


up  his  retail  business  to  satisfactory  propor- 
tions, but  still  he  was  not  satisfied  to  stop 
with  less  than  the  best  possible  equipment, 
and  after  an  exhaustive  study  of  the  prob- 
lems of  human  health  wliich  may  be  affected 
by  milk,  he  decided  to  give  Hazleton  its  first 
pasteurizing  plant.  So  it  was  that  he  became 
the  founder  of  the  Home  Pasteurizing  Dairy, 
of  Hazleton. 

The  plant  of  the  Home  Pasteurizing  Dairy, 
located  at  Nos.  404-416  West  Hemlock  Street, 
in  Hazleton,  is  a  model  in  scientific  perfec- 
tion, modern  in  every  detail,  scientific  in  all 
its  appointments  and  processes  of  sterilizing 
and  handling,  and  carefully  plotted  building 
arrangements,  refrigeration,  storage,  housing 
of  equipment,  and  accommodation  for  em- 
ployees. The  plant  is  a  space  of  one  hundred 
and  forty-two  by  forty-two  feet,  with  ample 
room  for  teams  and  trucks  whether  arriving 
with  supplies  or  loading  the  finislied  product 
on  the  other  side  of  the  plot,  to  remain  under 
roof  storm  proof  in  winter  and  dust  proof 
in  summer.  Every  precaution  is  taken,  in 
architectural  arrangement,  to  meet  the  needs 
of  advanced  dairy  operation,  and  the  plans 
include  all  that  is  best  in  designs  prepared 
by  the  experts  of  agricultural  and  hygienic 
schools. 

Mr.  Snyder's  son  has  been  his  assistant  in 
developing  this  splendid  modern  dairy,  and 
who,  himself  an  electrochemist,  has  charge 
of  the  Bloomsburg  plant.  About  six  thousand 
bottles  of  milk  go  out  to  the  people  of  this 
locality  each  day,  and  Mr.  Snyder's  patrons 
have  long  ago  learned  that  the  products  of 
the  Home  Pasteurizing  Dairy  can  be  relied 
upon   implicitly. 

In  addition  to  the  management  of  his  dairy 
business,  Mr.  Snyder  is  interested  in  the  real 
estate  business  and  in  the  City  Bank  and 
Trust  Company.  He  is  treasurer  and  a  direc- 
tor of  the  Anthracite  Chain  and  Engineer- 
ing Company,  and  along  with  all  his  busi- 
ness responsibilities  takes  an  active  inter- 
est in  civic  affairs.  He  is  acting  president 
of  the  Hazleton  Motor  Club,  a  member  of  the 
Men's  League,  also  of  the  Chamber  of  Com- 
merce, the  Valley  Country  Club,  and  the 
Kiwanis  Club.  Fraternally,  he  is  identified 
with  Lodge  No.  200,  Benevolent  and  Protec- 
tive Order  of  Elks;  and  the  Fraternal  Order 
of  Eagles;  and  his  religious  membership  is 
with    the    Presbyterian    Church. 

E.  D.  Snyder  married  Anna  Dietrich,  of 
Hazleton,  and  they  have  one  child,  Roy,  who 
has  charge  of  the  Bloomsburg  plant.  He  has 
three  children:  Ricliard,  James  and  Roy.  The 
family  home  is  located  at  No.  573  West 
Diamond  Street,  in  Hazleton. 


■WILI.,IAM  E.  JOYCE — During  the  greater 
part  of  his  active  life  William  E.  Joyce  has 
been  connected  with  newspaper  work,  and 
the  range  of  his  experience  has  been  such 
as  to  give  him  more  than  the  average  prep- 
aration for  his  present  business  interest  as 
owner  and  publisher  of  the  Freeland  "Press." 
Beginning  with  News  Press  Association  work, 
lie  has  steadily  widened  his  experience.  He 
has  been  connected  with  the  Wilkes-Barre 
"Record,"  has  been  editorial  writer  for  the 
Hazleton  "Sentinel,"  and  has  done  a  large 
amount  of  Press  Association  work  for  the 
metropolitan  papers.  Since  October,  1927,  ho 
has  been  owner  and  publisher  of  the  Free- 
land  "Press,"  a  Republican  weekly,  which 
he  is  continuing  along  the  lines  developed 
by  its  founder  and  former  owner,  William 
R.  Flad.  Mr.  Joyce  is  both  publisher  and 
author,  for  he  has  to  his  credit  two  well 
written  and  interesting  books,  one  a  biog- 
raphy, and  the  other  an  industrial  history  of 
the    Lehigh    coal    fields. 


William  E.  Joyce  was  born  in  Ashland, 
Schuylkill  County.  Pennsylvania,  August  6, 
1S66,  son  of  Peter  and  Margaret  (Harrity) 
Joyce.  He  received  his  education  in  the  local 
public  and  private  schools,  and  then,  having 
from  his  earliest  years  been  interested  in 
newspaper  work,  took  work  with  the  News 
Press  Association,  in  the  telegraph  depart- 
ment. Later,  he  was  associated  "with  the 
Wilkes-Barre  "Record,"  and  in  1S95  he  was 
editorial  writer  for  the  Hazleton  "Sentinel." 
After  five  years  in  this  connection  he  devoted 
his  time  to  general  correspondence  work  and 
to  Press  Association  work  for  the  larger 
metropolitan  newsyapers,  and  in  these  lines 
of  activity  he  continued  until  October,  1927, 
when  he  purchased  from  Mr.  Flad  the  Free- 
land  "Press,"  which  he  has  since  operated. 
The  publication  retains  its  original  character 
as  a  Republican  news  sheet,  following  thb 
policies  established  by  its  founder,  and  giving 
to  its  reading  public  the  fine  service  which 
it  lias  tendered  for  so  many  years.  Mr. 
Flad  changed  both  the  size  of  the  sheet  and 
the  number  of  issues  from  time  to  time,  de- 
veloping it  from  a  paper  of  six  pages,  seven 
columns  each,  to  a  ten-page  weekly,  and  at 
times  issuing  semi-weekly.  It  was  founded 
in  1S95,  and  for  thirty-two  years  had  been 
catering  to  the  news  demands  of  the  people 
of  Freeland  and  vicinity  before  it  became 
the  property  of  Mr.  Joyce.  The  general  char- 
acter, therefore,  is  well  established  and  will 
remain  practically  unchanged  under  the  new 
regime.  Mr.  Joyce  is  a  member  of  the  local 
Business  Men's  Association,  and  has  long  been 
active  in  the  affairs  of  the  Republican  party, 
but  he  is  not,  and  never  has  been,  an  office 
seeker.  He  is  rather  the  seeker  after  news, 
the  editorial  thinker  and  writer,  the  literary 
man,  wliose  interests  are  versatile.  Along 
with  his  general  and  varied  newspaper  work, 
Mr.  Joyce  has  found  time  to  write  and  pub- 
lish an  interesting  biography  of  Rev.  Father 
Pliilips.  and  also  to  write  an  industrial  his- 
tory' of  the  Lehigh  coal  fields,  both  of  which 
have  been  of  interest  and  use  to  special  sec- 
tions of  tlie  reading  public. 

William  E.  Joyce  is  married  to  Hannah 
Boyle,  of  Ashland,  Pennsylvania,  and  they 
have  three  children:  1.  Stanley,  who  has  fol- 
lowed his  father's  calling,  and  is  a  newspaper 
man  in  New  York  City.  2.  Mary,  who  is  a 
trained  nurse  in  Philadelphia.  3.  Helena,  a 
student,  who  is  living  at  home.  The  family 
residence  is  located  at  No.  354  East  Muir 
Avenue,    in    Hazleton. 

LEO  C.  MUIVDY,  M.  D. — For  the  past 
twenty  years.  Dr.  Leo  C.  Mundy  has  guarded 
the  health  of  the  people  of  Wilkes-Barre  in 
his  private  practice  as  a  physician,  and  now 
that  he  holds  the  post  of  city  health  officer, 
his  supervision  covers  the  entire  city.  Dr. 
Mundy  has  an  excellent  military  record  for 
overseas  service  during  the  late  war  and  has 
alway.s  been  a  man  of  great  patriotic  feeling 
and   piactices. 

He  is  the  son  of  the  late  John  and  Susan 
(Moore)  Mundy.  His  father,  who  was  a  native 
of  Ireland,  for  many  years  carried  on  a  mer- 
cantile business  and  he  and  his  wife  were 
the  parents  of  fourteen  children.  Of  this  re- 
markable family,  ten  lived  to  maturity:  1. 
Mary,  the  wife  of  Charles  Mackin.  2.  J.  F.,  a 
member  of  the  Wilkes-Barre  City  Commis- 
sion. 3.  Thomas  A.,  a  real  estate  dealer.  4. 
Dr.  C.  A.,  a  dentist  in  Wilkes-Barre.  5.  John, 
in  the  insurance  business.  6.  Sallie,  unmar- 
ried. 7.  Susan,  unmarried.  8.  Edward,  with 
the  Wilkes-Barre  fire  department.  9.  Cath- 
erine, the  Avife  of  John  Turnbach,  superin- 
tendent   of   the   Vulcan    Iron    Works   at   Pitts- 


ton,  Pennsylvania.  10.  Leo  C,  of  whom 
further,   is  the  youngest. 

Leo  C.  Mundy  was  born  at  Wilkes-Barre, 
Pennsylvania,  on  June  2,  1887.  He  was  edu- 
cated in  the  Wilkes-Barre  public  schools  and 
graduated  from  the  Wilkes-Barre  High 
School  in  the  class  of  1904.  He  then  entered 
the  medical  department  of  the  University  of 
Pennsylvania,  graduating  in  the  class  of 
190S  with  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine. 
Since  his  graduation,  he  has  continued  to 
carry  on  a  private  practice  of  medicine  and 
with  tile  exception  of  his  time  overseas  dur- 
ing the  World  War,  has  been  in  Wilkes- 
Barre. 

In  1917,  Dr.  Leo  C.  Mundy  volunteered  his 
services  for  the  Medical  Corps  of  the  United 
States  Army.  He  entered  the  service  in 
April  and  was  stationed  at  Camp  Oglethorpe, 
Georgia,  for  a  period  of  three  months  and 
then  transferred  to  Camp  Meade,  Maryland, 
for  a  period  of  three  months.  Then  after 
spending  two  months  on  duty  at  Laurel, 
Maryland,  he  was  sent  to  France.  He  sailed 
in  March,  1918,  and  served  at  the  front,  at 
the  Base  Hospital,  and  was  commanding 
officer  of  Camp  85,  and  surgeon  of  the  Montoir 
district  in  France  until  the  close  of  the  war. 
He  was  mustered  out  of  the  service  in  1919. 
For  his  gallantry  he  has  received  several 
inarks  of  honor  and  distinction.  He  was 
awarded  the  Distinguished  Service  Citation 
for  evacuation  of  the  wounded  by  General 
John  J.  Pershing,  and  recognized  as  one 
fearless  in  dangers  and  unselfish  in  his  serv- 
ices to  those  who  needed  aid.  Dr.  Mundy 
was  brevetted  lieutenant-colonel  of  the  Re- 
serve  Corps. 

He  is  the  surgeon  for  the  Hudson  Coal 
Company:  the  Delaware  and  Hudson  Railroad 
and  Conlan  Coal  Company.  He  is  also  sur- 
geon of  the  Mercy  Hospital  staff  at  Wilkes- 
Barre.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Luzerne  County 
Medical  Society:  the  State  Medical  Society; 
the  American  Medical  Association;  the  Le- 
high Valley  Medical  Association;  and  the 
New  England  Railroad  Surgeons  Association. 
He  is  a  member  of  Lodge  No.  109,  Benevolent 
and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  and  of  St. 
Mary's  Roman  Catholic  Church.  In  politics, 
Dr.    Mundy    is    a   Republican. 

In  June,  1922,  Dr.  Leo  C.  Mundy  married 
May  Conlan,  daughter  of  John  and  Mary 
(Clarke)  Conlan,  the  former  a  coal  operator 
at  Hudson,  Pennsylvania.  Dr.  and  Mrs. 
Mundv  have  one  son,  John  Conlan.  They  make 
their  "home  at  No.  391  Scott  Street,  Wilkes- 
Barre. 


WALTER  E.  KAHLEK— Since  1913,  Walter 
E.  Kahler  has  been  cashier  of  the  Citizens' 
Bank,  of  Freeland,  Pennsylvania,  filling  this 
position  in  a  most  successful  way.  Widely 
experienced  in  banking  and  financial  affairs, 
he  brought  to  his  work  at  Freeland  a  fine 
ability  and  energy  which  have  made  him 
most  valuable  to  his  institution  and  to  the 
community   which    he    serves. 

The  Citizens'  Bank  was  organized  on  Janu- 
ary 31,  1890,  with  a  capital  stock  of  $50,000 
and  the  following  officers:  Joseph  Birkbeck, 
president;  Edward  Snyder,  secretary;  and 
Thomas  Wilson,  cashier.  The  directors  were: 
Joseph  Birkbeck,  Thomas  Birkbeck,  Charles 
Dusheck,  John  Smith,  T.  E.  Snyder,  H.  C. 
Koons,  William  Kemp,  Joseph  Rudiwick,  John 
Wagner,  Alfred  Shive,  and  Anthony  Rudi- 
wick. B.  R.  Davis,  who  took  office  in  June, 
1890,  was  its  second  cashier,  and  in  1901  H. 
C.  Koons  became  the  second  presielent,  filling 
this  position  until  1915,  when  William  Birk- 
beck succeeded  him.  Finally,  in  1926,  the 
present     incumbent,     Condy     O.     Boyle,     was 


^  c  rxww.^v>^ 


421 


elected  president,  the  other  officers,  besides 
Mr.  Kahler  as  cashier,  being;  E.  J.  Edwards, 
vice-president;  C.  O.  Stroh,  solicitor,  and  S. 
J.  Neuberger,  secretary  of  the  board  of  direc- 
tors. The  members  of  this  board  are:  Condy 
O.  Boyle,  E.  J.  Edwards,  C.  O.  Stroh. 
S.  J.  Neuberger,  Condy  J.  Boyle,  "Wil- 
liam M.  Daugherty,  M.  S.  DePiero,  Jonah 
Evans,  J.  M.  Gallagher,  George  J.  Gabuzda, 
E.  P.  Humphrey,  C.  B.  Kunkle,  W.  E.  Ober- 
render.  and  Asa  A.  Rute.  The  first  bank 
building  was  situated  on  Front  Street,  later 
the  institution  occupied  the  building  now 
used  by  the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order 
of  Elks,  and  finally,  in  1912,  the  present 
modern  structure  was  erected  on  Center 
Street,  at  a  cost  of  $60,000.  The  record  of  the 
Citizens'  Bank  has  been  one  of  constant 
expansion  and  growth.  In  1910  its  capital 
stock  was  increased  to  $100,000,  in  June, 
1923,  to  $150,000,  and  in  November,  of  that 
year,    to    $200,000. 

Walter  E.  Kahler,  its  efficient  cashier,  was 
born  in  Millersburg,  Pennsylvania,  July  22, 
1875,  a  son  of  William  and  Frances  (Musser) 
Kahler,  of  that  place.  He  received  his  educa- 
tion in  the  public  schools  of  his  birthplace, 
after  which  he  began  his  banking  career  in 
the  employ  of  the  First  National  Bank  of 
Millersburg.  During  a  period  of  years  he 
rose  through  various  positions  in  this  bank, 
gaining  a  thorough  knowledge  of  the  opera- 
tion of  all  departments,  and  winning  his 
way,  solely  through  his  own  ability,  to  posi- 
tions of  confidence  and  trust.  In  1896  Mr. 
Kahler  helped  to  organize  the  Tower  City 
National  Bank,  and  of  this  institution  he  be- 
came the  first  cashier,  continuing  in  the  posi- 
tion until  September,  1913,  when  he  was 
chosen  cashier  of  the  Citizens'  Bank,  of  Free- 
land.  Mr.  Kahler's  sound  business  judgment 
and  executive  ability  are  well  known  in  Free- 
land,  and  he  is  frequently  called  into  con- 
sultation in  large  matters  of  policy.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  Pennsylvania,  American  and 
Lower  Anthracite  Bankers'  associations,  and 
active  in  affairs  among  the  men  of  his  pro- 
fession. 

Mr.  Kahler  has  always  been  vitally  inter- 
ested in  the  problems  of  government  and  in 
the  "welfare  and  progress  of  the  community 
in  which  he  has  made  his  home  for  more  than 
fifteen  years.  He  has  been  prominent  in 
various  civic  and  social  enterprises,  and  has 
contributed  liberally  to  worthy  charitable 
movements,  although  never  at  pains  to  reveal 
the  extent  of  his  generosity  in  this  regard. 
He  and  his  family  worship  in  the  faith  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  are  members 
of  the   local   church   of  this   denomination. 

In  1900  Walter  E.  Kahler  married  Etta 
McCarty,  of  Millersburg,  and  they  became  the 
parents  of  one  child,  Clyde,  who  was  grad- 
uated from  the  public  schools  of  Freeland, 
the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  and  is  now 
teaching  in  the  Wharton  School  of  Finance 
and  Commerce  at  Philadelphia.  The  family 
residence  at  Freeland  is  situated  at  No.  816 
Center  Street. 


PATRICK  ALOYSIUS  ROAJJ — Among  the 
leading  druggists  in  this  community  is  Pat- 
rick Aloysius  Roan  who  has  been  in  the  drug 
business  here  for  many  years.  He  is  the 
son  of  Patrick  J.  Roan,  a  blacksmith  by  trade, 
who  was  born  in  Schuylkill  County,  Pennsyl- 
vania, in  1860,  died  in  October,  1926;  and  of 
Mary  (Doyle)  Roan,  who  was  born  in  Schuyl- 
kill  County    in    1861    and    is   still   living. 

Patrick  Aloysius  Roan  was  born  at  Plym- 
outh, Pennsylvania,  October  17,  ISSl,  and 
began  his  education  here  in  the  public 
schools.  After  finishing  his  public  school 
work     he     went     to     Philadelphia    where    he 


entered  the  Philadelphia  College  of  Phar- 
macy, graduating  in  the  class  of  1905,  with 
the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Pharmacy.  He  imme- 
diately entered  the  drug  business  and  con- 
tinued in  that  line  until  1908,  when  he  opened 
a  drug  store  of  his  own  and  has  since  then 
been  engaged  in  the  retail  drug  business  at 
Plymouth.  At  first,  Mr.  Roan's  drug  store 
was  located  at  No.  175  East  Main  Street, 
where  he  carried  on  his  business  for  a 
period  of  six  years  with  constantly  increas- 
ing trade.  His  success  was  such  that  in 
1914,  he  purchased  the  present  building  in 
which  his  store  is  located,  No.  159  East  Main 
Street  and  there  has  been  established  for  the 
last  fourteen  years.  In  politics,  Mr.  Roan 
is  a  Republican.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Kiwanis  Club  and  the  Knights  of  Columbus 
and  of  Saint  Vincent's  Roman  Catholic 
Church. 

On  October  3,  1916,  Patrick  Aloysius  Roan 
married  Josephine  Brown,  daughter  of 
Thomas  J.  and  Mary  Brown  of  Plymouth, 
Pennsylvania.  They  have  three  children: 
Mary  Rita,  and  Frank  and  Elizabeth  (twins). 


WIIjLI.*.>I  J.  BlRJfETT — No  man  in  Nan- 
ticoke,  perhaps,  better  merited  the  respect 
of  his  fellow-townspeople,  or  received  it  in 
fuller  measure,  than  did  the  late  William  J. 
Burnett,  alderman  from  the  Sixth  Ward, 
dealer  extensively  in  insurance  with  offices 
at  No.  229  Prospect  Street,  and  accorded  the 
distinction  of  having  been  one  of  the  com- 
munity's outstanding  citizens.  His  record  is 
an  inspiration,  of  what  can  be  done  through 
inborn  talent,  intelligent  application  to  prob- 
lems at  hand,  and  industry.  Mr.  Burnett  died 
January   26,    1928. 

William  J.  Burnett  was  born  in  England, 
August  9,  1870,  son  of  Henry  and  Elizabeth 
(Thorn)  Burnett.  Henry  Burnett  was  for 
many  years  of  his  life,  and,  indeed,  until 
the  time  of  his  death,  engaged  in  business 
as  building  contractor.  At  this  he  was  suc- 
cessful, but,  as  happens  frequently,  follow- 
ing his  demise  the  estate  was  found  to  have 
dwindled  considerably.  His  widow  was  a 
w'oman  of  courage,  however,  and  looking 
boldly  to  the  future  took  those  funds  remain- 
ing and  her  family  of  six  young  children 
aboard  ship  for  America.  With  them  she 
established  a   home   in   Nanticoke. 

This  was  in  1S79,  when  William  J.  Bur- 
nett "was  nine  years  old.  Two  years  later  he 
was  at  work  as  breaker  boy  in  the  mines, 
with  the  Susquehanna'  Coal  Company.  By 
the  time  he  had  attained  his  majority  he  had 
likewise  attained  to  a  position  of  authority 
in  the  company,  through  regular  promotions 
on  the  evidence  of  his  never  failing  ability. 
Meanwhile  he  had  saved  his  money,  at  the 
same  time  contributing  to  the  support  of  the 
family,  and  felt  encouraged  to  quit  the  mines 
for  a  course  in  business,  at  a  commercial 
school  in  Wilkes-Barre.  Upon  completion 
of  courses  he  found  himself  possessed  of  a 
good  theoretical  groundwork  for  a  career  at 
business,  but  lacking  other  opening  accepted 
employment  as  time-keeper  with  the  Simpson 
&  Walkins  Company,  coal  operators,  of  Car- 
bondale.  There  he  remained  one  year  only, 
then  returned  to  Nanticoke  and  engaged  in 
the  grocery  business,  at  "^'hich  he  continued 
for  two  years.  A  Republican,  loyal  to  the 
principles  of  the  party,  he  had  participated 
for  several  years  past  in  Che  activities  of 
the  party  locally,  and  had  attained  to  a 
strong  influence  in  political  matters.  Toward 
the  close  of  his  second  year  in  the  grocery 
business  he  was  elected  burgess  of  the  bor- 
ough of  Nanticoke.  and  that  responsible  office 
he  filled  most  creditably  to  himself  and  party 
for  a  term  of  three  years.     Then,  once  more 


422 


he  engaged  in  business  as  grocer,  again  for 
two  years,  and  was  elected  justice  of  tlie 
peace,  which  ofhce  he  held  until  his  death, 
his  decisions  having  been  upheld  in  all  cases 
under  question.  In  1921  he  opened  an  office 
to  deal  in  insurance,  as  a  parallel  to  his 
official  duties,  and  carried  all  kinds  of  pol- 
icies, representing  seven  companies  of  the 
highest  and  safest  reputations.  In  1926  he 
was  appointed  alderman  from  the  Sixth  Ward, 
and  in  this  office  as  in  that  of  justice  of  the 
peace,  he  functioned  admirably.  He  had  been 
a  delegate  to  the  Republican  state  conven- 
tion. Aside  from  his  business  in  insurance 
he  maintained  other  interests,  among  which 
was  membership  on  the  board  of  directors 
of  the  Susquehanna  Lumber  Company.  Fra- 
ternalb'  active,  he  was  a  member  of  the  Loyal 
Order  of  Moose,  and  of  the  Owls.  When  the 
United  States  entered  the  World  War  he 
began  at  once  to  be  of  service  to  his  coun- 
try, and  acted  tirelessly  on  the  boards  and 
committees  in  charge  of  "war  work,  as  well 
as  in  the  campaigns  of  the  several  Liberty 
Loans.  Mr.  Burnett  was  a  communicant  of 
the  English  Baptist  Church,  a  deacon  and 
trustee  thereof.  Toward  charity  he  was  ever 
sympathetically  disposed,  and  gave  gener- 
ously of  time  and  money  to  all  worthy 
appeals.  Of  him  it  is  said  by  those  who  know 
him  personally  that  Mr.  Burnett  achieved 
a  goodly  position  in  life,  through  honorable 
means,  the  application  of  his  talent,  and  in- 
dustry; that  his  principles  always  were  of 
the  highest:  that,  when  in  a  position  to  do 
so,  he  accomplished  well  for  the  benefit  of 
the  community  at  large,  and  of  its  compo- 
nent parts  separately;  and  that  he  was  there- 
fore, a  most  valuable  citizen  of  his  com- 
munity.  State   and   Nation. 

In  November,  1907,  Mr.  Burnett  was  united 
in  marrias'e  with  Annie  Bryden,  of  Pittston, 
Pennsylvania.  Mrs.  Burnett  is  a  woman  of 
refinement  and  charm,  in  every  sense  of  the 
%vord  a  lady,  and  is  active  in  a  number  of 
organizations.  She  is  treasurer  of  the  Wyo- 
ming Missionary  Association,  treasurer  of 
the  Ladies'  Aid  Society,  and  president  of  the 
Missions  Society  of  the  English  Baptist 
Church.  Mr.  Burnett  also  was  active  in 
church  work,  and  was  treasurer  and  trustee 
of  the  Baptist  Missionary  Society,  and  presi- 
dent of  the  Lake  Sillsworth  Association. 
Mrs.  Burnett  resides  at  No.  138  East  Green 
Street,    Nanticoke. 


MERL  BROWIV  BREESG: — Engineer  for 
Luzerne  County  and  a  public-spirited  citizen 
occupying  a  place  of  esteem  in  the  estima- 
tions of  the  people  of  Wilkes-Barre,  Merl  B. 
Breese  was  born  at  Hoadleys,  Wayne  County, 
Pennsylvania,  September  11,  1886,  son  of 
Vint  L.  and  Hattie  A.  (Brown)  Breese,  who 
live  at  Wyoming,  Luzerne  County,  the  father 
being  a  business  man  now  retired,  and  a  son 
of  Lyman  and  Elizabeth  (Woodhouse)  Breese, 
deceased,  both  of  whom  were  members  of 
families  old  in  the  history  of  Pennsylvania. 
Vint  L.  Breese  is  a  Republican  of  considerable 
influence,  and  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Breese  are 
the  parents  of  two  children;  Merl  B.,  of 
whom  further  mention;  and  Rena  C,  wife  of 
Harry  Rhoads,   of  Wyoming. 

Merl  B.  Breese  was  six  years  of  age  when 
the  family  moved  from  Wayne  County  to 
Luzerne  County.  He  received  his  early  edu- 
cation in  the  public  schools,  graduating  from 
the  Wyoming  High  School  in  1904;  and  spent 
three  years  in  the  Wyoming  Seminary,  at 
Kingston,  Pennsylvania.  In  1907  he  matricu- 
lated in  Pennsylvania  State  College,  where 
his  interest  in  science  and  engineering  was 
apparent     in    courses    selected,    and    in     four 


years  graduated  with  the  degree  of  Bachelor 
of  Science.  He  then  proceeded  to  Three 
Rivers,  in  Quel^ec,  Canada,  to  work  with  an 
engineering  corps,  and  was  there  employed 
for  nine  months.  After  this  experience  he 
returned  to  his  native  State,  secured  a  posi- 
tion in  Pittsburgh,  and  at  the  termination  of 
a  brief  period  there  returned  to  Luzerne 
County,  where  he  held  a  position  with  the 
Lackawanna  Railroad.  This,  too,  failed  to 
hold  him  for  long;  he  went  into  business  on 
his  own  account,  as  an  engineer,  at  Wyoming; 
then,  in  1917,  decided  that  his  place  was  in 
the  service  of  his  country,  and  joined  the 
Corps  of  Engineers  at  Madison  Barracks, 
New  York,  where  he  was  commissioned  a 
first  lieutenant  and  assigned  to  active  duty 
in  the  7Sth  Division  of  the  United  States 
Army.  He  was  ordered  overseas  during  the 
early  spring  of  1918,  and  served  in  France 
with  his  division  until  the  summer  of  1919. 
In  the  spring  of  the  following  year  he  was 
appointed  assistant  county  engineer,  of  Lu- 
zerne County:  and,  after  having  filled  this 
office  with  ability,  was  in  1924  appointed  by 
the  County  Commission  to  the  office  of  county 
engineer,  for  a  term  of  four  years,  and  was 
reappointed  in  1928  for  four  years.  He  is  a 
director  of  County  Officials  Division  American 
Road   Builders  Association. 

In  political  decision  a  staunch  Republican, 
Mr.  Breese  is  also  affiliated  with  a  number 
of  fraternal  organizations.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Wyoming  Lodge,  No.  468,  of  the  Free 
and  Accepted  Masons,  Caldwell  Consistory 
at  Bloomsburg,  Pennsylvania,  Ancient  Ac- 
cepted Scottish  Rite  Masons  of  the  thirty- 
second  degree,  Irem  Temple  of  the  Ancient 
Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  at 
Wilkes-Barre,  and  the  Irem  Country  Club; 
member  of  the  Junior  Order  of  United  Ameri- 
can Mechanics,  Veterans  of  Foreign  Wars, 
American  Legion,  and  of  Delta  Upsilon,  col- 
lege social   fraternity. 

Merl  B.  Breese  married,  in  1926,  Mary 
Cheeseman  Rohn,  of  Philadelphia,  member 
of  an  old  Philadelphia  family,  daughter  of 
Edward  and  Emma  (Pollock)  Cheeseman. 
Mr.    and   Mrs.    Breese    have    no    children. 


THOMAS     JOSEPH     DAILEY,    M.    D. — As    a 

leading  specialist  in  the  diseases  of  the  eye, 
ear,  nose  and  throat,  Dr.  Thomas  Joseph 
Dailey,  of  Plymouth,  Pennsylvania,  enjoys  a 
large  clientele  and  is  highly  respected  in  the 
medical  profession  for  his  good  work.  He  is 
the  son  of  William  and  Nora  (Connole) 
Dailey.  His  mother  who  was  born  in  Plym- 
outh Township,  Luzerne  County,  in  1855,  died 
in  1910.  His  father,  who  is  a  retired  business 
man,  was  born  in  Schuylkill  County,  Penn- 
sylvania,  in    1851. 

Thomas  Joseph  Dailey  was  born  in  Plym- 
outh, Pennsylvania,  March  5,  1884.  He  was 
educated  in  Saint  Vincent's  Parochial  School 
of  this  place  and  later  attended  the  Blooms- 
burg State  Normal  School  where  he  finished 
with  the  class  of  1905.  He  then  entered  the 
University  of  Pennsylvania  where  he  studied 
medicine  and  graduated  in  the  class  of  1909 
with  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine.  After 
finishing  his  college  work  in  medicine,  he 
was  an  interne  at  the  Mercy  Hospital  at 
Wilkes-Barre  for  one  year  and  then  entered 
the  general  practice  of  medicine  in  Plym- 
outh which  he  carried  on  until  1917  when  he 
studied  eye,  ear,  nose  and  throat  diseases 
by  taking  a  special  course  at  the  New  York 
Post-Graduate  Hospital  in  New  York  City. 
After  this  work  was  completed,  Dr.  Dailey 
gave  up  the  general  practice  of  medicine  and 
has  since  then  specialized  in  the  treatment 
of  eye,  ear,  nose  and  throat  afflictions,  car- 
rying on  a  private  practice  in  these  branches. 


,IIIIIIIIIIIIHIIIII£IIIIHIIHHIIIIIIIIHIII^ 


He  is  a  member  of  the  Luzerne  County  Med- 
ical Society:  tlie  Pennsylvania  State  Medical 
Society  and  the  American  Medical  Associa- 
tion. He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Shawnee 
Club,  the  Knights  of  Columbus,  Saint  Vin- 
cent's Roman  Catholic  Church,  and  in  politics, 
he   is  a  Democrat. 

In  191S,  Dr.  Thomas  Joseph  Dailey  mar- 
ried Agnes  Law  of  Kingston,  Pennsylvania, 
daughter  of  Frank  and  Jane  Law.  Dr.  Dailey 
is  a  member  of  the  staff  of  the  Mercy  Hos- 
pital   at    Wilkes-Barre,    Pennsylvania. 

DANIEL       SYLVESTER       PENSVL — As       an 

educator  and  an  attorney,  D.  Sylvester  Pensyl 
of  Nanticoke,  Pennsylvania,  has  been  influ- 
ential in  this  community  for  many  years. 
His  early  ancestry  in  this  State  dates  back 
to  1776  "When  Jacob  Pensyl  came  from  either 
Germany  or  Holland  and  settled  in  Pennsyl- 
vania. This  Jacob  Pensyl  was  the  owner  of 
fifty  acres  of  land  "which  is  now  the  site  of 
the  city  of  Shamokin,  his  homestead  being 
on  the  e.xact  lot  where  now  stands  the  Eagle 
Hotel.  He  is  described  as  being  a  man  who 
was  honest,  sober,  industrious  and  economi- 
cal, possessing  considerable  educational  and 
intellectual  vigor.  He  was  unaware  of  the 
fact  that  his  land  w^as  rich  in  coal;  in  fact, 
he  owned  fifty  acres  of  the  richest  anthracite 
coal  land  in  Pennsylvania  and  bought  and 
sold  this  treasure  at  the  price  of  ordinary 
farming  land.  After  he  sold  his  Shamokin 
land,  he  purchased  tw^o  hundred  acres  of 
farming  land  in  Ralpho  Township,  in  North- 
umberland County,  for  which  he  obtained 
a  warrant,  lived  upon  it  until  his  death,  when 
it  passed  to  his  only  son,  John    (1)   Pensyl. 

John  (1)  Pensyl  was  nine  years  of  age 
when  his  father  moved  to  the  farm  in  Ralpho 
Township,  Northumberland  County,  and  there 
he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life.  He  received  a 
religious  training  from  his  parents  and  like 
his  father  was  a  deep  student  of  the  Bible. 
He  donated  an  acre  of  land  for  church  pur- 
poses and  upon  it  stood  the  German  Reformed 
Blue  Church  of  Ralpho  Township,  of  which 
he  was  one  of  the  organizers  and  original 
members.  He  died  in  1S49  at  the  age  of 
eighty-two  years,  a  highly  respected  and 
honored  citizen.  John  (1)  Pensyl,  married 
Barbara  Hinkle.  Their  children  were:  Kate; 
Leah;  Leonard;  George;  and  John   (2)  Pensyl. 

John  (2)  Pensyl  was  born  at  the  Ralpho 
Township  homestead  in  Northumberland 
County,  Pennsylvania,  1797,  and  died  there 
in  1S73.  He  married  (first)  Lydia  Kaseman. 
Their  children  were:  George:  Daniel;  Bar- 
bara; Hannah;  Catherine;  and  John  (3)  Pen- 
syl. He  married  (second)  Mary  Arter.  Their 
children  were:  Jacob;  William;  Samuel; 
Adam;  Margaret;  Henry;  Daniel;  Adam;  and 
Francis,  all  of  whom  are  deceased  except 
Francis,   who   lives  at  Avis,   Pennsylvania. 

John  (3)  Pensyl,  son  of  John  (2)  and  Lydia 
(Kaseman)  Pensyl  was  born  on  the  Rush 
Township  homestead  in  1819.  He  was  known 
as  a  substantial  farmer  and  resided  in  North- 
umberland County  all  of  his  lite,  living  to 
the  age  of  eighty-seven  years.  His  death 
occurred  in  1906.  He  married  Lovina  Reed. 
Their  children  were:  Oliver;  Silas  R.;  Hester; 
Sarah:  Miles;  Theodore;  Emerson;  Valentine; 
Eli;  Elizabeth;  and  Lovina.  All  are  now 
deceased. 

Silas  R.  Pensyl,  son  of  John  (3)  and  Lovina 
(Reed)  Pensyl  was  born  on  the  homestead 
farm  in  Rush  Township,  Northumberland 
County,  Pennsylvania,  in  1848.  He  later  lived 
in  Wilkes-Barre,  Luzerne  County,  Pennsyl- 
vania, where  he  died  September  21,  1921.  He 
lived  for  a  while  in  Mayberry  Township, 
Montour  County,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  re- 
sided  at   the  time   his   son,  D.    Sylvester  Pen- 


syl, was  born.  He  afterward  removed  to 
Rush  Township  in  Northumberland  County, 
where  he  had  a  farm  near  Union  Corners 
five  miles  south  of  Danville.  He  .spent  most 
of  his  active  years  in  Northumberland  County 
but  the  last  years  of  his  life  he  spent  in 
Luzerne  County.  Silas  R.  Pensyl  married 
Priscilla  Slagle,  who  was  born  in  1850,  and 
died  at  Nanticoke,  Pennsylvania,  in  1911.  She 
was  the  daughter  of  Daniel  and  Elizabeth 
(Kline)  .Slagle,  of  Snydertown,  Pennsylvania. 
They  had  three  children:  1.  Daniel  Syl- 
vester, of  whom  further.  2.  John  Valerius, 
born  in  1875,  now  living  in  Wilkes-Barre. 
3.  Daisy,  born  in  1877,  wife  of  M.  M.  Knoebel, 
residing  in  Shamokin,  Pennsylvania. 

Daniel  Sylvester  Pensyl,  eldest  son  of  Silas 
R.  and  Priscilla  (Slagle)  Pensyl  was  born 
on  the  home  farm  in  Mayberry  Township, 
Montour  County,  Pennsylvania,  October 
IS,  1870.  Shortly  after  his  birth,  his  par- 
ents moved  to  Rush  Township,  in  Northum- 
berland County,  Pennsylvania.  There,  the 
home  farm  was  located  near  Union  Corners, 
Pennsylvania,  and  at  the  country  schoolhouse 
at  the  Cross  Roads,  he  obtained  his  early 
education.  He  remained  at  the  home  farm 
and  in  attendance  at  public  school  until  he 
was  sixteen  years  of  age.  He  then  spent 
a  year  in  the  preparatory  department  of  Cen- 
tral Pennsylvania  College.  At  the  age  of 
seventeen,  he  began  teaching  school.  His 
first  work  as  a  school  teacher  was  at  Reeds 
Station  in  Ralpho  Township  not  far  from 
the  farm  first  settled  by  Jacob  Pensyl.  He 
was  not  satisfied  to  amble  along  as  an  ordi- 
nary country  school  teacher,  so  at  the  age 
of  eighteen,  he  took  a  course  at  the  Blooms- 
burg  State  Normal  School,  where  he  qualified 
as  a  teacher  and,  when  nineteen  years  of 
age,  he  was  elected  principal  of  Elysburg 
Academy,  at  Elysburg,  Pennsylvania.  He 
continued  to  advance  in  liis  profession  of 
school  teaching  and  at  the  age  of  twenty- 
one,  he  graduated  "w^ith  honors,  from  the 
Central  State  Normal  School  at  i«ckr  Haven, 
Pennsylvania,  and  from  1892  until' •1898,  he 
was  engaged  in  various  position»'&3 -an  edu- 
cator. In  1892,  the  year  of  his  ^raOuation, 
he  was  made  principal  of  the  grammar  school 
at  Catawissa.  He  remained  here  for  ,tW(J 
years  and  was  then  made  principal!  of"»ti-.« 
high  school  at  Snydertown,  Pe.ineylvania; 
where  he  spent  two  years.  In  18hp.'>)e  bf^'^ji. 
the  study  of  law  in  the  offices  of  ,]p,liawni  jLjvi 
Small,  a  law  firm  at  Catawissa.  -J_^i),J898,  ^he 
was  admitted  to  the  Bar  of  Montoji^j  ,Co>i)m- 
bia,  and  Luzerne  counties,  and;  in  Marcft? 
1898,  he  definitely  settled  in  Nantfco'ke  lan'i 
began  the  practice  of  law.  He  fi^^*  it^^h  irf 
the  practice  for  only  six  months  ■fvTien'^li'e' 
disastrous  coal  strike  took  place.  ^Jii5,caus|i3 
him  to  temporarily  give  up  his  laV  tiraiticel 
and  to  study  the  prospective  advi<n<rtgeg', .qj. 
Nanticoke,  which  was  then  being. -oxploited- 
as  a  trade  center  of  the  anthracite  coal  ^fi^-* 
trict.  He  had  come  to  NanticoX^'S-  tota_I, 
stranger,  but  this  did  not  deter*  him  f^-ojn 
taking  the  initiative  in  his  own  ^^s^^lf  an9' 
he  applied  for  the  position  of  rn-i«<^pal,.af. 
the  West  Main  Street  Public  Scliool,  '.jnd,* 
upon  his  previous  high  record  as  a'n.iecSucator,^ 
he  was  chosen  for  that  position.  "  He'  held^a- 
place  in  Nanticoke's  public  school 'iays^em  for* 
six  years,  and  in  the  meantime  k^etrt  faith- 
fully to  his  law  studies.  In  19Q3.,  .Ije  was 
admitted  to  practice  at  the  Bar  of",  f  ne  Su- 
preme Court  of  Pennsylvania.  Durjng  the 
six  years  that  Mr.  Pensyl  was  principal  of  the 
school  in  Nanticoke,  he  made  many  iriends, 
was  well  liked  and  had  thoroughly  mastered 
the  conditions  as  they  then  existed.  When 
he  felt  the  time  had  come  for  him  to  take 
up   again   the   practice   of  law,   he   opened  an 


424 


office  in  tile  Enke-Eennett  Building.  This 
was  in  1904,  and  he  has  been  in  the  practice 
of  law  ever  since.  He  has  won  a  high  place 
of  distinction  at  the  Luzerne  County  Bar, 
and  his  clientele  includes  some  of  the  most 
influential  citizens.  His  determination  to 
advance  and  to  more  thoroughly  understand 
his  profession  was  the  same  in  his  law  as 
in  his  teachingr  and  being  a  diligent  student 
in  all  that  he  undertakes,  he  enrolled  for  an 
extension  course  with  the  Hamilton  College 
of  Law  at  Chicago,  and  at  the  end  of  three 
years'  had  completed  this  University  Ex- 
tension Course  and  was  awarded  the  degree 
of  Bachelor  of  Laws.  In  his  study  of  condi- 
tions at  Nanticoke,  he  saw  the  need  for  an- 
other national  bank  and,  in  1904,  took  the 
preliminary  steps  toward  the  organization  of 
the  Nanticoke  National  Bank,  which  was 
opened  for  business  on  October  12,  1904.  He 
was  made  a  member  of  the  board  of  direc- 
tors and  in  1916  was  elected  president  of  the 
institution,  a  position  which  he  has  filled 
with  credit  to  himself  and  satisfaction  to  the 
banii  and  its  customers.  He  was  also  one  of 
the  organizers  of  the  Susquehanna  Lumber 
Company,  of  which  he  is  a  director  and  sec- 
retary. He  is  a  director  and  secretary  of 
the  Nanticoke  Construction  Company.  He  is 
also  interested  in  other  Nanticoke  business 
enterprises  and  is  an  active  member  of  the 
Kiwanis  Club.  He  is  a  man  of  remarkable 
energy  and  versatility  and  during  the  last 
fourteen  years,  in  addition  to  his  other  af- 
fairs he  has  carried  on  a  very  prosperous 
real  estate  and  insurance  business.  His  pub- 
lic service  has  been  varied  and  valuable. 
His  most  conspicuous  work  in  this  line  was 
in  connection  with  the  war  activities.  Dur- 
ing the  great  drive  for  funds  for  the  Young 
Men's  Christian  Association  work  among  the 
soldiers  at  home  and  abroad,  he  was  a  direc- 
tor of  the  forces  at  Nanticoke,  and  his  work 
resulted  in  raising  a  large  sum  of  money.  In 
1918,  he  was  appointed  Federal  Food  Inves- 
tigator for  Nanticoke  and  Newport  Township. 
His  duties  in  this  work  had  to  do  with  the 
conservatio.i  and  equitable  distribution  of 
food  un(ier  the  Hon.  Herbert  C.  Hoover,  of 
the  National  Food  Administration  during  the 
World  \v'ar.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Nanti- 
coke Lodge,  No.  541,  Free  and  Accepted  Ma- 
sons; a  t'.^irty-second  degree  Mason,  of  Key- 
stone CunDistory.  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish 
R  te,  Scrr.nton:  Nanticoke  Royal  Arch  Chap- 
ter. No.  2S7:  and  is  a  Noble  of  Irem  Temple, 
Ancient  4rabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic 
Shrine,  of  Wilkes-Barre.  He  is  a  member  of 
fn.'d^rtown  Lodge,  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows,  and  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
ChJrch  of  Nanticoke.  He  has  always  been  a 
nip.i.  of  great  activity,  with  an  ambition  to 
accoinplish,  whom  no  obstacle  can  deter  nor 
nny  difhculty  daunt.  He  has  won  his  way  to 
distincti\e  positions  by  proven  ability  along 
certain  lines  that  have  fitted  him  to  fill  these 
positions.  He  has  not  dissipated  his  efforts 
although  he  is  one  of  the  most  versatile  men 
in  the  community.  His  ability  has  at  all 
times  beeo  well  directed.  He  has  the  faculty 
of  making  many  friends  and  keeping  them 
and  is  held  in  the  highest  respect  by  his  busi- 
ness associates. 

On  June  15,  1899.  Daniel  Sylvester  Pensyl 
married  Mary  Small,  born  October  17,  1878, 
daughter  of  Christian  and  Louise  (Bonard) 
Small.  Ml',  and  Mrs.  Pensyl  have  had  four 
children-  1.  Alta  (deceased).  2.  Lester  (de- 
ceased). 3.  Viola  (deceased).  4.  Daniel 
Small,   Jr. 


CH.'VRLES  E.  CH.4PMAIV — Pilling  the  posi- 
tion of  division  passenger  agent  for  the  Le- 
high   Valley    Railroad,    Charles    E.    Chapman 


has  had  ample  opportunity  over  a  period  of 
many  years  to  prove  his  business  ability  and 
to  demonstrate  those  fine  qualities  of  char- 
acter "which  make  for  success  and  accom- 
plishment. He  goes  about  his  duties  in  a 
quiet  and  unassuming  way,  but  efficiently  and 
in  a  manner  that  is  certain  to  win  the 
esteem  of  everyone  who  has  much  to  do  with 
him.  The  result  is  that  today  Mr.  Chapman 
is  highly  regarded  by  his  fellow-citizena, 
and  especially  by  those  who  have  occasion 
to  come  into  daily  contact  with  him  in  the 
Wilkes-Barre  station  of  the  Lehigh  Valley 
Railroad,    where    his    offices    are    situated. 

Mr.  Chapman  is  a  son  of  George  O.  and 
Margaret  (Harley)  Chapman,  who  were  both 
born  in  Wayne  County,  Pennsylvania.  His 
father's  father  was  Oliver  W.  Chapman,  a 
native  of  Connecticut  and  a  member  of  an 
old  New  England  family.  George  O.  Chap- 
man, a  staunch  Republican  and  a  member 
of  the  Metliodist  Episcopal  Church  through- 
out his  life,  was  a  cabinet  maker  for  more 
than  fifty  years,  and  died,  January  1,  1927,  at 
the  age  of  seventy-three.  His  widow,  Mar- 
garet (Harley)  Chapman,  who  was  born  in 
1857,  lives  still  in  Carbondale.  They  were  the 
parents  of  three  children:  Charles  E.,  of 
further  mention:  Eugene  L.,  who  is  engaged 
in  business  in  Hamlin,  Wayne  County,  Penn- 
sylvania; and  Laura  B.,  who  is  the  wife  of 
Charles  Hoffman,  of  Carbondale,  Pennsyl- 
vania. 

Of  these  children,  Charles  E.  Chapman  was 
the  eldest,  having  been  born  on  April  25, 
1S78,  in  Wayne  County.  While  a  boy,  he 
attended  the  public  schools.  At  the  age  of 
thirteen,  he  went  with  his  parents  to  Car- 
bondale, Pennsylvania.  Although  he  left 
the  public  schools  early,  he  later  took  a  busi- 
ness course  at  Wood's  Business  School,  in 
Scranton,  Pennsylvania;  and,  after  that, 
learned  telegraphy  with  his  brother  by 
studying  at  night.  At  the  age  of  eighteen 
years,  he  took  a  position  as  operator  for  the 
Delaware  and  Hudson  Railroad,  in  Carbon- 
dale, where  he  continued  in  this  capacity  for 
two  years.  Then,  when  he  was  twenty,  he 
took  "a  position  tendered  him  by  the  United 
States  Government  at  the  time  of  the 
Spanish-American  War,  being  stationed  first 
in  Washington,  D.  C,  and  subsequently  at 
Puerto  Principe,  Cuba,  where  he  remained 
for  two  years.  Returning  to  the  United 
States,  he  took  a  position  again  with  the 
Delaware  and  Hudson  Railroad  as  ticket 
agent  in  Honesdale,  Pennsylvania,  where  he 
stayed  for  eight  years.  In  1907,  he  accepted 
a  position  with  the  Lehigh  Valley  Railroad 
as  ticket  agent  in  Wilkes-Barre.  This  posi- 
tion he  filled  creditably  for  twelve  years; 
then,  on  March  1,  1920,  he  was  made  division 
passenger  agent,  with  offices  in  Wilkes- 
Barre,  where  he  has  remained  up  to  the 
present  time. 

Mr.  Chapman  at  all  times  takes  a  keen 
interest  in  public  affairs,  and  is  especially 
active  in  political  matters,  having  been  long 
identified  with  the  Republican  party,  whose 
principles  and  candidates  he  supports.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  Firwood  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church,  of  Wilkes-Barre.  Active  in 
fraternal  affairs,  he  is  a  member  of  the  Free 
and  Accepted  Masons,  in  whicli  order  he  is 
affiliated  with  the  Honesdale  Lodge,  No.  218; 
the  Keystone  Consistory,  of  Scranton,  Penn- 
sylvania, Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite 
Masons,  in  which  he  holds  the  thirty-second 
degree:  and  Irem  Temple  of  the  Ancient 
Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine. 
He  belongs  also  to  the  Irem  Temple  Country 
Club  and  the  Rotary  Club,  and  holds  mem- 
bership in  the  New  York  Passenger  Ticket 
Agents   Association. 


llp^lillpppiipiMili^ 


425 


On  August  16,  1900,  Mr.  Chapman  was  mar- 
ried to  Estella  M,  Short,  a  daughter  of  John 
and  May  (Webley)  Short,  of  Prompton, 
Wayne  County,  Pennsylvania.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Chapman  are  the  parents  of  two  sons:  1.  Rus- 
sell J.,  who  is  in  charge  of  tlie  car  recording 
department  of  the  Leliigh  Valley  Railroad,  in 
Wilkes-Barre.  2,  George  C,  a  graduate  of 
the  Wilkes-Barre  High  School,  and  Wilkes- 
Barre  Business  College,  now  connected  with 
■R^alter  C.  Williams.  Mr.  Chapman  and  his 
family  reside  at  No.  17  Oak  Street,  Wilkes- 
Barre. 


FRANK  D.  HBSS — A  native  of  Luzerne 
County,  Mr.  Hess  has  been  a  resident  of 
Nanticoke  since  1SS6  and  since  1S91  has  been 
passenger  agent  of  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad 
in  that  town.  His  long  and  continuous  resi- 
dence naturally  has  made  him  one  of  the 
most  widely  known  members  of  the  commun- 
ity, while  his  active  and  effective  participa- 
tion in  the  various  phases  of  its  life  has  made 
him  one  of  the  most  useful  citizens.  At  all 
times  he  can  be  counted  upon  to  give  his  lib- 
eral and  enthusiastic  support  to  any  move- 
ment tending  to  advance  the  development  of 
the  community  and  to  further  the  welfare 
and  prosperity  of  its  people  and  its  institu- 
tions. 

His  father,  Milton  E.  Hess,  was  born  in 
Columbia  County,  Pennsylvania,  a  son  of 
Elijah  and  Margaret  (Coleman)  Hess  and  a 
grandson  of  George  Hess,  all  of  them  resi- 
dents of  Columbia  County,  where  the  latter 
was  successfully  engaged  for  many  years  in 
farming.  Elijah  Hess  was  a  miller,  a  trade 
which  was  also  followed  by  his  son,  Milton 
E.  Hess,  who  came  from  Columbia  County  to 
Luzerne  County  about  1S57  and  who  died  in 
Michigan  in  1S98.  The  latter  was  the  head  of 
a  family  of  ten  children,  all  of  them  born  in 
Luzerne  County:  Asinath,  now  deceased: 
Peas,  now  deceased:  Rosie,  now  deceased; 
Prank  D.,  of  "whom  further;  Edward,  now  de- 
ceased; Lee,  a  resident  of  Massilon,  Ohio; 
Laura,  now  deceased:  Cora,  a  resident  of 
Michigan;  Doile,  a  resident  of  Detroit,  Michi- 
gan: and  Harry  Hess,  a  resident  of  Phila- 
delphia. 

Prank  D.  Hess  was  born  at  what  Is  now 
Register,  Luzerne  County,  November  9,  1863, 
a  son  of  Milton  E.  and  Harriett  (Galder) 
Hess.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools 
and  at  New  Columbus  Academy.  He  then 
took  up  the  study  of  telegraphy  and  after  he 
had  acquired  a  very  thorough  knowledge  oi^ 
it,  entered  the  employ  of  the  Pennsylvania 
Railroad,  with  which  he  has  been  connected 
ever  since,  a  period  of  almost  half  a  century. 
After  having  been  a  telegrapher  for  this  rail- 
road for  some  years,  he  came  to  Nanticoke,  in 
1S.S6,  as  telegraph  operator  and  ticket  clerk. 
Five  years  later,  in  1S91,  he  was  promoted  to 
the  office  of  passenger  agent,  which  position 
he  has  held  since.  Throughout  his  long  resi- 
dence at  Nanticoke  he  has  given  freely  of  his 
time  and  efforts  to  a  great  variety  of  civic 
work.  For  seventeen  years  he  was  a  member 
of  the  Nanticoke  School  Board.  In  1923  he 
■tt'as  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  People's 
Savings  &  Trust  Company  of  Nanticoke,  of 
which  financial  institution  he  is  still  a  direc- 
tor. He  has  also  been  very  prominently  active 
in  fraternal  affairs,  being  a  member  of  Nanti- 
coke Lodge,  No.  541,  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons,  of  which  he  is  a  Past  Master,  and  in 
1927  served  as  treasurer;  Nanticoke  Chapter, 
Royal  Arch  Masons,  of  which  he  is  a  Past 
High  Priest;  Plymouth  Chapter,  No.  214, 
Royal  Arch  Masons,  of  which  he  is  also  a 
Past  High  Priest;  the  Commandery,  Knights 
Templar;  Keystone  Consistory,  of  Scranton, 
Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite;  Irem  Temple, 


Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic 
Shrine;  the  Craftsmen  Club;  and  the  Kiwanis 
Club,  of  which  latter  he  is  a  director.  He  is 
one  of  the  most  loyal  members  of  the  local 
Presbyterian  Church,  of  the  board  of  direc- 
tors of  which  he  was  a  member  for  twenty- 
flve  years,  having  served  this  church  also  as 
treasurer  and  having  taken  a  very  active  part 
in  its  work   in   many  other  ways. 

Mr.  Hess  married,  in  1889,  Lillian  Risewick 
of  Nanticoke,  a  daughter  of  Wellington  and 
Rachael  (Long)  Risewick.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hess 
are  the  parents  of  two  daughters:  1.  Helen, 
wife  of  Eugene  T.  Randall  of  Nanticoke,  dis- 
trict superintendent  of  the  Susquehanna  Col- 
liery Comi^any,  and  mother  of  two  children; 
Katharine  and  Jean  Randall.  2.  Katherine.  a 
teacher  in  the  public  schools  at  Nanticoke 
and  makes  her  home  w^ith  her  parents.  The 
family  residence  is  located  at  No.  139  Arch 
Street,  Nanticoke. 


DR.  WILLARD  ANDREAV  RIBBLR — With 
an  extensive  dental  practice  about  Kingston 
and  Wilkes-Barre,  Dr.  Willard  Andrew  Ribble 
has,  during  the  quarter  of  a  century  that  he 
has  rendered  professional  services  to  the 
community,  interested  himself  in  public 
affairs  and  cooperated  in  civic  betterment 
efforts  through  his  extensive  organization 
activities.  Dr.  Ribble  is  a  native  of  Wilkes- 
Barre.  Born  Januarj'  11,  1882,  he  is  the  son 
of  James  Irvin  Ribble,  born  at  Columbia, 
New  Jersey,  1851,  died  October  21,  1921,  and 
Anna  (Read)  Ribble,  born  in  1854  at  Dallas, 
Luzerne  County,  died  in  1924.  The  father  was 
proprietor  of  a  shop  where  harness  and  col- 
lars  were   made   for   mules   in    the   mines. 

Dr.  Ribble  attended  the  Wilkes-Barre 
public  schools  and,  after  completing  the 
high  school  course,  went  to  the  Wilkes- 
Barre  and  Woods  business  colleges,  then  to 
the  Baltimore  School  of  Dental  Surgery.  Here 
he  received  his  degree  of  Doctor  of  Dental 
Surgery  with  the  class  of  1903.  He  established 
an  office  in  Wilkes-Barre  and  practiced  there 
until  1924  when  he  built  his  present  home  and 
office  at  245  Reynolds  Street  in  Kingston 
where  he  has  conducted  a  general  dental 
practice  ever  since.  With  membership  in  the 
Luzerne  Dental  Society,  the  esteem  of  his 
fellow  members  is  attested  to  by  the  fact 
that  he  was  elected  to  the  presidency  of  the 
body  in  1923.  He  had  been  treasurer  of  the 
organization  for  a  number  of  years  prior  to 
that.  In  politics.  Dr.  Ribble  affiliated  himself 
with  the  Republican  party;  he  is  a  member  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  and  the 
Rotary  Club  of  Wilkes-Barre.  He  has  ad- 
vanced far  in  Masonry,  being  a  member  of 
Lodge  No.  61,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons; 
Shekinah  Chapter,  Royal  Arch  Masons;  Dieu 
le  Veut  Commandery,  No.  45,  Knights  Tem- 
plar, and  Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order 
Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine. 

Dr.  Ribble  married,  October  3,  1905,  Edythe 
M.  Morgan,  daughter  of  Morgan  R.  and  Mar- 
garet J.  (Williams)  Morgan  of  Wilkes-Barre. 
Their  t"wo  sons  are:  Morgan  Irvin,  born  April 
6,  1910,  now  a  student  at  Lafayette  College. 
Willard  Andrew,  Jr.,  born  July  24,  1913,  now 
attending    Wyoming    Seminary. 

WILLIAM    FORESTER    D.4VISON,    M.    D. — 

Prominent  in  the  life  of  Kingston  for  many 
years.  Dr.  William  Forester  Davison  has 
achieved  a  unique  position  in  the  affection 
and  esteem  of  his  community.  A  member  of 
an  old  Luzerne  County  family,  he  has  chosen 
to  make  his  own  home  there,  and  his  con- 
stant and  faithful  attendance  upon  the  sick, 
his  very  great  professional  skill,  and  fine 
spirit  of  public  service  have  endeared  him  to 
all  those  with  whom  he  has  come  in  contact. 


426 


Dr.  Davison,  besides  holding  various  civic 
offices,  is  prominent  in  the  social  and  fra- 
ternal life  of  Kingston. 

His  grandfather,  James  Davison,  came  from 
New  Jersey  to  Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania, 
among  the  early  settlers.  He  was  a  butcher 
by  trade,  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  War,  and 
became  the  father  of  five  children:  1.  Charles 
A.  2.  Alfred  Gwynne,  who  was  a  physician 
for  many  years  at  Cambria  in  Luzerne 
County,  and  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  War.  3. 
Lucy,  who  survives  her  husband,  William 
Shaw.  4.  Elizabeth,  deceased.  5.  Jennie,  now 
also  deceased.  Charles  A.  Davison,  who  died 
at  the  age  of  eighty-three,  married  Harriet 
Augusta  Fitzgerald,  the  daughter  of  Jacob 
and  Elizabeth  (Barney)  Fitzgerald.  Mrs. 
Davison  is  still  living  although  she  has  also 
passed    her    eighty-fourtli    birthday. 

William  Forester  Davison,  the  only  child 
of  this  marriage,  was  born  on  December  28, 
1S67,  at  Town  Hill,  Huntington  Township,  in 
Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania.  He  spent  most 
of  his  childhood  at  Cambra,  attending  the 
public  schools  there,  and  later  he  entered 
New  Columbus  Academy  at  Huntington 
Mills  in  Luzerne  County.  He  also  attended 
Wyoming  Seminary  at  Kingston.  Having  al- 
ready decided  upon  the  career  which  he  in- 
tended to  follow,  Dr.  Davison  then  entered 
Jefferson  Medical  College  in  Philadelphia,  and 
after  pursuing  the  course  of  study  there,  was 
graduated  in  1896  with  the  degree  of  Doctor 
of  Medicine.  He  came  immediately  to  Kings- 
ton to  begin  the  practice  of  his  profession, 
which  he  has  carried  on  so  successfully  there 
since  that  time  for  thirty-three  years.  In 
point  of  service  he  is  easily  the  senior  phy- 
sician of  Kingston. 

Politically,  Dr.  Davison  supports  the  prin- 
ciples and  candidates  of  the  Republican 
party.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Luzerne  County 
Medical  Society,  the  Pennsylvania  Medical 
Society,  and  of  the  American  Medical  Asso- 
ciation: also  a  member  of  Central  Atlantic 
States  Association  of  the  American  Dairy 
Food  Drugs.  He  is  also  chairman  of  the 
Luzerne  County  Public  Health  Association, 
chairman  of  tiie  Pennsylvania  Association  of 
Dairy  and  Milk  Inspectors  Association,  and 
a  member  of  the  Kingston  Board  of  Health. 
In  1923  he  was  appointed  State  Medical 
Supervisor,  and  appointed  in  1929  Luzerne 
County  Medical  Director.  He  is  a  Protestant, 
and  affiliated  fraternally  with  the  Kingston 
Lodge  of  the  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  and 
is  now  a  director  of  the  First  National  Bank 
of  Kingston.  During  the  World  War  Mr. 
Davis  was  appointed  by  the  President  as 
member  of  tlie  local  Examining  Board  for 
Division  No.  4,  Luzerne  County.  In  June, 
1917,  he  was  commissioned  first  lieutenant  in 
the  Medical  Corps  and  transferred  to  Camp 
Lee  as  head  of  the  Intelligence  Department 
at  the  Base  Hospital. 

Dr.  Davison  "was  twice  married  (first)  to 
Viola  Boultinghouse,  of  Ne^v  Jersey,  "who  died 
in  1910.  He  married  (second)  Jessie  M.  Mulford 
of  Bridgeton,  New  Jersey,  daughter  of  Clarence 
J.  and  Anna  R.  (Boultinghouse)  Mulford, 
and  they  became  the  parents  of  a  son,  Wil- 
liam Forester  Davison,  Jr.,  born  January  16, 
1916,  and  three  "who  died  in  infancy.  Mrs. 
Davison  is  a  member  of  West  Side  Women's 
Club,  the  Nesbitt  Memorial  Hospital  Associa- 
tion, West  Side  Visiting  Nurses  Association, 
West  Side  Settlement,  Wyoming  Seminary 
Association,  and  is  very  active  in  Kingston 
Presbyterian    Church   work. 


ROBERT  C.  TEEL — A  follower  of  the  "Art 
Preservative"  since  his  graduation  from  high 
school,  in  1894,  Robert  C.  Teel,  of  White 
Haven,  has  continued  in  this  line  of  en- 
deavor until  the  present  time,  and  after  many 


years  as  an  employee  has  built  up  a  business 
of  his  own  here  that  ranks  high  among  com- 
mercial enterprises  of  the  town.  During  his 
years  of  experience  in  printing  and  publish- 
ing, Mr.  Teel  founded,  and  for  some  time  pub- 
lished a  weekly  newspaper.  Political,  civic, 
and  fraternal  organizations  are  well  ac- 
quainted with  the  capacity  for  unremitting 
labor  possessed  by  Mr.  Teel,  he  being  promi- 
nent among  such  societies  and  organizations 
here. 

Mr.  Teel  was  born  November  11,  1878,  at 
White  Haven,  son  of  Philip  and  Louisa  (Voll- 
mer)  Teel.  Philip  Teel,  a  native  of  Ross 
Common,  Monroe  County,  Pennsylvania,  born 
December  2,  1845,  was  connected  with  vari- 
ous sawmills  as  planer  operator  until  his 
death  in  1908.  Louisa  (Vollmer)  Teel,  born 
June  8,  1857,  at  Lehigh  Tannery,  Carbon 
County,  Pennsylvania,  survives  her  husband 
(1928). 

Completing  his  education  by  graduation 
from  high  school,  with  the  class  of  1894, 
Robert  C.  Teel  apprenticed  himself  in  the 
fall  of  that  year  to  the  printing  trade,  and 
throughout  his  life  since  that  time  has  been 
attached,  in  one  capacity  or  another,  with 
printing.  In  1902,  he  started  a  concern  of  his 
own,  on  a  very  modest  scale.  His  first  plant 
^vas  located  in  his  mother-in-law's  home  and 
here  he  specialized  in  the  printing  of  cards 
and  other  commercial  work.  For  six  years, 
while  still  maintaining  his  status  as  an  em- 
ployee, Mr.  Teel  remained  in  this  location,  at 
the  end  of  which  time  he  resigned  his  position 
and  moved  his  business  downto'wn,  enlarging 
the  scope  of  his  product  and  adding  a  line 
of  stationery  for  the  retail  trade.  With  this 
modest  beginning  he  gradually  developed  his 
concern  until  it  attained  its  present  high 
standing  in  White  Haven.  His  establishment 
now  carries  a  complete  line  of  stationery, 
gift  articles,  electrical  and  sporting  goods, 
soda,  cigars,  books,  toys,  novelties,  and 
radios.  Following  the  trend  of  business  de- 
velopment, in  1917  Mr.  Teel  purchased  his 
present  store  building  at  No.  408  Main  Street, 
but  after  three  years  here,  he  again  became 
cramped  for  space,  was  forced  to  expand,  and 
constructed  additions  to  his  building,  increas- 
ing the  floor  space  thereof  about  forty  per 
cent.  A  resumS  of  the  foregoing  review  will 
remove  all  doubts  as  to  who  should  have 
credit  for  the  present  development  of  Mr. 
Teel's  concern,  for  it  has  been  entirely 
through  his  unceasing  and  unremitting  de- 
votion to  business  that  success  has  thus 
favored  him.  It  was  in  1922  that  the  "White 
Haven  Record,"  a  weekly  newspaper,  was 
founded  by  Mr.  Teel.  He,  with  others,  con- 
ducted this  publication  for  two  years  before 
disposing  of  his   interests   therein. 

A  Republican  in  politics,  Mr.  Teel  is  a  de- 
voted worker  for  the  progress  of  his  com- 
munity. Among  his  civic  activities  may  be 
included  the  Patriotic  Order  Sons  of  America, 
Junior  Order  United  American  Mechanics, 
the  Knights  of  the  Maccabees,  White  Haven 
Fire  Company  and  Business  Men's  Associa- 
tion. Believing  in  the  community  in  which 
he  was  reared  and  made  his  success,  he  has 
invested  the  proceeds  of  his  endeavor  in  the 
business  life  of  his  town,  being  financially 
interested  in  many  of  the  town's  industries 
and  activities. 

In  1902  Mr.  Teel  married  Mabel  Schutzbach, 
of  White  Haven,  daughter  of  Joseph  and 
Emma  Schutzbach,  and  they  have  two  sons: 
1.  Harold,  born  March  4,  1904.  2.  Robert  C, 
Jr.,  born  November  6,  1909.  Early  in  1927  the 
two  sons  were  taken  into  partnership  with 
their  father,  under  the  firm  name  of  Robert 
Teel  &  Sons:  Harold,  active  in  the  business 
at  all  times,  and  Robert,  Jr.,  still  a  student  at 
Temple  College,  Philadelphia. 


lliiiiii^^^ 


-^^?^C^^--^^<^ 


WILI-IAM  DEXTER  JEIVKINS  —  Rising, 
througli  his  own  efforts,  from  a  breaker  boy 
at  a  coal  mine  to  become  a,  leading  merchant 
of  his  city  while  still  in  early  middle  lite,  is 
the  achievement  of  William  Dexter  Jenkins, 
of  Nanticoke.  It  may  have  been  the  vigor  of 
the  Welsh  blood  in  his  veins  that  partly 
accounted  for  this  success,  but  certainly  a 
tremendous  amount  of  perseverance  must 
have  been  added  to  enable  him  to  accomplish 
the  results  that  have  rewarded  his  efforts. 
Yet  he  has  had  time,  withal,  to  take  a  most 
active  interest  in  the  civic,  social,  political 
and  fraternal  affairs  of  his  community  and 
today  is  not  only  one  of  the  leading  business 
men  of  Nanticoke,  but  one  of  the  most  popu- 
lar of  its  citizens. 

William  Dexter  Jenkins  was  born  in  Mis- 
souri, June  19,  18S2,  but  was  reared  in  Plym- 
outh, Pennsylvania,  where  his  parents  had 
removed  shortly  after  emigrating  to  this 
country  from  Wales,  their  native  land, 
prior  to  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  War. 
His  father  was  Thomas,  and  his  mother, 
Catherine  (Dexter)  Jenkins,  the  first  named 
having  been  born  in  1S40  and  coming  to 
America  when  a  young  man.  When  the  Civil 
War  began  and  volunteers  were  called,  he 
enlisted  in  the  artillery  for  a  period  of  six 
months,  at  the  close  of  which  service  he  re- 
enlisted  for  three  years.  He  took  part  in 
many  of  the  great  battles  of  the  war,  and 
returning  to  civil  life  he  engaged  in  mining, 
an  occupation  he  followed  to  the  day  of  his 
death  at  the  age  of  seventy  years.  William 
Dexter's  mother  was  a  native  American,  hav- 
ing been  born  in  Connecticut.  She  was  the 
mother  of  nine  children. 

William  Dexter  Jenkins  was  educated  in 
the  public  schools  of  Plymouth  and  at  twelve 
years  of  age  went  to  work  as  a  breaker  boy, 
following  this  hard  task  for  more  than  two 
years.  He  then  obtained  a  position  in  a  mer- 
cantile house,  a  business  which  he  has  since 
followed.  It  was  not  until  1917  that  he  was 
able  to  seriously  entertain  his  desire  to 
establish  himself  independently,  when  he  set 
up  his  own  store,  w^hich  today  is  one  of  the 
outstanding  successes  of  Wyoming  Valley, 
dealing  principally  in  ready-to-wear  garments 
for  women.  He  is  a  member  and  past  vice- 
president  of  the  Kiwanis  Club,  a  member  of 
the  Craftsmen's  Club;  of  St.  John's  Lodge,  No. 
233,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons;  the  Chapter, 
Royal  Arch  Masons,  and  Caldwell  Consistory, 
Knights   Templar,   of  Bloomsburg. 

Mr.  Jenkins  married,  September  1,  1915, 
Elizabeth  Thompson,  of  Pittston.  Their  chil- 
dren are:    David  Fowler,  and  Anne  Watson. 

CHARLES  J.  McGOUGH — One  of  the  most 
modern  and  well  equipped  automobile  sales- 
rooms in  the  city  of  Wilkes-Barre  is  that  of 
the  Wilkes-Barre  Buick  Company,  located  at 
No.  174  South  Washington  Street.  The  pro- 
prietor of  this  concern  is  Charles  J.  McGough, 
and  the  company  are  general  distributors  for 
the  Wyoming  Valley,  with  associate  distribu- 
tors at  various  other  points  in  the  valley. 
Mr.  McGough  is  a  skilled  machinist  himself, 
having  learned  the  trade  between  the  years 
of  fourteen  and  twenty,  and  he  has  been 
identified  with  the  automobile  industry  and 
business  since  he  was  twenty  years  of  age. 
He  is  president  of  the  Wilkes-Barre  Automo- 
bile and  Merchants'  Association,  and  192S-29 
president  of  the  Wilkes-Barre-Wyoming 
Valley  Chamber  of  Commerce. 

Charles  J.  McGough  was  born  in  Philadel- 
phia, Pennsylvania,  February  27,  1SS3,  son  of 
J.  F.  and  Anna  (Tracey)  McGough,  both  de- 
ceased. He  attended  the  public  schools  of 
Philadelphia  until   he   was   fourteen   years   of 


age,  and  then  learned  the  trade  of  the  ma- 
chinist, which  he  followed  until  he  was  a 
young  man  of  twenty.  He  then  identified 
himself  with  the  rapidly  growing  automobile 
industry,  using  the  skill  which  he  had 
already  acquired  as  a  mechanic  and  adding 
to  his  equipment  a  thorough  knowledge  of 
automobile  mecha'nics.  In  1918,  he  became 
an  agent  and  distributor  for  the  Dodge 
Brothers  motor  cars,  and  continued  to  sell 
the  products  of  that  concern  until  192C.  In 
that  year  he  removed  from  Philadelphia  to 
Wilkes-Barre  and  became  the  distributor  for 
the  Buick  motor  cars  for  Luzerne  County.  As 
proprietor  of  the  Wilkes-Barre  Buick  Com- 
pany, he  is  handling  a  business  which  is  rap- 
idly growing  and  which  now  distributes 
throughout  the  Wyoming  Valley,  having  asso- 
ciate distributing  centers  at  Nanticoke,  Plym- 
outh, Pittston,  Dallas,  and  Kingston.  As 
has  already  been  stated,  the  showrooms  at 
Wilkes-Barre  are  beautiful,  modern,  and  well 
equipped,  ranking  among  the  very  best  in 
the  city  of  Wilkes-Barre.  Mr.  McGough  has 
established  a  reputation  as  a  good  business 
man,  and  his  experience  and  his  general  abil- 
ity cause  him  to  be  much  in  demand  for  ofil- 
cial  service  in  the  various  organizations  with 
which  he  is  identified.  He  is  chief  executive 
of  the  Wilkes-Barre  Automobile  and  Mer- 
chants' Association,  and  as  president  of  the 
Wilkes-Barre-Wyoming  Valley  Chamber  of 
Commerce,  he  has  done  splendid  work  for 
the  years  1928-29.  He  is  known  as  a  "live 
wire,"  and  his  associates  are  ever  ready  to 
follow  where  he  leads,  having  learned  from 
experience  that  he  is  able  to  "get  things 
done."  He  is  a  member  of  the  Wyoming  Val- 
ley Country  Club,  Irem  Temple  Country  Club, 
Westmoreland  Club,  and  the  Franklin  Club; 
director  of  the  Wyoming  Valley  Automobile 
Club  and  director  of  the  Wyoming  Valley 
Playground  Association,  and  member  of  the 
Rotary  Club.  He  is  well  known  in  Masonic 
circles,  being  a  member  of  Jerusalem  Lodge, 
No.  506,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  of  Phila- 
delphia; Siloam  Chapter,  No.  226,  Royal  Arch 
Masons;  Frankford  Commandery,  Knights 
Templar,  of  Philadelphia;  Keystone  Con- 
sistory, Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite,  of 
Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  in  which  he  holds 
the  thirty-second  degree;  and  Irem  Temple, 
Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic 
Shrine,  of  Wilkes-Barre.  He  is  a  Republican 
in  politics,  and  his  religious  membership  is 
with  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

Charles  J.  McGough  was  married.  October 
27,  1909,  to  Laura  L.  Thompson,  of  Tower 
City,  Pennsylvania,  daughter  of  Oliver  and 
Lydia  (Goodman)  Thompson.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
McGough  have  five  adopted  children:  L. 
Ruth,  Anna  E.,  Blanche  E.,  Mildred  C,  and  I. 
Arlien. 

JOHN  HOWORTH,  M.  D. — One  of  the  well- 
known  men  of  the  medical  profession  in 
Wilkes-Barre  is  Dr.  John  Howorth,  whose 
offices  are  located  at  his  home,  No.  115  South 
Franklin  Street,  Wilkes-Barre.  Dr.  Howorth 
is  a  graduate  of  the  Medical  School  of  the 
Universitj'  of  Pennsylvania,  has  had  an  ex- 
tended hospital  experience,  and  has  given 
special  attention  to  surgery.  He  has  been 
one  of  the  surgeons  of  Wilkes-Barre  General 
Hospital  since  1913  and  has  long  been  known 
as  one  of  the  skilled  surgeons  of  this  city. 

James  Howorth,  father  of  Dr.  Howorth, 
was  born  in  England,  and  was  brought  to 
this  country  by  his  parents  when  he  was  a 
small  boy.  The  family  settled  in  Luzerne 
County,  Pennsylvania,  where  James  Howorth 


received  his  education  and  where  for  thirty- 
five  years  he  was  employed  as  a  stationary 
engineer.  He  was  a  Republican  in  his  political 
convictions,  and  a  member  of  the  Presby- 
terian Churcli.  He  married  Catherine  Wil- 
liams, in  Olj-pliant.  and  they  were  the  par- 
ents of  seven  children.  He  died  at  the  age 
of  fifty-six  years,  and  his  widow  survives 
him  (1929)  at  the  age  of  seventy-eight.  The 
children  are:  Frank,  deceased;  James,  Jr.,  of 
M'ilkes-Barre;  Morgan,  deceased;  Alice;  Dr. 
John,  of  further  mention;  Catherine,  and 
George. 

Dr.  John  Howorth,  son  of  James  and  Cath- 
erine (Williams)  Howorth,  was  born  in 
Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  December  11,  1879, 
and  was  an  infant  when  his  parents  located 
in  Wilkes-Barre.  He  attended  the  public 
schools,  graduating  from  Willies-Barre  High 
Scliool  in  1897,  and  then  became  a  student  in 
the  Bloomsburg  State  Normal  School,  from 
which  he  was  graduated  in  1898.  After  the 
completion  of  his  Normal  course  he  taught 
in  Wilkes-Barre  for  five  years,  until  1905, 
when  he  matriculated  in  the  Medical  School 
of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  from 
wliich  he  was  graduated  with  the  class  of 
1909,  receiving  at  that  time  the  degree  of 
Doctor  of  Medicine.  Immediately  after  gradu- 
ation he  returned  to  Wilkes-Barre,  and  from 
1909  to  1911  he  was  the  resident  physician  for 
the  Wilkes-Barre  General  Hospital.  Since 
that  time  he  has  given  special  attention  to 
surgery  and  has  l^een  one  of  the  members  of 
the  surgical  staff  of  the  Wilkes-Barre  Gen- 
eral Hospital.  He  has  built  up  a  very  large 
and  important  general  practice,  in  addition 
to  his  special  surgical  work,  and  is  well 
known  as  one  of  the  specially  skilled  mem- 
bers of  his  profession.  Dr.  Howorth  is  a 
member  of  the  Luzerne  County  Medical  So- 
ciety, tlie  Pennsylvania  Medical  Society,  and 
the  American  Medical  Association,  and  in 
addition  to  the  professional  responsibilities 
already  mentioned  he  is  surgeon  for  the 
Lehigh  Valley  Railroad  Company  and  was 
surgeon  for  the  Sheldon  Axle  Works  of 
Wilkes-Barre  up  to  the  time  of  its  closing 
out.  Fraternally,  he  is  identified  with  Wilkes- 
Barre  Lodge,  No.  61,  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons,  of  which  he  is  a  Past  Master;  Sheki- 
nah  Chapter,  No.  182,  Royal  Arch  Masons: 
Dieu  le  Veut  Commandery,  No.  45,  Knights 
Templar;  and  Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic 
Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  He  was 
also  a  member  of  the  Patriotic  Order  Sons 
of  America,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Exchange 
Club,  and  is  deeply  interested  in  the  civic 
welfare  of  the  city.  He  has  won  in  a  high 
degree  the  respect  and  esteem  of  his  asso- 
ciates, both  in  the  profession  and  among 
those  witli  whom  lie  is  otlierwise  associated, 
and  he  is  known  as  one  of  the  representative 
citizens   of  Wilkes-Barre. 

Dr.  John  Howorth  was  married,  September 
23,  1914,  to  Florence  Loretta  MacDaniels, 
daughter  of  Seymour  and  Ida  (Morgan)  Mac- 
Daniels,  of  Wilkes-Barre.  Dr.  and  Mrs. 
Howorth  have  two  children:  Katherine  Mir- 
iam, and  Loretta  Alice. 


FREDERICK  C.  A.  JOB — Descendant  of  a 
family  of  watchmalcers,  his  father  and  grand- 
father having  followed  that  profession  in 
England,  the  home  land,  Frederick  C.  A.  Job, 
of  Wilkes-Barre,  is  a  natural  inheritor  of  the 
craft.  For  thirty-six  years  he  has  success- 
fully conducted  sucli  a  business  here,  estab- 
lished on  a  firm  basis  and  continued  on  the 
highest  plane  of  commercial  tradition.  Al- 
though of  foreign  birth,  he  has  long  since 
become  so  immersed  in  Americanism  that  he 
is  as  much  a  part  of  the  body  politic  native 
born  as  the  oldest  of  American  stock.    Inter- 


ested in  every  activity  that  lends  itself  to 
the  approval  of  the  best  citizenry,  he  is  one 
of  the  very  substantial  members  of  the  com- 
mercial, social  and  fraternal  organization 
that  malies  up  the  community,  respected  and 
admired  by  all  with  whom  he  is  thrown  in 
contact. 

Frederick  C.  A.  Job  was  born  in  London, 
England,  in  1864,  a  son  of  Frederick  and  Ann 
(Baseley)  Job.  The  father  is  deceased,  the 
mother  still  living,  in  Birmingliam,  England, 
at  the  age  of  eiglity-flve  years.  Frederick, 
the  younger,  is  a  self-educated,  self-made 
man.  He  came  to  America  in  1891  and  located 
in  Wilkes-Barre,  soon  establishing"  liimself 
in  the  jewelry  business  here.  Tile  business 
has  continued  to  grow  during  the  thirty- 
seven  years  of  its  life  and  is  now  one  of 
the  leading  houses  of  its  character  in  Lu- 
zerne County,  doing  a  wholesale  business. 
In  fraternal  circles  he  is  affiliated  with  the 
order  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  holding 
membership  in  Wilkes-Barre  Lodge,  No.  61. 
He  is  a  director  of  the  Dime  Bank  Title  and 
Trust  Company,  of  Willies-Barre. 

Mr.  Job  married  Emily  Elizabeth  Lutman, 
of  Birmingham,  England,  daughter  of  Wil- 
liam and  Elizabeth  (Hutton)  Lutman.  They 
are  the  parents  of  two  children:  Florence 
Lillian,  who  married  Ernest  Watkinson,  of 
Philadelphia;  and  Emily  Lutman  Job,  un- 
married and  living  with  her  parents. 

DR.  EDWARD  RHYS  RODERICK,  oculist, 
with  offices  at  No.  92  South  Franklin  Street, 
one  of  the  best  known  eye-specialists  of 
Wilkes-Barre,  hails  from  sturdy  Welsh  an- 
cestors, representatives  of  whom  have  done 
their  part  toward  the  upbuild  of  sections 
where  they  have  settled  in  this  country,  and 
particularly    in   the   coal    mining   industry. 

James  E.  Roderick,  his  father,  for  years 
chief  of  the  Pennsylvania  Department  of 
Mines  and  a  pioneer  in  the  anthracite  coal 
mines  of  this  State,  was  born  January  14, 
1842,  at  Goginan,  Cardiganshire,  South  Wales, 
a  son  of  Edward  and  Eleanor  (Edwards) 
Roderick,  and  grandson  on  his  paternal  side 
of  Edward  and  Jane  Roderick,  of  Penygaru, 
Cardiganshire;  and  on  the  'maternal  side 
grandson  of  Edward  and  Elizabeth  (Black- 
well)  Edwards,  of  Goginan,  near  Aberystwyth. 
Edward  Roderick,  his  father,  a  native  of 
Wales,  died  in  Cardiganshire  in  1855,  aged 
sixty-tour;  his  mother,  also  a  native  of  Wales, 
died  in  Wilkes-Barre  at  the  age  of  eighty- 
four  years,  and  was  buried  in  Hollenback 
Cemetery.  The  children  of  Edward  and 
Eleanor  (Edwards)  Roderick  were  eight:  1. 
Evan,  died  in  January,  1881,  at  the  home  in 
Wilkes-Barre,  and  was  interred  in  Hollen- 
back Cemetery.  2.  John,  died  in  Wales  at  the 
age  of  thirty-one.  3.  Edward,  died  in  Wales 
at  about  sixty-five  years.  4.  Richard,  died 
at  Wilkes-Barre  at  about  seventy  years  of 
age,  and  was  buried  in  Hollenback.  5.  Mary, 
died  in  Wales  at  the  age  of  two.  6.  Mary 
(second),  died  at  the  age  of  seven  in  Wales. 
7.  Mary  (third),  married  Thomas  R.  Jones, 
of  Wilkes-Barre,  where  she  died  and  was 
buried  in  the  city  cemetery.  8.  James  E.,  of 
whom  furtlier. 

James  Edward  Roderick  spent  his  early 
days  in  Cardiganshire,  where  he  received  his 
preliminary  tutoring  in  the  public  schools. 
His  father  passing  away  when  he  was  thir- 
teen, he  was  tlirown  upon  his  own  respon- 
sibilities, and  took  up  the  mining  of  silver, 
copper  and  lead  in  South  Wales,  and  he  was 
working  alternately  day  and  night  shifts  at 
the  age  of  eighteen,  attending  school  days 
and  half  days  as  best  he  could  arrange  it. 
He  did  not  waste  his  time  but  applied  himself 
with  vigor,   and  secured  a  diploma   in   book- 


'^i^tu^a^  -^.i^- 


439 


keeping.  In  March,  1864,  he  left  his  native 
land  for  the  United  States,  and  had  an  inter- 
esting passag^e  over  during  the  later  days  of 
the  Civil  War  between  the  North  and  the 
South.  Following  a  short  stay  at  New  York 
he  located  in  Scranton,  this  State,  then  re- 
moved to  Pittston,  and  for  three  months 
thereafter  was  engaged  as  a  miner's  laborer 
in  the  mines  of  the  Pennsylvania  Coal  Com- 
pany. Taking  up  his  residence  in  Wilkes- 
Barre,  he  engaged  with  the  Lehigh  and 
Wilkes-Barre  Coal  Company  to  mine  coal  for 
them  until  January  1,  1866,  when  he  was 
promoted  to  the  position  of  mine  foreman  of 
the  Empire  Shaft.  A.  J.  Davis  &  Company 
employed  liim  June  1,  1870,  as  general  super- 
intendent at  Warrior  Run,  and  he  remained 
with  this  concern  to  the  end  of  June,  1881. 
Following  a  competitive  examination  at  this 
time,  he  was  appointed  by  Governor  Hoyt  to 
the  position  of  mine  inspector  for  w^hat  was 
then  known  as  the  Fourth  Anthracite  District 
of  Pennsylvania,  with  headquarters  at  Hazle- 
ton,  this  district  having  become  recognized 
in  later  days  as  the  eleventh.  After  serving 
five  years  he  took  another  competitive  exami- 
nation and  was  reappointed  by  Governor  Pat- 
tison.  He  proved  that  he  was  the  best  man 
to  be  had  for  this  place,  and  his  services  were 
in  demand  in  numerous  quarters.  At  the  end 
of  his  third  year  of  the  second  term  he  re- 
signed to  accept  a  more  lucrative  position 
as  general  superintendent  for  ILinderman  and 
Skeer,  which  position  he  held  from  May,  1889. 
to  June,  1896.  In  this  work  he  had  charge  of 
six  collieries  employing  some  fourteen  hun- 
dred men  and  mining  some  2,000  tons  of  coal 
a  da>".  Mr.  Roderick  resigned  June  1,  1896,  to 
become  general  manager  of  A.  S.  Vanwickle's 
extensive  coal  business  and  other  interests. 
Mr.  Vanwickle  having  died  meantime,  he  re- 
signed tills  place  June  1,  1899,  to  accept  the 
position  of  chief  of  the  Bureau  of  Mines  under 
appointment  from  Governor  Stone.  The 
bureau  was  changed  to  a  Department  of 
Mines,  and  to  this  place  he  was  reappointed 
by  Governor  Pennypacker.  Mr.  Roderick  was 
one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Hazleton  Na- 
tional Bank,  and  was  made  a  director;  he 
%vas  one  of  the  organizers  and  a  director  of 
the  Hazleton  State  Hospital,  served  as  presi- 
dent of  the  Board  of  Commissioners  that  built 
it,  and  and  as  president  of  the  board  of 
trustees  after  the  death  of  Hon.  Eckley  B. 
Coxe.  He  was  always  a  staunch  Republican 
in  politics.  From  1S72  to  1880  he  served  as 
school  director  in  Warrior  Run  Borough,  and 
served  one  term  as  a  select  councilman  of 
the  city  of  Hazleton,  having  been  one  of  the 
first  members.  Since  1872  he  was  active  as 
a  member  of  the  Free  and  Accepted  Masons, 
becoming  a  Master  Mason:  and  he  belonged 
to  Hazleton  Lodge  of  Elks.  He  and  his  wife 
were  long  active  workers  in  the  Hazleton 
First  Presbyterian  Church:  for  eighteen  years 
he  served  as  secretary  of  the  churches  and 
superintendent  of  the  Sunday  Schools  at 
Warrior  Run  and  Wilkes-Barre.  He  was  one 
of  the  first  members  of  the  First  'Welsh 
Presbyterian  Church,  at  Northampton  and 
Meade  streets,  and  was  active  in  its  erection; 
as  its  first  secretary  he  served  from  1864  to 
1870.  He  was  likewise  secretary  of  the  War- 
rior Run  Church  from  1870  to  18S1.  He  re- 
moved to  Warrior  Run  in  1870  and  the  pres- 
ent church  edifice  was  built  in  1873,  largely 
due    to    his    indefatigable    labors. 

Mr.  Roderick  married  (first),  in  December, 
1868,  Sarah  Davis,  of  New  York,  who  bore 
him  four  children:  1.  Eleanor,  born  Septem- 
ber 26,  1869,  and  married  David  C.  Jones,  of 
D.  C.  Jones  &  Company,  of  Wilkes-Barre.  2. 
Edward  R.,  of  whom  further.  3.  James,  born 
January   25,   1874,   who   served   in   the  Depart- 


ment of  Mines  at  Harrlsburg.  4.  John,  born 
February  27,  1877,  died  at  the  age  of  ten 
years  and  was  buried  in  Hollenbaek  Ceme- 
tery. The  mother  died  in  February,  1881,  and 
she  was  buried  at  the  same  place.  Mr.  Rode- 
rick married  (second)  Mrs.  Mary  Lloyd,  who 
died  in  September,  1883.  without  issue,  and 
was  buried  in  Hollenbaek.  Mr.  Roderick  mar- 
ried (third),  October  27,  188.5,  Mrs.  Maria 
(Lawall)  Ulmer,  of  Hazleton,  one  of  the  ten 
children  of  Thomas  and  Katherine  (Geiger) 
Lawall,  of  Northampton  County.  The  father 
of  Mr.  Lawall,  Peter  Lawall,  conducted  a 
hotel  at  Butztown,  Northampton  County,  and 
here  he  and  his  wife  died;  his  wife  was  a 
daughter  of  John  and  Mary  (Stecker)  Geiger, 
of  Butztown,  where  John  Geiger  taught 
school  many  years.  Thomas  Lawall  was  pro- 
prietor of  the  Hazleton  House,  and  died  at 
the  age  of  forty-nine  in  1866;  his  wife  died 
in  1SS9  at  the  age  of  seventy-two,  and  they 
were  buried  in  the  Vine  Street  Cemetery  at 
Hazleton. 

Dr.  Edward  R.  Roderick,  second  child  and 
first  son  of  James  E.  and  Sarah  (Davis) 
Roderick,  was  born  at  Warrior  Run,  Luzerne 
County,  Pennsylvania,  April  20.  1872,  and  at 
the  age  of  eight  removed  with  his  parents 
to  Hazleton,  where  he  attended  the  public 
schools,  then  the  Nazareth  Moravian  School 
at  Nazareth,  where  he  finished  in  1888;  and 
then  he  matriculated  at  Princeton  University, 
Princeton,  New  Jersey,  from  which  he  was 
graduated  in  1892  with  the  degree  of  Bache- 
lor of  Arts,  after  which  he  entered  the  Medi- 
cal Department  of  the  University  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, graduating  in  1895  with  the  degree  of 
Doctor  of  Medicine.  Removing  to  Wilkes- 
Barre,  he  served  as  house  surgeon  of  the 
"O'ilkes-Barre  City  Hospital  in  1895-96.  Spe- 
cializing on  the  eye,  he  became  house  sur- 
geon of  the  Wills  Eye  Hospital  in  1896,  and 
remained  until  1897,  when  he  performed  sim- 
ilar duty  at  the  Manhattan  Hospital,  New 
York  City,  in  1898.  From  1898  forward  he 
has  been  attending  oculist  at  Mercy  Hospital, 
Wilkes-Barre,  and  since  1903  at  Pittston 
Hospital.  In  1902  he  became  division  oculist 
of  the  Lehigh  Valley  Railroad.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Luzerne  County  Medical  Society, 
the  State  Medical  Society  and  the  American 
Medical  Association,  and  has  taken  high 
rank  among  his  associates.  In  politics  he  is 
a  member  of  the  Republican  party,  and  in 
religion,  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows  and  of  the  Westmoreland  Club. 

Dr.  Roderick  married,  June  1,  1898,  Kath- 
leen Leonard  Reichard,  daughter  of  Henry 
C.  and  Jennie  (Griffin)  Reichard,  and  grand- 
daughter of  Colonel  John  Reichard,  who 
served  as  an  officer  of  the  "Bucktails"  during 
the  Civil  War;  was  prominent  in  secret  order 
affairs  of  Wilkes-Barre  and  died  in  1884  at 
the  age  of  seventy-five  years,  having  been 
buried  in  Hollenbaek  Cemetery.  Mrs.  Rode- 
rick was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of 
Wilkes-Barre  and  the  Moravian  Seminary  at 
Lititz,  Pennsylvania.  The  union  of  Dr.  and 
Mrs.  Roderick  has  been  blessed  with  four 
children:  1.  James  Edward,  born  at  Wilkes- 
Barre  December  22,  1899.  2.  George  Reichard, 
born  October  19,  1901.  3.  Edward  Griffln,  born 
June  11,  1903.  4.  Louise  Roderick,  born  in 
AVilkes-Barre,  February  21,  1910.  Mrs.  Rode- 
rick died  March  2,  1922.  She  was  an  active 
worker  in  the  work  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  and  was  sincerely  beloved  and 
mourned  by  all  who  knew  her. 

P.WL      JOSEPH      SCHMIDT — Few      of      his 

friends  who  are  aware  of  the  attainments 
of  Paul  J.  Schmidt  in  his  profession  of  attor- 
ney-at-law,     know    that    he    has    won    place 


430 


and  preferment  not  by  easy  gradations  but 
rather  by  means  of  the  ladder  of  practical 
effort,  and  through  his  own  unaided  endeav- 
ors. He  thereby  secured  a  footing,  and 
witliout  the  usual  resources  of  most  stu- 
dents, proved  himself  a  worthwhile  claimant 
for  honors  in  his  struggle  through  work- 
shop and  school,  until  he  found  the  merited 
college  degree,  success  in  his  profession,  and 
the  sought-for  recognition  from  his  friends, 
the    public,    and    his    patrons. 

Paul  J.  Schmidt  was  born  January  14,  1S74, 
in  Germany,  a  son  of  Albert  and  Agnes 
Schmidt,  both  parents  now  deceased.  Com- 
ing to  the  United  States  "when  he  was  only 
eleven  years  old,  Mr.  Schmidt  first  located 
at  Shenandoah,  where  he  was  employed  as 
a  slate  picker  for  about  six  months,  after- 
"wards  removing  to  Nuremburg.  Here  he 
became  a  clerk  in  the  grocery  of  John  Mar- 
kettle:  and  after  three  years  he  came  to 
Wilkes-Barre,  and  secured  a  position  in  a 
general  store  at  Miners  Mills,  in  the  employ 
of  Thomas  Quigley,  remaining  here  for  tv/o 
years  and  a  half,  after  which  he  removed 
to    Pittsburgh. 

In  Pittsburgh,  Mr.  Schmidt  was  given  a 
position  in  the  employ  of  the  firm  of  Town- 
send  and  Brown,  electric  railway  contractors 
and  builders,  at  first  as  time-keeper,  and 
later  on  a  general  manager;  and  during 
the  three  years  of  his  association  with  this 
concern  he  built  electric  railways  at  Beaver 
Falls,  New  Castle,  Punxsutawney,  Clayville, 
Sharpsburg,  and  South  Pittsburgh. 

Mr.  Schmidt  now  considered  himself  en- 
abled to  return  to  Luzerne  County,  where 
he  matriculated  at  Wyoming  Seminary,  in 
Kingston.  Graduating  there  in  the  class  of 
1S96,  he  then  prepared  himself  for  his  pro- 
fession in  Dickinson  Law  School,  at  Carlisle, 
where  he  was  graduated  in  1S99,  received 
his  degree  Bachelor  of  Laws,  and  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  Luzerne  County  Bar  on  Janu- 
ary 9,  1S99,  and  admitted  to  practice  in  the 
Untied  States  Federal  Court  and  Superior 
and  Supreme  courts  of  Pennsylvania.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  Luzerne  County  Bar  Asso- 
ciation. A  Republican  in  his  political  views, 
Mr.  Schmidt  has  been  active  in  the  interests 
of   his   party    for   a    quarter   of   a    century. 

In  May,  1917,  Mr.  Schmidt  joined  the  Of- 
ficers' Training  Camp  at  Madison  Barracks, 
New  York,  and  soon  received  his  commission 
as  a  second  lieutenant.  Later,  transferred 
to  Camp  Dix,  he  served  there  as  assistant 
ciuartermaster,  until  his  further  transfer 
to  the  lS7th  Division  as  adjutant  of  his  bat- 
talion. He  was  mustered  out  of  the  serv- 
ice at  the  close  of  the  war,  v/ith  the  rank 
of  captain,  subsequently  promoted  to  the 
rank  of  major.  In  1921,  Major  Schmidt  was 
elected  county  comptroller  of  Luzerne  County, 
and  he  served  in  the  duties  of  that  office 
from  January  1,  1922,  to  January  1,  1926.  He 
is  an  excellent  linguist,  and  speaks  German, 
Polish  and  Italian,  as  well  as  English:  and 
for  (our  years  he  was  proprietor  of  the 
Polish  weekly  newspaper,  "The  Gornik,"  at 
"Wilkes-Barre. 

Fraternally,  Mr.  Schmidt  is  afBliated  with 
Lodge  No.  61,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons: 
Shekinah  Chapter,  No.  1S2,  Royal  Arch 
Masons:  Dieu  le  Veut  Commandery,  No. 
45,  Knights  Templar,  of  Wilkes-Barre:  Key- 
stone Consistory,  of  Scranton,  Ancient  Ac- 
cepted Scottish  Rite  of  the  thirty-second 
degree:  and  Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic 
Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine;  as  well 
as  Lodge  No.  109,  Benevolent  and  Protective 
Order  of  Elks:  and  the  Loyal  Order  of  Moose. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  American  Legion, 
Disabled  Veterans  of  World  War,  Reserve 
Officers'  Association,  also  member  of  several 
Polish  and  German  societies.     He  resided  for 


twenty-two  years  on  his  farm  of  about  two 
hundred  and  seventy-five  acres  in  Wright 
Township.  His  present  residence  is  at  No. 
552  North  Franklin  Street,  Wilkes-Barre. 

Paul  J.  Schmidt  married,  September  18, 
1897,  Maude  Halwig,  of  Blackwood,  Schuyl- 
kill County.  Their  children:  John  H.,  a 
student  at  Carlisle,  class  of  1931:  Paul  A., 
student  at  Bucknell  University,  class  of  1931; 
George  P.,  graduated  from  Pennsylvania 
University,  class  of  1928,  now  studying  law 
at  the  same  university:  Joseph,  a  student 
at  the  Stroudsburg  State  Normal  School, 
class  of  1932:  James,  high  scliool  student, 
class  of  1931;  Edward,  and  Anna,  students 
in    Wilkes-Barre    public    schools. 


E.  A.  COSTELI.O.  M.  D One  of  the  great- 
est boons  to  mankind  in  the  last  century  has 
been  the  stupendous  advancement  of  medical 
science  which  has  reached  heights  undreamed 
of  in  bygone  years.  A  leading  exponent  of 
modern  medical  progress  is  Dr.  E.  A.  Cos- 
tello,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  who  has  been  engaged 
in  the  active  practice  of  his  profession  in 
this  city  since  1914,  where  he  has  gained  an 
enviable  reputation  for  his  accomplishments 
not  only  in  general  work  but  in  surgical  cases 
as  well.  Dr.  Costello  has  always  had  a  deep 
and  loyal  interest  in  this  city  and  its  activi- 
ties, and  he  has  ever  worked  hand  in  hand 
witli  the  niunicipal  authorities  in  all  en- 
deavors which  tend  to  promote  the  better 
health   of  the   community   at   large. 

Dr.  Costello  was  born  in  Bear  Creek,  Lu- 
zerne County,  June  12,  1889,  son  of  Patrick 
J.  and  Winifred  (Lynch)  Costello.  Patrick 
J.  Costello  was  born  in  Dublin,  Ireland,  in 
1S46  and  died  in  February,  1922.  Winifred 
(Lj'nch)  Costello  was  born  in  White  Haven, 
Luzerne  County,  in  1849,  and  died  in  August, 
1922.  Both  were  prominent,  respected  resi- 
dents of  this  vicinity  all  their  lives  and  held 
the  esteem  of  their  fellow-citizens. 

E.  A.  Costello  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools  of  Luzerne  County  and  after  gradu- 
ating from  the  Harry  Hillman  Academy  in 
1904,  entered  Villanova  College,  from  which 
institution  of  learning  he  received  his  degree 
of  Bachelor  of  Arts  with  the  class  of  1908. 
He  then  entered  the  Medico  Chi  College  in 
Philadelphia  and  proceeded  to  apply  himself 
to  the  study  of  medicine,  completing  his 
course  "with  honors,  and  receiving  his  degree 
of  Doctor  of  Medicine  when  he  graduated  in 
1912.  Dr.  Costello  then  took  his  interne  work 
at  the  Mercy  Hospital  in  this  city  and  later 
served  as  assistant  superintendent  of  Nanti- 
coke  State  Hospital  for  one  year.  In  1914, 
he  came  to  Wilkes-Barre  and  opened  his 
office  here  for  general  medical  practice,  build- 
ing up  a  large  clientele  in  a  short  time.  He 
has  ever  since  continued  to  be  one  of  this 
city's  most  reputable,  dependable  physicians 
and  has  won  the  confidence  and  commenda- 
tion of  all  by  his  expert  ability,  his  thought- 
fulness  and  his  cheerful  personality.  As  a 
member  of  the  surgical  staff  of  the  Mercy 
Hospital,  Dr.  Costello  has  received  the  plau- 
dits of  his  fellow-physicians  and  surgeons  for 
his  skill  and  accomplishments  in  this  field 
of  medical  science.  He  is  a  prominent  mem- 
ber of  the  county  and  State  Medical  Asso- 
ciations and  is  also  a  member  of  the  Ameri- 
can Medical  Association.  In  politics,  he  is 
a  member  of  the  Republican  party  and  his 
fraternal  affiliations  are  with  the  Knights  of 
Columbus,  and  Wilkes-Barre  Lodge,  No.  109, 
Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  He 
is  a  member  of  St.  Mary's  Catholic  Church  of 
this   city. 

Dr.  E.  A.  Costello  married,  September  22, 
1927,  Regina  O'Donnell  of  Parsons,  daughter 
of  Timothy  and  Catherine  O'Donnell,  both  of 
whom    reside    in    Parsons. 


SAMUEL  S.  HERRING — ^A  lawyer  by  choice 
and  training:,  Mr.  Herring  early  identified 
himself  with  those  members  of  his  profession 
who  fought  the  battles  of  the  weak  and  un- 
fortunate; and.  especially  when  he  was  con- 
vinced of  the  innocence  of  an  accused  one, 
he  put  forth,  in  the  courts,  his  every  effort  to 
see  that  such  a  one  went  free  and  was  totally 
exonerated  of  the  charge  made  against  him. 
In  the  last  thirty-six  years  of  his  life  Mr. 
Herring  defended  forty-three  persons  charged 
with  murder,  forty  of  them  men  and  three  of 
them  women,  and,  of  these,  he  cleared  forty- 
one,  only  two  of  the  entire  number  having 
been  convicted.  So  it  was  that  his  faith  in 
his  clients  was  justified  by  the  actions  of 
juries  and  courts  on  all  hands,  and  his  ability 
as  a  lawyer  attested  to  by  all  with  whom  he 
was  associated.  In  the  life  of  the  Wilkes- 
Barre  community  he  took  a  prominent  part, 
and  was  beloved  of  all  who  knew  him.  Great 
was  the  sorrow  of  his  fellowmen  upon  the 
sad  occasion  of  his  passing,  which  dealt  a 
blow  to  the  civic  and  professional  life  of 
this   region    of  Pennsylvania. 

The  Herring  family,  of  which  he  was  a 
leading  member,  is  of  English  and  Welsh 
ancestry,  and  among  Mr.  Herring's  early 
progenitors  were  men  who  settled  in  the 
Colony  of  Delaware,  in  which  region  of  the 
United  States  some  of  the  family  still  live. 
Samuel  S.  Herring  himself  was  born  on  a 
farm  at  Felton.  Kent  County,  Delaware,  on 
March  4,  1870,  son  of  Samuel  S.  and  Sarah 
(Harrington)  Herring,  both  now  deceased. 
His  father  was  a  lifelong  farmer  and  a  son 
of  Abner  and  Mary  Herring,  who  "were  na- 
tives of  the  Kent  County  neighborhood,  as 
well  as  members  of  old  families  which  dis- 
tinguished themselves  in  this  vicinity  before 
the  War  of  the  American  Revolution.  Abner 
Herring  and  his  wife  became  the  parents  of 
a  large  family.  Samuel  S.  Herring,  father  of 
tile  man  "whose  name  heads  this  review,  "was 
born  in  1834,  and  died  in  1913.  His  wife, 
.Sarah  (Harrington)  Herring,  was  born  in 
1829.  and  died  in  1911.  They  had  four  chil- 
dren: 1.  George  C,  farmer,  of  Felton,  Kent 
County,  Delaware,  who  has  served  his  county 
as  county  commissioner  and  member  of  the 
lower  and  upper  branches  of  the  State  Legis- 
lature. 2.  Mary  E.,  who  became  the  wife  of 
John  M.  Evans,  a  merchant  of  Felton.  3 
Samuel  S.,  of  whom  further.  4.  Sarah,  wife  of 
John  W.  Graham,  of  Germantown,  Pennsyl- 
vania, leading  member  of  the  Philadelphia 
bar.  The  maternal  grandparents  of  Mr.  Her- 
ring were  John  and  Sarah  Harrington,  both 
natives  of  Kent  County,  Delaware;  and  they 
became  the  parents  of  four  children:  1.  Na- 
thaniel, deceased,  a  well-to-do  farmer.  2. 
John  W.,  also  a  farmer,  who  has  served  his 
county  as  county  commissioner,  and  a  mem- 
ber of  the  upper  and  lower  branches  of  the 
Legislature.  3.  Ruth,  who  became  the  wife 
of  Thomas  B.  Coursey,  who  was  a  miller  of 
Kent  County,  Delaware.  4.  Sarah,  who  be- 
came  the  mother  of  Mr.   Herring. 

Samuel  S.  Herring  was  reared  on  the  old 
farm  in  Kent  County,  Delaware,  where  he 
attended  the  public  schools.  As  a  boy,  he 
worked  on  his  father's  farm,  and  acquired 
many  of  the  sturdy  characteristics  that 
stayed  with  him  throughout  life,  rendering 
him  a  most  able  lawyer  and  useful  citizen. 
He  subsequently  went  to  Delaware  College 
for  two  years,  and  in  the  fall  of  1890,  having 
determined  to  follow  the  law  for  a  profession, 
entered  the  law  school  of  Dickinson  College, 
at  Carlisle,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  applied 
himself  vigorously  and  was  graduated  in 
1892  with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Laws. 
He  then  settled  in  Wilkes-Barre,  and  was 
admitted  to  the  Luzerne   County  bar  on  Sep- 


tember 6,  1892.  For  the  thirty-seven  years 
from  then  until  his  death  he  was  one  of  the 
most  active  trial  lawyers  in  this  region  of 
Pennsylvania,  and  as  such  gained  much 
notice  and  attention  among  the  members  of 
his  own  profession  and  the  citizens  of  his 
community  and  State,  becoming  especially 
noteworthy  in  his  labors  in  behalf  of  the 
downtrodden    and    the  accused. 

He  was  also  active  in  political  matters.  A 
member  of  the  Republican  party,  he  ever 
supported  its  political  policies  and  its  eco- 
nomic principles.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
Luzerne  County  Bar  Association  and  the 
Pennsylvania  Bar  Association.  He  also  be- 
longed to  several  fraternal  groups,  having 
been  leading  figure  in  the  Fraternal  Order  of 
Eagles,  in  which  he  was  affiliated  witli  Aerie 
No.  363,  as  well  as  in  the  ranks  of  the  Order 
of  Owls,  in  which  he  was  a  member  of  Nest 
No.   102. 

He  never  married,  and  gave  up  most  of 
his  time  and  attention  to  the  important  mat- 
ters of  his  profession.  His  death  occurred  on 
September  28,  1928,  and  was  a  cause  of  gen. 
eral  regret  throughout  the  community  in 
which  he  had  so  long  lived  and  labored  with 
advantage  to  his  fellowmen.  A  self-made 
man,  with  a  notable  record,  he  deserved  the 
praises  and  tributes  that  were  accorded  him; 
and  his  memory  is  likewise  fully  deserving  of 
the  place  that  it  holds  today  in  the  minds 
and   hearts  of  the  people   of  Wilkes-Barre. 


STANIjEY  J.  TYBtiRSKf — Secretary  of  the 
Pennsylvania  Bank  and  Trust  Company,  vice- 
president  of  the  Wilkes-Barre  Mortgage  Com- 
pany, and  chief  clerk  for  the  Central  Poor 
District  of  Luzerne  County,  Stanley  J.  Tybur- 
ski  is  unquestionably  among  the  foremost  of 
citizens  of  the  Wilkes-Barre  area.  Like  many 
of  the  leading  figures  within  the  city's  region, 
he  has  been  the  principal  in  a  career  of 
unusual  interest.  Beginning  life  in  a  foreign 
country,  coming  to  America  without  funds  or 
infiuence,  his  innate  abilities  and  character, 
together  with  an  unbounded  courage,  served 
him  to  high  purpose;  and  after  innumerable 
hardships — though  he  did  not  consider  them 
as  such,  perhaps — a.  career  of  fullest  sub- 
stance was  built  up.  What  he  has  done  may 
well  inspire  others. 

Stanley  J.  Tyburski  was  born  in  Galicia, 
Poland,  August  24,  1873.  son  of  Joseph  and 
Pauline  Tyburski.  and  their  only  child.  The 
father  died  at  the  age  of  fifty-three  years, 
and  is  survived  to  the  present  time  (1929) 
by  Mrs.  Tyburski,  aged  eighty-one  years,  who 
makes  her  home  with  her  son,  in  Wilkes- 
Barre. 

In  his  .native  Poland  Mr.  Tyburski  secured 
a  fairly  comprehensive  education,  to  "which 
he  has  added  constantly  through  wide  and 
judicious  reading  and  reflection,  and  through 
further  study  in  this  country.  He  came  to  the 
United  States  in  1891,  at  the  age  of  eighteen 
years,  and  found  work.  This  first  position 
was  as  clerk  in  a  drug  store,  paying  ten  dol- 
lars a  month.  In  1894,  being  of  a  literary 
turn  of  mind  and  seeing  an  opportunit.v,  he 
became  editor  of  the  "Goniik,"  a  Polish  weekly 
ne"wspaper,  of  Wilkes-Barre.  Later  he  re- 
moved to  Scranton,  and  there  conducted  a 
weekly  of  the  same  type  with  a  Polish  circu- 
lation, still  later  removing  to  Shamokin, 
where  he  ran  a  third  weekly  publication.  His 
next  move  was  to  Buffalo,  New  York,  and  in 
Buffalo  he  served  two  years  as  a  teacher, 
returning  to  Scranton  thereafter,  and  to 
further  teaching.  In  Scranton  he  taught  five 
years,  at  the  end  of  that  period  returning 
to  Wilkes-Barre  and  succeeding  to  owner- 
ship of  tlie  "Praca,"  Polish  weekly,  which  he 


founded  in  1905  and  conducted  with  success 
and  considerable  circulation  until  1923.  In 
1923  lie  sold  his  holding,  and  since  then  has 
been  apart  from  the  publishing  and  editorial 
field,  though  frequently  urged  to  re-assume 
editorial  responsibilities.  As  owner  of  the 
"Praca"  he  was  enabled  over  a  long  stretch 
of  years  to  perform  to  the  benefit  of  Wilkes- 
Barre,  and  the  people  hereof  have  just  cause 
to  be  appreciative  of  his  efforts  in  that  direc- 
tion. It  was  in  association  with  Michael 
Bosak  that  Mr.  Tyburski  organized  the  Penn- 
sylvania Bank  and  Trust  Company,  of  which 
he  has  been  director  and  secretary,  as  noted, 
since  foundation.  He  is  also  vice-president 
of  the  Wilkes-Barre  Mortgage  Company. 

Mr.  Tyburski  is  among  the  most  public- 
spirited  of  citizens  of  the  community,  as  well 
as  a  foremost  man  of  business  affairs.  He 
has  devoted  his  years  to  productive  effort, 
and  to  study,  and  is  in  all  matters  pertinent 
abreast  of  the  times.  His  political  adherence 
is  with  the  Democratic  party;  his  religious 
faith  with  the  Polish  Catholic  Church.  He 
is  and  has  been  for  many  years  a  member  of 
the  Polish  National  Alliance,  serving  as  dele- 
gate to  various  Polish  conventions,  and  is  a 
member  of  the  Polish  Union  of  United  States 
of  America.  He  is  a  member  of  Wilkes-Barre 
Lodge,  No.  109,  Benevolent  and  Protective 
Order  of  Elks,  and  has  been  active  in  the 
Order   of  Polish   Falcons. 

On  May  6,  1902,  Mr.  Tyburski  was  united 
in  marriage  with  Theresa  Fojutoski;  and 
their  children  are  three  1.  Casiraere  Estella, 
graduate  of  Delaware  University,  now  teacher 
of  high  school.  2.  Wanda  C,  personnel  direc- 
tor of  the  Dorrance  Mills,  at  Kingston.  3. 
Leo  Thaddeus,  student  of  Rensselaer  Poly- 
technic Institute,  Troy,  New  York. 

HARRY   FREDERICK   GOERINGER — Be    it 

ever  so  often  repeated,  the  story  of  an 
individual  who  attains  to  that  elusive  thing 
known  as  success  is  never  devoid  of  inter- 
est, for  in  each  individuality  achieving  to 
that  attainment  is  a  ne'w  set  of  interlock- 
ing causes  making  his  progress  possible. 
Harry  F.  Goeringer's  career  has  inspired 
numbers  of  men  through  the  living.  What 
he  has  done  has  been  of  himself,  largely. 
Given  good  blood,  a  good  home  and  the 
encouragement  given  to  sons  by  their  par- 
ents, he  has  builded  a  high  commercial 
structure,  being  today  a  member  of  the  firm 
of  Goeringer  and  Hoffman,  operators  in  real 
estate,  insurance  and  allied  lines,  v/ith  offices 
in  the  Liberty  State  Bank  and  Trust  Com- 
pany Building,  North  Main  Street,  Wilkes- 
Barre. 

Mr.  Goeringer  is  a  native  of  Wilkes-Barre. 
He  was  born  July  6,  1894,  and  is  a  son  of 
Frederick  and  Catherine  (Banks)  Goeringer. 
His  father  is  a  contract  painter,  long  a  resi- 
dent of  this  city.  In  the  family  are  four 
children:  1.  Frederick,  Jr.,  who  is  engaged 
in  the  real  estate  business,  in  Wilkes-Barre. 
2.  Harry  F.,  of  whom  follows.  3.  Wilbur, 
who  is  in  the  gasoline  and  oil  business, 
Wilkes-Barre.  4.  Howard,  a  student  in 
Wilkes-Barre    High    School. 

In  the  public  schools  of  Wilkes-Barre  Mr. 
Goeringer  secured  a  sound  elementary  and 
secondary  course  of  instruction,  graduating 
from  high  school  in  1912,  at  the  age  of 
seventeen  years.  Thereafter,  while  working 
in  the  real  estate  business,  he  improved  his 
education  through  study  in  the  local  branch 
of  the  Wharton  Extension  School,  University 
of  Pennsylvania,  wlience  he  was  graduated 
in  1917,  in  only  one  year's  less  time  than 
if  he  had  not  been  engaged  in  business 
simultaneously  and  parallel.     In  April  of  the 


year  in  which  he  received  his  degree  the 
United  States  entered  the  World  War,  and 
as  quickly  as  he  could  arrange  for  it,  Mr. 
Goeringer  joined  the  colors,  as  a  private  in 
the  118th  Field  Ordnance  Depot,  stationed 
at  Camp  Wadsworth,  South  Carolina.  He  was 
mustered  out  of  the  service,  in  February, 
1919.  Resuming  the  thread  of  his  career  at 
real  estate  \vhere  it  had  been  dropped  for 
tile  greater  cause,  Mr.  Goeringer  has  since 
applied  himself  diligently  to  commercial  af- 
fairs. The  firm  of  which  he  is  a  member 
is  one  of  the  largest  dealing  in  real  estate 
and  insurance  in  Luzerne  County;  and  this 
is  due  in  no  small  part  to  Mr.  Goeringer's 
own   individual   responsibility. 

Honors  accorded  to  Mr.  Goeringer  have 
been  many  and  of  varied  kinds  and  degrees, 
but  one  outstanding,  perhaps,  was  the  chair- 
manship of  Division  C  of  the  Community 
Welfare  Drive  to  raise  more  than  half  a 
million  dollars.  This  important  post  was 
tendered  him  in  full  realization  of  his  proven 
executive  and  financial  ability.  His  division, 
it  may  be  noted  here,  collected  one  hundred 
and  fifty-eight  per  cent,  of  the  quota  ascribed 
to  it,  the  largest  percentage  collected  by 
any  competing  team.  The  award,  made  to 
the  division,  was  a  silver  cup.  But  it  v/as 
not  only  in  March.  1928,  when  the  division 
functioned  under  his  direction,  that  Mr.  Goe- 
ringer has  assisted  the  people  of  the  com- 
munity to  greater  welfare;  that  is  his  con- 
stant direction  of  public-spirited  purpose, 
and  he  effects  that  end  in  all  ways  open  to 
good  citizens,  through  support  of  all  worthy 
movements     for     the     common     weal. 

His  interests  are  diversfied.  He  is  a  direc- 
tor of  the  Liberty  State  Bank  and  Trust 
Company  of  Wilkes-Barre  and  the  Wilkes- 
Barre  Thrift  and  Loan  Company,  and  main- 
tains besides  several  business  connections 
not  here  cited.  A  Republican,  he  owns  no 
small  influence  in  matters  political.  He  is 
a  communicant  of  the  First  Reformed  Church, 
of  Wilkes-Barre;  and  fraternally  is  identi- 
fied as  follows:  with  the  Knights  of  Pythias, 
as  member  of  Wilkes-Barre  Lodge;  and  with 
the  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  as  member 
of  Landmark  Lodge,  No.  442;  Shekinah  Chap- 
ter, No.  182,  Royal  Arch  Masons;  Dieu  le 
Veut  Commandery,  No.  4,5,  Knights  Templar; 
and  Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order 
Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  He  belongs 
to  Irem  Country  Club,  Greater  Wilkes-Barre 
Chamber  of  Commerce,  and  is  a  past  presi- 
dent of  the  Wilkes-Barre  Real  Estate  Board, 
and  past  president  of  the  Wilkes-Barre  Ex- 
change Club.  During  the  Chamber  of  Com- 
merce Drive  of  1929,  he  was  major  of  one 
of  the  divisions.  There  were  four  honorary 
rewards,  the  division  headed  by  Mr.  Goe- 
ringer having  the  signal  honor  of  winning 
all  four  of  the  rewards.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  board  of  trustees  of  the  Community 
Welfare    Federation    of    Wyoming   Valley. 

Mr.  Goeringer  married,  October  17,  1919, 
Mary  C.  Malkemes,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  daugh- 
ter of  Conrad  and  Christina  (Smith)  Malke- 
mes; and  their  children  are:  Christina  Cath- 
erine; Eleanor  Mary;  Harry  F.,  Jr.;  Lois 
Jane;    and    Carl    Frederick. 


J.  STANLEY  RINEHIMER — The  success 
which  has  come  to  J.  Stanley  Rinehimer,  of 
Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania,  through  his  high 
ability  and  untiring  effort  places  him  among 
the  leaders  of  his  community.  He  is  general 
agent  for  the  Metropolitan  Casualty  Insur- 
ance Company  of  New  York,  with  an  office 
at  No.  54  West  Market  Street,  in  the  Anthra- 
cite Building.  His  share  in  all  the  construc- 
tive civic  and  social  activities  of  his  com- 
munity is  large  and  interested. 


J.  Stanley  Rinehimer  was  born  in  Wilkes- 
Barre,  January  3,  18S1,  son  of  John  and  Alma 
E.  (Blotg-ett)  Rinehimer,  and  grandson  of 
John  Rinehimer,  of  an  old  Luzerne  County 
family.  The  parents,  themselves  natives  of 
Wilkes-Barre,  had  the  following-  children: 
Mrs.  Fred  H.  Gates,  residing  in  Wilkes-Barre; 
C.  G.  Rinehimer:  Ernest  D.,  associated  with 
the  Wilmot  Engineering  Company,  of  Hazle- 
ton:  J.  Stanley,  subject  of  this  record:  and 
Harry  C,  a  salesman,  residing  in  Kingston. 
In  this  city  J.  Stanley  Rinehimer  grew  to 
manhood,  receiving  his  education  in  the  pub- 
lic schools  and  graduating  from  the  Wilkes- 
Barre   High   School  in   1S99. 

His  business  career  began  with  the  Vulcan 
Iron  Works,  where  he  remained  over  seven 
years.  He  then  spent  two  years  in  South 
America  as  a  construction  engineer.  On  his 
return  to  the  United  States  in  1909,  he  began 
his  congenial  and  profitable  connection  with 
the  profession  of  insurance.  He  was  an  agent 
for  the  Aetna  Life  Insurance  Company,  of 
Hartford,  Connecticut,  and  their  representa- 
tive in  Wilkes-Barre  for  eighteen  years.  On 
December  1,  1926,  he  engaged  in  the  insurance 
business  for  himself  at  the  head  of  the  gen- 
eral agency  for  the  Metropolitan  Casualty 
Insurance  Company  of  New  York  City.  Out- 
standing success  has  attended  this  venture. 
Well-known,  heartily  liked  and  trusted  by  his 
fellow-townsmen,  and  broadly  experienced, 
Mr.  Rinehimer  has  been  able  to  build  up  a 
large  clientele  to  whom  he  gives  the  best  of 
service.  He  is  a  member  of  Landmark  Lodge, 
No.  442,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre;  Shekinah  Chapter,  No.  182,  Royal  Arch 
Masons;  Dieu  le  Veut  Commandery,  No.  45, 
Knights  Templar;  and  Irem  Temple,  Ancient 
Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine  of 
Wilkes-Barre.  Membership  also  he  holds  in 
the  Shrine  Country  Club,  the  Franklin  Club, 
the  Wyoming  Valley  Motor  Club,  of  which  he 
is  treasurer;  Executive  Council  Boy  Scouts 
of  America,  of  which  he  is  also  treasurer; 
the  Rotary  Club,  and  the  Benevolent  and  Pro- 
tective Order  of  Elks,  Lodge  No.  109.  He 
belongs  to  the  Grea+er  Wilkes-Barre  Cham- 
ber of  Commerce  and  the  Presbyterian  Church 
of  Kingston,  where  he  resides.  He  was  ap- 
pointed Poor  Director  of  the  Central  Poor 
District  of  Luzerne  County.  His  political 
sympathies  are  with  the  Republican   party. 

On  March  23,  1907,  J.  Stanley  Rinehimer 
married  Leona  M.  Biehl,  daughter  of  a  promi- 
nent Luzerne  County  physician.  Dr.  Biehl. 
Children:  Robert  C,  a  student  at  Penn  State 
College;  John  Stanley,  Jr.,  and  Carol  Virginia, 
students  at  Wyoming  Seminary,  Kingston, 
Pennsylvania. 


ERXEST     WOODBUBN     HOGG.    V.    M.    D 

One  of  the  best  known  veterinarians  of 
Wilkes-Barre  is  Dr.  Ernest  Woodburn  Hogg, 
whose  offices  and  hospital  are  located  at  No. 
20  Darling  Street,  in  Wilkes-Barre.  Dr.  Hogg 
is  a  graduate  of  the  Veterinary  Department 
of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  and  he  has 
been  engaged  in  practice  here  since  1914,  in 
association  with  an  uncle.  He  was  captain 
of  the  'Varsity  wrestling  team  and  member 
of  the   football   squad. 

Forrest  Woodburn  Hogg,  father  of  Dr. 
Hogg,  was  a  son  of  William  Hogg,  of  Scotch- 
Irish  ancestry.  Forrest  W.  Hogg  died  as  a 
result  of  a  fall  in  October,  192S.  He  married 
Emma  Pawkes,  who  is  living  in  Cochranville, 
Chester  County,  Pennsylvania,  and  they  be- 
came the  parents  of  nine  children :  Robert, 
died  in  childhood:  Wilmot;  David,  died  at  the 
age  of  thirteen  years;  Dr.  Ernest  Woodburn, 
of  further  mention;  Martha  R.,  who  died  at 
the   age   of  nineteen;   Pauline,    married   Ralph 


Reynolds,  of  Chester  County,  Pennsylvania; 
Helen,  married  Edward  Windle,  of  Chester 
County.  Pennsylvania;  Dr.  James,  graduate 
of  the  Veterinary  School,  University  of  Penn- 
sylvania, who  is  also  a  veterinary  surgeon 
and  associated  with  his  brother,  Dr.  Ernest 
Woodburn;  and  Dr.  Harold  Kent,  who  is  a 
graduate  of  the  Medical  Department  of 
Temple  College,  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania, 
and  is  now  (1929)  a  practicing  physician  in 
Lancaster,    Pennsylvania. 

Dr.  Ernest  Woodburn  Hogg,  son  of  For- 
rest Woodburn  and  Emma  fFawkes)  Hogg, 
was  born  in  Chester  County,  Pennsylvania, 
March  22,  1890,  and  was  reared  on  the  old 
homestead  farm  in  Chester  County  As  a  boy 
he  worked  on  the  farm  and  attended  the 
local  public  schools,  graduating  from  the 
high  school  with  the  class  of  1908.  After 
graduation  he  went  out  West  and  was  located 
for  a  time  in  Wyoming  and  also  in  Montana, 
where  he  worked  on  a  ranch  for  a  period, 
th(n  as  clerk  in  a  drug  store,  and  finally  as 
a  railroad  mail  clerk.  After  three  years  of 
experience  in  the  West  he  returned  to  Penn- 
sylvania and  entered  the  Veterinary  Depart- 
ment of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  from 
which  he  was  graduated  with  the  class  of 
1914,  receiving  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Vet- 
erinary Medicine.  After  his  graduation  he 
came  to  Wilkes-Barre  and  associated  him- 
self with  his  uncle.  Dr.  Edwin  Hogg,  a  well- 
known  vet.jrinary  surgeon  of  this  city,  who 
passed  away  October  28,  1925.  Since  that  time 
he  has  been  continuously  engaged  in  practice, 
and  now  has  associated  with  him  his  brother. 
Dr.   James  S.,   who  is  also  a  veterinarian. 

Upon  the  entrance  of  the  United  States 
into  the  World  War,  Dr.  Hogg  was  commis- 
sioned a  second  lieutenant  in  the  Veterinary 
Corps  of  the  Pennsylvania  National  Guard, 
June  9,  1917,  and  was  assigned  to  the  109th 
Field  Artillery.  On  November  22,  1917,  he 
was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  first  lieutenant 
in  the  Veterinary  Corps  of  the  United  States 
Army,  and  in  March,  1918,  was  promoted  to 
the  rank  of  captain  and  was  transferred  to 
the  79th  Division  at  Camp  Meade,  as  division 
veterinarian.  On  July  4,  191S,  he  sailed  for 
France  with  his  division  and  served  in  all  the 
campaigns  in  which  that  division  took  part. 
On  February  22,  1919,  he  was  promoted  to 
the  rank  of  major  in  the  Veterinary  Corps 
of  the  United  States  Army.  In  May.  1919.  he 
returned  with  the  division  to  the  United 
States,  having  received  a  splendid  letter  of 
commendation  from  the  commanding  general 
of  the  79th  Division,  General  Joseph  E.  Kuhn. 
This  letter  was  published  by  G.  H.  Q.  (Gen- 
eral Headquarters)  and  was  mailed  to  all 
veterinary  officers  in  the  American  Expedi- 
tionary- Forces,  being  the  only  letter  of  the 
kind  published  concerning  veterinary  officers 
in  France.  Upon  his  return  to  the  United 
States,  Dr.  Hogg  was  detailed  to  the  surgeon- 
general's  office  at  Washington,  District  of 
Columbia,  to  give  information  as  to  the  exact 
functioning  of  the  new  Veterinary  Corps  in 
actual  warfare,  and  here  he  was  urged  to 
remain  in  the  Regular  Army,  with  promise 
of  promotion  in  rank  in  a  few  months.  This 
offer  he  declined  and  on  July  25,1919,  received 
his  honorable  discharge  from  the  United 
States  Army,  then  returning  to  Wilkes- 
Barre,  where,  on  February  1,  1920,  he  was 
commissioned  a  major  of  the  Veterinary 
Corps  of  the  Pennsylvania  National  Guard  as 
Division  Veterinarian,  where  he  reorganized 
the  veterinary  corps.  Politically,  Dr.  Hogg 
gives  his  support  to  the  Democratic  party. 
Fraternally  he  is  identified  with  Landmark 
Lodge,  No.  442,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons; 
with  all  the  bodies  of  the  Scottish  Rite;  and 


with  Caldwell  Consistory  of  Bloomsburgr, 
Pennsylvania,  in  which  he  holds  the  thirty- 
second  degree;  also  with  Irera  Temple. 
Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic 
Shiine,  of  Wilkes-Barre.  He  is  a  member 
of  Irem  Country  Club,  a  charter  member  of 
Wilkes-Barre  Post  No.  132,  American  Legion, 
the  Rotary  Club,  and  professionally  is  identi- 
fied with  the  Luzerne  Veterinary  Society,  the 
Pennsylvania  State  Veterinary  Society,  and 
the  American  Veterinary  Medical  Association. 
His  relig-ious  afllliation  is  with  the  Memorial 
Presbyterian  Church,  of  Wilkes-Barre.  Dur- 
ing his  college  years  Dr.  Hogg  took  an  active 
interest  in  athletics,  and  he  has  the  distinc- 
tion of  being  the  second  student  from  the 
Veterinary  Department  to  be  elected  captain 
of  a  'Varsity  team  of  the  University  of  Penn- 
sylvania. He  was  a  member  of  the  college 
football  team,  1912-13,  and  in  1914  came  to 
Wilkes-Barre  and  associated  himself  with  his 
uncle,    the    late   Dr.    Ernest   Hogg. 

Dr.  Ernest  Woodburn  Hogg  was  married, 
November  22,  1916,  to  Hilda  Gladys  Mann, 
who  was  born  in  Nottingham,  England, 
daughter  of  Samuel  and  Eliza  (Hewitt)  Mann, 
both  deceased.  Samuel  Mann  and  his  wife 
came  from  Nottingham,  England,  to  the 
United  States,  he  being  sent  over  to  install 
the  lace  machinery  in  the  Wilkes-Barre  Lace 
Manufacturing  Company,  now  one  of  the 
largest  lace  mills  in  the  world.  He  remained 
with  his  company  until  his  death.  Dr.  and 
Mrs.  Hogg  are  the  parents  of  one  daughter, 
Hilda  Mann  Hogg. 


ALLEN  M.  SHARP — Educated  in  three  pro- 
fessions, Allen  M.  Sharp,  of  Freeland,  elected 
the  baking  industry  as  his  final  choice  and 
has  built  up  a  very  successful  business  in 
this  district.  Keen  of  intellect  and  possessed 
of  unusual  business  ability,  he  has  brought 
to  bear  in  his  work  a  native  industry 
and  perseverance  rarely  exceeded  in  com- 
mercial life  and  has  so  conducted  his  enter- 
prise that  he  has  won  and  merited  the 
respect  and  esteem  of  his  fellow-citizens. 
A  native  of  the  Lebanon  Valley  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, he  has  made  a  multitude  of  friends 
by  the  attractions  of  a  pleasing  personality, 
coupled  with  absolute  rectitude  and  reliabil- 
ity in  all  his  dealings,  his  operations  continu- 
ing to  grow  as  the  fame  of  his  product 
extends.  He  is  one  of  our  most  progressive 
business  men  and  a  distinctly  useful  and 
estimable   public-spirited   citizen. 

He  was  born  in  Lebanon  County,  Pennsyl- 
vania, January  3,  1S91,  a  son  of  Frank  and 
Maggie  (Dunoyer)  Sharp,  and  acquired  his 
education  there  and  through  correspondence 
schools,  in  which  last-named  institutions  he 
studied  baking  and  also  took  the  course  for 
school  teaching.  About  this  time  and  be- 
fore he  began  teaching,  Mr.  Sharp  took  a 
government  civil  service  examination,  with 
a  large  class,  in  which  he  passed  first  class 
and  receiving  nearly  the  highest  rating,  a 
fact  of  which  he  may  be  well  proud.  For 
two  years  he  taught  in  the  public  schools 
of  Lebanon  County.  He  had  also  learned 
the  trade  of  cigar  making  and.  in  1919,  came 
to  Freeland  and  became  foreman  of  the 
Bressler  cigar  factory,  a  position  which  he 
held  until  his  purchase  of  the  bakery  of 
Christ  Schaller,  at  No.  719  Front  Street,  in 
1922,  when  he  gave  to  the  new  industry 
his  entire  attention.  His  business  has  now 
grown  to  cover  an  area  some  fifteen  miles 
in  radius  from  Freeland,  wherein  he  sup- 
plies his  products  by  motor  trucks,  of  which 
he  operates  four,  and  employs  eight  bakers 
in  his  plant.  Mr.  Sharp  is  a  member  of 
Arbutus    Lodge,    No.    611,    Free    and    Accepted 


Masons;  Lehigh  Consistory,  Ancient  Accepted 
Scottish  Rite  Masons;  Irem  Temple  Ancient 
Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine; 
Lodge  No.  1145,  Benevolent  and  Protective 
Order  of  Elks;  Mt.  Horeb  Lodge,  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  Patriotic  Order 
Sons  of  America.  His  religious  faith  is  the 
Lutheran. 

Allen  M.  Sharp  married,  in  1913,  Mabel 
Bressler,  of  Lebanon  County,  Pennsylvania. 
Their  children  are:  Lucetta,  Edward  and 
James.  Mrs.  Sharp  is  a  member  of  the  Order 
of    the    Eastern    Star. 


DELI  ROY  TRBDINNICK  —  Numbered 
among  the  younger  and  progressive  men  of 
"WTlkes-Barre  community  is  Dell  Roy  Tre- 
dinnick,  who  since  1925  has  occupied  the 
important  position  of  cashier  in  the  Hanover 
Bank  &  Trust  Company,  and  is  looked  upon 
with  favor  by  his  associates  in  banking,  with 
admiration  by  those  who  are  aware  of  the 
fine  progress  he  has  made  in  the  world  of 
commerce,  and  with  respect  by  all  who  know 
him  Mr.  Tredinnick  is  a  native  of  Wilkes- 
Barre,  born  January  23,  1896,  a  son  of  Thomas 
and  Emma   (Weaver)   Tredinnick. 

Thomas  Tredinnick  has  for  many  years 
been  a  resident  of  this  community.  He  is  a 
Republican,  a  staunch  adherent  to  party  prin- 
ciples, and  possessed  of  a  considerable  mfiu- 
ence  in  matters  politic,  which  he  exercises 
quietly  and  with  effect  among  those  with 
whom  he  is  associated.  He  is  a  communicant 
of  the  Parrish  Street  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  IS  devout  in  its  service,  and  within 
his  means  generous  toward  all  charitable 
and  kindred  causes  of  a  worthy  character, 
whether  or  not  sponsored  by  the  church  of 
his  denomination  a  man  of  large  heart  and 
temperate  nature,  esteemed  by  the  majority 
of  persons  with  whom  he  comes  in  contact. 
By  his  wife,  Emma  (Weaver)  Tredinnick, 
he  is  the  father  of  six  children,  all  of  whom 
have  reached  maturity  and  are  well  estab- 
lished: 1.  Thomas,  foreman  of  the  Vulcan 
Iron  Works,  Wilkes-Barre.  2.  Frederick,  fore- 
man in  the  pressrooms  of  the  Philadelphia 
"Public  Ledgar,"  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania. 
3.  John,  foreman  in  the  pressrooms  of  the 
"Times-Leader,"  Wilkes-Barre.  4.  James, 
foreman  in  the  Scranton,  Pennsylvania, 
"Republican."  5.  Anna,  wife  of  George  Nor- 
ton, Wilkes-Barre.  6.  Dell  Roy,  of  whom 
follows. 

Dell  Roy  Tredinnick  attended  the  public 
schools  of  'Wilkes-Barre,  and  graduated  from 
high  school  with  the  class  of  1913,  in  the 
course  of  which  year  he  became  messenger 
boy  for  the  Hanover  Bank  &  Trust  Company, 
in  whose  employ  he  has  been  through  the 
years  succeeding.  Meanwhile,  in  191S,  he 
graduated  from  the  American  Institute  of 
Banking,  and  in  1921  from  the  Wharton  Ex- 
tension School,  of  Wilkes-Barre.  In  the  lat- 
ter institution  he  specialized  in  accounting 
and  finance,  having  ever  in  mind  advance- 
ment in  the  banking  house.  Accordingly  he 
was  advanced  from  the  place  of  messenger 
boy  to  stenographer,  from  stenographer  to 
bookkeeper,  from  bookkeeper  to  teller,  from 
teller  to  assistant  cashier,  and,  in  1925,  from 
assistant   cashier  to   cashier. 

Mr.  Tredinnick,  like  his  father,  is  a  Repub- 
licrn,  and  also  like  him  exercises  quietly  an 
extensive  influence  in  matters  political.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  Westminster  Presbyterian 
Church  and  contributor  to  charity  regardless 
of  the  race  or  creed  whence  comes  the  ap- 
peal. In  fraternal  affiliations  his  membership 
is  large,  including  active  participation  in 
affairs    of    Landmark    Lodge,    No.    442    of    the 


433 


Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  Shekinah  Chapter 
No.  182  of  Royal  Arch  Masons,  Dieu  le  Veut 
Commandery  No.  45  of  Knights  Templar,  and 
Irem  Temple  of  the  Ancient  Arabic  Order 
Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine;  Irem  Country 
Club;  Wyoming  Lodge  of  the  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  Wilkes-Barre  Coun- 
cil, No.  161,  of  the  Junior  Order  of  United 
American  Mechanics;  John  Knox  Commandery 
No.  12,  of  the  Knights  of  Malta;  Lions'  Club, 
and  the  college  fraternity  Pi  Delta  Epsilon. 
Dell  Roy  Tredinnick  married  Magdaline 
Smith,  in  the  month  of  July,  1921.  Mrs. 
Tredinnick  is  a  daughter  of  George  Adam 
Smith  of  Wilkes-Barre.  This  union  has  re- 
sulted in  the  birth  of  two  children:  Dell  Roy, 
Jr.,    and   George   Donald. 


FRED  J.  E.  SPERLING,  i>I.  D. — A  physician 
in  Wilkes-Barre  since  1907,  Dr.  Fred  J.  E. 
Sperling  follows  the  profession  of  his  father 
before  him.  Dr.  John  G.  Sperling,  who  died 
at  the  age  of  eighty-nine  years,  in  1920,  hav- 
ing practiced  medicine  in  Wyoming  Valley 
for  fifty-flve  years,  beloved  of  the  greater 
number  of  families  in  Luzerne  County,  where 
he  was  a  familiar  figure  and  the  last  of  the 
"old  school"  of  family  doctors. 

Fred  J.  E.  Sperling  was  born  October  20, 
1S83,  son  of  Dr.  John  G.  Sperling  and  Mar- 
garet (Swartz)  Sperling.  John  G.  Sperling 
was  a  native  of  Germany,  born  in  1831,  and 
came  to  the  United  States  in  1866.  While  a 
young  man  he  made  a  trip  around  the  world 
in  a  sailing  craft,  an  adventurous  version 
of  the  German  Wanderjahr  still  practiced  in 
the  more  well  to  do  families  of  Germany. 
Dr.  and  Mrs.  Sperling,  of  Pittston,  Pennsyl- 
vania, were  the  parents  of  six  children: 
Annah,  wife  of  W.  W.  Heltrich,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre;  Clara,  wife  of  Ira  Allen,  of  Bingham- 
ton.  New  York;  Grace,  wife  of  Linn  Tiffany, 
of  Kingston,  Pennsylvania;  Edith,  unmar- 
ried: Minnie,  deceased,  unmarried;  and  Fred 
J.  E.  Mrs.  Sperling  now  (1927)  is  eighty- 
nine  years  of  age. 

Dr.  Fred  J.  E.  Sperling  received  his  early 
education  in  the  public  schools  of  Wilkes- 
Barre  and  graduated  from  the  high  school  at 
Kingston,  Luzerne  County,  from  the  Wyo- 
ming Seminary  at  Kingston,  and  the  Lehigh 
College,  whence  he  graduated  with  the 
degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts  with  the  class 
of  1903;  then  entered  the  Hahnemann  Medical 
College  at  Philadelphia  and  graduated  with 
the  class  of  1907  holding  the  degree  of  Doc- 
tor of  Medicine.  He  returned  to  Luzerne 
County  and  has  followed  the  practice  of 
medicine  during  the  years  that  have  suc- 
ceeded. Dr.  Sperling  is  a  member  of  the 
Luzerne  County  Medical  Society,  the  Penn- 
sylvania State  Medical  Society,  and  the 
American  Institute  of  Homeopathy;  he  is  a 
member  of  the  Royal  Arch  Masons,  Knights 
Templar,  Keystone  Consistory  of  thirty-sec- 
cnd  degree  Masons.  Irem  Temple  of  the 
Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic 
Shrine;  he  is  a  member  of  the  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  Patriotic  Order  Sons 
of  America,  Junior  Order  United  American 
Mechanics,  the  Fraternal  Order  of  Eagles, 
the  Loyal  Order  of  Moose,  the  Owls'  Club, 
the  Greater  Wilkes-Barre  Chamber  of  Com- 
merce; he  is  a  member  of  the  national  Greek 
letter  college  fraternity  Alpha  Sigma,  the 
Concordia  Club,  the  Wilkes-Barre  Automo- 
bile Club,  the  Amphictyon  Society  of  Phila- 
delphia, the  Young  Men's  Christian  Associa- 
tion, and  the  Presbyterian  Church.  He  fur- 
ther belongs  to  the  Craftsmen's  Club  of  Penn- 
sylvania and  the  Sportsmen's  Association. 
Dr.   Sperling   has   contributed  articles   to    the 


medical  journals  and   has  written  a  book   on 
the    tapeworm. 

Dr.  Fred  J.  E,  Sperling  married  Lillian 
Robinson,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  and  with  her  has 
made  long  journeys  in  the  United  States  and 
abroad.  They  made  a  trip  to  the  Bahama 
Islands  in  1927,  visiting  the  Panama  Canal 
Zone  and  South  America,  and  during  the  year 
1929  Dr.  Sperling  and  his  wife  made  a  tour 
of  Canada  and  Europe.  They  maintain  a 
beautiful  home  in  Kingston,  and  the  doctor 
has  his  offices  in  No.  601,  the  Meyer  Build- 
ing,  Wilkes-Barre. 


PRED  J.  BAIVT.4 — Born  in  the  town  of 
Stockholm,  New  Jersey,  Fred  J.  Banta  held 
various  positions  in  that  State  until  1905,  In 
which  year  he  came  to  Luzerne  County  and 
learned  the  trade  of  moulder.  After  working 
in  that  line  for  several  years,  Mr.  Banta 
became  associated  with  Haddock  Mining 
Company  of  Luzerne,  with  which  concern  he 
now  fills  the  offices  of  shipping  clerk  and 
weighmaster.  Mr.  Banta  is  a  prominent  fig- 
ure in  his  community,  having  served  two 
terms  as  burgess. 

Mr.  Banta  was  born  in  Stockholm,  August 
24,  1883,  the  son  of  Joseph  and  Kathryn 
Banta,  both  natives  of  Newfoundland,  Morris 
County,  New  Jersey,  where  the  former  was 
a  blacksmith,  employed  with  the  Franklin 
Iron  Company  for  sixteen  years.  He  died 
on  May  15,  1926,  his  wife,  the  mother  of 
Fred  J.  Banta,  having  predeceased  him  on 
October  3,  1921.  Mr.  Banta  obtained  his 
early  education  in  the  public  schools  of 
Franklin,  graduating  from  the  high  school 
there  with  the  class  of  1900.  For  about  a 
year  he  was  employed  by  the  American 
Express  Company  at  Weeha'wken,  New  Jer- 
sey, after  which  he  worked  in  the  paper  mills 
at  Hamburg,  New  Jersey,  for  three  years.  He 
was  with  the  New  Jersey  Zinc  Company,  at 
Franklin  for  the  next  two  years,  at  the  end 
of  which  time  he  came  to  Wyoming  and 
learned  the  moulder's  trade.  He  was  engaged 
in  that  line  of  work  for  seven  years  and  in 
June,  1912,  he  became  connected  with  the 
Haddock  Mining  Company,  of  Luzerne.  He 
was  first  employed  as  a  carpenter  and  later 
as  an  inspector  of  coal  and  in  1924  he  took 
his  present  position  in  the  offices  of  the 
corporation  as  shipping  clerk  and  weigh- 
master. 

For  two  years  Mr.  Banta  was  secretary 
of  the  borough  council,  and  was  later  ap- 
pointed 'o  serve  the  unexpired  term  of 
Daniel  Llewellyn  as  burgess.  This  was  in 
March,  1922  and  in  1926  he  was  elected 
burgess,  to  serve  a  term  of  four  yeai's.  He 
was  connected  with  the  Luzerne  Fire  Depart- 
ment No.  1,  and  served  as  president  for  two 
years.  He  is  an  active  member  of  Walnut 
Lodge,  No.  953,  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows,  and  was  Past  Grand  and  Past 
Deputy  grand  of  District  No.  1.  and  was  a 
member  of  Wyoming  Valley  Encampment 
No.  25.  His  religious  affiliations  are  with 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  of  which 
he  was  a  member  of  the  official  board  for 
several   years. 

On  August  20,  1910,  Mr.  Banta  married 
Margaret  Hewitt,  of  Luzerne,  daughter  of 
Newman  and  Louise  Hewitt.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Banta  are  the  parents  of  one  child,  a  girl, 
Kathryn,    born    November    1,    1915. 


JOHX    P.    CONjVOLE,   M.  D After   having 

practiced  successfully  for  fifteen  years  in 
Plymouth,  Luzerne  County,  as  a  physician 
and  surgeon.  Dr.  Connole  removed  to  Wilkes- 
Barre  and  since  then  has  continued  his  pro- 
fessional work  in  that  city.  He  is  especially 
well  known  as  a  surgeon,  in  which  branch  of 


436 


the  medical  science  he  has  been  very  success- 
ful. He  enjoys  a  large  private  practice  and 
is  also  connected  with  one  of  the  leading 
hospitals.  Though  a  comparative  newcomer 
in  Wilkes-Barre,  he  is  widely  known  there 
and   is   very  popular. 

Dr.  John  P.  Connole  was  born  in  Plymouth, 
Luzerne  County,  November  25,  18S2,  the  sec- 
ond son  and  third  child  of  the  late  John  F. 
and  Mary  Elizabeth  (Keating)  Connole,  of 
Plymouth,  both  now  deceased.  His  father 
was  a  well-known  business  man  of  Plym- 
outh and  was  the  head  of  a  family  of  six 
children:  Mary,  wife  of  John  P.  McGroarty 
of  Wilkes-Barre;  Thomas,  who  died  at  the 
age  of  twenty-three  years;  Dr.  John  P.,  of 
whom  further;  Althea  B.;  Dr.  Joseph  Vincent, 
a  well-known  eye,  ear,  nose  and  throat 
specialist  of  Wilkes-Barre;  and  Anna  M. 
Connole. 

Dr  Connole  was  educated  in  the  public 
grammar  schools  of  Plymouth  and  in  the 
Edwardsville  High  School,  from  which  latter 
he  graduated  in  1900.  After  then  spending 
two  years  as  a  student  at  the  Wyoming 
Seminary,  he  entered  the  Jefferson  Medical 
College  in  Philadelphia,  graduating  with  the 
degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine  in  1906.  The 
next  year  he  served  as  an  interne  at  the 
Mercy  Hospital  in  Wilkes-Barre,  after  which 
he  established  himself  in  the  practice  of  his 
profession  in  Plymouth.  There  he  continued 
for  fifteen  years,  until,  in  1923,  he  moved  to 
Wilkes-Barre,  where  he  has  practiced  and 
made  his  home  since  then.  He  specializes 
in  surgery  and  is  a  member  of  the  consult- 
ing staff  of  Mercy  Hospital.  Dr.  Connole 
has  always  made  it  a  point  of  keep  himself 
fully  informed  of  the  latest  discoveries  and 
developments  in  medicine  and  especially  in 
surgery.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Luzerne 
County  and  of  the  Pennsylvania  State  Med- 
ical societies  and  of  the  American  Medical 
Association.  In  politics  he  is  a  supporter  of 
the  Democratic  party,  while  his  religious  affil- 
iations are  with  the  Roman  Catholic  Church. 

Dr.  Connole  married,  in  June,  1911,  Rene 
B.  Buckley  of  Wilkes-Barre,  a  daughter  of 
Daniel  and  Catherine  (Gallagher)  Buckley. 
Dr.  and  Mrs.  Connole  are  the  parents  of 
three  children,  J.  Francis,  Mary  Clare  and 
Thomas  Connole.  The  family  home  is  located 
at    No.    408    Carey    Avenue,    Wilkes-Barre. 


JOSEPH  p.  FLANAGAJV— Resident  all  his 
life  of  Wilkes-Barre,  Joseph  P.  Flanagan's 
numerous  friends  and  acquaintances  began, 
many  of  them,  to  respect  his  judgment  and 
seek  his  counsel  in  his  boyhood  days  before 
he  had  made  it  his  profession  to  give  legal 
advice.  He  is  held  in  high  esteem  through- 
out the  town  for  his  ability  as  a  barrister, 
both  by  the  general  public  and  also  his  fel- 
low-lawyers who  know  him  through  con- 
tacts in  the  day's  work  and  through  his 
membership  in  the  Bar  Association  of  Luze'rne 
County  and  the  American   Bar  Association. 

Mr.  Flanagan  was  born  March  12,  1879  in 
Wilkes-Barre,  the  son  of  John  Flanagan, 
brick  layer,  born  in  Ireland  in  1846,  died 
September  21,  1893,  and  Mary  (Milton)  Flana- 
gan, born  in  Ireland  in  1847,  died  in  Septem- 
ber, 1884.  After  preliminary  education  in 
the  Wilkes-Barre  public  schools  the  subject 
of  this  sketch  attended  Wyoming  Seminary 
for  one  year,  then  was  graduated  from  the 
Harry  Hillman  Academy  with  the  class  of 
1903.  He  commenced  to  read  law  in  the  office 
of  Troutman  and  Llewellyn  and  passed  his 
examinations  for  admission  to  the  bar  in 
September,  1906.  He  commenced  his  legal 
practice     in     association     with     Thomas     H. 


Atherton  and  Judge  B.  R.  Jones  and  in  this 
office  he  has  since  continued.  A  communicant 
of  St.  Patrick's  Roman  Catholic  Church, 
Mr.  Flanagan  is  a  member  of  the  Knights 
of  Columbus,  He  Is  Democratic  in  his  polit- 
ical affiliations. 

Mr.  Flanagan  married,  in  1922,  Grace  M. 
Blewitt  of  Pittston,  Pennsylvania,  daughter 
of  John  and  Margaret  (Langan)  Blewitt. 
They  have  one  son,  Joseph  P.  Flanagan,  Jr., 
born   September   IS,   1924. 


AUSTIN  L.  HAUSLOHNER,  M.  D. — A  Penn- 
sylvania physician  who  has  won  a  prominent 
place  in  his  profession.  Dr.  Austin  L.  Haus- 
lohner  is  one  of  Wilkes-Barre's  best  known 
medical  men.  Dr.  Hauslohner  is  one  of  this 
county's  native  sons  and  he  has  ever  held 
the  confidence  and  esteem  of  his  fellow- 
citizens,  having  built  up  a  large,  general 
practice  during  the  years  that  he  has  been 
engaged  in  medical  work  here.  He  is  active 
in  all  affairs  of  civic  importance  and  has 
always  lent  his  full  cooperation  and  support 
to  every  project  involving  the  protection  of 
the  public  health  or  the  betterment  of  local 
conditions. 

Dr.  Hauslohner  was  born  in  Hazleton,  No- 
vember 15,  1881,  son  of  Rudolph  Hauslohner, 
who  was  born  in  Vienna,  Austria,  in  1845, 
and  died  in  1905,  and  Mary  (von  Pieler) 
Hauslohner,  w^ho  "was  born  in  Leipsic,  Ger- 
many, in  1864  and  is  still  living.  Rudolph 
Hauslohner  was  prominent  as  a  chemist  for 
many   years. 

Austin  L.  Hauslohner  was  educated  in  the 
public  schools  of  Hazleton  and  after  high 
school,  entered  the  Medico-Chirurgical  Col- 
lege in  Philadelphia,  from  which  he  .was 
graduated  with  the  class  of  1903,  receiv-  . 
ing  his  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine.  He 
served  his  interneship  at  the  Wilkes-Barre 
General  Hospital  and  in  1904  began  the  prac- 
tice of  his  profession  in  Wilkes-Barre.  Dr. 
Hauslohner  was  thus  occupied  in  this  city 
for  two  years,  after  "which  he  went  to  Europe 
for  post-graduate  study  and  spent  a  total 
of  fourteen  months  at  the  universities  of 
Vienna,  Paris  and  Berlin.  Returning  to 
Wilkes-Barre  in  1908,  he  again  opened  his 
office  for  medical  practice  and  since  that 
time  has  been  one  of  the  most  popular  physi- 
cians of  this  city.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
county  and  State  Medical  societies  and  of 
the  American  Medical  Association.  His  fra- 
ternal affiliation  is  with  the  American  Legion 
and  he  is  an  active  member  of  the  Wyo- 
ming Valley  Country  Club.  He  and  his  fam- 
ily attend  the  Roman  Catholic  Church.  Dur- 
ing the  recent  World  War,  Dr.  Hauslohner 
enlisted  in  the  United  States  Army  and  was 
assigned  to  the  Medical  Corps,  86th  Division, 
and  stationed  in  this  country.  He  was  later 
detached  from  this  unit  and  became  attached 
to  the  American  Expeditionary  Forces  in  the 
field  hospital  service  in  France.  He  worked 
in  the  midst  of  the  fighting  at  the  front  in 
connection  with  Field  Hospital,  No.  343,  and 
was  honored  with  the  rank  of  captain.  He 
served  overseas  for  fourteen  months,  and 
then  returned  to  this  country,  where  he  "was 
discharged  August  13,  1919,  after  which  he 
returned  to  his  home  and  resumed  his  med- 
ical  activities. 

Dr.  Austin  L.  Hauslohner  married,  April 
20,  1921,  Betty  Becker,  of  Wilkes-Barre, 
daughter  of  Charles  and  Rose  Becker,  and 
they  have  one  son,  Robert  Austin,  born  June 
15,    1922. 


DR.     B.     J.     FORD,     D.     D.     S. — At     No.     181 

South    Market    Street,    Nanticoke,    Dr.    B.    J. 
Ford    is   taking   care   of  a   large   dental  prac- 


kL.i,iJ!iJJllliiiii!Imi.i:llil,,,::i,!i;iji!jiililililii,.l!il!lsil!i!liL^  MM 


"■.'■■Mi:i..ii-,:: 


tice.  He  came  to  Nanticoke  a  few  weeks 
after  his  graduation  from  the  Dental  Col- 
legre  of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  in 
Philadelphia,  and  has  remained  here  to  the 
present  time  (1928).  More  than  eight  years 
of  active  practice  have  made  him  well  known 
in  this  section  of  Luzerne  County,  and  he 
is  familiar  also  to  the  profession,  holding 
membership  in  county.  State  and  national 
dental  organizations.  He  also  maintains  an 
office    in    Will<es-Barre. 

Dr.  B.  J.  Ford  was  born  in  Nanticoke, 
February  4,  1S97,  son  of  Lawrence  Ford,  who 
is  engaged  in  business  as  a  merchant  at  No. 
169  Market  Street,  Nanticoke,  and  of  Mary 
(Friel)  Ford,  both  of  whom  are  living  at 
No.  249  East  Greene  Street,  Nanticoke.  As 
a  boy  Dr.  Ford  attended  the  parochial  schools 
of  his  birthplace,  and  later  he  became  a 
student  in  Bloomsburg  State  Normal  School, 
from  which  he  was  graduated  with  the  class 
of  3  916.  Three  years  later  he  was  graduated 
from  the  Dental  College  of  the  University 
of  Pennsylvania,  at  Philadelphia,  and  on 
October  6,  following  his  graduation  he  opened 
his  office  in  Nanticoke.  Since  that  time  he 
has  been  engaged  in  general  dental  prac- 
tice here,  and  has  built  up  a  very  satisfactory 
list  of  patrons.  He  is  a  member  of  Luzerne 
County  Dental  Association,  Pennsylvania 
State  Dental  Association,  and  the  American 
Dental  Society,  and  has  established  a  repu- 
tation for  skill  and  for  sound  business  meth- 
ods. Able  and  progressive.  Dr.  Ford  was 
anxious  to  "do  his  bit"  in  the  service  of  his 
country  during  the  World  War  and  enlisted 
in  the  United  States  Naval  Reserves,  May 
31,  191S,  continuing  in  service  until  Decem- 
ber 21,  191S,  when  he  was  discharged  with 
the  rank  of  first  class  hospital  apprentice. 
He  graduated  from  the  University  of  Penn- 
sylvania Dental  College  the  following  year, 
and  has  since  been  practicing  in  Nanticoke. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  Colum- 
bus and  of  the  American  Legion,  and  his 
religious  affiliation  is  with  St.  Francis' 
Roman    Catholic  Church. 

Dr.  B.  J.  Ford  was  married,  October  29, 
1924,  to  Kathryn  Beckley,  of  Nanticoke.  Mrs. 
Ford  is  a  graduate  of  Nanticoke  High  School, 
class  of  1915  and  of  Bloomsburg  State  Normal 
School,  class  of  1917,  and  before  her  mar- 
riage was  engaged  in  teaching  in  tlie  public 
schools  of  Nanticoke.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Ford 
have  one  child,  Bernard.  The  family  home 
is  at  No.  120  East  Greene  Street,  Nanticoke. 
Both  Dr.  Ford  and  his  wife  have  a  very 
large  number  of  friends  and  are  very  highly 
esteemed   in   the   community. 


ANDRje  A.  BEAUMONT — The  Beaumont 
family  is  descended  from  William  Beaumont 
(1607-08)  (or  Beamont  as  he  spelled  it)  of 
Carlisle,  England,  who  with  his  younger 
brother  John,  sailed  from  the  Port  of  London 
in  April,  16.35.  landing  presumably  in  the 
Massachusetts  Colony.  At  any  rate  he  mar- 
ried, December  9,  1643,  Lydia  Danforth, 
daughter  of  Nicholas  Danforth  of  Cambridge, 
Massachusetts.  He  had  settled  at  Saybrook, 
Connecticut,  in  1640.  He  was  made  a  Free- 
man of  Connecticut  in  1652.  He  died  Feb- 
ruary 4,  1699,  and  his  wife,  Lydia,  died  August 
26,  1686.  They  had  seven  children,  Samuel 
being  the  only  son.  Samuel  (1657-1748)  mar- 
ried Hester  Buckingham  (1668-1709),  daugh- 
ter of  the  Rev.  Thomas  Buckingham  and 
Hester  (Hosmer)  Buckingham.  Thomas  Buck- 
ingham was  one  of  the  seven  men  who 
founded  the  Collegiate  School  of  Connecticut 
at  Saybrook  in  1701,  which  later  was  named 
Tale  College.  Samuel  and  Hester  (Bucking- 
ham) Beaumont  had  four  children  of  "n^hom 
Samuel  was  the  only  son.     He   married,   June 


20,  1716,  Abigail  Denison  of  Wethersfield, 
Connecticut,  and  they  had  four  children,  two 
sons  and  two  daughters.  The  second  son. 
William  (1725-1812),  married,  December  2». 
1747,  Sarah  Everett  of  Windham,  Connect 
icut.  They  had  nine  children.  William  moved 
from    Saybrook    to    Lebanon    about    1746. 

Isaiah  Beaumont  (1757-1837),  son  of  Wil- 
liam and  Sarah  (Everett)  Beaumont,  together 
with  his  four  brothers,  served  in  the  Revolu- 
tionary War,  was  wounded  at  the  Battle  of 
Princeton  and  was  discharged  at  Morristown. 
New  Jersey,  soon  after.  About  1780  he  mar- 
ried Fear  Alden  (1755-1836),  great-grand- 
daughter of  John  Alden  and  Priscilla  (Mul- 
lins)  Alden,  whose  love  affair  Longfellow 
beautifully  describes  in  the  poem,  "The  Court- 
ship of  Miles  Standish."  Isaiah  moved  his  fam- 
ily from  Lebanon  to  the  Wyoming  Valley  about 
1798  or  1800,  and  about  ISOS  moved  on  to  Ohio. 

Andrew  Beaumont,  the  fifth  child  and  elder 
son  (1790-lS;i3),  apparently  elected  to  stay 
and  settled  in  Wilkes-Barre  in  1808.  thus 
becoming  the  immediate  head  of  the  Pennsyl- 
vania Beaumonts.  He  was  appointed  col- 
lector of  direct  taxes  and  internal  duties 
December  24,  1813,  by  President  Madison,  for 
the  section  which  includes  Luzerne  County. 
He  was  appointed  by  President  Polk  Commis- 
sioner of  Public  Buildings  and  (jrounds  at 
Washington,  and  accepted,  but  his  appoint- 
ment was  held  up  by  Senator  Thomas  H.  Ben- 
ton of  Missouri  on  personal  considerations. 
He  served  two  terms  in  the  United  States 
House  of  Representatives  (1833  to  1837). 
Prior  to  that  he  had  served  in  the  State  Leg- 
islature and  had  held  various  county  offices. 
In  1813  he  married  Julia  Colt,  daughter  of 
Arnold  Colt  (1760-1832)  and  Lucinda  (Tar- 
rington)  Colt  (1767-1S30).  Andrew  and  Julia 
(Colt)  Beaumont  had  ten  children,  their  ninth 
being  Lieutenant-Colonel  Eugene  B.  Beau- 
mont. 

Eugene  B.  Beaumont  was  born  at  Wilkes- 
Barre  August  2,  1837,  graduated  at  the  United 
Slates  Military  Academy,  West  Point,  New 
York,  May  6,  1S61,  and  served  valiantly 
through  the  (bivil  War,  receiving  the  Con- 
gressional Medal  of  Honor  for  "gallant  and 
meritorious  services"  at  the  Harpeth  River, 
Tennessee,  and  the  Battle  of  Selma,  Alabama. 
At  Macon,  Georgia,  he  received  Jefferson 
Davis  as  a  prisoner  of  war  after  his  capture. 
On  September  18,  1S61,  Colonel  Beaumont 
married  Margaret  Rutter  (1837-1879),  daugh- 
ter of  Nathaniel  Rutter  (1806-1899)  and  Mary 
Ann  (Cist)  Rutter,  daughter  of  Jacob  and 
Sarah  (Hollenback)  Cist.  Colonel  Eugene  B. 
and  Margaret  (Rutter)  Beaumont  had  four 
children,  of  whom  Andrg  A.  Beaumont  is  the 
youngest. 

Andre  Alden  Beaumont  was  born  August  4, 
1870,  at  San  Antonio,  Texas,  while  his  father. 
Colonel  Beaumont,  was  stationed  there  with 
his  troop  tA-4th  Cavalry).  He  received  his 
early  scholastic  training  in  public  and  private 
schools  and  in  September,  1890.  matriculated 
at  Yale  University,  New  Haven,  Connecticut, 
and  was  graduated  in  the  class  of  1894,  with 
the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts.  In  February, 
1896,  he  was  employed  by  the  Lehigh  and 
Wilkes-Barre  Coal  Company  and  has  re- 
mained in  its  service  ever  since.  Mr.  Beau- 
mont is  Scout  Commissioner  of  the  Wyoming 
Valley  Council  of  Boy  Scouts  of  America  and 
is  also  Scoutmaster  of  Troop  26.  sponsored 
by  St.  Stephen's  Church  of  Wilkes-Barre. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Concordia  Society  of 
Wilkes-Barre,  of  the  American  Geographical 
Society  of  New  York  City,  of  tlie  National 
Geographic  Society  of  Washington.  District  of 
Columbia,  and  honorary  member  of  the  Beau- 
mont Medical  Club   of  New  Haven,   Connect- 


438 


icut,  founded  by  members  of  the  medical  pro- 
fession to  honor  the  memory  of  Dr.  William 
Beaumont  (1785-1S53),  of  Lebanon,  Connect- 
icut, an  army  surgeon  whose  fame  m  the 
history  of  medicine  is  worldwide.  Dr.  Beau- 
mont was  a  first  cousin  of  Andrew  Beau- 
mont, the  grandfather  of  Andre. 

Mr.  Beaumont  was  married,  April  20,  1899, 
to  Elsie  Peironnet  Butler,  eldest  daughter 
of  Edmund  G.  Butler  (1S45-1926)  and  Clara 
Cox  Butler  (1849-1916).  Mrs.  Beaumont  was 
a  great-great-granddaughter  of  Colonel  Zebu- 
Ion  Butler  and  of  Judge  Jesse  Fell,  who  was 
the  first  man  in  Pennsylvania  to  use  anthra- 
cite coal  in  an  open  grate.  Mrs.  Beaumont 
died  March  10,  1920.  She  had  three  children: 
1.  Andre  Alden,  Jr.,  born  in  1900:  received 
the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts  from  Yale 
University  in  1921;  obtained  the  degree  of 
Master  of  Arts  at  Princeton  University  m 
1922-  also  received  the  Ph.  D.  degree  from 
Princeton  University  in  1925;  now  assistant 
professor  of  History  at  New  York  Univer- 
sity He  married  June  25,  1929,  at  Santa 
Barbara,  California,  Cecily  Mary  Casserly, 
daughter  of  John  B.  and  Cecelia  (Cudahy) 
Casserly,  of  San  Mateo,  California.  2.  Ed- 
mund Butler,  born  in  1907;  received  the 
degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts  from  Yale  Univer- 
sity in  1928,  now  teaching  at  the  Englewood 
School  for  Boys,  Englewood,  New  Jersey.  3. 
Elsie  Peironnet,  born  in  1909;  a  student  at 
Vassar  College,   Poughkeepsie,  New  York. 

JOSEPH  HIRSCH— HARRY  HIRSCH— Co- 
proprietor  with  his  brother  Harry  in  manage- 
ment of  the  business  founded  in  1869  by  their 
father.  Samuel  Hirsch.  Joseph  Hirsch  is  one 
of  Wilkes-Barre's  leading  business  men,  and 
Hirsch's  located  at  No.  44  South  Main  Street, 
is  recognized  as  an  outstanding  establishment 
of  the  town.  Having  grown  into  the  business 
and  the  civic  lite  of  Wilkes-Barre  from  boy- 
hood, Mr.  Hirsch  takes  his  community  obliga- 
tions seriously  and  can  always  be  depended 
upon  to  further  a  cause  looking  toward  the 
benefaction  of  Wilkes-Barre. 

Born  in  Wilkes-Barre,  April  3,  1888,  Mr. 
Hirsch  is  the  son  of  Samuel  and  Bertha 
(Lowenstein)  Hirsch,  the  latter  born  in  Ger- 
many in  1845,  died  in  November,  1919.  Sam- 
uel Hirsch  was  born  in  Germany  in  1844  and 
came  to  the  United  States  in  1869,  imme- 
diately locating  in  Wilkes-Barre  and  estab- 
lishing his  store.  First  located  on  Hazle 
Avenue,  then  one  of  the  main  business  thor- 
oughfares, the  shop  carried  a  general  line  of 
merchandise  at  the  outset.  Here  it  flourished 
until  1900  when  the  business  was  moved  to 
the  corner  of  East  Market  and  Washington 
streets  where  it  continued  until  1915  when 
the  Hirsches  erected  the  present  store  build- 
ing at  Nos.  44-46  South  Main  Street.  In  the 
new  establishment  only  misses',  women's  and 
children's  ready-to-wear  clothing  is  earned 
and  the  restricted  lines  have  proven  so  prof- 
itable that  operations  in  the  store  now 
require  the  services  of  thirty  employees. 
When  his  business  commenced  to  yield  him 
profits  Samuel  Hirsch  invested  in  real  estate 
and  accumulated  large  holdings  in  and  about 
Wilkes-Barre.  Joseph  Hirsch  became  asso- 
ciated with  his  father  immediately  after  his 
graduation  from  the  Wilkes-Barre  High 
School  in  1906  and  rapidly  rose  to  a  position 
of  responsibility  in  the  store.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  Fidelity  Chapter,  No.  655,  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons;  Keystone  Consistory,  and 
Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles 
of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  He  belongs  to  the 
South  Washington  Street  Jewish  Synagogue. 
The  junior  member  of  the  Hirsch  Brothers' 


firm,  Harry  Hirsch,  was  born  In  Wilkes-Barre 
December  12,  1893,  and  formally  entered 
business  with  his  father  and  brother  in  1912. 
following  his  completion  of  the  grade  and 
high  school  courses.  His  fraternal  affiliations 
are  with  Landmark  Lodge,  No.  442,  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons;  Keystone  Consistory;  Irem 
Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the 
Mystic  Shrine.  To  his  initiative,  enthusiasm, 
aiid  ability  as  an  advertising  expert  a  gen- 
erous share  of  credit  for  the  store's  accom- 
plishments is  due,  and  to  the  tireless  efforts 
and  never-failing  loyalty  of  the  father  and 
two  sons  their  store,  which  ranks  among 
the  best  business  edifices  of  Wilkes-Barre, 
stands  as  a  monument. 

HARRY  ANDREW  SCOTT— After  several 
years  of  experience  as  telegraph  opera,tor 
and  station  agent  in  the  employ  of  the  Phila- 
delphia &  Reading  Railroad  Company  and  as 
telegraph  operator  for  the  Western  Union, 
Harrv  Andrew  Scott  engaged  in  the  insur- 
ance and  real  estate  business  in  Plymouth. 
He  has  been  active  and  successful  m  that 
field  of  activity  here  for  a  quarter  of  a  cen- 
tury now  (1928)  and  has  for  many  years 
been  known  as  one  of  the  able  and  skillful 
men  of  this  particular  line.  He  is  located 
at  No.  25  Gaylord  Avenue,  where  both  his 
home  and  his  office  are  housed,  and  during 
the  twenty-five  years  of  his  buying  and  sell- 
ing of  real  estate  he  has  handled  a  very  large 
number  of  private  homes  and  public  struc- 
tures He  has  always  taken  a  deep  interest 
in  the  development  of  the  place,  and  has 
contributed   substantially    to    its    growth. 

Harry  Andrew  Scott  was  born  in  Scran- 
ton  Pennsylvania,  May  9,  1869,  son  of 
Jeremiah  Shindle  Scott,  who  was  born  m 
Locust  Township,  Columbia  County,  Penn- 
sylvania, in  1846,  and  who  in  addition  to 
his  activities  as  a  farmer,  was  a  carpenter 
and  millwright  to  the  time  of  his  death, 
which  occurred  in  August,  1911,  and  of  Emma 
L.  Quick,  a  native  of  Scranton,  Pennsylvania, 
born  in  1S43,  and  she  died  in  July,  1909. 
Emma  L.  Quick  was  a  granddaughter  of  the 
late  Henry  Sively.  born  near  Stroudsburg, 
Pennsylvania,  in  1789,  and  died  m  1868,  his 
father  was  a  Hessian  soldier  in  the  Revolu- 
tionary Armv,  who  never  returned  to  his 
native"  land,  but  settled  in  Monroe  County 
and  married  a  native  Indian  woman.  Henry 
Sively  was  the  youngest  child  of  seven  chil- 
dren born  of  this  marriage.  Mr.  Scott  s 
earlv  education  was  received  in  the  country 
schools  of  Locust  Township,  Columbia  County, 
Pennsylvania,  and  later  he  was  a  student 
in  the  Bloomsburg  State  Normal  School  for 
one  year.  After  completing  his  education 
he  Was  engaged  in  farming  until  he  was 
twenty-one  years  of  age,  when  he  entered 
the  employ  of  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading 
Railroad  Company  as  telegraph  operator  and 
station  agent,  in  which  capacity  he  served 
for  four  years.  At  the  end  of  that  time 
he  became  telegraph  operator  for  the  West- 
ern Union  Telegraph  Company  and  express 
agent  in  Plymouth,  and  he  continued  m  this 
connection  until  1903.  In  that  year  he  de- 
cided to  engage  in  business  for  himself  as  a 
real  estate  and  insurance  man,  and  since  that 
time  he  has  been  continuously  engaged  in 
developing  a  very  satisfactory  business  in 
this  field.  He  handles  a  general  line  of  insur- 
ance, and  during  the  quarter  of  a  century 
in  which  he  has  been  thus  engaged  he  has 
built  up  a  very  large  acquaintance  in  this 
section.  In  both  departments  of  his  busi- 
ness he  is  known  tor  his  thorough  knowl- 
edge and  skill  and  he  stands  among  the  first 
in  his  line  in  this  part  of  the  county.  In 
his    political    faith    Mr.    Scott    is    a   Democrat. 


'P^igiigililiiii 


I 


439 


He  is  a  member  of  LodR-e  No.  332,  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons;  Dieu  le  Veut  Commandery, 
Knights  Templar,  No.  45;  and  Irem  Temple, 
Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic 
Shrine.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Knights 
of  Pythias  and  of  the  Junior  Order  of  United 
American  Mechanics.  His  club  is  the  Crafts- 
men's Club,  and  his  religious  affiliation  is 
with  the  First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
of  Plymouth,  which  he  has  served  as  treas- 
urer for  sixteen  years  and  previous  to  that 
as  chairman  of  the  finance  committee  for 
eight  years.  Mr.  Scott  is  one  of  the  familiar 
figures  upon  the  streets  of  Plymouth,  and 
there  are  few  who  can  equal  him  in  accu- 
racy when  it  comes  to  the  matter  of  forecast- 
ing the  possibilities  of  increase  of  values  in 
real  estate.  He  has  seen  much  of  the  pres- 
ent town  of  Plymouth  come  into  existence, 
has  watched  its  growth  and  development,  and 
has  carefully  noted  the  peculiarities  of  cer- 
tain districts  as  they  grew.  No  man  can 
mislead  him  in  the  matter  of  relative  values 
in  this  section,  and  his  patrons  find  in  him 
an  able  and  efficient  representative  when 
they  wish  to  buy,  sell,  or  exchange  real 
property. 

Harry  Andrew  Scott  was  married,  June 
27,  1S96,  to  S.  Clara  Leighner,  of  Butler 
County,  Pennsylvania,  daughter  of  Joseph 
S.   and  Sarah  Jane  Leighner. 


liAWREA'CE  BIH.LARD  JOXES — Tale  grad- 
uates usually  make  a  success  in  the  busi- 
ness world,  and  Lawrence  Bullard  Jones, 
identified  with  the  Luzerne  County  Bar  and 
financial  interests  of  Wilkes-Barre,  is  no 
exception  to  the  rule.  Mr.  Jones  has  done 
much  to  advance  the  ethics  of  his  profes- 
sion, and  as  a  director  and  first  vice-president 
of  the  Union  Savings  Bank  &  Trust  Com- 
pany, and  a  quiet  influence  in  collateral  enter- 
prises, he  has  won  high  place  among  his 
associates. 

The  ancestors  of  Mr.  Jones  were  members 
of  the  Society  of  Friends  (Quakers)  and  came 
from  Great  Britain  to  Maine  early  in  the 
eighteenth  century.  Lemuel  Jones,  the  ear- 
liest paternal  American  ancestor,  who  settled 
at  Brunswick,  was  termed  "a  highly  approved 
and  accepted  minister"  among  the  Friends. 
The  descent  from  him  is  through  the  follow- 
ing: his  son.  Thomas  Jones,  also  a  minister 
at  Brunswick,  married  Esther  Hacker;  their 
son,  Rev.  Lot  Jones  (1797-1S65),  who  married 
(first)  in  Augusta,  Georgia,  in  1S25,  Priscilla 
McMillan,  daughter  of  Alexander  McMillan, 
a  native  of  Scotland,  and  (second).  May  19, 
1831,  Lucy  Ann  Bullard,  daughter  of  Dr. 
Artemus  Bullard,  of  West  Sutton,  Massachu- 
setts; their  son.  Rev.  Henry  Lawrence  Jones, 
son  of  Rev.  Lot  Jones  and  Lucy  Ann  (Bullard) 
Jones,  born  at  New  York  City,  New  York, 
May  30,  1839;  married  October  6,  1869,  Sarah 
Eastman  Coffin,  daughter  of  Samuel  Coffin,  of 
Concord,  New  Hampshire,  and  his  wife,  Har- 
riet Fox  (Ayers)  Coffin. 

Rev.  Henry  Lawrence  Jones  graduated  from 
Columbia  University,  New  York  City,  in  the 
class  of  1858,  with  the  degree  of  Bachelor 
of  Arts,  and  in  1861  with  the  degree  of 
Master  of  Arts;  in  1892  he  received  from  his 
alma  mater  the  honorary  degree  of  Doctor 
of  Sacred  Theology.  After  his  graduation  he 
entered  the  Theological  Seminary  of  Virginia 
and  graduated  with  the  degree  of  Doctor  of 
Divinity.  He  was  ordained  to  the  diaconate 
May  24,  1S61,  and  to  the  priesthood  by  Right 
Rev.  Horatio  Potter,  D.  D.,  LL.  D.,  in  1862. 
After  serving  his  diaconate  under  his  father 
at  New  York  City,  he  accepted  a  call  to 
Fitchburg,  Massachusetts,  where  he  organ- 
ized   Christ    Church    Parish    in    October,    1863, 


and  served  as  rector  of  the  church  for  eleven 
years,  resigning  in  1874  to  become  rector  of 
St.  Stephen's  Church  at  Wilkes-Barre,  where 
he  continued  for  many  ye.ars.  He  held  the 
highest  ecclesiastical  offices  in  the  diocese 
of  Central  Penni^ylvania — examining  chap- 
lain, 1876-80;  president  of  the  Northwestern 
Convocation  (now  the  Archdeaconry  of  .Scran- 
ton),  and  member  of  the  Board  of  Missions, 
1876-87,  when  he  refused  reelection;  deputy 
to  the  General  Convention  of  the  Church, 
1886-1905;  member  of  the  Standing  Commit- 
tee continuously  since  1876.  He  also  served 
for  years  as  a  member  of  the  Executive  Com- 
mittee of  the  American  Church  Missionary 
Society;  president  of  the  Board  of  Trustees 
of  the  Osterhout  Free  Library,  and  vice- 
president  of  the  Wyoming  Historical  and 
Geological  Society.  For  nearly  half  a  century 
he  was  Past  Master,  Past  Patriarch  and  Past 
Commander  of  the  Free  and  Accepted  Masons 
at  Fitchburg,  Massachusetts.  He  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Pennsylvania  Branch  of  the  Sons 
of  the  Revolution,  having  qualified  through 
the  fact  that  his  ancestor,  Asa  Bullard,  served 
in  the  American  Army  during  the  struggle 
to  free  the  Colonies.  Mrs.  Henry  L.  Jones 
was  descended  from  Tristram  Coffin,  of  But- 
lers. Parish  of  Brixton,  County  Devon,  Eng- 
land, and  his  descendants.  They  had  six 
children;  1.  Harriet  Louise.  well-known 
teacher.  2.  Lawrence  Bullard,  of  whom  fur- 
ther. 3.  Helen  Crocker,  "who  died  in  infancy. 
4.  Carleton  Coffin,  a  graduate  of  Yale  Uni- 
versity in  1898  with  the  degree  of  Bachelor 
of  Arts,  former  adjutant  of  the  9th  Regiment, 
National  Guard  of  Pennsylvania,  and  now  in 
the  insurance  business.  5.  Gertrude  Fox,  a 
graduate  of  Johns  Hopkins  Hospital  School 
for  Nurses  at  Baltimore,  Maryland.  6.  Paul, 
a  graduate  of  Yale  University  with  the  degree 
of  Bachelor  of  Arts  in  1902  and  later  student 
at  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Theological  Semi- 
nary, Cambridge,  Massachusetts,  and  now  a 
Bishop. 

La'u^rence  Bullard  Jones,  son  of  Rev.  Henry 
Lawrence  and  Sarah  Eastman  (Coffin)  Jones, 
was  born  at  Fitchburg,  Massachusetts,  Janu- 
ary 8,  1872;  when  he  was  two  years  of  age 
his  father  removed  from  Fitchburg  to  Wilkes- 
Barre  on  becoming  pastor  of  St.  Stephen's 
Episcopal  Church  in  1874,  and  thus  began  for 
the  father  a  notable  career  of  forty  years 
in  this  interesting  charge,  and  in  this  en- 
vironment grew  up  Mr.  Jones  in  the  start  of 
his  own  useful  career.  Dr.  Jones  died  at 
Wilkes-Barre  June  17,  1914.  at  the  age  of 
seventy-five  years,  and  closing  a  life  of  great 
usefulness  to  his  fellowman.  His  widow  still 
survives  at  the  age  of  eighty-five  years.  Mr. 
Jones  attended  the  Harry  Hillman  Academy 
and  graduated  from  Yale  LTniversity  in  the 
class  of  1894  with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of 
Arts.  On  the  completion  of  his  academic 
studies  he  returned  to  Wilkes-Barre  and  fol- 
lowed the  instruction  of  Hon.  Henry  A.  Ful- 
ler, in  the  latter's  law  office.  In  these  earlier 
days  it  was  the  custom  among  many  young 
men  not  to  attend  a  law  school,  but  to  take 
their  work  under  the  tutelage  of  lawyers 
like  Mr.  Puller;  and  it  is  no  disparagement 
to  the  more  refined  learning  that  what  was 
acquired  in  this  m.atter-of-fact  way,  without 
frills,  stood  up  quite  well  with  the  other,  and 
in  some  respects  even  surpassed  it.  In  two 
years  of  study  here  he  was  enabled  to  pass 
the  bar  examination  and  was  admitted  to  the 
Luzerne  County  Bar  in  1896.  Thereupon  he 
began  the  practice  of  la'w,  and  he  has  ever 
since  been  uniformly  successful.  In  addition, 
he  has  taken  a  wholesome  interest  in  com- 
munity  affairs,   and   his   business   ability   has 


been  such  that  he  has  become  a  power  in 
financial   affairs. 

Mr.  Jones  is  a  Republican,  and  as  such 
served  as  a  member  of  the  Wilkes-Barre 
City  Council  for  seven  years,  during  which 
time  he  became  the  father  of  important  leg- 
islation which  is  still  on  the  statute  books 
as  an  aid  in  the  campaign  to  keep  the  city 
in  the  forefront  of  municipalities  of  its  size 
throughout  the  country.  A  resume  of  his 
varied  connections  will  indicate  to  some  ex- 
tent the  esteem  in  which  he  is  held  by  his 
fellow-citizens:  as  a  member  of  the  Free 
and  Accepted  Masons  he  has  taken  thirty- 
two  degrees  by  the  Scottish  Rite;  is  a  mem- 
ber of  Wilkes-Barre  Lodge,  No.  61,  and  of 
Keystone  Consistory  of  Scranton,  and  Irem 
Temple.  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the 
Mystic  Shrine.  At  Tale  University,  he  joined 
the  Alpha  Delta  Phi  Fraternity.  In  addition 
to  being  first  vice-president  and  a  director 
of  the  Union  Savings  Bank  and  Trust  Com- 
pany, he  is  vice-pr'5sident  of  the  Haddock 
Mining  Company,  and  Alden  Coal  Company. 
He  is  a  trustee  of  the  Toung  Women's  Chris- 
tipn  Association,  a  director  of  the  Toung 
Men's  Christian  Association,  a  member  of  the 
Budget  Committee  of  the  Community  Wel- 
fare Federation  and  chairman  of  the  Wyo- 
ming Valley  Chapter,  American  Red  Cross,  He 
is  a  valued  member  of  the  Luzerne  County 
Bar  Association,  the  Pennsylvania  State  Bar 
Association  and  the  American  Bar  Associa- 
tion. He  has  followed  his  father's  admoni- 
tions to  the  extent  of  taking  an  active  inter- 
est in  the  work  of  the  St.  Stephen's  Protestant 
Episcopal  Church,  in  which  denomination  he 
occupies  the  position  of  vestryman,  and  he 
is  also  Chancellor  of  the  Diocese  of  Bethle- 
hem. In  social  life  he  belongs  to  the  West- 
moreland and  Wyoming  Valley  Country  clubs. 

Mr.  Jones  married,  June  15,  1899,  Martha 
Phelps  Bennett,  daughter  of  George  Slocum 
and  Ellen  W.  (Nelson)  Bennett,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre,  who  were  the  representatives  of  promi- 
nent citizens  of  many  generations,  and  three 
childr' n  have  blessed  their  union:  1.  Henry 
L.,  2d,  wliose  biography  accompanies  this. 
2.  George  Bennett,  employed  by  the  Haddock 
Mining  Company  at  Hazleton.  3.  Nelson 
Jones,  who  died  at  the   age  of  sixteen  years. 


HENRY  L.  JONES,  2d — Since  the  comple- 
tion of  his  college  course  Henry  L.  Jones, 
2d,  has  been  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Howell 
and  Jones,  Incorporated,  real  estate  and  in- 
surance, .vith  offices  located  in  the  Bennett 
Building,  in  Wilkes-Barre.  Mr.  Jones  is  of 
Quaker  ancestry,  tracing  descent  from  Lem- 
uel Jones,  who  settled  at  Brunswick,  upon 
his  arrival  from  Great  Britain,  and  "who  was 
termed  "a  highly  approved  and  accepted  min- 
ister" among  the  Friends,  the  line  descending 
through  four  generations  to  Lawrence  Bul- 
lard  Jones,  father  of  Henry  L.  Jones,  2d,  and 
including  as  many  ministers  of  the  Gospel. 
(A  full  account  of  the  Jones  ancestry  appears 
in  this  work  in  the  sketch  of  Lawrence 
Bullard  Jones  which   precedes  this). 

Lawrence  Bullard  Jones  (q.  v.)  was  born 
at  Fitchburg,  Massachusetts,  January  8,  1872. 
He  married  Martha  Phelps  Bennett,  daugh- 
ter of  George  Slocum  and  Ellen  W.  (Nelson) 
Bennett,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  members  of  fam- 
ilies prominent  in  this  section  for  many 
generations,  and  they  became  tile  parents  of 
thiee  children:  Henry  L.,  2d,  of  further 
mention;  George  Bennett,  who  is  in  the 
employ  of  the  Haddock  Mining  Company,  at 
Pottsville;  and  Nelson  Jones,  who  died  in 
1923,   aged    sixteen    years. 

Henry   L.   Jones,    2d,    son   of  Lawrence   Bul- 


lard and  Martha  Phelps  (Bennett)  Jones,  was 
born  in  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania,  Septem- 
ber 1,  1900,  and  received  his  early  school 
training  in  the  local  public  schools,  later 
attending  Wyoming  Seminary  and  tlie  Hotch- 
kiss  School,  at  Lakeville,  Connecticut,  and 
then  becoming  a  student  in  Wesleyan  Uni- 
versity, Middletown,  Connecticut.  When  hia 
college  course  was  completed,  he  engaged  In 
the  real  estate  business,  in  association  with 
John  T.  Howell,  Jr.,  under  the  firm  name  of 
Howell  and  Jones,  and  in  this  line  of  business 
he  has  successfully  continued  to  the  present 
time  (1929).  Politically,  he  is  a  Republican; 
and  he  is  a  member  of  Lodge  No.  61,  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons,  of  Wilkes-Barre;  and  of  all 
the  Scottish  Rite  bodies;  also  of  Bloomsburg 
Consistory,  in  which  he  holds  the  thirty- 
second  degree;  and  of  Irem  Temple,  Ancient 
Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine, 
of  Wilkes-Barre.  He  is  also  a  member  of 
Irem  Country  Club,  Chamber  of  Commerce, 
Black  Diamond  Post,  No.  395,  American 
Legion;  Veterans  of  Foreign  Wars,  the 
Craftsmen's  Club,  and  the  Wyoming  Valley 
Country  Club.  Mr.  Jones  has  an  honorable 
military  record  to  his  credit.  In  1917  he 
enlisted  in  Battery  D,  109th  Field  Artillery, 
with  ■which  unit  he  served  overseas,  for  four- 
teen months,  taking  part  in  four  major  drives 
against  the  enemy.  On  April  4,  1919,  he' was 
awarded  the  Distinguished  Service  Cross,  by 
tTih  United  States  Government,  and  he  re- 
turned to  this  country  in  July,  1919.  He 
has  continued  his  interest  in  the  109th  Field 
Artillery  and  at  present  is  on  the  staff  of  the 
2d  Battalion  at  Wilkes-Barre.  Mr.  Jones  is 
a  member  of  Alpha  Delta  Phi  college  frater- 
nity, and  his  religious  affiliation  is  with  St. 
Stephen's  Episcopal  Church. 

Henry  L.  Jones,  2d.  was  married,  May  22, 
1926,  to  Katharine  Church,  daughter  of  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Samuel  Harden  Church,  of  Pitts- 
burgh,  Pennsylvania. 


DR.  FRED  E.  DAVIS — Native  of  Pennsyl- 
vania and  for  many  years  a  resident  in 
Nanticoke,  here  a  citizen  prominent  in  affairs 
of  general  concern,  and  professional  man 
outstanding  in  the  veterinarian  fraternity  of 
Luzerne  County,  Fred  E.  Davis,  V.  M.  D., 
was  born  in  Pittston,  September  14,  1886,  a 
son  of  George  L.  and  Fannie  (England) 
Davis.  George  L.  Davis  was  born  in  England, 
1843,  and  died  in  Nanticoke,  1917.  He  was  a 
contractor,  and,  coming  to  the  United  States 
while  a  young  man,  first  settled  in  Pittston, 
but  removed  with  his  family  to  Nanticoke  In 
1S87.  Here  he  engaged  in  business  as  con- 
tractor and  took  part  in  general  matters  of 
the  town.  He  was  a  communicant  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  temperate  in  manner,  a 
good  husband  and  father.  George  L.  Davis 
married  in  England,  and  his  widow,  Fannie 
(England)  Davis,  survives  him  (1928).  They 
were  the  parents  of  ten  children,  all  of  whom 
have  attained  to  maturity:  1.  George  E.  2. 
Philip.  3.  Fred  E.,  of  whom  further.  4.  Wil- 
liam. 5.  Arthur  F.  6.  Albert  R.  7.  Robert. 
8.  Annie.    9.  Bessie.    10.   Pearl. 

Fred  E  Davis  received  his  early  education 
in  the  public  schools  of  Nanticoke,  having 
been  brought  here  by  his  parents  from  Pitts- 
ton when  he  was  one  year  of  age.  When  he 
had  reached  the  age  of  twelve  he  began 
working  in  the  mines,  and  continued  this  for 
the  next  ten  years,  working  in  the  coal  mines 
by  day  and  attending  school  at  night.  In 
1905,  when  he  was  nineteen,  he  entered  Wyo- 
ming Seminary,  in  Kingston,  arranging  his 
school  work  to  be  complementary  in  its  time 
to  the  time  of  his  work  in  the  mines:  and  in 
the   tall  of   1907    he   matriculated    in    the   Uni- 


yuu=t    S'     icr':=^-^u-L^^ 


versity  of  Pennsylvania,  graduating  In  1910 
with  the  degree  of  Doctor  ofVeterinary  Medi- 
cine. He  returned  to  Nantlcoke  to  practice 
his  profession,  specializing  in  the  treatment 
of  dogs.  In  1924  he  established  an  animal 
hospital,  not  large,  but  one  of  the  finest  in 
this  part  of  the  country,  modern  in  all  of  its 
appointments. 

Mr.  Davis  has  been  outstanding  in  affairs 
of  the  community  for  several  years,  since  the 
beginning  of  his  practice  in  Nantlcoke.  He 
was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Kiwanis 
Club,  its  first  vice-president,  and  its  second 
president.  While  he  was  president  of  the 
club  he  launched  a  movement  for  the  benefit 
of  crippled  children,  and  has  never  discon- 
tinued this  humanitarian  campaign,  being  at 
the  present  time  chairman  of  the  organiza- 
tion in  charge.  He  is  a  member  of  Nantlcoke 
Lodge,  No.  546,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons; 
Keystone  Consistory,  Ancient  Accepted  Scot- 
tish Rite,  and  Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic 
Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine;  the 
Craftsmen's  Club;  and  both  State  and  Na- 
tional veterinarians'  associations.  He  is  a 
director  of  the  People's  Savings  and  Trust 
Company,  first  vice-president,  was  one  of  its 
organizers  and  at  one  time  treasurer.  During 
the  epidemic  of  influenza  Mr.  Davis  assisted 
in  the  conduct  of  an  emergency  hospital,  as 
director  and  purchasing  agent;  and  in  that 
trying  period,  as  well  as  after,  he  was,  and 
is,  of  assistance  to  the  community  whenever 
possible,  ready  without  fail  to  do  his  utmost 
for  the  people  of  Nantlcoke  in  any  capacity 
whatsoever.  A  Republican,  Mr.  Davis  is 
staunch  in  support  of  the  party's  principles. 
He  wields  a  considerable  influence  in  local 
matters  of  a  political  nature,  without  fan- 
fare, consistently  to  good'  purpose.  For  a 
number  of  years  he  served  on  the  board  of 
health,  and  as  meat  and  milk  inspector  for 
the  community.  Toward  charity  he  is  of  large 
heart  and  deals  generously,  giving  without 
thought  of  race  or  creed  or  other  non- 
humanitarian  consideration.  He  is  a  com- 
municant of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

On  April  22,  190S,  Mr.  Davis  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Esther  Griffith,  of  Nantlcoke; 
and  they  are  the  parents  of  four  children:  1. 
F.  Donald.  2.  Muriel  E.  3.  Dorris  M.  4.  Jean 
E.  The  family  reside  at  No.  28  North  Walnut 
Street. 


AUGUSTUS  C.  LANING — The  family  of  the 
surname  Laning  of  ■v\^hich  Augustus  C.  (and 
his  brother  John)  Laning  of  Wilkes-Barre 
is  a  member,  is  of  Welsh  origin,  and  dates 
back  in  its  American  foundation  to  the  latter 
part  of  the  seventeenth  century,  with  the 
arrival  in  this  country  of  three  brothers 
Laning,  who  settled  first  on  Long  Island  and 
later  in  New  Jersey.  One  of  them,  Robert, 
located  in  what  is  Lawrenceville,  New  Jersey, 
and  married  a  Miss  Hart.  Among  their  chil- 
dren was  a  son,  Daniel,  baptized  in  Lawrence- 
ville in  1713,  who  married  a  sister  of  Jona- 
than Furman;  and  this  Daniel  Laning  was  a 
surveyor,  and  lived  near  Ewingville.  One 
of  his  sons,  Robert,  was  born  in  1779,  lived 
and  died  in  Sussex  County,  New  Jersey,  and 
married  Sarah  Coryell,  daughter  of  John  Cor- 
yell, of  French-Huguenot  extraction,  whose 
lineage  is  traced  to  the  nobility  of  France. 
Among  the  children  of  Robert  and  Sarah 
(Coryell)  Laning  was  John,  who  lived  in 
Owego,  Tioga  County,  New  York;  and  he 
was  the  progenitor  of  one  of  the  prominent 
families  of  the  "Southern  Tier"  of  New  York, 
whose  descendants  in  later  years  came  to  be 
recognized  among  the  foremost  families  of 
the  Wyoming  Valley  in  Pennsylvania.  John 
Laning    of    Owego,    New    York,    married,     in 


1806,  Mary  Ann  Deshong,  widow  of  Welmer 
Godfrey  Deshong  and  a  daughter  of  Colonel 
Mathias  Hollenback.  They  had  seven  chil- 
dren, and  of  them  Augustus  C,  who  was  born 
September  30,    1808,   and   died   May   29,    1875. 

It  was  Augustus  C.  Laning  who  removed 
from  Owego,  New  York,  and  founded  the  fam- 
ily in  Wilkes-Barre,  in  1822.  He  made  his 
home  with  his  uncle,  George  M.  Hollenback, 
and  obtained  a  clerkship  in  the  mercantile 
establishment  of  his  grandfather,  Colonel 
Mathias  Hollenback.  For  a  time,  too,  he 
worked  in  his  uncle's  store,  and  in  18.'?0,  after 
he  had  become  of  age,  set  up  in  business 
for  himself,  in  Kingston,  but  removed  back 
once  more  to  Wilkes-Barre  within  a  short 
time,  here,  for  a  period,  doing  business  on 
the  east  side  of  the  square.  In  1833-34  he 
erected  a  stone  building  for  an  iron  foundry, 
on  the  west  side  of  the  square,  on  the  site 
where  now  (1929)  stands  the  Laning  Building. 
Here  he  carried  on  business  with  good  suc- 
cess until  the  building  was  destroyed  by 
fire,  in  1850;  then  he  built  again,  a  foundry 
and  machine  shop  on  the  west  side  of  the 
canal,  north  of  Market  Street,  and  there 
engaged  in  iron  manufacturing.  About  1853 
Samuel  R.  Marshall  of  Philadelphia  acquired 
an  interest  in  the  business,  and  the  partners 
made  it  the  foremost  of  its  kind  in  Northeast- 
ern Pennsylvania.  In  1869  they  sold  it.  Prom 
then  until  his  death  eight  years  later  Mr. 
Laning  devoted  his  time  to  private  interests, 
notably  real  estate.  He  was  active  during  his 
career  in  all  phases  of  civil  life,  served  in 
various  offices  and  was  a  benefactor  to 
Wilkes-Barre  on  more  than  one  occasion. 
He  married  Amanda  Elizabeth  Christel, 
daughter  of  Dr.  Charles  Francis  Joseph 
Christel,  and  his  wife,  Elizabeth  (Stookey) 
Christel. 

John  Laning,  only  son  of  Augustus  C.  and 
Amanda  E.  (Christel)  Laning,  was  born  in 
Wilkes-Barre,  in  October,  1S36,  and  here  spent 
his  whole  life.  He  was  educated  in  the  old 
academy  that  stood  on  the  public  square, 
entered  Lafayette  College,  and  at  the  end  of 
three  years  there  matriculated  in  Union  Col- 
lege, Schenectady,  New  York,  where  he  grad- 
uated in  1S5S  at  the  age  of  twenty-two  years. 
He  was  employed  by  his  father,  in  the  firm 
of  Laning  and  Marshall,  mastered  thoroughly 
its  every  detail,  and  upon  its  sale  in  1869 
and  the  death  of  his  father  in  1875  assisted 
in  and  then  attained  to  management  entirely 
of  the  extensive  Laning  properties  and  inter- 
ests, which  became  greatly  enlarged  under  his 
handling.  The  estate  was  never  divided,  but 
remained  intact,  as  when  Augustus  C.  Lan- 
ing died.  John  Laning  was  a  director  of  the 
Miners'  Savings  Bank,  of  the  Wilkes-Barre 
Bridge  Company,  and  the  Wyoming  Valley 
Traction  Company.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  and  "was  prominent  in 
Masonry  and  other  orders.  He  married  Helen 
Cobb  Brower,  daughter  of  John  Gardiner  and 
Sarah  (Berger)  Brower  of  New  York.  Her 
parents  removed  to  New  Orleans  in  her  child- 
hood, and  on  a  steamboat  near  Vicksburg 
she  was  wounded  in  the  leg  by  a  bullet  from 
a  Rebel's  musket.  John  and  Helen  Cobb 
(Brower)  Laning  were  the  parents  of  chil- 
dren: 1.  Augustus  C,  of  whom  directly. 
2.  Emily  B.,  born  and  died  in  1867.  3.  Eliz- 
abeth v.,  born  in  1S6S.  4.  Horace  F..  born 
in  1869,  died  in  infancy.  5.  Helen  B.,  born  in 
1871,  died  in  infancy.  6.  John,  Jr.,  born  March 
16,    1872. 

Augustus  C.  Laning,  first  child  and  son  of 
John  and  Helen  Cobb  (Brower)  Laning,  was 
born  in  Wilkes-Barre,  June  19,  1S66.  Here 
he  received   his  preparatory   education   in   the 


public  schools,  and  in  the  Harry  Hillman 
Academy.  He  matriculated  in  Lafayette  Col- 
lege, pursued  a  course  of  study  there  for 
some  time,  and  went  immediately  into  a 
career  of  business,  in  his  native  city.  For  a 
number  of  years  he  has  engaged  in  opera- 
tions in  real  estate,  and  in  the  selling  of 
insurance,  attaining  to  a  prosperity  in  his 
own  right  and  aside  from  the  fortunes  of  the 
family.  While  he  has  been  most  intensively 
occupied  in  commerce  Mr.  Laning  has  not 
failed  to  uphold  the  tradition  of  his  imme- 
diate ancestors  in  participation  in  civil  affairs. 
A  Republican,  he  is  loyal  in  support  of  the 
party  and  is  possessed  of  a  considerable 
influence  which  he  exercises  without  fanfare, 
selectively,  and  to  best  results  for  the  com- 
munity. Fraternally,  he  is  quite  active  in  the 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  with  membership 
in  Landmaric  Lodge,  No.  442;  Shekinah  Chap- 
ter, No.  1S2,  of  the  Royal  Arch  Masons;  the 
Council,  Royal  and  Select  Masters;  Dieu  le 
Veut  Commandery,  No.  45,  of  Knights  of 
Templar;  and  Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic 
Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  of 
Wilkes-Barre.  Furthermore,  he  is  affiliated 
with  the  Irem  Country  Club  and  the  Wyo- 
ming- Valley  Motor  Club.  Although  he  was 
somewhat  advanced  in  years  for  service  in 
the  military  during  the  World  W.ar,  Mr.  Lan- 
ing did  serve,  and  tirelessly,  on  the  various 
boards  and  committees  in  charge  of  the  pro- 
secution of  the  conflict  from  within  this 
country,  and  his  efforts  in  the  securing  of 
subscriptions  to  the  several  Liberty  Loan 
campaigns  were  of  great  benefit  to  his  country 
and  its  cause.  He  is  a  communicant  of  the 
First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Wilkes-Barre, 
is  devoted  to  its  service,  and  generous  in 
contributions  to  charity,  regardless  of  the 
denomination  by  whom  sponsored,  or  of  race, 
or  of  creed,  giving  in  a  spirit  truly  humani- 
tarian. Kindly,  Just  in  his  dealings,  well 
endowed  with  those  qualities  of  character 
which  cause  a  man  to  share  v/armly  in  the 
affections  of  his  fellows,  it  is  said  of  Mr. 
Laning-  by  those  who  know  him  well,  that 
he  is  firm  in  his  opinions  yet  ready  to  alter 
them  in  the  face  of  new  evidence,  that  he 
is  an  honorable  member  of  an  honorable  fam- 
ily, and  that  to  community,  State  and  Nation 
he   is   a   valuable   citizen. 

On  September  20,  1894,  Augustus  C.  Laning 
was  united  in  marriage  with  Eva  M.  Cole,  of 
Wilkes-Barre,  daughter  of  Samuel  B.  and 
Harriette  M.  (Maxfield)  Cole.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Laning  are  the  parents  of  six  children:  1. 
Helen  Cobb,  wife  of  Benjamin  F.  Musser,  of 
Philadelphia,  and  is  the  mother  of  three  chil- 
dren, Benjamin  F.,  Jr.,  Frederick  Augustus, 
and  Nancy  Gardner.  2.  Emily  Harriet,  wife 
of  E.  A.  Wood,  Jr.,  of  Birmingham,  England, 
and  the  mother  of  two  children,  Edward 
Augustus.  3d,  and  Lois  Elizabeth.  3.  Augus- 
tus C,  Jr.,  veteran  of  the  World  War,  who 
sa-w  service  overseas;  married  Ida  Van  Nor- 
man. 4.  Elizabeth  V.,  at  home,  unmarried. 
5.  Dorothy  Rozet,  wife  of  Charles  E.  Brown 
of  Sutton.  Coldfield,  England.  6.  Robert  Hol- 
lenback,  of  Wilkes-Barre. 


CHARLES  MURRAY  TURFIN,  D.  IJ.  S.^ 

For  many  years  recognized  as  one  of  the 
skilled  and  progressive  dentists  of  Wyoming 
Valley,  Dr.  Charles  Murray  Turpin,  of  King- 
ston, is  more  widely  known  for  his  construc- 
tive participation  in  public  affairs.  His  years 
of  loyal  and  efficient  service  to  the  public 
culminated  in  June,  1929,  with  his  election 
as  Congressman  from  his  district. 

Charles  M.  (C.  Murray)  Turpin  was  born  at 
Kingston,  Luzerne  County,  March  4,  1S78,  of  a 


fine  old  American  family  dating  from  early 
pioneer  days  in  Wyoming  Valley.  His  par- 
ents were  Charles  J.  and  Sarah  Ann  (Bry- 
ant) Turpin,  who  had  three  older  children: 
1.  Emily,  wife  of  Dr.  Cecil  Stevens,  of 
StevensviUe,  Montana.  2.  Frederick  Corss, 
who  was  in  Dr.  Turpin's  office  in  the  Wilkes- 
Barre  County  courthouse.  3.  Anna  Ruth, 
unmarried  and  engaged  as  a  masseuse  in 
Kingston. 

Dr.  Turpin  is  a  graduate  of  the  Kingston 
High  School,  class  of  '96;  Wyoming  Seminary 
Business  College,  class  of  '99,  and  the  Uni- 
versity of  Pennsylvania,  whence  he  graduated 
in  1904  with  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Dental 
Surgery.  Prior  to  entering  college  Dr.  Tur- 
pin worked  at  the  carpenter  trade,  also  as 
grocery  clerk,  and  was  a  steamboat  captain 
and  belonged  to  the  Clerks'  Union  and  the 
Boatman's  Union.  He  practiced  his  profes- 
sion   in   Kingston   from   1904   to    1926. 

Keenly  interested  in  education.  Dr.  Tur- 
pin was  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Education 
from  1916  to  1922,  the  latter  year  being  the 
beginning  of  his  term  of  service  as  burgess 
of  Kingston,  an  office  to  which  he  was 
elected  for  four  years  (1922  to  1926).  He 
was  elected,  in  1925,  to  the  office  of  pro- 
thonotary  of  Luzerne  County.  Dr.  Turpin 
resigned  on  June  3,  1929,  to  become  a  can- 
didate for  Congress  and  was  elected  to  the 
important  office  of  Congressman,  June  4, 
1929  to  represent  the  Twelfth  District,  the 
largest  district  in  the  United  States.  Dr. 
Turpin  is  a  Republican,  but  does  not  permit 
partisanship  to  bias  his  execution  of  the 
oath  of  office,  and  his  candidacy  in  1925  was 
indorsed  by  each  of  the  major  parties  because 
of  his  well-established  reputation  for  integ- 
rity and  responsibility.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Pennsylvania  State  Society  for  Crippled 
Children,  of  the  United  Sportsmen  of  Penn- 
sylvania, and  of  the  Junior  Order  United 
American  Mechanics;  committeeman  of  the 
Boy  Scouts  of  America. 


FREDERICK    JOSEPH     SCHMITT,   D.  D.   S., 

has  practiced  dentistry  in  Wilkes-Barre  since 
1914,  in  that  period  winning  for  himself  an 
enviable  professional  reputation  unusual  for 
so  young-  a  man,  as  well  as  a  place  of  signif- 
icance in  the  civic  and  social  life  of  the  com- 
munity, Kingston,  where  he  makes  his  home 
at   No.    34   Pierce   Street. 

Dr.  Schmitt  is  a  native  of  Wilkes-Barre. 
Born  there  April  16,  1889,  he  is  the  son  of 
John  A.  and  Victoria  (Ruff)  Schmitt.  The 
fatlier  was  born  in  Germany  in  1851  and  came 
to  the  United  States  in  1865.  He  engaged 
in  business  as  a  general  contractor  in  Wilkes- 
Barre  until  his  death  September  6,  1902.  The 
mother  was  also  a  native  of  Germany.  After 
doing  his  early  school  work  in  St.  Nicholas 
Parochial  School,  Dr.  Schmitt  attended  Ford- 
ham  Preparatory  School  in  New  York  City, 
then  for  three  years  attended  Fordham  Uni- 
versity. There  followed  work  at  Georgetown 
University,  from  which  institution  he  was 
graduated  with  a  D.  D.  S.  degree  with  the 
class  of  1914.  Immediately  after  graduation 
Dr.  Schmitt  started  to  established  a  practice 
in  Wilkes-Barre,  where  his  office  is  located 
at  No.  44  East  Market  Street.  Dr.  Schmitt 
takes  active  part  in  the  affairs  of  the  County 
and  State  Units  of  the  National  Dental  So- 
ciety. Independent  in  politics,  he  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order 
of  Elks  and  the  Eagles.  He  is  a  popular 
member  of  the  Wyoming  Valley  Country 
Club. 

On  October  12,  1915,  Dr.  Schmitt  married 
Louise  Becker,  daughter  of  John  J.  and  Lucy 


L-ix-UlLuXi 


(Weaver)  Becker,  of  Wilkes-Barre.  To  this 
union  were  born  four  children:  Marrietta 
Louise,  born  February  12,  1917;  Rita  Marie, 
born  December  24,  1918;  Fredericli,  Jr.,  born 
May  25,  1921;  and  Paul  J.,  born  July  23,  1923. 


BRUCE  WELSTED  BENNETT,  head  Of  the 
Wilkes-Barre  office  of  the  American  Steel 
and  Wire  Company,  Pennsylvania  subsidiary 
of  the  United  States  Steel  Corporation,  is 
one  of  the  best  known  and  most  popular 
men  about  Wilkes-Barre,  for,  in  addition  to 
extensive  fraternal  affiliations,  he  holds  mem- 
bership in  a  number  of  clubs  and  is  active  in 
civic  affairs  and  church  work  of  the  com- 
munity. 

Native  of  Wilkes-Barre,  Mr.  Bennett  is 
the  son  of  William  Evert  Bennett,  well  known 
to  the  people  about  Wilkes-Barre  as,  for 
many  years,  he  served  as  auditor  of  Luzerne 
Count>'.  In  latar  years  he  was  connected 
witli  the  Lehigh  and  Wilkes-Barre  Coal  Com- 
pany, and  his  deatli  occurred  May  25.  1914. 
Born  in  Woodbridge,  Ne^v  Jersey.  May  5. 
1S53,  William  Evert  Bennett  married  Isadora 
Urana  Conner,  born  at  Wilkes-Barre  April 
17.   1S5.S;   died  April   6,   1916. 

Tlieir  son,  Bruce  W.  Bennett,  was  born 
June  21,  1SS3  and  attended  the  public  schools, 
being  graduated  from  the  high  school  with 
the  class  of  1S99.  He  entered  the  business 
world  in  the  employ  of  the  Lehigh  and 
Wilkes-Barre  Coal  Company  and  remained 
with  that  concern,  as  colliery  clerk  and  in 
other  positions,  for  twelve  years.  Mr.  Ben- 
nett went  to  New  York  City  and  there  was 
in  the  employ  of  the  United  States  Steel  Cor- 
poration of  New  York  for  six  months,  then 
returned  to  Pennsylvania  to  represent  the 
same  concern  here.  Mr.  Bennett  established 
the  present  headquarters  and  business  in 
Wilkes-Barre.  Republican  in  his  political 
affiliations,  Mr.  Bennett's  fraternal  member- 
ships are  with  Landmark  Lodge,  No.  442.  Free 
and  Accepted  Masons;  Sliekinah  Cliapter, 
Royal  Arch  Masons;  Dieu  le  Veut  Com- 
m:'ndery  No.  45,  Knights  Templar,  and  Irem 
Temple.  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the 
Mystic  Shrine.  He  is  also  a  member  of  West- 
moreland Club.  Franklin  Club,  Wyoming  Val- 
ley Country  Club,  Pottsville  Club,  Scranton 
Club,  and  tlie  Engineers  Club.  Mr.  Bennett 
belongs  to  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  of 
Wilkes-Barre. 

On  June  16,  190S,  Mr.  Bennett  married  Try- 
phena  Doty,  daughter  of  George  W.  and 
Emma  Doty  of  Asbury  Park,  New  Jersey. 
They  became  the  parents  of  three  children: 
Bruce  D.,  born  November  22,  1912;  James, 
born  Dece:Tiber  4,  1914;  Elizabeth,  born  Feb- 
ruary  5,    1923. 


NATHANIEL     ROSS,  M.  D. — As   one   of   the 

medical  inspectors  of  the  public  schools  of 
Wilkes-Barre,  Dr.  Nathaniel  Ross  has  in  his 
charge  15,000  children,  of  whom  he  must  make 
periodic  examinations.  Tlirough  this  connec- 
tion in  conjunction  with  his  extensive  general 
medical  practice,  his  public-spirit  and  high 
character,  he  is  one  of  the  outstanding  figures 
in  Luzerne  County. 

Natlianiel  Ross  was  bom  in  Scotland.  Octo- 
ber 7.  1867,  a  son  of  Nathan  and  Margaret 
(McLellan)  Ross,  both  of  whom  are  deceased. 
Nathan  Ross,  the  father,  came  with  his  fam- 
ily to  the  United  States  in  1870,  and  located 
for  a  short  time  at  Scranton,  Pennsylvania, 
later  removing  to  Plains,  Luzerne  County.  By 
occupation  he  was  a  stationary  engineer;  and 
with  his  wife  Margaret  was  the  parent  of 
Ave  cliildren:  Nathan,  of  Plains;  Dr.  Nathan- 
iel,   of    whom    further;    Mary,    married    Wil- 


liam K.  Russell;  living  In  Plains;  Catherine, 
wife  of  George  M.  Wall;  and  Elizabeth,  who 
died   in  infancy. 

Nathaniel  was  only  three  years  of  age  when 
his  parents  came  to  Luzerne  County,  and 
while  he  was  a  boy  he  attended  the  public 
schools,  both  day  and  night,  at  Plains.  At 
the  age  of  eight  years  he  was  put  to  work 
at  the  mines,  as  a  slate  picker,  and  con- 
tinued in  this  until  he  graduated  from  night 
school,  when  he  got  a  place  as  soda  dispenser 
and  drug  clerk  which  lasted  four  years,  at 
Nanticoke,  Luzerne  County.  In  1889  he  en- 
tered the  Jefferson  Medical  College  at  Phila- 
delphia, Pennsylvania,  and  graduated  with 
the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine  with  the 
class  of  1892,  and  since  that  date  has  con- 
tinued to  practice  his  profession.  Dr.  Ross 
is  a  member  of  the  Luzerne  County  Medical 
Society,  the  Pennsylvania  State  Medical  So- 
ciety, and  the  American  Medical  Association. 
He  is  a  member  of  Fidelity  Lodge,  No.  655,  of 
the  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  at  Wilkes- 
Barre;  John  Knox  Commandery  of  the 
Knights  of  Malta  of  Wilkes-Barre.  of  which 
he  is  Past  Commander;  he  is  a  Past  Grand 
Commander  of  Pennsylvania  and  Past  Su- 
preme Commander  of  the  Continent  of 
America  of  the  Knights  of  Malta;  he  is  a 
member  of  the  Central  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  of  Wilkes-Barre,  and  a  trustee  of 
that  church;  and  a  member  of  the  American 
Legion.  Dr.  Ross  served  in  the  Medical  Corps 
of  the  United  States  Army  from  February, 
1918,  until  February,  1919,  stationed  at  Camp 
Morrison,  Virginia,  with  rank  of  captain. 
After  being  discharged  from  the  regular 
army,  he  was  commissioned  a  captain  of  the 
Medical  Corps  of  Pennsylvania,  and  was 
assigned  to  the  2d  Infantry  of  the  Pennsyl- 
vania Reserves.  .Active  in  time  of  "war.  Dr. 
Ross  is  no  less  active  in  time  of  peace,  in 
the  interests  of  Wilkes-Barre  in  general  and 
in  the  liealth  of  his  fellow-citizens  in  partic- 
ular. Always  he  has  sought  to  perform 
whatever  useful  service  was  possible  for  the 
welfare  of  the  thousands  of  school  chil- 
dren to  come  before  him  for  examination. 
Through  the  faithful  office  of  this  charge 
alone  lie  has  accomplished  widespread  bene- 
fits in  improved  health  for  the  families  of 
tile  children  as  well  as  for  the  children  them- 
selves. Highly  esteemed  by  his  confreres  in 
the  medical  profession,  he  leads  a  most  useful 
life,  and  is  rightly  classed  among  the  eminent 
men  in  Luzerne  County. 

Dr.  Natlianiel  Ross  married,  November  29, 
1893,  Martha  Delia  Ritter  of  Wilkes-Barre, 
daughter  of  William  T.  and  Mathilda  (Bow- 
man) Ritter,  botli  deceased.  The  union  has 
resulted  in  the  birth  of  three  ciiildren,  two 
of  whom  are  living:  1.  Elizabetli  M.,  who 
died  in  her  sixteenth  year.  2.  Lillian  M., 
wife  of  Raymond  H.  Kropp  of  Wilkes-Barre. 
3.  Donald  T.,  married  Pearl  Mattern  of  Allen- 
town,   father  of  a  son,  Donald  T.   Ross,   Jr. 

PERRY  \V.  DERSHIMER — In  establishing 
himself  in  business  In  Pittston  more  than 
forty  years  ago.  Perry  W.  Dershimer  began 
a  career  here  that  has  developed  during  the 
term  of  his  labors  and  wliioh  has  brought 
him  prominently  and  favorably  into  the  pub- 
lic eye  of  the  community.  Beginning  witli  the 
carjientry  trade,  he  founded  a  lumber  and 
building  supplies  business  that  has  become 
one  of  the  leading  enterprises  of  Pittston, 
while  he  himself  has  diverted  his  energies 
and  keen  mind  into  financial  and  other  kin- 
dred fields.  In  his  active  interest  in  all  civic 
activities  that  enlist  the  attention  of  the 
people  he  has  displayed  the  best  of  citizen- 
sliip,  while  his  social  and  fraternal  affiliations 


444 


have  added  to  a  multitude  of  friends  of  loy- 
alty and  devotion.  He  is  a  descendant  of 
pioneer  Pennsylvania  ancestry  who  developed 
the  country  when  it  was  young:  and  lived 
lives  of  respectability  and  value  to  all. 

He  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Falls  Township, 
Wyoming  County,  October  3,  1846,  a  son  of 
Peter  and  Laura  (Woodbridge)  Dershimer, 
and  a  grandson  of  John  Dershimer,  who  "was 
a  farmer  and  died  at  the  age  of  sixty-nine 
years.  He  acquired  his  elementary  education 
in  the  public  schools  and  at  the  Binghamton 
Business  College,  after  which  he  came  to 
Pittston  and  here  learned  the  trade  of  car- 
pentry under  his  uncle,  George  Saxe,  with 
whom  he  worked  until  1877,  when  he  organ- 
ized the  lumber  firm  of  Dershimer  &  Griffen. 
This  firm  was  dissolved  with  the  death  of  Mr. 
Griffen,  in  1916,  the  name  then  being  changed 
to  P.  W.  Dershimer  &  Sons,  which  it  retains  at 
present,  the  junior  partners  being  A.  M.  and 
P.  R.  Dershimer,  who  conduct  the  business, 
their  father  having  actively  retired.  He  has 
served  on  the  Pittston  School  Board,  West 
Pittston  Council,  and  is  a  director  in  the 
Peoples  Union  Savings  Bank  and  a  member 
of  the  Luzerne  Avenue  Baptist  Church.  He 
is  fraternally  affiliated  with  the  Independent 
Order   of  Odd   Fellows. 

Perry  W.  Dershimer  married  Mary  Munro, 
of  Pittston,  descendant  of  pioneers  of  this 
district.  They  are  the  parents  of  the  follow- 
ing children:  1.  Archibald  M.  2.  Peter  Roy. 
3.  Perry  W.,  Jr.,  deceased.  4.  Laura  W.  5. 
Effie  M.,  deceased. 


Fox  Hill  Country  Club.  He  married,  June  17, 
1913,  Louise  Armhurst,  of  Scranton,  Penn- 
sylvania. 


ARCHIBALD  M.  DERSHIAIBR  was  born  in 
Pittston,  March  31,  1878,  and  acquired  his 
education  in  tlie  public  schools  here  and  at 
Cornell  University,  from  which  he  was  gradu- 
ated with  the  class  of  1904,  having  specialized 
in  architecture.  He  entered  into  association 
with  his  father  in  the  lumber  business,  where 
he  continues.  He  is  president  of  the  Pittston 
Rotary  Club,  president  of  the  Franklin  Thrift 
&  Loan  Corporation,  chairman  of  the  board 
of  trustees  of  the  Luzerne  Avenue  Baptist 
Church,  recording  secretary  of  the  Young 
Men's  Christian  Association,  past  president 
of  the  Fox  Hill  Country  Club  and  is  a  thirty- 
second  degree  member  of  the  Masonic  fra- 
ternity. His  affiliations  in  this  organization 
include  Valley  Lodge,  No.  499,  Free  and  Ac- 
cepted Masons;  Pittston  Chapter,  Royal  Arch 
Masons;  Wyoming  Valley  Commandery,  No. 
57,  Knights  Templar,  and  Irem  Temple, 
Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic 
Shrine.  He  married.  In  June,  1913,  Charlotte 
Reese,  of  Pittston.  They  are  the  parents  of 
two  children:  Mary  Elizabeth  and  Anne 
Laura.  The  family  home  is  at  No.  113  Dela- 
ware Avenue,   West  Pittston. 


PETER  ROY  DERSHIMER,  second  partner 
in  the  firm,  was  born  in  Pittston,  June  20, 
1880,  and  was  educated  in  the  public  schools 
of  West  Pittston  and  at  the  Wyoming  Valley 
Seminary.  He  first  entered  business  as  a 
clerk  in  the  Pittston  post  office,  where  he 
continued  tor  four  years,  then  being  invited 
to  accept  a  partnership  in  the  firm  of  which 
his  father  was  the  head  and  his  brother  a 
partner.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Kiwanis 
Club,  financial  secretary  of  the  Baptist 
Church  of  West  Pittston  and  is  a  thirty- 
second  degree  member  of  the  Masonic  Order. 
In  this  last  named  organization  he  is  afliliated 
with  Valley  Lodge,  No.  499,  Free  and  Ac- 
cepted Masons:  Pittston  Chapter,  Royal  Arch 
Masons;  Wyoming  Valley  Commandery, 
Knights  Templar,  and  Irem  Temple,  Ancient 
Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine. 
He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Independent 
Order    of    Odd    Fellows,    and    belongs    to    the 


CHARLES      HAYDEN      PHILLIPS,    M.    D • 

With  the  exception  of  his  term  of  service  in 
the  World  War,  Dr.  Charles  Hayden  Phillips 
has  been  engaged  in  medical  practice  in 
^Vilkes-Earre  since  1915.  He  is  a  graduate 
of  Jefferson  Medical  College.  David  Phil- 
lips, father  of  Dr.  Phillips,  was  a  native  of 
Wales,  who  came  to  this  country  while  still 
a  lad,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death,  on  Decem- 
ber 19,  1928,  was  an  official  of  the  Hudson 
Coal  Mining  Company,  having  served  for 
thirty-seven  years.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
Odd  Fellows  Lodge.  He  married  Margaret 
Jones,  and  they  made  their  home  in  Edwards- 
ville,  Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania.  They 
vi^ere  the  parents  of  two  children:  Dr.  Charles 
H.,  of  further  mention,  and  Laura  May,  who 
married  Roscoe  Williams,  of  Wilkes-Barre, 
Pennsylvania. 

Dr.  Charles  IJayden  Phillips  was  born  in 
Edwardsville,  Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania, 
April  24,  1892,  and  attended  the  public  schools 
of  his  birthplace,  graduating  from  Edwards- 
ville High  School  with  the  class  of  1908.  In 
the  fall  of  that  year  he  matriculated  in  the 
Philadelphia  College  of  Pharmacy,  where  he 
took  a  one  year  course.  In  1910  he  became 
a  student  in  Jefferson  Medical  College,  at 
Philadelpliia,  where  he  completed  his  course 
witli  graduation  in  1914,  receiving  at  that 
time  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine.  Dur- 
ing 1914-15  he  was  resident-physician  In  the 
Wilkes-Barre  Hospital,  now  known  as  the 
General  Hospital,  and  in  the  fall  of  1915, 
he  accepted  a  position  as  pathological  chem- 
ist in  the  employ  of  the  City  of  New  York, 
stationed  at  the  laboratory  of  the  Kings 
County  Hospital,  in  Brooklyn,  New  York. 
With  this  thorough  preparation  and  extended 
experience,  Dr.  Phillips  returned  to  Luzerne 
County,  Pennsylvania,  in  December,  1915,  and 
engaged  in  general  practice,  in  association 
with  the  late  Dr.  W.  Clive  Smith.  He  enlisted 
in  July,  1917,  for  service  in  the  medical  corps 
of  the  United  States  Army  and  was  commis- 
sioned a  lieutenant.  Soon  after  his  enlist- 
ment he  was  sent  to  England  to  join  the 
figliting  unit  of  the  British  Expeditionary 
Forces  at  the  Front  in  France,  where  he 
served  until  December,  1917.  Having  been 
gassed,  he  was  then  sent  back  to  England, 
where,  after  a  few  weeks  of  conva,Iescence, 
he  was  assigned  to  duty  at  the  Royal  Victoria 
Hospital,  Netley.  In  April,  1919,  he  returned 
to  this  country  and  was  mustered  out  of 
service.  He  returned  at  once  to  Wilkes- 
Barre,  and  resumed  the  practice  of  his  pro- 
fession. In  1926  lie  went  to  Europe  for  a 
special  course  in  pediatrics,  attending  the 
University  of  Vienna,  and  also  attended 
clinics  in  Liverpool,  and  London,  England  and 
in  Edinburgli,  Scotland.  He  is  a  meniber  of 
the  Luzerne  County  Medical  Society,  of  the 
Pennsylvania  State  Medical  Society,  and  of 
the  American  Medical  Association,  also  of  the 
Lehigh  Medical  Society.  Dr.  Phillips  is  at- 
tending pediatrician  at  Wilkes-Barre  General 
Hospital,  Florence  Crittenden  Home,  and  Chil- 
drens  Home  of  Wilkes-Barre.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  Alpha  Kappa  Kappa  Fraternity;  a 
member  of  Landmark  Lodge,  No.  442,  Free 
and  Accepted  Masons;  Shekinah  Chapter.  No. 
182,  Royal  Arch  Masons;  Dieu  le  Veut  Com- 
mandery, No.  45,  Knights  Templar;  and  Irem 
Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the 
Mystic  Shrine,  of  Wilkes-Barre.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Irem  Country  Club,  and  of  the 
Wyoming  Valley  Country  Club,  and  has  many 
friends  in  Wilkes-Barre. 


/^-^^^X^h. 


44S 


Dr.  Charles  Hayden  Phillips  was  married 
in  Neston,  Cheshire,  England,  August  3,  1921, 
to  Joyce  Marjorie  Whineray,  daughter  of 
William  Edward  and  Katherine  (Whitehead) 
Whineray.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Phillips  are  the 
parents  of  three  children:  Anne  Dorice, 
Roger  Whineray,   and  Joan  Mary. 


Carl  J.  Schmitt  married,  in  Septemher,  1913, 
Kathryn  Hughes,  daughter  of  John  and  Eliz- 
abeth Hughes,  of  Wilkes-Barre.  They  have 
three  children:  1.  Betty  Victoria,  born  in 
December,  1919.  2.  Carl  J.,  Jr.,  born  in  May, 
1925.  3.  Richard  Frederick,  born  in  July, 
1927. 


C.\RL,  JOSBPH  SCHMITT — From  World 
War  service  as  a  ship's  draftsman,  Carl  J. 
Schmitt  returned  to  civil  life  in  his  native 
Wilkes-Barre  and  bloomed  as  a  commission 
arcliitect,  and  he  has  ever  since  practiced 
his  profession  in  that  city.  He  has  dein- 
onstrated  to  an  increasingly  large  clientele, 
drawn  from  among  the  most  discriminating 
people  of  the  Wyoming  Valley,  that  his  ideas 
of  design  and  his  supervisory  knowledge  of 
construction  are  sound  and  developed  along 
approved  and  progressive  lines.  Mr.  Schmitt 
is  a  close  and  interested  student  of  Wilkes- 
Barre,  municipal  and  physical,  and  he  main- 
tains a  helpful  contact  with  the  progressive 
element  of  the  city,  being  in  harmony  with 
their  ideas  of  a  bigger  and  better  municipal- 
ity. 

Carl  Joseph  Schmitt  was  born  in  Wilkes- 
Barre,  January  12,  1S94.  His  father,  John  A. 
Schmitt,  was  born  in  Germany,  in  1S4S.  He 
came  early  to  America  and  settled  in  Wilkes- 
Barre,  where  he  followed  the  trade  of  mason 
and  builder,  and  was  engaged  as  one  of  the 
leading  contractors  here  for  many  years.  He 
died  in  September,  1902.  He  married  Victoria 
Ruf,  who  was  born  in  Germany,  in  1854, 
and  survived  her  husband  at  his  death.  The 
son  Carl  made  a  fine  record  as  he  passed 
through  the  public  schools  of  Wilkes-Barre, 
and  into  the  Harry  Hillman  Academy,  where 
he  took  his  preparatory  training,  with  an 
advanced  scholastic  standing,  graduating  in 
1913.  He  then  studied  the  full  course  at 
Syracuse  University,  from  which  he  was 
graduated  with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  in 
Architecture    in    the    class    of   191S. 

He  had  hardly  left  behind  the  walls  of  his 
alma  mater  when  the  ^^'orld  War  had  drawn 
in  the  United  States  as  a  participating  nation. 
Without  delay  he  signed  for  service,  and  was 
accepted  for  the  Navy,  being  assigned  to  the 
post  of  ship's  draftsman,  since  it  had  been 
discovered  that  he  possessed  talent  for  archi- 
tectural design.  After  ten  months  of  meri- 
torious service  in  the  naval  arm  of  the  gov- 
ernment, he  received  his  honorable  discharge, 
in  April,  1919.  In  that  year,  allowing  no 
time  for  lespite,  he  opened  an  office  in 
Wilkes-Barre  for  the  general  practice  of 
architecture.  He  has  since  been  charged 
with  numerous  commissions  for  designing 
and  supervising  of  buildings  of  various  char- 
acter for  different  uses,  and  these  he  has 
executed  with  that  originality  and  finesse 
that  are  among  the  elements  of  his  profes- 
sional success.  Examples  of  his  art  are  to 
be  seen  here  and  there  at  advantageous  points 
in  the  city  proper  and  through  the  Wyo- 
ming Valley — in  homes,  business  buildings  and 
structures  of  importance,  adding  to  the  beauty 
and  commercial  advance  of  the  city  at  large. 
Mr.  Schmitt's  interest  of  a  practical  sort 
in  the  fortunes  of  the  Republican  party  is 
highly  commended  by  his  fellow-members 
of  the  local  political  organization.  He  is 
affiliated  with  Wilkes-Barre  Lodge,  No.  109, 
Lrrevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  and 
Wilkes-Barre  Aerie  of  the  Fraternal  Order 
of  Eagles.  His  social  organizations  are  the 
Lions  Club  and  the  Franklin  Club.  His  re- 
ligious preference  is  Roman  Catholic,  his 
fellowship  being  with  the  Church  of  St. 
Nicholas. 


CONR.VD  JOSEPH   BKCKISR,  M.   !>.,   D.   O 

Beginning  his  professional  career  as  an  osteo- 
path, Conrad  Joseph  Becker,  of  Wilkes-Barre, 
elected  a  different  branch  of  the  medical  pro- 
fession and  specialized  in  dermatology,  with 
the  result  that  he  has  established  for  himself 
a  position  of  much  importance  here  and  has 
been  long  looked  upon  as  one  of  the  shining 
lights  of  the  medical  world.  He  is  a  man  of 
erudition,  skilled  in  his  practical  knowledge, 
of  pleasing  personality  and  a  citizen  of  up- 
right character  and  intense  interest  in  the 
activities  of  the  body  politic  wherein  he  has 
practiced  for  almost  thirty  years.  Possessed 
of  those  qualities  that  attract  people  and 
make  friends,  he  is  kept  busy  attending  to  a 
large  practice,  both  at  his  offices,  in  the  same 
house  in  which  he  was  born,  and  abroad.  His 
reputation  is  of  the  highest,  his  place  secure 
in  the  regard  and  esteem  of  his  fellow- 
citizens. 

Dr.  Becker  was  born  in  Wilkes-Barre,  at 
No.  679  Hazle  Street,  October  24.  1S77,  a  son 
of  Anthony  W.  Becker,  a  native  of  Germany, 
born  in  1S3S,  and  who  died  in  Wilkes-Barre, 
where  he  had  been  a  successful  carpenter  for 
many  years,  on  January  23,  1914,  and  of 
Matilda  (Reinhart)  Becker,  born  in  Wilkes- 
Barre  in  1S4S  and  deceased  here,  August  9, 
1914.  Their  son  was  educated  in  the  local 
public  schools  and  at  the  Atlantic  School  of 
Osteopathy,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in 

1901.  From  February  of  that  year  until  June, 

1902,  he  practiced  osteopathy  in  Pottsville, 
then  entering  the  Medico-Chirurgical  College 
in  Philadelphia,  from  which  he  was  gradu- 
ated with  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine 
in  1906.  He  then  took  the  usual  term  as  an 
interne,  serving  as  such  in  Mercy  Hospital 
in  Wilkes-Barre  and  then  establishing  him- 
self in  general  practice,  with  dermatology  his 
specialty.  He  is  a  member  of  the  American 
Medical  Association,  of  the  Pennsylvania 
State  and  Luzerne  County  medical  societies 
and  is  a  member  of  the  courtesy  staff  of 
Nanticoke  Hospital.  He  is  a  Republican  In 
politics,  belongs  to  the  Woodmen  of  the 
World  and  attends  St.  Nicholas  Roman  Catho- 
lic Church. 


BUTLER  O.  BOWER — Fifteen  years  ago 
Butler  O.  Bower  was  beginning  his  banking 
career  as  a  messenger  boy  in  the  employ 
,  of  the  Hanover  Bank  and  Trust  Company  of 
Wilkes-Barre.  He  is  now  (1929)  treasurer  of 
the  South  Side  Bank  and  Trust  Company 
of  Wilkes-Barre  and  one  of  the  well-known 
men  of  the  city.  He  is  a  thirty-second  degree 
Mason,  is  prominent  in  several  other  frater- 
nal organizations,  and  has  a  host  of  friends 
here    in    Wilkes-Barre. 

Mr.  Bower  is  of  Scotch-Irish  ancestry.  His 
grandfather,  J.  Frank  Bower,  was  engaged 
in  farming  in  Columbia  County,  Pennsylvania, 
and  his  parents,  J.  BVank  Bower  and  Fannie 
E.  (Gensel)  Bower,  are  residents  of  Wilkes- 
Barre.  Mr.  Bower  has  a  brother,  Alfred 
Bower,  who  is  Are  boss  in  the  employ  of  the 
Hudson  Coal  Company;  and  a  sister,  Bessie 
E.,  who  is  the  wife  of  Stanley  E.  Warner,  of 
Allentown,    Pennsylvania. 

Butler  O.  Bower  was  born  in  Dorranceton, 
Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania,  November  1, 
1S91,  and  received  his  education  in  the  public 
schools,  graduating  from  the  high  school  with 


446 


the  class  of  1909.  After  graduation,  he  con- 
tinued study  in  the  Wilkes-Barre  branch  of 
the  Wharton  School  of  Commerce  of  the 
University  of  Pennsylvania,  completing  a 
three-year  course,  and  then,  in  1913,  he 
secured  a  position  with  the  Hanover  Bank 
and  Trust  Company,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  as 
messenger  boy.  From  this  modest  place  he 
worked  his  way  up  to  the  responsible  ofhce 
of  assistant  cashier,  and  then,  in  1922,  made 
a  change,  going  to  Plains,  Luzerne  County, 
Pennsylvania,  as  cashier  of  the  Plains  State 
Bank.  On  February  1,  192S,  he  accepted  his 
pitsent  position  as  treasurer  of  the  Soutli 
Side  Bank  and  Trust  Company,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre,  and  is  bringing  to  this  work  the  ex- 
perience gained  during  fifteen  years  of  close 
application  to  the  banking  business.  He  is 
one  of  the  able  and  progressive  men  of  the 
city  and  will  doubtless  contribute  materially 
to  the  prosperity  of  the  bank  as  the  days 
and  years  pass.  He  is  a  director  of  Wyo- 
ming Valley  Building  and  Loan  Association. 
Mr.  Bower  is  well  known  in  fraternal  circles. 
He  is  a  member  of  Fidelity  Lodge.  No.  655, 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons;  Shekinah  Chap- 
ter, No.  182,  Royal  Arch  Masons;  Dieu  le  Veut 
Commandery,  No.  45,  Knights  Templar;  Key- 
stone Consistory,  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish 
Rite,  of  Scranton,  in  which  he  holds  the 
thirty-second  degree;  and  Irem  Temple, 
Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic 
Shrine.  He  is  a  member  of  Irem  Temple 
Country  Club,  and  is  treasurer  of  tiie  club 
and  fShrine.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the 
Knights  of  Malta,  Junior  Order  of  United 
American  Mechanics,  and  Lodge  No.  109, 
Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks.  He 
holds  membership  in  the  Craftsmen's  Club, 
the  Lions  Club,  of  which  he  is  treasurer,  and 
is  identified  with  other  organizations.  Polit- 
ically, he  gives  support  to  the  principles  of 
the  Republican  party,  and  his  religious  affil- 
iation is  with  the  Westminster  Presbyterian 
Church  of  Wilkes-Barre. 

Butler  O.  Bower  was  married,  September 
6,  1917,  to  Helen  Black,  daughter  of  John 
L.  and  Clara  (Watson)  Black,  of  Ashley. 
Pennsylvania,  and  they  are  the  parents  of 
two   children:      Ruth   B.,    and   Butler   O.,   Jr. 


ROGKR  J.  O'DONNEI/L — The  descent  of 
Roger  J.  O'Donnell,  prominent  member  of  the 
Luzerne  County  Bar,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  with 
oflices  at  No.  502  Bennett  Building,  is  through 
the  late  Patrick  and  Mary  O'Donnell,  his  par- 
ents, and  their  progenitors  of  Ireland.  Pat- 
rick O'Donnell  was  born  in  Kellybegs,  County 
Donegal,  Ireland,  April  10,  1837,  and  died 
Marcli  7,  1911,  aged  seventy-four  years.  His 
wife  was  born  in  Adara,  County  Donegal, 
Ireland,  in  1S35,  and  died  October  31,  1926, 
at  the  ripe  old  age  of  ninety-one  years. 
Patrick  O'Donnell  and  his  wife  were  mar- 
ried in  Luzerne  County,  having  come  to 
America  when  they  were  young.  They  be- 
came the  parents  of  eight  children:  1.  Mary 
A.,  deceased,  was  the  wife  of  W.  J.  Purcell, 
of  Freeland,  Pennsylvania;  she  died  at  the 
age  of  thirty-five,  having  become  the  mother 
of  four  children.  2.  Roger  J.,  of  whom  fur- 
ther. 3.  Patrick  H.,  general  foreman  for  the 
Newport  News  Shipbuilding  Company  at  New- 
port News,  Virginia,  who  died  at  the  age 
of  thirty-five  years.  4.  William,  died  while 
a  student  at  Villanova  College,  Villanova, 
this  State.  5.  Rev.  B.  J.  O'Donnell,  died  Janu- 
ary 31,  1926;  a  member  of  the  Order  of  St. 
Augustine  at  New  Orleans,  Louisiana.  6. 
Joseph,  died  in  childhood.  7.  Peter  R.,  prin- 
cipal of  the  public  schools  at  Spangler,  Penn- 
sylvania. 8.  Catlierine,  single,  engaged  in 
business  at  Allentown,  this  State. 


Patrick  O'Donnell  was  a  molder  by  trade 
and  followed  his  trade  for  many  years  at 
Foundryville,  Foster  Township,  Luzerne 
County,  and  later  went  with  Coxe  Brothers' 
Foundry  at  Drifton.  He  was  consistently 
a  member  of  the  Democratic  party  and  of  the 
Reman  Catholic  Church. 

Roger  J.  O'Donnell  was  born  at  Foundry- 
ville, Foster  Township,  near  Eckley,  Penn- 
sylvania. He  attended  public  school  until 
he  was  ten  years  of  age,  at  which  time  he 
commenced  work  as  a  slate  picker.  He  fol- 
lowed slate  picking  until  he  was  thirteen 
years  of  age,  when  he  began  to  learn  the 
trade  of  a  molder  at  Drifton,  in  Coxe  Broth- 
ers' Foundry,  where,  as  stated,  his  father 
had  preceded  him.  He  followed  the  trade 
of  molder  about  eleven  years,  four  years  of 
which  were  put  in  as  an  apprentice,  and 
seven  years  as  a  journeyman;  being  ambitious 
to  add  to  his  education,  he  attended  night 
schools  at  Freeland,  while  working  during  the 
day  time.  In  1892  he  entered  Villanova  College. 
He  made  the  most  of  his  opportunities  here, 
and  graduated  in  1896  with  tlie  degree  of 
Bachelor  of  Arts.  After  finishing  ills  college 
course  he  returned  to  Luzerne  County  and 
became  a  newspaper  reporter  on  the  Hazle- 
ton  "Plain  Speaker,"  a  daily  paper.  Still 
ambitious  to  advance  himself,  he  alternated 
between  reporting  and  the  study  of  law, 
mostly  at  night,  and  advanced  so  rapidly 
that  he  was  enabled  to  pass  the  bar  examina- 
tions and  obtain  admittance  to  the  Bar  of 
Luzerne  County  June  19,  1899.  In  the  mean- 
time he  had  been  reading  law  in  the  office 
of  C.  O.  Stroh,  of  Freeland,  this  county.  He 
entered  upon  the  practice  of  his  profession 
in  Freeland  and  at  that  place  maintained  his 
law  offices  until  1906,  when  he  established 
an  office  at  Wilkes-Barre,  which  is  now  liis 
main  office;  he  also  maintains  a  third  office 
at  White  Haven,  and  through  this  combina- 
tion he  has  built  up  a  clientele  which  covers 
a  wide  territory  and  has  yielded  him  con- 
siderable prosperity. 

Mr.  O'Donnell  has  won  high  place  among 
his  associates  and  contemporaries.  He  is  a 
leading  member  of  the  Luzerne  County  Bar 
Association  and  the  Pennsylvania  State  Bar 
Association.  In  politics  he  is  consistently 
a  member  of  the  Democratic  party  organiza- 
tion, although  he  has  never  offered  his  name 
for  office.  He  belongs  to  the  Freeland  Coun- 
cil of  the  Knights  of  Columbus,  and  is  a 
member  of  the  Holy  Savior  Roman  Catholic 
Church  of  Wilkes-Barre.  His  position  at  the 
bar  may  be  imagined  from  the  statement  that 
he  is  the  solicitor  for  the  First  National 
Bank  of  Freeland  and  the  North  End  State 
Bank  of  Wilkes-Barre.  He  is  a  hard  worker 
for  civic  movements  of  all  kinds,  and  his 
purse  is  always  open  for  worthy  charities. 
During  the  World  War  he  performed  essential 
service  and  received  the  thanks  of  a  grateful 
government. 

Mr.  O'Donnell  was  married,  June  25,  1903, 
to  Mary  E.  Kane,  daughter  of  Edward  and 
Alice  Kane,  of  White  Haven,  both  members 
of  an  old-established  connection,  and  their 
union  has  been  blessed  with  thirteen  chil- 
dren: 1.  Joseph,  educated  in  the  public 
schools,  graduated  from  tlie  Wilkes-Barre 
High  School  at  the  age  of  sixteen  years, 
from  the  Law  School  of  Dickinson  College, 
Carlisle,  Pennsylvania,  at  the  age  of  nine- 
teen, with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Laws, 
and  at  twenty  years  of  age  was  the  youngest 
man  ever  to  have  been  admitted  to  the  Bar 
of  Luzerne  County;  he  is  truly  a  remarkable 
student,  and  has  a  promise  of  an  exceedingly 
bright  future  before  him.  2.  Mary.  3.  Roger 
J.,  Jr.     4.  Geraldine.     5.  Edmund.     6.  Justine. 


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447 


7.   Martha.       S.   Clement.       9.   Ruth;    and    four 
children   died  in  infancy. 

Mr.  O'Donnell's  standing-  in  business,  pro- 
fessional and  social  life  is  of  the  highest, 
and  he  enjoys  the  confidence  and  respect  of 
the  leaders  in  every  walk  of  life  in  Wilkes- 
Barre.  His  career  has  been  marked  by  strug- 
gles at  every  turn,  as  witness  his  exertions 
to  rise  above  the  station  of  a  manual  laborer, 
to  get  an  education  Jn  the  common  schools, 
and  then  to  obtain  admittance  to  the  bar 
that  his  splendid  native  ability  mi^ht  obtain 
full  sway.  It  might  be  thought  that  having 
accomplislied  so  much  by  his  own  efforts  he 
would  be  satisfied  to  take  life  easiei-,  but  he 
has  always  said  he  expected  to  keep  in  the 
hi  mess  to  the  last.  He  is  full  of  dynamic 
energy,  a  man  of  pleasing  personality,  many 
friends,  and  together  with  Mrs.  O'Donnell  is 
the  center  of  a  delightful  home  life.  The 
Democratic  party  organization  values  his 
services  highly  in  Luzerne  County,  and 
indeed,  his  influence  extends  in  a  quiet  way 
over  the  State,  for  he  is  known  to  thousands 
of  people  whom  he  counts  as  his  "warm 
personal  friends,  and  who  know  that  when 
he  speaks  to  them  of  men  and  measures  he 
is  actuated  by  the  highest  principles  of  good 
to  the  State  and  Nation.  It  is  this  type  of 
citizen,  who  has  dug  in  the  earth  with  his 
hands,  has  combined  brain  with  brawn,  and 
finally  has  coordinated  the  works  of  hand, 
brain  and  heart,  that  democratic  America 
proclaims  as  her  very  best. 


ASA  ERNEST  LEWIS,  a  capable  and  consci- 
entious official,  thorough-going  in  all  his 
duties,  holds  an  important  place  in  the  civic 
life  of  Pennsylvania  as  referee,  in  Work- 
men's Compensation  for  the  Ninth  Compen- 
sation District  of  the  State,  having  been  ap- 
pointed to  this  position  in  1920  by  Governor 
Sproul.  In  the  capacity  of  referee  he  has 
proved  himself  an  adjudicator  of  exceptional 
ability;  painstaking  in  the  interests  of  the 
employee,  the  employer  and  the  State,  and 
an  able  executive  in  his  dealings  with  the 
problems   of   his   office. 

Mr.  Lewis  was  born  May  17,  1S73,  in  a  log 
house  on  a  farm  in  Ross  Township,  Luzerne 
County,  among  the  foothills  of  the  Appala- 
chian Mountains.  He  is  the  son  of  William 
and  Catherine  T.  (Sandys)  Lewis,  both  of 
whom  are  now  deceased.  His  father  was 
born  in  New  Jersey,  a  son  of  Thomas  and 
Ada  (Hovens)  Lewis,  also  natives  of  that 
State.  This  branch  of  the  Lewis  family 
settled  in  Connecticut,  and  were  among  the 
first  Welsh  settlers  in  New  England.  Mrs. 
Catherine  T.  (Sandys)  Lewis,  the  mother  of 
the  man  with  whom  we  are  chiefiy  concerned, 
was  the  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Angeline 
(Thomas)  Sandys,  natives  of  Philadelphia: 
her  father,  Jacob  Sands,  or  Sandys,  was  a 
direct  descendant  of  Sir  Edwin  Sandys,  the 
great  liberal  statesman  who  became  Gover- 
nor of  the  Virginia  Colony  in  1619,  and  suc- 
ceeded in  procuring-  the  Great  Charter  of 
Virginia  which  established  the  first  Consti- 
tutional State  with  a  Representative  Govern- 
ment, in  America.  William  and  Catherine  T. 
(Sandys)  Lewis  were  the  parents  of  eleven 
children:  Henriette  E.,  Martin  S.,  Mary  E., 
Josephine,  Angeline,  Charles  T.,  Edward  A., 
Harry,  George  C,  Asa  E.,  of  whom  further; 
and  Frank  H.,  all  of  whom  attained  maturity 
except   Harry,   who   died   in   infancy. 

The  region  in  which  Asa  Ernest  Lewis  was 
born  is  in  the  vicinity  of  what  is  now  known 
as  Sweet  Valley,  Luzerne  County,  Pennsyl- 
vania, where  his  brother,  Frank  H.  Lewis, 
still  resides.  He  attended  the  public  schools 
of   his   native    township   where    the   only   edu- 


cational opportunities  afforded  him  at  that 
time  were  those  of  the  ungraded  country 
school.  Because  of  the  moderate  circum- 
stances of  his  family  and  the  limited  advan- 
tages offered  by  the  schools  of  the  com- 
munity, he  was  deprived  of  an  opportunity 
to  attend  high  school,  but  he  possessed  an 
ambition  that  would  not  be  denied;  and,  de- 
termined to  carry  out  that  ambition,  he  ac- 
quired, by  intense  application,  and  private 
tutelage  attained  through  self-sacrifice,  a 
fund  of  knowledge  -which  later  qualified  him 
to  become  a  leading  educator  in  the  public 
schools  of  the  Commonwealth  of  Pennsyl- 
vania. When  only  seventeen  years  of  age, 
Mr.  Lewis  started  to  teach  school  in  his 
native  township.  His  first  teaching  experi- 
ence was  in  the  Little  Red  Schoolhouse  at 
the  cross  roads,  in  the  vicinity  of  his  birth- 
place. For  fifteen  consecutive  years  he  con- 
ducted a  Summer  Normal  School  for  Teachers, 
in  what  was  then  known  as  Pleasant  Hill 
Academy,  where  he  himself  had  attended 
while  receiving  his  own  education.  For  more 
than  twenty  years  he  -was  a  teacher  in  the 
schools  of  the  county,  and  with  the  years  he 
gradually  rose  in  the  school  system  until  he 
became  assistant  county  superintendent,  in 
which  capacity  he  served  until  1920,  when  he 
was  appointed  to  his  present  position  as 
Referee  in  Workmen's  Compensation,  an 
office  which  he  has  filled  with  enviable  tact 
and  usefulness  to  his  community  and  State, 
and  in  which  he  has  won  the  esteem  and 
respect  of  his  fellowman. 

Politically,  Mr.  Lewis  is  a  staunch  sup- 
porter of  the  Republican  party,  its  policies, 
and  candidates.  He  is  a  leader  in  the  counsels 
of  this  political  organization  in  his  respective 
community  and  in  the  State.  At  the  same 
time  he  is  active  in  social  and  fraternal 
affairs.  He  is  a  member  of  all  the  Masonic 
bodies,  in  which  his  afl[iIiations  are  with 
George  M.  Dallas  Lodge,  No.  531,  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons,  of  Dallas;  Dieu  le  Veut 
Commandery,  No.  45,  of  Knights  Templar  of 
Wilkes-Barre:  Caldwell  Consistory  of  the 
Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite  of  Blooms- 
burg,  and  Irem  Temple  of  the  Ancient  Arabic 
Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine  of  Wilkes- 
Barre.  He  is  a  member  and  Past  Exalted 
Ruler  of  Wilkes-Barre  Lodge,  No.  109,  of  the 
Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks;  a 
member  of  Osage  Lodge,  No.  712,  of  the  In- 
dependent Order  of  Odd  Fellows  of  Lehman: 
and  a  member  of  Pleasant  Hill  Council,  No. 
390,  of  the  Junior  Order  of  United  Mechanics 
of  Sweet  Valley.  He  holds  membership  in 
the  following  clubs:  The  Kiwanis  Club  of 
Wilkes-Barre,  of  which  he  is  the  president; 
the  Craftsmen's  Club:  the  Westmoreland 
Club,    and    the    Shrine    Country    Club. 

The  World  "^'ar  record  of  Mr.  Lewis  was 
conspicuous.  During  the  American  partici- 
pation in  that  conflict  he  was  a  member  of 
all  the  different  war  boards,  and  personally 
directed  the  indexing  of  all  local  service  men. 
He  had  charge  of  the  Boy's  Working  Reserve 
in  Luzerne  County,  and  at  the  conclusion  of 
hostilities  disposed  of  the  equipment  of  th« 
reserves  under  appointment  by  the  adjutant- 
general. 

Since  January  30,  1920,  the  date  of  his 
appointment  as  Referee  in  Workmen's  Com- 
pensation, most  of  Mr.  Lewis'  work  has  been 
in  the  Department  of  Labor  and  Industry  of 
the  State  Government;  and  it  has  been  in 
this  field  that  he  has  been  eminently  suc- 
cessful. The  Ninth  District,  which  comes 
under  his  jurisdiction,  consists  of  the  counties 
of  Luzerne,  Columbia,  Montour  and  North- 
umberland. The  number  of  cases  that  have 
come  before  him  for  hearing  and  determina- 


448 


tion  since  his  appointment  runs  into  the 
thousands,  and,  while  several  hundred  ap- 
peals have  naturally  been  taken  from  his 
decisions,  reversals  by  the  Compensation 
Board  and  by  the  higher  courts  have  been 
very   few  in  number. 


THOMAS  J.  SIAYOCK,  D.  D.  S. — For  many 
years  Dr.  Thomas  J.  Mayock  has  been  a 
practicing  dentist,  for  a  time  turning  his 
attention  from  professional  matters  to  the 
development  of  real  estate.  He  is  the  son 
of  Michael  and  Bridget  (Ruddy)  Mayock,  who 
are  both  deceased.  Michael  Mayock  and  his 
wife  were  both  natives  of  Ireland  and  came 
to  America  when  quite  young.  It  was  here 
that  they  met  and  married  and  settled  in 
Luzerne  County.  They  were  the  parents  of 
nine  children:  1.  Mary,  who  married  Nich- 
olas S.  Burns  of  Parsons,  Pennsylvania,  now 
part  of  Wilkes-Barre.  2.  Dr.  John  F.,  a  well 
known  dentist  of  Wilkes-Barre.  3.  Patrick, 
who  died  in  infancy.  4.  James  C,  a  merchant 
conducting  business  at  the  same  stand  where 
his  father  founded  a  business  over  fifty  years 
ago,  at  Miners  Mills.  5.  Michael,  who  is  asso- 
ciated in  business  with  his  brother,  James 
C.  6.  Dr.  Peter  P.,  who  is  a  well-known 
physician  of  Wilkes-Barre.  7.  Dr.  Thomas 
J.,  of  whom  further.  8.  Sister  Mary-Charles 
of  the  Order  of  the  Sisters  of  Mercy  at 
Wilkes-Barre.  9.  Frank,  who  is  associated 
with  his  two  brothers,  James  C,  and  Michael, 
in  the  general  merchandise  business. 
Michael  Mayock,  Sr.,  died  in  1909  at  the  age 
of  seventy  years,  and  his  wife,  Bridget 
(Buddy)  Mayock,  died  in  1911,  at  the  age 
of  sixty-eight  years.  During  the  fifty  years 
that  Michael  Mayock  conducted  a  general 
merchandise  business  at  Miners  Mills,  Lu- 
zerne County,  Pennsylvania,  he  was  one  of 
the  most  highly  respected  citizens  and  the 
trade  that  he  established  has  continued  to 
keep  the  business  going  since  it  has  been 
in  the  hands  of  his  three  sons. 

Thomas  J.  Mayock  was  born  at  Miners 
Mills,  Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania,  August 
25.  1SS5.  He  received  his  education  in  the 
public  schools  and  the  Wyoming  Seminary, 
and  graduated  from  the  Georgetown  Univer- 
sity at  Washington,  District  of  Columbia,  in 
the  class  of  1909,  with  the  degree  of  Doctor 
of  Dental  Surgery,  after  which  he  returned 
to  the  city  of  Wilkes-Barre,  where  he  entered 
upon  the  practice  of  dentistry  which  he  fol- 
lowed until  1921.  Owing  to  ill  health,  he 
gave  up  his  profession  and  entered  the  real 
estate  business  which  he  conducted  success- 
fully until  July,  192S,  when  his  health  was 
fully  restored  and  he  again  began  the  prac- 
tice of  his  profession.  In  politics.  Dr.  Mayock 
is  a  Democrat;  and  he  is  a  member  of  the  St. 
Mary's  Roman  Catholic  Church,  at  Wilkes- 
Barre.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Wilkes- 
Barre  Lodge,  No.  109,  Benevolent  and  Protec- 
tive Order  of  Elks,  and  a  member  of  the 
Luzerne  Dental  Society  and  was  its  first 
president.  Dr.  Mayock  has  been  very  promi- 
nent in  the  Community  Welfare  Confedera- 
tion since  its  inception  and  has  acted  in  the 
capacity  of  chairman.  In  sports  he  has  been 
one  of  the  directors  of  the  Wilkes-Barre 
Baseball  Club  of  the  New  York-Pennsylvania 
League. 

On  January  15,  1916,  Dr.  Thomas  J.  Mayock 
married  Kathryn  C.  Ward,  a  daughter  of  the 
late  John  M.  Ward  of  Wilkes-Barre,  who  for 
many  years  "was  one  of  the  leading  merchants 
of  this  city,  and  Alicia  (Nelson)  Ward,  also 
deceased.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Mayock  have  three 
children:     Thomas  J.  Jr..  Kathryn,  and  James. 


EDAVARD  B.  SMITH — As  president  of 
Smith-Bennett  Corporation  of  Wilkes-Barre, 
Edward  B.  Smith  is  the  head  of  the  largest 
manufacturing  stationers  in  Northeastern 
Pennsylvania. 

The  concern  is  a  combination  of  two  well 
established  business  concerns  and  includes 
the  old  and  well-known  bookbinding  busi- 
ness of  the  Raeder  Company,  organized  in 
1881.  At  the  present  time,  the  corporation 
now  operates  a  plant  in  Harrisburg,  Penn- 
sylvania, and  Newark.  New  Jersey. 

Mr.  Smith  is  a  member  of  the  Wilkes- 
Barre-Wyoming  Valley  Chamber  of  Com- 
merce; Kiwanis  Club;  Franklin  Club;  Wyo- 
ming Valley  Country  Club  and  Westmore- 
land Club. 


CHARLES  HAROLD  LAYCOCK  is  rapidly 
becoming  one  of  the  foremost  figures  in 
financial  circles  of  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsyl- 
vania, where  he  conducts  a  bond  and  broker- 
age business,  with  offices  in  the  Miners'  Bank 
Building.  His  father,  Charles  Wilbur  Lay- 
cock,  has  been  president  of  the  Miners'  Bank 
since  1924,  and  father  and  son  have  both 
become  identified  with  the  financial  welfare 
of   this   section    of   the   State. 

The  Laycock  family,  one  of  the  oldest  in 
the  State,  dates  back  to  the  early  history 
of  Pennsylvania.  The  great-grandfather  of 
Charles  Harold  Laycock,  the  Rev.  Shadrack  B. 
Laycock,  was  a  Methodist  preacher  of  many 
years  standing.  He  married  Susan  Bowman, 
a  niece  of  Bishop  Bowman,  who  took  such 
a  prominent  part  in  the  history  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church  in  Pennsylvania. 
Among  their  children  was  Adam  Clark  Lay- 
cock, born  near  Berwick,  Pennsylvania,  who 
married  Clarissa  Millard.  They  had  two 
children,  Mary  Amanda,  wife  of  Lewis  K. 
Powst,  and  now  deceased,  and  Charles  Wilbur 
Laycock,  of  whom  further,  and  the  father 
of  Charles  Harold  Laycock. 

Charles  Wilbur  Laycock  was  born  in  Fair- 
mount  Township,  Luzerne  County,  Pennsyl- 
vania, October  3,  1860  and  when  he  was  only 
six  years  old  his  parents  moved  to  Shick- 
shiUny,  Luzerne  County.  He  was  educated 
in  the  public  schools  of  Luzerne  County  and 
at  Wyoming  Seminary,  Kingston,  where  his 
paients  moved  when  he  was  nineteen  years 
old.  At  the  end  of  his  seminary  course,  he 
became  a  clerk  in  the  mercantile  house  of 
Pringle  and  Laycock  of  Kingston,  where  he 
remained  until  1882,  when  he  began  his  life- 
long association  with  the  banking  business 
by  entering  the  employ  of  the  Second  National 
Bank  of  Wilkes-Barre,  in  the  same  capacity. 
He  became  cashier  of  the  Miners'  Bank  in 
1913.  He  married  Jennie  Clapp,  June  5,  1890 
and  they  have  four  children:  1.  Nesbitt  E., 
who  died  in  childhood.  2.  Charles  Harold, 
of  whom  further.  3.  Robert  Clark,  manager 
of  the  Wilkes-Barre  store  of  F.  W.  Wool- 
worth  &  Company.  4.  Millard  Day,  also  man- 
ager of  one  of  the  Woolworth  stores. 

Charles  H.  (C.  Harold)  Laycock  was  born  in 
Kingston,  March  15,  1893,  went  to  the  public 
schools  of  his  native  town  and  was  grad- 
uated later  from  Wyoming  Seminary,  King- 
ston. He  spent  the  next  two  years  as  a 
student  at  Wesleyan  University,  Middletown, 
Connecticut,  then  returned  to  Luzerne  County, 
Pennsylvania,  to  complete  a  commercial 
course  at  Wyoming  Seminary.  He  had  deter- 
mined to  enter  the  business  world  and  only 
■ft^aited  to  finish  this  course,  before  becoming 
a  bookkeeper  at  the  Wyoming  National  Bank, 
Wilkes-Barre. 

President  Wilson's  Declaration  of  War 
against    Germany,    In   April,    1917,    found   him. 


like  so  many  other  young  men  throughout 
the  country,  eager  and  anxious  to  join  some 
branch  of  the  country's  service.  He  went 
to  Washington,  District  of  Columbia,  and 
entered  the  office  of  the  Alien  Property  Cus- 
todian, where  he  remained  until  January, 
191S,  when  he  joined  the  aviation  section  of 
the  Navy  and  served  until  the  close  of  the 
World  War,  in  November,  1918.  He  returned 
to  Wilkes-Barre  and  became  the  local  rep- 
resentative of  a  New  York  bond  firm,  Green, 
Ellis  &  Anderson.  He  has  since  built  up  a 
bond  and  brokerage  business  of  his  own  and 
is  considered  one  of  the  most  progressive 
young  business  men  in  the  Wyoming  Val- 
ley. 

He  is  a  Republican  and  a  communicant 
of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  in  Wilkes- 
Barre,  besides  being  associated  with  a  num- 
ber of  fraternities.  He  is  a  member  of  Land- 
mark Lodge,  No.  442,  Free  and  Aci-epted 
Masons;  the  Royal  Arch  Masons;  Dieu  le 
Veut  Commandery,  Knights  Templar;  Cald- 
well Consistory,  Scottish  Rite  Masons  of 
Bloomsburg,  Pennsylvania;  Irem  Temple, 
Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic 
Shrine;  the  Irem  Country  Club,  the  Wyoming 
Valley  Country  Club,  the  Westmoreland  Club, 
the  Univer-ity  of  Washington  Club  and  the 
Fsi  Upsilon  Fraternity,  which  he  joined  while 
at  Wesleyan  University.  He  is  also  a  trustee 
of  Wilkes-Barre  Academy. 

Mr.  Laycock  Tnarried,  June  10,  1915.  Esther 
F.  Weckesser,  daughter  of  F.  J.  and  Anna 
S.  (Hammond)  Weckesser.  They  have  two 
children,    Mary   Anna   and    Cliarles   Frederick. 


Schooley  reside  in  a  very  charming  house  In 
Shavertown,  where  they  are  the  center  of  a 
circle  of  devoted  friends. 


SHBRMAN    RICHARDS    SCHOOLBV,    M.    D. 

— Born  in  Trucksville,  Kingston  Township, 
liUzerne  County,  on  April  19,  1899,  Dr.  Sher- 
man Richards  Schooley  acqu'red  his  medical 
education  in  Philadelphia,  after  which  he  re- 
turned to  this  county  and  located  in  Shaver- 
town,  where  he  has  estal^lished  an  extensive 
and  lucrative  practice. 

Dr.  Schooley  was  born  in  Trucksville,  April 
19,  1S99,  the  son  of  Ziba  F.  and  Mary  (Rich- 
ards) Schooley,  both  natives  of  Luzerne 
County,  the  former  born  in  Kingston  Town- 
ship in  1859.  and  the  latter  in  Wilkes-Barre 
in  1S6S.  The  father  of  Dr.  Schooley  is  a  re- 
tired farmer  and  president  and  a  director  of 
the  Merchants'  and  Miners'  National  Bank  of 
Luzerne.  Dr.  Schooley's  mother  passed  away 
July  4,  1926.  The  early  education  of  Dr. 
Schooley  was  obtained  in  the  public  and  high 
schools  of  Kingston  Township,  and  he  gradu- 
ated from  the  latter  institution  in  1916.  He 
then  went  to  the  Wyoming  Seminary,  gradu- 
ating in  the  class  of  1919.  He  received  his 
pre-medical  training  in  Bucknell  University, 
Lewisburg,  Union  County,  in  1923,  and  in 
1925  Jefferson  College  of  Philadelphia,  con- 
ferred upon  him  the  degree  of  Doctor  of 
Medicine.  For  a  year  he  worked  as  interne 
in  the  Wilkes-Barre  General  Hospital,  after 
which  he  located  in  Shavertown,  where,  as 
stated,  he  enjoys  an  excellent  practice.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  county  and  State  medical 
societies,  as  well  as  of  the  American  Medical 
Association.  Politically,  he  is  a  Republican, 
but  has  taken  no  very  active  part  in  local 
politics  to  date.  He  is  a  meml^er  of  the  Mt. 
Greenwood  Kiwanis  Club,  and  his  religious 
affiliations  are  "with  the  Shavertown  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  Church. 

On  October  23,  1926,  Dr.  Schooley  married 
Dorothy  Farr,  a  graduate  nurse,  daughter  of 
Henry  C.  and  Mary  Farr,  of  Wilkes-Barre. 
Mrs.  Schooley  graduated  from  Wilkes-Barre 
High  School  in  1921:  graduated  from  Wilkes- 
Barre  General  Hospital  and  night  superin- 
tendent   of    nurses,     1924-26.      Dr.     and    Mrs. 


OLIVER  ERNEST  H.VAVKINS — Nearly  a 
quarter  of  a  century  has  elapsed  since  Oliver 
Ernest  Hawkins  entered  into  association  with 
the  Kingston  Coal  Company,  of  Kingston,  as 
assistant  secretary,  a  post  he  filled  with  such 
satisfaction  that  his  promotion  was  a  natural 
sequence  and,  as  its  full  secretary,  he  has  still 
further  given  evidence  of  his  complete  quali- 
fication in  tlie  exacting  office.  Endowed  with 
a  genial  personality  and  possessed  of  a 
sincere  regard  for  the  benefits  to  be  derived 
by  all  in  honest  cooperation  of  effort,  he  has 
conducted  the  affairs  of  his  office  in  such 
manner  as  to  win  the  high  regard  and  esteem 
of  all  with  whom  he  has  been  in  any  way 
associated,  an  estimable  citizen  and  a  man  of 
unblemished  reputation  in  every  field  wherein 
his  activities  have  functioned.  In  civic  mat- 
ters he  has  served  his  fellow-citizens  as  ably, 
while  in  his  fraternal,  religious  and  social 
work  he  has  made  a  host  of  admiring  and 
staunch  friends. 

He  was  born  in  Siegfried's  Bridge,  North- 
ampton. Pennsylvania,  March  31,  1873,  a  son 
of  Edmund  Millard  Hawkins,  a  locomotive 
engineer,  born  in  1847,  deceased  in  1880,  and 
Mary  (Oliver)  Hawkins,  born  in  Boonton, 
New  Jersey,  in  1850,  deceased  in  1895.  His 
education  was  acquired  in  the  public  schools 
at  Catasauqua,  where  he  was  graduated  from 
high  school  and  also  studied  at  night  for 
special  instruction.  His  first  work  was  with 
the  Union  Foundry  &  Maciiine  Company  at 
Catasauqua,  Lehigh  County,  where  he  re- 
mained for  two  years,  then  going  to  the 
Lehigh  Valley  Coal  Company  and  remaining 
with  that  organization  for  another  eighteen 
months  at  Hazleton  and  at  Centralia,  Colum- 
bia County,  for  two  years,  having  been  made 
chief  clerk.  In  1904  he  accepted  an  invita- 
tion to  become  assistant  secretary  of  the 
Kingston  Coal  Company  and  in  1905  became 
its  secretary,  a  position  he  still  retains.  In 
politics  he  is  a  Republican,  in  religion  he  Is 
a  Methodist,  being  a  trustee  of  the  Kingston 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  while  for  four 
years  he  served  as  a  member  of  the  Kings- 
ton School  Board.  He  belongs  to  the  Frank- 
lin Clut3  of  Kingston  and  is  fraternally  affil- 
iated with  Kingston  Lodge,  No.  395,  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons,  as  well  as  with  Caldwell 
Consistory,  of  Bloomsburg,  Ancient  Accepted 
Scottish  ~iite  Masons:  Irem  Temple,  Ancient 
Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  and 
the    Independent    Order    of    Odd    Fellows. 

Oliver  Ernest  Hawkins  married,  in  1900, 
Ira  Thomas,  of  Cat.asauqua,  Pennsylvania, 
daughter  of  William  R.  and  Martha  Thomas. 
Tltcir  children  are:  1.  Richard  Arthur,  born 
December  11.  1902,  a  graduate  of  Lehigh 
University  in  the  class  of  1924  and  a  me- 
chanical engineer.  2.  Helen  Mary,  born  Janu- 
ary 7,  1905,  a  graduate  of  Sargent  College, 
Cfmbridge,  Massachusetts.  3.  Oliver  Ernest, 
Jr.,  born  July  S,   1907. 


GEORGE  ^V.  CARR,  M.  D. — With  his  repute 
and  standing  as  a  physician  long  established 
in  city  and  county.  Dr.  George  W.  Carr  is 
without  a  peer  in  the  specialty  in  wliich  he 
has  had  life  lon;x  study  and  practice,  that  of 
eye,  ear,  nose  and  throat,  his  record  as  an 
ophthalmic  surgeon  in  particular  having  dis- 
tinguished him  throughout  the  State.  Of  a 
family  of  physicians  of  attainment,  he  has 
worked  along  his  own  lines  of  thought  and 
practice,  and  has  the  regard  and  confidence 
of  his  associates  and  the  general  public. 


4SO 


Dr.  George  W.  Carr  was  born  October  28, 
1S72,  at  St.  Clair,  a  son  of  Dr.  Andrew  Philip 
and  Jane  (Dungan)  Carr,  both  parents  now 
deceased.  Dr.  Andrew  Philip  Carr,  for  many 
years  one  of  the  leading  physicians  of  St. 
Clair,  was  surgeon  for  the  Philadelphia  and 
Reading  Railroad;  and  his  children  were  all 
practicing  physicians;  Dr.  Charles  Dungan 
Carr,  and  Dr.  William  H.  Carr,  both  deceased; 
Dr.  George  W.  Carr,  the  third  son,  after  grad- 
uation from  the  Pottsville  High  School  in 
1S90,  was  matriculated  at  Jefferson  Medical 
College,  where  he  was  graduated  in  1S95, 
with  the  degree  Doctor  of  Medicine.  He  then 
took  post-graduate  courses  at  the  Polyclinic 
and  at  Wills  Eye  Hospital  and  St.  Agnes 
Hospital,  both  in  Philadelphia,  and  in  1897, 
he  established  himself  in  Wilkes-Barre,  where 
he  has  followed  his  chosen  profession  for 
thirty-two  years  (1929).  His  place  in  the 
ophthalmic  world  is  established,  as  well: 
besides  his  membership  in  the  Luzerne  County 
Medical  Society,  and  the  State  Medical  So- 
ciety and  American  Medical  Association,  he 
is  a  member  of  the  American  Academy  of 
Ophthalmology  and  Otolaryngology,  and  he 
was  for  a  considerable  period  the  ophthal- 
mologist for  Mercy  Hospital  at  Wilkes-Barre. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  medical  staff  of  the 
Wilkes-Barre  General  Hospital,  and  one  of 
the  ophthalmic  surgeons  for  Lehigh  Valley- 
Railroad  Company.  In  his  political  views.  Dr. 
Carr  is  a  Republican;  his  clubs  are  Westmore- 
land and  Wyoming  Valley  Country  and  he 
is  a  communicant  of  St.  Stephen's  Protestant 
Episcopal  Church. 

Dr.  George  W.  Carr  married,  August  8, 
19C2,  Louise  Clarkson  Murphy,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre,  daughter  of  Dr.  Joseph  A.  and  Frances 
(Parrish)  Murphy.  Dr.  Murphy,  an  old- 
school  doctor,  was  for  many  years  one  of 
the   leading   physicians   of   Wilkes-Barre. 

ALBERT    WASHINGTOIV    BROBST,    one    of 

the  most  active  members  of  the  Luzerne 
County  bar,  with  ofHces  at  Nos.  31-33  Bennett 
Building,  Wilkes-Barre,  was  born  at  Nurem- 
berg, Schuylkill  County,  Pennsylvania,  Sep- 
tember 20,  1S8S,  son  of  Henry  and  Lucy 
(Singley)  Brobst.  Henry  Brobst,  for  many 
years  a  merchant  of  Nuremberg,  was  the  son 
of  Joseph  and  Matilda  (Croll)  Brobst,  mem- 
bers of  old  Pennsylvania  families.  Henry 
Brobst  is  a  member  of  the  Democratic  party 
organization  and  of  the  German  Lutheran 
Church,  and  he  and  his  wife  have  become  the 
parents  of  two  children:  1.  Albert  Washing- 
ton, of  whom  further.  2.  Mabel  Pearl,  wife 
of   William    Smith,   of   Schuylkill    County. 

Albert  Washington  Brobst  attended  the 
public  schools,  where  he  received  his  early 
education;  and  then  entered  the  Keystone 
State  Normal  School  at  Kutztown,  Pennsyl- 
vania, from  which  institution  he  graduated 
in  the  class  of  1906.  He  then  determined  to 
follow  the  law  for  a  livelihood,  and  accord- 
ingly matriculated  in  the  Law  Department  of 
the  University  of  Michigan  at  Ann  Arbor, 
Michigan,  and  graduated  in  the  class  of  1913 
with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  LaAvs.  He  was 
thereupon  admitted  to  practice  the  profession 
in  the  State  of  Michigan,  but  seeing  a  better 
opportunity  to  the  southeast,  he  went  to 
Cleveland,  and  was  admitted  to  the  Ohio  Bar. 
He  practiced  six  months  at  Cleveland,  then 
heard  the  call  of  his  native  State,  and  re- 
turned to  Wilkes-Barre  in  1914,  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  bar  in  Pennsylvania,  and  has 
been  successfully  practicing  law  there  ever 
since.  He  combines  a  thorough  knowledge 
of  the  law  with  a  keen  business  judgment, 
and  hits  shown  such  an  active  interest  in 
civic    affairs    that    he    has    won    an    enviable 


place  for  himself  among  his  neighbors  and 
associates. 

Mr.  Brobst  is  a  leading  and  valued  member 
of  the  Luzerne  County  Bar  Association.  In 
politics  he  adheres  to  the  faith  of  the  Re- 
publican party.  His  religious  afBliation  is 
with  the  Lutheran  Church,  following  in  the 
footsteps  of  his  honored  parents.  He  is  a 
member  of  Wilkes-Barre  Lodge,  No.  6,55,  of 
the  Free  and  Accepted  Masons;  Caldwell 
Consistory  at  Bloomsburg;  Ancient  Accepted 
Scottish  Rite  Masons  of  the  thirty-second 
degree;  and  Irem  Temple  of  the  Ancient 
Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine  of 
Wilkes-Barre;  Prospect  Lodge,  No.  292,  of 
the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and 
the  Order  of  Encampment  of  the  Odd  Fellows. 
He  has  built  up  a  nice  practice  through  his 
own  efforts  and  is  one  of  the  most  successful 
of  the  self-made  men  of  the  city. 

Mr.  Brobst  married  Clara  May  Werley,  of 
Virginville,  Berks  County,  Pennsylvania,  and 
their  union  has  been  blessed  with  three  chil- 
dren, Henry  Thomas,  Betty  P.,  and  Marjorie  A. 

BARNETT     HERMAIV     COOPER,     M.     D. — A 

native  of  Russia,  but  a  resident  of  this  coun- 
try since  his  early  childhood,  Dr.  Cooper  has 
been  established  in  the  general  practice  of 
medicine  at  Nanticoke  since  1912  and  is  con- 
sidered one  of  the  most  able  and  successful 
physicians  and  surgeons  of  that  section  of 
Pennsylvania.  Ever  since  coming  to  Nanti- 
coke he  has  taken  a  deep  interest  in  that 
town's  development  and  welfare,  ^vhile  his 
patriotism  found  expression  in  service  with 
the  Medical  Corps  of  the  United  States  Array 
during  the  World  War. 

His  father.  Max  Cooper,  was  at  one  time 
a  resident  of  Odessa,  Russia,  from  where  he 
came  with  his  family  to  this  country  in  1895, 
settling  in  New  York  City.  He  was  a  furrier 
by  trade  and  was  active  in  this  line  until  his 
death  in  New  York  City  in  1924,  at  the  age 
of  sixty-two  years,  since  when  his  widow 
has  continued  to  make  her  home  in  New  York 
City.  Mr.  Cooper  was  greatly  devoted  to  his 
famJly  and  succeeded  in  giving  his  four  sons 
an  excellent  education.  He  was  the  father 
of  four  children:  1.  Barnett  Herman,  of  whom 
further.  2.  Joseph  F.,  a  physician  of  Boston, 
Massachusetts.  3.  Arthur  S.,  manager  for  the 
F.  &  W.  Grand  Corporation  at  Reading, 
Pennsylvania,  and  a  graduate  chiropractor. 
4.  Lewis  M.  Cooper,  an  attorney-at-law  In 
New   York   City. 

Barnett  Herman  Cooper  was  born  in  Odessa, 
Southern  Russia,  May  IS,  1SS8,  oldest  of  the 
tcur  sons  of  Max  and  Tillie  (Forman)  Cooper. 
He  came  to  this  country  with  his  parents  in 
1895  and  for  the  next  sixteen  years  lived  in 
New-  York  City.  He  was  educated  in  the 
public  schools  of  that  city  and  at  the  College 
of  the  City  of  New  York,  from  which  he  grad- 
uated in  1907.  He  took  up  the  study  of 
medicine  at  the  College  of  Physicians  and 
Surgeons,  Baltimore,  Maryland,  graduating 
there  with  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine 
in  1911.  During  his  last  year  at  this  institu- 
tion he  acted  as  assistant  to  Professor  Fried- 
enwald,  a  prominent  specialist  in  gastro- 
enterology. During  1910  he  also  spent  six 
months  as  an  interne  at  Bellevue  Hospital 
and  two  months  in  the  same  capacity  at  the 
Lying-In  Hospital,  both  of  New  York  City. 
In  1911,  after  his  graduation  from  medical 
school,  he  came  to  Nanticoke  as  an  interne 
at  the  New  Nanticoke  Hospital,  which  he 
assisted  in  opening.  At  the  end  of  one  year 
he  established  himself  as  a  general  practi- 
tioner at  Glenlyon,  near  Nanticoke,  where  he 
still  continues  to  practice,  though  he  also 
maintains    an    office    at    No.    36    East    Broad 


iniitfi*!' v^■  ^>^'iiftiiiftiitiiii>iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiffiiii«Miiii[ 


.^W 


451 


Street,  Nanticoke.  He  is  chief  surg-eon  for 
tlie  Grand  Tunnel  Coal  Company  of  West 
Nanticoke.  In  spite  of  the  heavy  demands 
made  ujion  his  time  and  energy  by  the  exact- 
ing duties  of  his  extensive  practice  Dr. 
Cooper  has  always  continued  his  interest  in 
literature  and  similar  suljjects  and  for  a 
number  of  years  he  has  continued  his  studies 
at  La  Salle  College,  Philadelphia,  from  which 
he  received  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts 
in  1926  and  where  he  is  now  worliinK  towards 
his  Master  of  Arts  degree.  During  the  World 
War  he  entered  the  Medical  Corps  of  the 
United  States  Army  in  191S,  being  stationed 
at  the  Army  Medical  School,  Washington, 
District  of  Columbia,  where  he  was  placed 
in  charge  of  important  laboratory  work.  He 
received  his  honorable  discharge  in  1919  with 
the  rank  of  captain.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks. 
Dr.  Cooper  married,  in  1915,  Esther  Gross 
of  Glenlyon,  a  daughter  of  Isadore  and 
Hannah  (Itskovitz)  Gross.  Dr.  and  Mrs. 
Cooper  are  the  parents  of  one  son,  Leroy 
Gerald  Cooper,  and  make  their  home  at  Glen- 
lyon. 


MILLEIR  S.  FREDERICK — Coming  Of  a 
family  which  has  been  prominent  in  Luzerne 
County  for  more  than  a  hundred  years.  Miller 
S.  Frederick  is  one  of  Wilkes-Barre's  lead- 
ing citizens  and  is  one  of  the  best-known 
furniture  dealers  and  undertakers  in  the  city, 
also  conducting  a  brancli  of  his  business  at 
Plymouth.  He  is  also  a  prominent  factor  in 
the  financial  life  of  the  city,  in  addition  to 
which  he  takes  a  great  interest  in  all  com- 
munity affairs,  being  always  desirous  of  pro- 
moting the  progress  of  his  city. 

Mr.  Frederick  was  born  at  Sugar  Notch, 
Luzerne  County,  January  3,  1S69,  son  of  Mer- 
ritt  and  Margaret  (Burg)  Frederick,  both  of 
whom  were  descendants  of  old  Pennsylvania 
families.  Merritt  Frederick's  father,  Daniel 
Frederick,  was  born  in  Northampton  County 
and  came  to  Newton,  Luzerne  County,  in  1S20. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Frederick  had  eight  children: 
1.  Miller  S.,  of  whom  later.  2.  Lida.  a  teacher 
in  domestic  science  department  of  Hanover 
Town  schools.  3.  Gertrude,  a  graduate  nurse  of 
the  Wilkes-Barre  General  Hospital,  at  present 
nurse  for  the  Hanover  Township  schools.  4. 
Harry,  of  Philadelphia,  graduate  of  Pennsyl- 
vania State  College  in  electrical  engineering. 
5.  Daniel,  deceased.  6,  7,  and  8.  Edith,  Walter, 
and  Charles,  died  in  childhood.  Mr.  Frederick 
died  at  the  age  of  seventy-two,  survived  by 
his  widow,   who   is   now  eighty-six. 

Miller  S.  Frederick  received  his  early  edu- 
cation in  the  public  schools  of  Ashley,  later 
entering  the  Harry  Hillman  Academy  and  the 
Wyoming  Seminary  at  Kingston.  After  the 
completion  of  his  formal  education,  he 
learned  the  trade  of  machinist  in  the  shops 
of  the  Dickson  Manufacturing  Company,  this 
city.  In  1891,  he  engaged  in  the  furniture  and 
undertaking  business  in  ^^ilkes-Barre  and 
later  moved  his  organization  to  Plymouth.  In 
point  of  service,  Mr.  Frederick  is  one  of  the 
oldest  active  furniture  dealers  and  funeral 
directors  in  the  Wyoming  Valley.  He  is 
president  of  the  Lincoln  Deposit  and  Savings 
Bank  and  Trust  Company  and  takes  a  promi- 
nent part  in  the  business  life  of  the  com- 
munity. In  fraternal  organizations,  he  is  an 
active  member  of  the  Junior  Order  United 
American  Mechanics,  the  Patriotic  Order  Sons 
of  America,  Knights  of  Pythias.  Plymouth 
Lodge,  No.  332,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons 
and  Valley  Chapter,  No.  214,  Royal  Arch 
Masons,  being  a  Past  Master  of  his  Blue 
Lodge,  and  a  Past  High  Priest  of  the  Chapter 
Lodge.  He  is  a  member  of  Dieu  le  Veut  Com- 
mandery.  No.  45,  Knights  Templar  of  Wilkes- 


Barre:  of  Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order 
Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  and  the  Shrine 
Country  Club.  In  politics,  he  has  always  fol- 
lowed the  principles  of  the  Republican  party 
and  in  his  religious  belief,  he  is  a  member 
of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Plym- 
outh. 

Miller  S.  Frederick  married,  in  1891,  Emma 
E.  Ferguson  of  Plymouth,  daughter  of  Alex- 
ander and  Mary  (WilcoxJ  Ferguson.  Mrs. 
Frederick  died  in  March,  1923,  aged  forty- 
six  years.  To  this  union  were  born  three 
sons:  1.  Donald,  who  is  associated  with  his 
father  in  business:  married  Esther  Lewis,  and 
tliey  have  one  son,  Donald,  Jr.  2.  Russell, 
married  Bennetto  Wallace  and  they  have 
three  children:  Miller  S.,  Mignonette  and 
Margaret  B.  3.  Kenneth,  of  New  York,  mar- 
ried  Miss   Berger. 


ROBERT  J.  DORASf — Among  the  members 
of  the  legal  profession  in  Wilkes-Barre  who 
have  recently  engaged  in  practice  is  Robert 
J.  Doran,  a  veteran  of  the  World  War.  who, 
though  he  was  so  severely  burned  during  the 
war  that  he  was  totally  blind  for  eighteen 
months  and  was  unable  to  read  for  three 
years,  nevertheless  completed  his  college 
course  after  his  return  to  civilian  life  and 
was  admitted  to  the  Luzerne  County  bar  in 
March,  1926.  Courage,  persistence,  and  ability 
have  enabled  him  to  attain  his  goal  un- 
daunted by  difficulties  that  for  most  men 
would  have  been  insurmountable,  and  he  is 
now  (1929)  engaged  in  general  legal  prac- 
tice with   offices   in   the   Dime   Bank   Building. 

John  Doran,  father  of  Mr.  Doran,  was  a 
mine  contractor  for  about  thirty  years,  and 
died  at  the  age  of  fifty-nine  years.  He  and 
his  wife  Margaret  were  the  parents  of  four 
sons:  Robert  J.,  of  further  mention:  and  Wil- 
liam E.,  Henry,  and  Leo,  who  are  engaged  in 
the  dairy  business  under  the  firm  name  of 
Doran  Brothers.  They  conduct  a  high  grade 
dairy  at  Ashley,  Luzerne  County,  Pennsyl- 
vania. 

Robert  J.  Doran,  son  of  John  and  Margaret 
Doran,  was  born  in  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsyl- 
vania, June  9,  1895,  and  when  he  was  about 
one  year  of  age  was  taken  to  Lee  Park,  Lu- 
zerne County,  by  his  parents.  He  attended 
the  public  schools  of  Lee  Park,  which  is  in 
Hanover  Township,  and  graduated  from  Lee 
Park  High  School  in  the  spring  of  1914.  The 
next  fall  he  entered  the  University  of  Penn- 
sylvania, from  which  he  was  graduated  with 
the  class  of  1922,  having  finished  his  course 
after  his  return  from  the  World  War,  al- 
though he  was  obliged  to  spend  some  three 
years  in  regaining  his  lost  sight.  On  March 
5,  1917,  while  a  student  in  the  University  of 
Pennsylvania,  he  enlisted  in  the  first  contin- 
gent of  candidates  for  officers'  training  camp, 
and  was  ordered  to  Camp  Madison,  New  York, 
where,  on  August  15,  1917,  he  was  commis- 
sioned a  second  lieutenant  of  the  United 
States  Cavalry  Reserve  and  was  ordered  to 
report  at  Del  Rio,  Texas.  This  order  was 
later  rescinded  and  he  was  sent  to  Camp 
Dix,  at  Wrightstown,  New  Jersey,  where  he 
was  assigned  to  the  staff  of  General  Ander- 
son. Later,  he  was  assigned  to  the  Machine 
Gun  Training  School  for  Officers,  located  at 
Camp  Hancock,  Georgia,  and  in  January, 
1918,  he  was  ordered  overseas  as  a  member 
of  Company  C,  109th  Machine  Gun  Battalion. 
He  took  part  in  the  offensive  at  Ypres,  Bel- 
gium, and  was  at  La  Chapelle,  and  later  took 
part  in  the  second  battle  of  the  Marne,  in 
France.  On  July  IS,  1918,  he  received  a  gun- 
shot wound  during  the  battle  of  Belleaux 
Wood,  and  was  sent  back  to  the  hospital  in 
Paris,  where  he  remained  until  August  25, 
when    he    rejoined    his    command    at    Fismes. 


On  August  31,  1918,  while  making  an  attack 
on  the  enemy  on  the  Hindenburg'  line,  at  a 
place  known  as  Chalk  Cliffs,  on  the  west  side 
of  the  Vailes  River,  he  was  very  badly  burned 
in  the  face,  eyes,  and  body,  with  liquid  fire. 
So  bad  were  the  burns  that  he  was  compelled 
to  spend  the  next  two  years  in  various  hos- 
pitals in  France  and  in  this  country.  For 
eighteen  months  he  was  totally  blind,  and  for 
a  period  of  three  years  he  was  unable  to  read. 
In  spite  of  these  difficulties,  however,  he  per- 
sisted in  his  purpose  of  completing  his  col- 
lege course,  and  in  the  fall  of  1921  he  was 
able  to  return  to  the  University  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  was  graduated  with  the  class  of 
1922.  Thus  courage  and  persistence  overcame 
almost  insurmountable  obstacles,  and  Mr. 
Doran  is  now  one  of  the  successful  members 
of  the  legal  profession  in  Wilkes-Barre, 
Pennsylvania.  He  has  his  offices  in  the  Dime 
Bank  Building,  where  he  is  building  up  a 
very  satisfactory  practice.  Politically  he 
gives  his  support  to  the  Republican  party, 
and  he  is  interested  in  the  public  welfare  and 
in  the  conduct  of  public  affairs,  though  he 
does  aspire  to  official  responsibility.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  American  Legion,  and  his 
religious  affiliation  is  with  the  Roman  Cath- 
olic Church.    Mr.  Doran  is  unmarried. 


JOHIV  R.  POWBLI. — Though  a  native  of 
Wales,  England,  John  R.  Powell  has  been  a 
resident  of  Plymouth,  Pennsylvania,  for 
twenty-seven  years,  and  has  beea  associated 
with  the  business  which  he  now  (192S)  owns 
during  all  that  time;  first  in  the  employ  of 
his  uncle,  the  founder  of  the  business,  and 
since  1925  as  owner  of  the  concern.  He  man- 
ufactures squibs,  which  are  explosives  used 
in  mining,  and  is  located  at  No.  42  East 
Shawnee    Avenue,    Plymouth. 

John  R.  Powell  was  born  in  Aberdare,  a 
mining  and  maufacturing  town  of  Glamor- 
ganshire, South  Wales,  England,  May  IS, 
1S77,  son  of  Roger  Powell,  a  miner  by  occu- 
pation, who  was  born  in  Wales,  in  1S50,  and 
died  in  1879,  and  of  Mary  (Lewis)  Powell, 
who  was  born  in  Wales,  in  1838,  and  is  still 
living  (1928)  at  the  age  of  ninety  years. 
After  attending  the  public  schools  of  his 
native  district,  Mr.  Powell  served  an  appren- 
ticeship of  four  years  in  a  grocery  store  in 
England,  and  then  was  employed  as  a  clerk 
in  a  grocery  store  for  a  period  of  seven 
years.  The  young  man  was  anxious  fo^ 
larger  opportunity,  however,  and  he  had  in 
this  country  an  uncle,  whose  name  he  bore, 
John  R.  Powell.  That  fact  proved  to  be  an 
open  door  for  the  youth  and  in  1901  he  left 
his  native  land  for  this  country.  He  came  at 
once  to  Plymouth,  where  his  uncle  was  en- 
gaged  in  manufacturing  squibs  for  the  min- 
ing industry,  and  entered  the  employ  of  his 
favorite  reiative,  with  whom  he  remained. 
He  was  made  foreman  of  the  plant  some 
years  before  the  death  of  John  R.  Powell 
who  established  the  business  about  1878,  and 
after  that  event  the  business  became  the 
property  of  a  daughter  of  the  founder,  Mrs. 
Esther  Ferguson,  wife  of  John  E.  Ferguson. 
Mr  Powell  continued  as  foreman  under  the 
new  ownership,  and  in  April,  1925,  Mrs.  Fer- 
guson also  died,  leaving  the  business  to  her 
cousin,  John  R.  Powell,  who  was  named  tor 
her  father.  Under  Mr.  Powell's  direction  the 
business  has  continued  to  grow  and  at  the 
present  time  (192S)  sixty  people  are  em- 
ployed in  the  plant.  Mr.  Powell  is  a  public- 
spirited  citizen  who  is  always  ready  to  aid  in 
advancing  the  welfare  of  the  community  in 
which  he  lives,  and  he  is  a  contributing  mem- 
ber of  Fire  Company  No.  1.  Politically,  he 
supports  the  principles  of  the  Republican 
party,   and   fraternally,   he   holds   membership 


in  Lodge  No.  178,  Knights  of  Pythias,  being 
Past  Chancellor;  and  Lodge  No.  2,  Inde- 
pendent Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Kiwanis  Club,  and  his  religious 
membership  is  with  the  Welsh  Congrega- 
tional Church,  of  which  he  is  a  deacon  and 
recording  secretary.  He  is  a  member  of  Wyo- 
ming Valley  Branch  of  National  Eisteddfod 
and  on  the  social  committee  thereof;  also  a 
member  of  the  Pennsylvania  Manuafcturers 
Association  and  the  Wyoming  Valley  Motor 
Club. 

John  R.  Powell  was  married,  June  29,-1909, 
to  Jennie  Jones,  of  Plymouth,  daughter  of 
John  E.  Jones^  a  miner,  who  was  born  in 
Wales,  in  1850,  and  died  in  1897,  and  of  Jane 
Jones,  who  was  born  in  Wales  in  1850,  and 
died  in  1918.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Powell  have  two 
daughters:  1.  Dorothy  Loraine,  born  Feb- 
ruary 18,  1911;  graduated  from  the  Plymouth 
High  School,  1928.  2.  Esther  M.,  born  June 
22,    1913. 


WILljIAM  BUCK.4^1.B1\  ROBIIVSON.  former- 
ly general  agent  of  the  Aetna  Life  Insurance 
(Company  at  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania,  and 
for  years  an  important  figure  in  the  life  of 
this  city,  was  born  in  Fairmount  Township, 
Pennsylvania.  His  parents  were  Captain  John 
and  Sarah  (Buckalen)  Robinson.  The  father 
was  a  farmer  by  occupation  and  was  also  in 
the  service  of  the  State  at  Harrisburg.  Dur- 
ing the  period  of  the  Civil  War  he  enlisted  in 
the  Union  cause,  and  served  with  distinction 
as  captain  of  Company  I,  Pennsylvania  In- 
fantry,  until  the  conclusion   of  hostilities. 

William  Buckalen  Robinson  received  hia 
education  in  the  country  schools  of  his  birth- 
place, and  as  a  young  man  became  a  clerk  in 
ihe  Courthouse  of  Luzerne  County.  He  re- 
mained in  this  position  for  two  years,  from 
1890  to  1892,  and  at  the  end  of  this  time 
became  associated  with  the  Aetna  Life  In- 
surance Company  as  general  agent  at  Wilkes- 
Barre.  This  was  the  beginning  of  a  connec- 
tion which  was  to  last  for  a  quarter  of  a 
century.  Mr.  Robinson  continued  as  general 
agent  for  this  company  until  the  time  of  his 
retirement  in  1927,  and  his  record  in  this 
office  was  one  of  constant  success. 

Mr.  Robinson  was  also  for  some  years  a 
director  of  the  Luzerne  County  National 
Bank.  A  Republican  in  politics,  he  was 
elected  to  the  Wilkes-Barre  City  Council, 
serving  in  that  body  for  a  period  of  years. 
He  gave  his  hearty  support  to  civic  and 
benevolent  movements  with  whose  aims  he 
was  in  sympathy.  Mr.  Robinson  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Westmoreland  Club  and  the 
Franklin  Club.  He  worshiped  in  the  Pres- 
byterian faith,  holding  membership  in  the 
Memorial  Church  of  this  denomination  at 
Wilkes-Barre. 

On  June  17,  1896,  at  Wilkes-Barre,  William 
B  Robinson  married  Mary  Edith  Montange, 
(laughter  of  J.  Henry  and  Anna  (MacFall) 
Montange.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Robinson  became 
the  parents  of  four  children:  1.  John  M.,  born 
on  January  7,  1898,  a  record  of  whose  lite 
appears  elsewhere  in  these  pages.  2.  James 
B.,  born  on  April  16,  1901,  also  included  m 
these  pages.  3.  William  B.,  Jr.,  born  on  May 
5,  1906.  4.  Thomas  B.,  born  on  September  9, 
1909.  The  residence  of  the  family  is  con- 
tinued  at   Wilkes-Barre. 


JOHN  M.  ROBINSON,  general  agent  for  the 
Aetna  Lite  Insurance  Company,  at  Wilkes- 
Barre.  with  offices  at  No.  204  Coal  Exchange 
Building,  was  born  January  7,  1898,  in 
Wilkes-Barre,  son  of  William  B.  and  Mary 
Edith  (Montange)  Robinson,  and  grandson  of 
Captain  John  and  Sarah  (Buckalen)  Robin- 
son, who  were  respected  natives  of  Fairmont 


/ 


453 


Township,  Luzerne  County.  John  Robinson 
was  captain  of  a  company  in  the  Union  Army 
during  the  Civil  War,  and  proved  a  gallant 
soldier.  A  more  detailed  account  of  William 
B.    Robinson's   life   precedes   this   sketch, 

John  M,  Robinson  grew  to  manhood  here 
and  received  his  education  in  the  public 
schools  and  the  Harry  Hillman  Academy, 
after  which  he  matriculated  at  the  University 
of  Pennsylvania.  During  the  World  War,  in 
191S,  he  enlisted  in  the  United  States  Navy, 
and  upon  his  discharge  entered  the  insurance 
business  with  his  father,  where  he  has  suc- 
cessfully applied  himself  ever  since.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Republican  party,  the  Memori- 
al Presbyterian  Church,  and  is  actively 
identified  with  the  various  movements 
launched  for  the  development  of  Willses- 
Barre.  He  belongs  to  Landmark  Lodge,  No. 
442,  of  the  Free  and  Accepted  Masons  and 
the  Alumni  Association  of  the  Psi  Upsilon 
Fraternity,  which  organization  he  joined  at 
the   LTniversity   of  Pennsylvania. 

Mr.  Robinson  was  married  to  Edith  C.  Nich- 
olson, daughter  of  Samuel  T.  and  Elizabeth 
(Dennis)  Nicholson,  the  former  president  of 
the  Vulcan  Iron  Works,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  of 
whom  further  mention,  and  they  are  the 
parents  of  a  son,  John  M.  Robinson,  Jr.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Robinson  reside  at  No.  235  Butler 
Street,   Kingston,  Luzerne  County. 


JAMES      BUCK.\L,E!V      ROBINSON,      son      of 

William  B.  and  Mary  Edith  (Montange) 
Robinson,  was  born  at  Wilkes-Barre,  Penn- 
sylvania, on  April  16,  1901.  His  father,  a 
record  of  whose  life  precedes  this,  gave 
most  of  his  active  career  to  work  in  the 
insurance  field  as  general  agent  of  the  Aetna 
Life    Insurance    Company   at    Wilkes-Barre. 

James  B.  Robinson  received  his  preliminary 
education  in  the  public  schools  of  his  birth- 
place, and  later  attended  Hillman  Academy 
for  one  year.  In  1920  he  was  graduated  from 
Wyoming  Seminary,  and  in  1924  from  Williams 
College,  where  he  completed  the  course  of 
study  leading  to  the  Bachelor's  degree.  Like 
his  father,  Mr.  Robinson  entered  the  employ 
of  the  Aetna  Life  Insurance  Company,  and 
from  1924  until  1927,  was  superintendent  of 
the  casualty  department  of  that  company  at 
Wilkes-Barre.  In  the  latter  year,  with  his 
brother,  he  took  over  the  duties  of  general 
agent  for  the  company,  occupying  the  posi- 
tion which  his  father  had  so  ably  filled  for 
many  >'ears. 

Mr.  Robinson  is  a  Republican  in  politics 
and  a  member  of  several  clubs,  including  the 
Westmoreland  Club,  the  Wilkes-Barre  Club, 
and  the  Williams  Club  of  New  York  City.  He 
is  affiliated  with  the  Kappa  Alpha  fraternity, 
and  in  1924  was  president  of  the  Williams 
Chapter  of  that  order.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Memorial    Presbyterian    Church    in    this    city. 

On  October  6,  1927,  James  B.  Robinson  mar- 
ried Martha  D.  Nicholson,  daughter  of  Samuel 
T.  and  Elizabeth  (Dennis)  Nicholson.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Robinson  maintain  their  home  in 
Wilkes-Barre. 


CHARLES  L.  SHAFER,  M.  D. — Member  of 
one  of  the  oldest  and  most  respected  fam- 
ilies of  Pennsylvania,  with  a  heritage  of 
successful  accomplishment  -which  he  was, 
naturally,  called  upon  to  carry  on,  Dr. 
Charles  L.  Shafer,  of  Kingston,  has  ful- 
filled the  obligation.  Not  only  has  he  made 
great  strides  in  his  profession,  but  he  has 
also  gathered  a  host  of  friends  about  him 
in  fraternal  organizations  and  other  profes- 
sions than  his  own.  He  has  an  interesting 
and  worthy  military  record,  both  in  this 
country  and  in  France,  in  "which  he  "won 
merited    reward    by    his    promotion    to    field 


rank.  In  his  present  work  ne  has  built  for 
himself  a  large  and  growing  practice  and 
made  a  legion  of  staunch  friends  in  every 
walk. 

Charles  L.  Shafer  is  one  of  seven  children 
of  George  W.  and  Annie  E.  (Hartman) 
Shafer,  and  was  born  in  Williamsport,  Penn- 
sylvania, December  5,  1883.  Both  his  father 
and  mother  were  members  of  families  that 
settled  in  this  commonwealth  earlj'  in  its 
history,  making  here  commendable  reputa- 
tions for  their  interest  in  and  assistance  to 
the  advancement  of  all  community  ambitions 
for  the  development  of  the  country.  C5eorge 
W.  Shafer,  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  War  in 
the  149th  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  was  a 
contractor  and  builder  of  higli  reputation, 
whose  children  all  were  a  source  of  gratified 
pride  to  their  parents.  Minnie,  the  first 
born,  became  the  wife  of  E.  P.  Bordo,  dis- 
trict manager  of  the  Bell  Telephone  Com- 
pany in  Wilmington,  Delaware.  Harvey  is 
in  successful  business  in  Buffalo,  New  York, 
and  Lillian,  the  third  child,  now  deceased, 
married  Dr.  W.  L.  Hensyl.  Charles  L.  has 
one  brother  living,  Albert,  of  Kingston,  and 
one  deceased,  Adam,  the  youngest  of  the 
family,   who   died   in   childhood. 

Charles  L.  Shafer  was  educated  in  the  pub- 
lic schools  of  Williamsport,  graduating,  suc- 
cessively, from  the  elementary  grades,  the 
high  school  and  Dickinson  Seminary,  in  1903. 
He  then  took  the  full  course  at  the  Uni- 
versity of  Syracuse,  from  which  he  was 
graduated  with  the  degree  of  Doctor  of 
Medicine  with  the  class  of  1908.  Coming  to 
^Vilkes-Barre,  he  was  appointed  resident 
physician  of  Mercy  Hospital,  which  he  ad- 
ministered for  two  years,  then  establishing 
himself  in  independent  practice  in  King- 
ston in  1910.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Ameri- 
can Medical  Association,  the  Pennsylvania 
State  Medical  Society,  the  Lehigh  Valley 
Medical  Society,  the  Luzerne  County  Med- 
ical Society  in  professional  affiliations,  and 
socially  of  the  Kiwanis  Club,  Craftsmen's 
Club.  Wyoming  Valley  Motor  Club,  Frank- 
lin Club  "and  Irem  Temple  Country  Club.  He 
has  also  served  as  president  of  the  Kingston 
Board  of  Health.  In  military  affiliations  he 
is  a  member  of  Black  Diamond  Post,  No. 
395,  American  Legion,  of  Kingston,  of  which 
he  was  commander  for  three  years.  He  ia 
also  associate  surgeon  on  the  staff  of  the 
Nesbitt  Memorial  Hospital.  He  is  a  Repub- 
lican in  politics  and  a  member  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church.  Fraternally  he  is 
affiliated  with  the  Kingston  Lodge,  No.  395, 
Ancient  Free  and  Accepted  Masons:  Shekinah 
Chapter,  No.  182,  Royal  Arch  Masons:  Dieu 
le  Veut  Commandery,  No.  45.  Knights  Tem- 
plar, of  Wilkes-Barre,  and  of  Irem  Temple, 
Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic 
Shrine.  Other  organizations  in  which  he  has 
membership  are  Lodge  No.  109,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre,  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of 
Elks,  and  Kingston  Lodge,  Independent  Order 
of  Odd  Fellows.  His  military  record  fol- 
lows: Enlisted  in  the  9th  Regiment,  Penn- 
sylvania National  Guard,  March  7,  1916:  com- 
missioned first  lieutenant,  Medical  Corps, 
Pennsvlvania  National  Guard,  March  27,  1916 
(9th  Regiment,  N.  G.  P.);  Mexican  border 
service,  from  September  22,  1916,  to  Novem- 
ber 26,  1916.  "^'orld  War:  entered  the  serv- 
ice June  23,  1917,  as  first  lieutenant  Medical 
Corps,  United  States  Army,  stationed  at  Fort 
Benjamin  Harrison,  Indiana:  Medical  Officers' 
Training  Camp,  June  27,  .1917,  to  September 
10,  1917:  Camp  Hancock,  Georgia,  September 
14,  1917,  to  April  28,  1918,  as  surgeon  of 
103d  Train  Headquarters  and  Military  Police 
28th  Division:  France  witli  the  American 
Expeditionary    Forces,    May    7,    1918,    to    May 


454 


3,  1919,  as  assistant  division  surgeon,  28th 
Division;  promoted  to  captain,  August  25, 
191S,  in  France;  promoted  to  major,  Feb- 
ruary 26,  1919,  in  France;  honorably  mus- 
tered out  of  the  service  at  Camp  Dix,  New 
Jersey,  May  20,  1919.  Battle  service:  Cham- 
pagne-Marne  defensive;  Aisne-Marne  offen- 
sive: Fismes  sector:  Oisne-Aisne;  Meuse- 
Argonne;    Thiacourt   sector. 

Charles  L.  Shafer  married,  August  7,  1912, 
in  Kingston,  Mary  E.  Bach,  daughter  of 
Christian  and  Sarah  J.  (Humphrey)  Bach, 
and  they  are  the  parents  of:  Charles  Bach, 
Robert    Christian,    and    Edward     Alfred. 


BENJAMIIV    I>EAVIS    JENKINS  is  the  son  of 

Hopkin  and  Ann  (Lewis)  Jenkins,  both  of 
whom  were  natives  of  Wales.  Coming  to 
this  country  in  1882,  they  located  at  Nanti- 
coke,  Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania.  They 
■were  the  parents  of  fourteen  children,  ten 
of  whom  lived  to  maturity:  1.  William, 
deceased.  2.  David,  who  is  a  foreman  for 
the  Buttonwood  mines  of  the  Lehigh  and 
Wilkes-Barre  Coal  Company.  3.  Elizabeth, 
the  wife  of  the  Rev.  E.  R.  Roberts,  a  minister 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church  at  Prompton. 
Pennsylvania.  4.  Jane,  who  married  Daniel 
Powell,  novr  deceased.  5.  John  D.,  vyho  is 
a  baker  by  trade,  located  at  Kingston,  Penn- 
sylvania. 6.  Joseph  R.,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  a 
foreman  at  the  South  Wilkes-Barre  mines 
for  the  Lehigh  and  Wilkes-Barre  Coal  Com- 
pany. 7.  Rachel  A.,  the  wife  of  Clanton 
Evans  of  New  York  City.  8.  Benjamin  Lewis, 
of  whom  further.  9.  Mary,  the  wife  of  Har- 
rison Davis,  of  Niles,  Ohio.  10.  Daniel  R., 
a  department  clerk  in  the  county  treasurer's 
office  in  Spokane,  Washington. 

Benjamin  Lewis  Jenkins  was  born  at  Nan- 
ticoke,  Pennsylvania,  February  11,  1888.  He 
was  five  years  of  age  when  his  parents 
moved  to  Wilkes-Barre  and  it  was  here  that 
he  grew  up  and  when  a  lad  attended  the 
public  schools.  When  still  a  young  boy,  he 
held  a  position  as  office  boy  for  Paul  Sher- 
wood of  Wilkes-Barre.  His  next  position  was 
with  a  dry-goods  firm,  Joseph  S.  Coons  and 
Company,  where  he  learned  to  be  a  clerk 
and  held  the  position  for  four  years.  At  the 
age  of  seventeen  years,  he  entered  the  employ 
of  the  Vulcan  Iron  Works  as  an  apprentice 
in  the  boiler  shops.  After  several  years  of 
experience  there  he  was  transferred  to  the 
office  of  the  same  company,  -where  he  worked 
himself  through  all  the  branches  of  the  busi- 
ness until  he  was  elevated  to  the  position 
of  manager  of  the  steel  casting  department, 
a  position  he  held  for  eight  years.  He 
severed  his  connection  with  the  Vulcan  Iron 
Works  to  accept  the  position  of  president  and 
general  manager  of  Powell-Davies  Tractor 
and  Equipment  Company,  a  position  he  now 
holds.  In  July,  1927,  he  was  appointed  by 
the  county  commissioners  to  the  position  of 
tax  collector  for  Wilkes-Barre.  In  politics 
he  is  a  Republican  and  he  is  a  member  of 
the  Westminster  Presbyterian  Church.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  Sons  of  Liberty  Lodge,  No. 
1103,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  of 
Wilkes-Barre;  he  is  also  a  member  of  the 
Wyoming  Valley  Encampment  and  is  the 
president  of  the  Past  Grands  Association  of 
Luzerne  County,  Wilkes-Barre  Lodge,  No.  109, 
Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks;  a 
member  of  the  board  of  governors  of  the 
Wyoming  Valley  Motor  Club;  member  of  the 
Gi  eater  Wilkes-Barre  Chamber  of  Commerce. 

On  July  20,  1910,  Benjamin  Lewis  Jenkins 
married  Kate  Griffiths  of  Wilkes-Barre, 
daughter  of  David  P.  and  May  Ann  (Haycock) 
Griffiths.  They  have  two  children:  David 
Hopkin,   and  Ann   Griffiths. 


EDWARD  RUSSELL,  WHITE — Member  and 
general  manager  of  the  firm  of  W.  D.  White 
&  Company,  dealers  in  drugs  at  retail.  No. 
35  South  Main  Street,  Wilkes-Barre,  a  native 
of  this  community,  and  member  of  a  family 
old  in  the  history  of  the  Wyoming  Valley, 
Edward  R.  White  is  accounted  prominent 
among  the  substantial  and  most  progressively 
representative  citizens  of  the  community, 
active  in  its  commercial,  political  and  frater- 
nal affairs.  W.  D.  White  &  Company  is  the 
largest  of  drug  films  in  the  city  and  one  of 
those  longest  established.  Mr.  White  was 
born  May  24,  1S75,  a  son  of  the  late  William 
D.  and  Sarah  Harper  (Jones)  White,  the 
father  having  died  December  16,  1921,  the 
mother  now  (1929)  living,  at  the  age  of 
seventy-six    years,    in    Wilkes-Barre. 

William  D.  White  was  born  in  1849,  a 
native  of  Ashley,  Luzerne  County,  and  son 
of  John  and  Melinda  (Blackman)  White. 
Both  the  families  of  White  and  Blackman 
date  from  early  days  in  the  Wyoming  Val- 
ley: the  Blackmans  came  to  this  country 
from  England,  founders  of  the  American 
branch  locating  first  in  the  State  of  Con- 
necticut, whence  they  removed  to  Luzerne 
County  with  the  Susquehanna  Company,  to 
the  valley.  Here  members  of  the  family  took 
part  in  the  Massacre  of  Wyoming,  July  3, 
1778,  and  it  is  recorded  that  they  fought 
courageously  in  the  bloody  engagement.  It 
was  about  a  century  later  that  William  D. 
White  founded  the  W.  D.  White  &  Company 
drug  house,  being  one  of  the  few  establish- 
ments of  its  sort  then  in  Wilkes-Barre.  He 
was  a  constant  participant  in  matters  of 
public  concern,  a  Republican,  ardent  in  sup- 
port of  the  party,  and  a  communicant  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  A  temperate 
man,  his  friends  ^vere  numerous  and  sincere; 
when  he  died,  in  1921,  at  the  age  of  seventy- 
two  years,  he  left  behind  a  career  both  long 
and  useful.  William  D.  White  and  his  wife, 
Sarah  Harper  (Jones)  White,  were  the  par- 
ents of  children;  1.  Maude  I.,  now  deceased; 
married  Dr.  Benton  Dales,  of  Akron,  Ohio. 
2.  Edward  Russell,  of  whom  below.  3.  Dr. 
W.   D.   White,   Jr.,    of  New  York  City. 

Edward  R.  White  received  his  academic 
education  in  the  public  schools  of  his  native 
city,  and  graduated  from  high  school  with 
the  class  of  1891,  at  the  age  of  sixteen  years. 
At  once  he  went  to  work  for  his  father  in 
the  drug  store,  applied  himself  industriously 
and  intelligently  to  pharmacy,  and  passed 
the  State  examinations  permitting  him  to  fill 
prescriptions  as  registered  pharmacist.  For 
a  number  of  years,  then,  he  continued  with 
his  father,  becoming  quite  well  established 
in  the  lite  of  Wilkes-Barre  and  ever  gaining 
the  confidence  of  doctors  of  medicine  and  of 
customers  for  the  care  with  which  he  ex- 
ecuted commissions,  until  1903.  when  the  call 
of  adventure  and  of  service  to  his  country 
led  him  to  enlist  in  the  8th  United  States 
Cavalry;  and  the  next  three  years  he  served 
in  various  parts  of  this  country  and  in  the 
Philippines.  Mr.  White  returned  to  Wilkes- 
Bfrre  in  1906,  and  resuined  association  in 
the  drug  store,  where  he  has,  through  the 
J  ears  succeeding,  been  continuously  occupied. 
Like  his  father,  he  is  loyal  to  the  principles 
of  the  Republican  party,  and  is  possessed  of 
a  considerable  voice  in  local  questions  of  a 
political  character,  which  he  exerts  with- 
out fanfare,  quietly,  to  the  good  of  the  com- 
munity at  large.  In  the  fraternal  orders  he 
is  heartily  engaged,  being  a  member  of  Land- 
mark Lodge,  No.  442,  of  the  Free  and  Ac- 
cepted Masons;  Caldwell  Consistory  of  the 
Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite  Masons  of  the 
thirty-second     degree     at     Bloomsburg;     and 


l^^;^^<^^^ 


455 


Irem  Temple  of  the  Ancient  Arabic  Order 
Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine  in  Wilkes-Barre; 
tog-ether  with  Lodge  No.  109  of  the  Benevo- 
lent and  Protective  Order  of  Elks.  He  be- 
longs to  the  Shrine  Country  Club,  the 
Kiwanis  Club,  the  Franklin  Club,  the  Wilkes- 
Barre-Wyoming  Valley  Chamber  of  Com- 
merce, and  the  Wyoming  Valley  Motor  Club, 
During  the  World  War  Mr.  White  served  on 
many  boards  and  committees  prosecuting  the 
conflict  from  within  this  country,  tirelessly, 
wherever  called,  and  was  instrumental  in 
securing  subscriptions  to  the  several  Liberty 
Loan  campaigns.  In  matters  of  charity  he 
deals  with  large  heart,  and  is  generous  in 
contributions  to  all  worthy  appeals,  without 
regard  for  race  or  creed  or  other  narrowing 
consideration.  Of  him  it  is  said  by  those 
who  know  him  well,  that  he  is  a  patriot 
loyal  to  country,  State  and  community,  a 
valuable  citizen,  and  generous  in  all  deal- 
ings. 

Edward  R.  White  was  united  in  marriage 
(first),  June  10,  1908,  with  Jessie  Muir  Nicol, 
daughter  of  John  and  Martha  (Muir)  Nicol 
of  Kingston.  She  died  in  September,  1913, 
and  Mr.  White  married  (second),  in  June, 
1917,  Jessie  M.  Hooper,  of  Wilkes-Barre, 
daughter  of  Thomas  A.  Hooper,  deceased. 
Mrs.  White  died  June  28,  1929.  Mr.  White 
resides  at  No.    564    Rutter  Avenue,   Kingston. 


JAMES  B.  DE  MUN — Holding  a  high  place 
in  the  business  and  fraternal  circles  of 
Wilkes-Barre,  James  B.  De  Mun  is  one  of 
the  city's  most  prominent  citizens  who  has 
risen  to  his  present  position  as  head  of  the 
De  Mun  Sign  Company  by  his  continuous 
determination  to  succeeded  and  unlimited 
energy.  This  organization,  of  which  Mr. 
De  Mun  is  the  proprietor,  is  located  at  Nos. 
447-449  West  Market  Street,  Kingston,  and 
is  one  of  the  largest  sign  companies  in 
Northeastern  Pennsylvania,  doing  an  exten- 
sive and  active  business  in  Pennsylvania,  New 
Jersey,  Maryland  and  the  District  of  Colum- 
bia. Mr.  De  Mun  takes  a  deep  interest  in 
all  public  affairs  in  this  city  and  is  ever  an 
earnest  and  enthusiastic  worker  in  all  pro- 
jects for  community  progress. 

Mr.  De  Mun  was  born  in  Wilkes-Barre, 
February  2,  ISSl,  son  of  William  H.  De  Mun, 
who  died  at  the  age  of  seventy,  and  Eliz- 
abeth (Bryden)  De  Mun,  who  is  still  living 
at  the  age  of  seventy-six  years.  William 
H.  De  Mun  was  prominent  in  mercantile 
activities  in  Wilkes-Barre,  having  been  the 
founder  of  the  New  York  Tea  Company  which 
is  now  the  Beers  Grocery,  on  West  Market 
Street.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  De  Mun  had  two  sons; 
Harry,  proprietor  of  the  De  Mun  Printing 
Company  at  Wilkes-Barre,  and  James  B.,  of 
whom    further. 

James  B.  De  Mun  received  his  education 
in  the  local  public  schools,  and  at  the  age 
of  sixteen  years,  became  a  clerk  and  was 
thus  occupied  in  various  mercantile  houses 
in  Wilkes-Barre  for  five  years.  At  the  age 
of  twenty-one,  he  engaged  independently 
in  the  sign  business  in  which  industry  he 
has  ever  since  continued  successfully.  Be- 
ginning in  a  modest  way,  the  excellence  of 
his  work  soon  attracted  attention,  and  he 
soon  established  a  reputation  for  superior 
workmanship  and  highest  quality  products 
and  the  concern  grew  steadily  and  pros- 
perously, until  today,  it  is  a  leading  factor 
of  this  industry  in  this  section  of  the  State. 
All  t^•pes  and  varieties  of  signs  are  manu- 
factured, from  the  smallest  window  sign  to 
the  most  elaborate  flashing  electric  display 
and  from  small  enameled  signs  to  those 
which    are    most    artistically    illuminated    or 


painted,  and  the  demand  for  their  work  has 
extended  until  it  now  includes  all  the  Impor- 
tant commercial  States  of  the  East.  In 
politics,  Mr.  De  Mun  is  a  staunch  supporter 
of  the  Republican  party  and  is  actively  con- 
cerned in  all  political  issues  which  tend  to 
the  advancement  of  the  best  interests  of 
the  people.  In  fraternal  connections,  he  is 
a  member  of  Landmark  Lodge,  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons:  Keystone  Consistory  of 
Scranton,  Ancient  and  Accepted  Scottish  Rite 
Masons,  in  which  he  has  attained  his  thirty- 
second  degree;  Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic 
Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine  and  a 
member  of  the  Shrine  Country  Club.  He  is 
also  prominently  identified  with  the  Wilkes- 
Barre  Rotary  Club,  and  Concordia  Singing 
Society.  In  his  religious  affiliations,  he  is 
a  member  of  the  First  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church. 

James  B.  De  Mun  married  in  1907,  Louise 
Jones,  of  Kingston,  daughter  of  John  and 
Ann    (Morgan)   Jones. 


HARRY  VV.  RUGGLES — As  a  wholesale 
and  retail  lumber  dealer  handling  all  kinds 
of  building  materials,  Harry  W.  Ruggles  has 
built  up  for  himself  a  definite  place  in  the 
business  structure  of  Luzerne,  where  he 
heads  the  Ruggles  Lumber  Company.  Mr. 
Ruggles  was  born  March  14,  1879,  in  Plym- 
outh, Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania,  son  of 
Frederick  and  Elizabeth  (Brown)  Ruggles. 
The  father  was  one  of  the  children  of  Josiah 
Ruggles,  who  also  was  a  native  of  Luzerne 
County,  where  he  was  one  of  the  pioneers. 

On  October  14,  1903,  Harry  W.  Ruggles 
was  married  to  Emma  Gould  Rickard,  of 
Plymouth.  Pennsylvania,  a  daughter  of  Dr. 
Albert  and  Albertina  (Smith)  Rickard.  Mrs. 
Rickard  being  a  daughter  of  the  late  John 
B.  Smith,  of  Forty  Fort,  Luzerne  County,  who 
was  at  one  time  a  member  of  the  United 
States  Congress  from  the  Luzerne  County 
District.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ruggles  are  the  par- 
ents of  five  children:  1.  Albertina  Eliza- 
abeth,  who  died  at  the  age  of  twelve  years. 
2.  Mary  Virginia,  graduate  student  at  the 
Catherine  Gibbs  School,  of  Boston,  Massachu- 
setts. 3.  Harry  Wyndham,  Jr.,  a  student  at 
Lehigh  University,  Bethlehem,  Pennsylvania. 
4.  John  Gould,  who  is  living  at  home.  5. 
Esther,  who  died  at  the  age  of  three  years. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ruggles  reside  at  No.  76  James 
Street,  Kingston. 


JOSEPH  S.  COOIVS — Senior  member  of  the 
firm  of  Joseph  S.  Coons  and  Company,  founded 
in  1839  when  Wilkes-Barre  was  only  a  small 
village,  Joseph  S.  Coons  conducted  one  of 
the  oldest  and  most  reliable  mercantile  houses 
in  the  Northeastern  Pennsylvania.  The  store 
was  founded  by  Joseph  Coons,  father  of 
Joseph  S.  Coons,  who  was  born  in  Bavaria. 
In  1839  when  he  started  in  business  in 
Wilkes-Barre  there  were  no  railroads,  and 
the  only  methods  of  conveyance  were  over 
the  unpaved  roads  and  on  the  old  canal,  at 
a  speed  averaging  four  miles  an  hour.  Jos- 
eph Coons  conducted  the  business  for  fifty- 
one  years,  until  1890,  when  it  was  taken  over 
by  Joseph  S.  Coons,  who  continued  until  his 
retirement  in  1929,  after  thirty-nine  years  in 
active  charge.  Between  the  years  1890  and 
1926  he  had  associated  with  him  in  its  man- 
agement, the  firm  of  Simon  Long  Sons.  It 
was  on  April  1,  1926,  that  the  Long  inter- 
ests   were    bought    back    into    the    family. 

Joseph  Coons,  the  father  of  Joseph  S.  Coons, 
had  built  the  first  brick  store  building  in 
the  tlien  village  on  South  Main  Street,  at  the 
address  of  the  Poland  Hotel.  This  was  built 
in   1847.      It  is  still  in  good   condition,   one   of 


456 


the  few  of  the  old  buildings  now  standing. 
Joseph  Coons  was  known  as  a  patriotic  citi- 
zen, and  in  1843  he  organized  what  was  called 
the  Wyoming  Teager  Company  a  "well  drilled 
military  organization,  with  himself  as  cap- 
tain. At  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  War  he 
took  this  company  to  Harrisburg  and  offered 
it,  with  his  services,  to  the  United  States, 
his  adopted  country.  But  to  his  bitter  dis- 
appointment his  leadership  was  impossible 
because  of  faulty  eyesight;  he  was  rejected 
and  Colonel  John  Reichard  chosen  to  head 
the  men  that  he  had  drilled.  He  married 
Hannah  Koch  of  Wilkes-Barre  in  1840,  she 
having  come  from  Bavaria  in  1836.  They 
were  the  parents  of  nine  children:  Caroline, 
Pauline,  David  J.,  Samuel  J.,  Ida,  Emma,  and 
Rose,  all  deceased;  Millard  F.,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre;    and    Joseph    S.,    of   whom    further. 

Joseph  S.  Coons  was  born  in  Will<es-Barre, 
October  21,  1S59.  He  received  his  education 
in  Philadelphia.  In  1877  he  became  asso- 
ciated "With  his  father  in  the  mercantile 
business  in  Wilkes-Barre,  ar.d  lias  given  his 
best  efforts  to  the  organization  thence  on- 
ward. He  has  been  occupied,  but  has  not 
neglected  tiie  social  side  of  life,  and  is  affil- 
iated with  many  societies,  including  mem- 
bership in  Lodge  No.  61,  of  the  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons,  at  Wilkes-Barre  (of  which 
his  father  had  been  made  a  member  in  1845, 
and  "was  active  for  over  fifty  years) :  the 
Kej'stone  Consistory,  at  Scranton,  of  the 
Ancient  and  Accepted  Scottish  Rite  Masons 
of  the  thirty-second  degree;  Irem  Temple, 
Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic 
Shrine,  of  Wilkes-Barre.  He  is  a  Demo- 
crat. 

Joseph  S.  Coons  married,  June  12,  1886, 
Hannah  Long,  daughter  of  the  late  Simon 
Long  of  Wilkes-Barre,  and  Tetta  (Coons) 
Long.  To  this  union  four  children  were 
born,  two  of  whom  are  deceased:  those  now 
(1929)  living  are:  1.  Leon  J.,  who  was  asso- 
ciated with  the  firm  of  Joseph  S.  Coons  and 
Company  until  retirement;  he  married  Sopliia 
Meister,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  and  tliey  have  two 
children,  Joseph,  2d,  and  Barbara.  2.  Carl  L., 
also  a  member  of  the  firm.  He  married 
Doiotliy  Myers  of  New  Tork,  and  they  have 
one  daughter,  Elinor.  Carl  L.  Coons  inherited 
tiie  patriotic  spirit  displayed  by  his  grand- 
father, and  on  May  22,  1917,  volunteered, 
serving  with  the  Medical  Ambulance  Corps. 
He  "was  attached  to  the  11th  Division  of  La 
Belle  France  of  Nancy,  and  did  his  duty  at 
ninety-seven  camps  in  France  and  Belgium, 
from  October  29,  1917  until  November  11, 
1918,  the  close  of  the  World  War.  In  July, 
1918,  he  was  awarded  the  Divisional  Citation 
Croix  de  Guerre  for  bravery  on  the  field  of 
battle.  He  was  discharged  from  duty  April 
26,  1919,  haviPiT  served  his  country  con- 
tinuously   for    over   twenty-three    months. 


HARRY  ROBERT  HIRSHOWITZ — Presi- 
dent of  the  Hub  Clothing  Company,  Inc., 
operating  retail  establishments  dealing  in 
men's  clothing  and  furnishings  in  Wilkes- 
Barre,  Hazleton,  Nanticoke  and  Pittston,  Lu- 
zerne County,  and  with  this  chain  of  stores 
totalling  annually  one  of  the  largest  retail 
clothing  businesses  in  Northeastern  Pennsyl- 
vania, Harry  Robert  Hirshowitz  is  accounted 
eminent  among  the  progressive  citizens  of 
Wilkes-Barre  and  is  well  and  favorably 
known  in  the  textile-apparel  trades  of  the 
Eastern  States.  Mr.  Hirshowitz  is  a  native 
of  Wilkes-Barre,  born  here  on  December  21, 
1881,  a  son  of  Moses  and  Getta  (Swick) 
Hirshowitz,   both   deceased. 

Moses  Hirshowitz  and  his  wife  Getta  were 


the  parents  of  nine  children:  1.  Anna,  wife 
of  Harry  Finkelstein,  of  Wilkes-Barre.  2. 
Harry  Robert,  of  whom  follows.  3.  Joseph 
Louis,  vice-president  of  the  Hub  Clothing 
Company.  4.  Minnie,  wife  of  Wolfe  Harris, 
of  Wilkes-Barre.  5.  Ida,  wife  of  Isaac  Frank, 
of  Wilkes-Barre.  6.  Samuel  B.,  treasurer  of 
the  Hub  Clothing  Company.  7.  William,  sec- 
retary of  the  Hub  company.  8.  Prank,  junior 
member  of  the  Hub  company.  9.  Hilda,  wife 
of  Isadore  Rifkin,  general  manager  of  the 
Hub  company  branch  at  Hazleton. 

Harry  Robert  Hirshowitz  received  his  edu- 
cation in  the  public  schools  of  his  native 
city,  and,  while  Moses  and  Getta  Hirshowitz 
provided  for  him  and  his  brothers  and  sisters 
a  comfortable  and  pleasant  home,  there  was 
a  lack  of  funds  for  small  pleasures,  and, 
indeed,  quite  often  for  clothing.  Hence, 
Harry  was  forced  to  contrive  partially  for 
himself  while  very  young  in  years,  and  his 
first  commercial  enterprise  was  the  vending 
of  newspapers  on  the  streets  of  Wilkes- 
Barre.  This  experience,  hard  as  it  was,  try- 
ing and  illy  paid,  gave  to  him  a  sound  funda- 
mental comprehension  of  the  theories  and 
practices  of  trade  at  first  hand,  and  was  with- 
out a  doubt  greatly  useful  to  liim  in  later 
years  when  he  faced  larger  problems  in  one 
of  our  country's  principal  industries.  It  is 
interesting  to  note,  incidentally,  how  many 
prosperous  and  influential  men  in  trade  and 
professional  life  began  their  careers  as 
"newsies."  And  such  an  one  is  Mr.  Hir- 
showitz. After  a  few  years  with  the  news- 
papers and  while  still  a  lad,  he  bethought 
himself  of  ways  in  which  to  engage  in  more 
extensive  business.  First  he  considered  the 
establishment  of  a  boot  black  stand  (for  he 
had  had  experience  in  shoe  shining  also,  on 
the  streets  of  his  native  city)  and  of  a  news- 
lipper  booth;  but,  regrettably,  these  projects 
would  require  a  certain  outlay  of  capital 
which  he  did  not  possess.  He  was  resolved 
in  one  thing,  moreover,  and  that  was,  that 
he  "would  give  his  career  to  trade.  Accord- 
ingly when  he  was  offered  a  place  as  errand 
toy  in  tile  firm  of  Simon  Long's  Sons,  he 
accepted  it  eagerly,  and  applied  himself 
industriously  to  this  humblest  of  mercantile 
connections.  He  realized  at  this  time  that  if 
he  were  to  progress  far  in  business  he  must 
enlarge  upon  his  academic  education,  which, 
because  of  his  youthful  embarkation  into 
trade,  had  been  somewhat  curtailed:  so  he 
enrolled  in  suitable  courses  in  a  night  school, 
and  there  undertook  to  learn  bookkeeping. 
It  followed  then,  with  his  industry,  intel- 
ligence and  training,  that  he  became  book- 
keeper for  Simon  Long's  Sons  retail  house, 
and  as  such  continued  until  he  reached  the 
age  of  twenty-six  years.  In  1909  he  had 
completed  plans  tor  organization  of  his  first 
clothing  store,  and  put  them  into  operation, 
incorporating  under  the  laws  of  the  State  the 
Hub  Clothing  Company.  The  rest  of  the 
story  is  fully  told  with  indication  of  the 
four  links  in  the  chain  that  he  nov/  controls; 
there  were  crises  to  be  met,  and  Mr.  Hir- 
showitz met  them  successfully;  there  were 
periods  of  commercial  depression,  and  Mr. 
Hirshowitz  survived  them;  and  of  recent 
years  there  has  been  the  great  reduction  in 
prices  of  clothing  at  retail,  with  the  burden 
mainly  on  the  retailers  and  not  on  the  mills 
and  manufacturers,  until  the  retailing  of 
apparel  has  become  more  competitive  than 
since  early  post-war  time,  bringing  about 
increased  bankruptcies;  and  Mr.  Hirshowitz 
has  triumphed  over  all.  The  Hub  Clothing 
Company  has  always  enjoyed  the  best  of 
credit  ratings.     Mr.   Hirshowitz   is  a  director 


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^yii£ij*ua^c^^^ 


457 


of  the  Wilkes-Barre  Deposit  and  Savings 
Bank;  director  and  secretary  of  the  Wyo- 
ming Valley  Airport,  and  financially  inter- 
ested   in    several    other    corporations. 

Not  only  in  commercial  circles  of  the  north- 
eastern part  of  the  State  is  Mr.  Hirshowitz 
prominent,  but  also,  and  more  particularly 
in  Wilkes-Barre,  in  fraternal  and  political 
circles  does  he  take  an  active  part.  A  Re- 
publican, he  is  devoted  to  the  principles  of 
government  for  which  the  party  stands,  and 
exercises  quietly  a  considerable  influence  in 
matters  politic.  He  is  a  member  of  Lodge 
No.  61,  of  the  Free  and  Accepted  Masons; 
Shekinah  Chapter,  No.  1S2,  of  the  Royal  Arch 
Masons;  Keystone  Consistory  at  Scranton, 
Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite  Masons  of  the 
thirty-second  degree;  Irem  Temple  of  the 
Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic 
Shrine;  the  Shrine  Country  Club,  Craftsmen's 
Club,  Wilkes-Barre  Rotary  Club,  Fox  Hill 
Country  Club;  Wyoming  Lodge,  No.  927,  of 
the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows;  Loyal 
Order  of  Moose,  B'nai  B'rith  of  America,  the 
Wyoming  Valley  Motor  Club,  Merchants'  Club, 
Greater  Wilkes-Barre  Chamber  of  Commerce, 
and  the  Concordia  Musical  Society.  He  is 
piesident  of  the  Young  Men's  Hebrew  Asso- 
ciation and  chairman  of  the  association's 
finance  committee;  member  of  the  housing 
corporation  that  was  organized  during  the 
World  War;  third  vice-president  of  the  Com- 
munity Welfare  Federation  of  Wilkes-Barre 
ard  member  of  the  Federation's  budget  com- 
mittee; trustee  of  Erie  Orphanage  for  Chil- 
dren, Erie,  Pennsylvania,  and  of  the  Denver 
National  Hospital,  Denver,  Colorado.  Upon 
several  occasions  he  has  served  as  chairman 
of  State  and  National  Jewish  welfare  cam- 
paigns, and  for  a  number  of  years  has  been 
a  participant  largely  in  community  enter- 
prises for  civic   development. 

Harry  Robert  Hirshowitz  married,  on  July 
6,  1919,  Florence  Meyers,  of  Philadelphia, 
Pennsylvania.  Jlrs.  Hirshowitz  is  a  daugh- 
ter of  the  late  Daniel  Meyers,  Jr.,  and  Hannah 
(Goodman)    Meyers,    of    Philadelphia. 


FREDERICK  MASON  ESHELMAN — Thrown 
upon  his  own  resources  before  he  entered 
high  school,  Frederick  M.  Eshelman  took  his 
future  into  his  own  hands  and  forged  ahead 
in  the  business  life  of  Pennsylvania  until 
now  (1929)  he  occupies  the  office  of  auditor 
of  operations  for  the  Lehigh  Valley  Coal 
Company  of  Wilkes-Barre,  Luzerne  County, 
of  which  county  he  is  a  native. 

Frederick  M.  Eshelman  was  born  at  West 
Pittston  in  April.  1S76,  son  of  John  and 
Almira  (Spear)  Eshelman,  deceased.  John 
Eshelman  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  and 
spent  his  life  in  that  State,  and  during  the 
Civil  War  was  quartermaster  sergeant  in 
Schooley's  Battery  of  Heavy  Artillery  in  the 
2d  Pennsylvania  Regiment.  He  took  part  in 
the  Battle  of  Cold  Harbor,  the  Wilderness 
Campaign,  and  the  siege  of  Petersburg, 
Virginia.  He  was  a  Republican  and  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Baptist  Church,  and  at  his  death, 
August  12,  18S5,  left  a  large  family  of  young 
children.  Almira  Spear,  his  mother,  was  a 
daughter,  of  Frederick  and  Anna  (Butler) 
Spear.  She  was  a  life  long  member  of  the 
Episcopal  Church,  and  died  June  24,  1S99. 
John  and  Almira  Eshelman  v^-ere  the  parents 
of  six:  William  H.,  of  ^'est  Pittston;  Louis 
F.,  of  West  Pittston;  Archibald  D.,  of  Dun- 
more,  Pennsylvania;  Frederick  Mason,  of 
w'honi  further;  John  L.,  of  Tacoma,  Washing- 
ton; and  Margaret  L.,  wife  of  Oscar  C.  Arm- 
strong",   of   Harrisburg,    Pennsylvania. 

Frederick  Mason  Eshelman  was  educated 
in   the  public  schools,  and  at   the  age  of  six- 


teen became  an  office  boy  in  the  employ  of 
the  Lehigh  Valley  Coal  Company,  at  their 
Exeter  Colliery,  and  was  later  transferred 
to  the  Wilkes-Barre  office  as  a  clerk.  Achiev- 
ing proficiency  in  this  he  was  promoted  to 
chief  clerk  in  the  department  of  account- 
ing, and  in  1914  became  auditor,  which  posi- 
tion he  has  held  since  then.  In  political 
affiliation  a  Republican,  Mr.  Eshelman  is  a 
member  of  the  ^\*est  Pittston  Trinity  Epis- 
copal Church  and  has  served  as  vestryman 
since  1912.  He  is  a  member  of  Valley  Lodge, 
No.  499,  of  the  Free  and  Accepted  Masons, 
of  Pittston;  a  member  of  Chapter  No.  242, 
Royal  Arch  Masons;  Wyoming  Valley  Com- 
mandery.  No.  57,  Knights  Templar;  the  St. 
Stephen's  Club  of  Wilkes-Barre,  a  member 
and  one  of  the  board  of  directors  of  the  Pitts- 
ton Young  Men's  Christian  Association,  and 
of   the    Pittston    Library   Association. 

Frederick  M.  Eshelman  married,  on  Sep- 
tember 21,  1910,  Edith  Elsie  Edwards,  of 
West  Pittston,  daughter  of  Thomas  H.  and 
Augusta  (Dohrmann)  Edwards,  of  West  Pitts- 
ton. Mrs.  Eshelman  comes  of  an  old  and 
prominent  Pennsylvania  family,  and  is  a 
graduate  of  the  West  Pittston  High  School 
and  of  Wilson  College  at  Chambersburg, 
Pennsylvania,  in  the  class  of  1905.  For  five 
years  she  "was  a  teacher,  a  member  of  the 
faculty  of  the  West  Pittston  High  School. 
She  is  a  member  of  Trinity  Episcopal  Church, 
West  Pittston,  the  Woman's  Club,  of  West 
Pittston,  ■^Vilson  College  Club,  of  Northeast- 
ern Pennsylvania,  and  the  College  Women's 
Club   of   Wilkes-Barre. 


GLENMORE  KTORMAIV  SSYDER — From 
teaching  in  the  schools  of  Northeastern  Penn- 
sylvania Glenmore  Norman  Snyder,  after  a 
time,  confined  his  pedagogic  work  to  music, 
an  easy  stage  into  the  establishment  of  a 
music  business,  w'hich  he  now  conducts  with 
great  success  in  Wilkes-Barre.  He  is  rep- 
resentative of  one  of  the  oldest  families  of 
this  section  of  the  State,  as  well  as  a  public- 
spirited  citizen  and  a  merchant  of  probity 
and  conspicuous  devotion  to  the  best  prin- 
ciples   of    trade. 

He  was  born  in  St.  John's,  Luzerne  County, 
Pennsylvania,  December  28,  1877,  a  son  of 
Frank  and  Sarah  Amanda  (Miltenberger) 
Snyder.  Frank  Snyder  was  a  native  of 
Northampton  County  and  a  member  of  one 
of  the  pioneer  families  there.  He  and  his 
wife  were  the  parents  of  six  children:  1. 
Howard,  now  a  justice  of  the  peace  at  Moun- 
tain top,  Luzerne  County.  2.  Clifford,  a 
salesman,  of  Hazleton,  Pennsylvania.  3.  Ida, 
wife  of  Peter  Wagner,  of  Philadelphia.  4. 
Preston,  a  mine  foreman  at  Nanticoke.  5. 
Glenmore  Norman,  of  whom  further.  6.  Irvin 
C,  a  certified  public  accountant,  living  in 
Pittsburgh,  Pennsylvania.  Frank  Snyder  was 
organist  for  fifty  years  at  the  Union  Church, 
at  St.  John's,  Luzerne  County.  He  held  sev- 
eral public  offices  and  was  a  highly  respected 
citizen.  He  died  at  the  age  of  eighty-four 
years. 

Glenmore  Norman  Snyder  was  educated  in 
the  public  schools  of  Butler  Township,  Lu- 
zerne County,  and  at  the  State  Normal  School 
at  Bloomsburg.  He  then  took  up  teaching 
and  followed  it  for  five  years  in  Butler  Town- 
ship, when  he  took  up  music  specifically  and 
taught  it  for  tliree  years.  He  then  became 
manager  for  the  Ludwig  Piano  Company  of 
Wilkes-Barre,  a  post  which  he  administered 
with  success  for  fourteen  years,  when  he  was 
urged  to  go  to  Hagerstown,  Jlaryland,  to 
accept  the  position  of  retail  manager  for  the 
M.  P.  Moller  Organ  Company  there.  He 
retained    this    position   for   four    years,    when 


458 


he  returned  to  Wilkes-Barre  and  established 
the  Snyder  Music  Company,  with  headquar- 
ters at  No.  18  East  Market  Street.  He  still 
conducts  this  business,  founded  nine  years 
ago.  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics  and  a 
member  of  the  Dutch  Reformed  Church  in 
relig-ion.  He  is  a  member  of  Kingston  Lodge, 
No.  395,  Order  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons; 
of  Keystone  Consistory,  of  Scranton,  Scottish 
Rite  Masons;  member  of  Irem  Temple,  An- 
cient Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic 
Shrine,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  and  belongs  to  the 
Irem  Temple  Shrine  Club,  the  Concordia  Club, 
and  to  the  Craftsmen's  Club  of  Wilkes-Barre. 
He  is  affiliated  with  the  Independent  Order 
of  Odd  Fellows  and  with  the  Young  Men's 
Christian  Association  of  Wilkes-Barre,  and 
is  president  of  the  Hoyt  School  Parent- 
Teachers'  Association,  and  belongs  to  the 
Rotary    Club. 

Mr.  Snyder  married,  in  June,  1904,  Dena 
E.  Myers,  of  St.  John's,  Luzerne  County, 
Pennsylvania,  daughter  of  Louis  and  Mar- 
garet (Grosch)  Myers,  of  Butler  Township. 
There  are  three  children:  Anona  D.,  a 
teacher  in  the  Wilkes-Barre  public  schools; 
Norman  Carl,  student  at  Lafayette  College; 
Mildred,    attending   Coughlin   High   School. 


\^'IL,I,IAM  JOHN  PAULING — For  a  quar- 
ter of  a  century  William  J.  Pauling  has  been 
the  owner  and  manager  of  .a  successful  retail 
drug  business  in  Wilkes-Barre.  He  is  a 
graduate  of  the  Buffalo  College  of  Pharmacy, 
and  is  located  at  No.  74  Public  Square,  where 
he  operates  under  the  name  of  William  J. 
Pauling  and  Company.  His  is  one  of  the 
oldest  pharmaceutical  establishments  in  the 
city,  and  he  is  well  known  as  an  able  and 
reliable  business  man.  He  is  one  of  the 
many  successful  business  men  of  this  coun- 
try, who  have  come  to  the  United  States  with- 
out money  or  friends,  and  by  their  own  abil- 
ity  and    energy  have    achieved   success. 

William  and  Mary  Ann  (Mugtord)  Pauling, 
parents  of  Mr.  Pauling,  natives  of  Cornwall, 
England,  never  came  to  this  country,  but 
remained  in  the  land  of  their  birth,  where 
the  first-named  died  in  1906,  at  the  age  of 
sixty-two  years,  survived  by  his  wife,  who 
is  still  (1929)  living  in  Cornwall,  England, 
aged  eighty-six  years.  They  were  the  par- 
ents of  six  children:  Laura,  who  died  in 
London  in  1S93;  William  John,  of  further  men- 
tion; Pollie,  of  Cornwall,  England;  Thomas, 
of  Parsons,  Luzerne  County;  Frederick,  of 
England;  and  Sydney,  also  a  resident  of  Eng- 
land. 

William  J.  Pauling  was  born  in  Cornwall, 
England,  May  12,  1870,  and  received  his  edu- 
cation in  the  schools  of  his  native  land.  In 
1889,  at  the  age  of  nineteen  years,  he  came 
to  this  country  and  located  in  Wilkes-Barre, 
where  he  worked  at  whatever  remunerative 
employment  he  could  find.  Though  he  began 
his  career  in  a  strange  land  without  money 
and  without  special  preparation  for  any  one 
special  calling,  he  had  no  intention  of  re- 
maining in  the  class  of  the  employee.  Ac- 
cordingly, when  he  had  decided  upon  the 
field  of  activity  in  which  he  desired  to  per- 
manently engage,  he  became  a  student  in 
the  Buffalo  College  of  Pharmacy,  from  which 
he  was  graduated  in  1S96  with  the  degree 
of  Graduate  Pharmacist.  After  graduating 
from  the  University  of  Buffalo,  he  went  to 
England  for  about  six  months.  Returning, 
he  later  engaged  in  the  drug  business  in 
partnership  with  Henry  W.  Merritt,  at  Plains, 
Pennsylvania.  Two  years  later  he  sold  out 
his  interest  to  Mr.  Merritt,  and  came  to 
Wilkes-Barre   as   manager   of   the  drug  store 


owned  by  Dr.  C.  W.  Spayd.  In  1902  he  opened 
his  own  retail  pharmacy  at  No.  72  Public 
Square,  where  he  continued  successfully  until 
1922,  when  he  removed  to  his  present  loca- 
tion. No.  74  Public  Square.  Twenty-five  years 
of  continuous  service  in  this  city,  as  phar- 
maceutical chemist  and  manufacturing  drug- 
gist, as  ■u^ell  as  retailer,  have  placed  Mr. 
Pauling  among  the  well-known  and  sub- 
stantial business  men  of  Wilkes-Barre,  and 
have  also  made  him  well  known  to  the  trade. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Pennsylvania  Retail 
Druggists  Association,  the  National  Asso- 
ciation of  Druggists,  also  of  the  Luzerne 
County  Association,  and  has  a  host  of  friends 
among  those  of  his  own  calling,  as  well  as 
in  other  circles.  He  is  a  Republican  in  his 
political  aflJiliations,  and  fraternally,  is  iden- 
tified with  lodge  No.  109,  Benevolent  and 
Protective  Order  of  Elks;  and  with  Lodge 
No.  61,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  and  is 
a  member  of  the  Wilkes-Barre-Wyoming 
Chamber  of  Commerce.  His  religious  aflilia- 
ticn  is  with  the  First  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  of  Wilkes-Barre. 

William  J.  Pauling  married  (first)  Lulu 
May  Eysinger,  of  W^arren,  Pennsylvania.  She 
died  in  1909.  leaving  one  daugliter,  Dorothy 
May,  who  is  the  wife  of  Knute  Johnson,  of 
Dakota.  Mr.  Pauling  married  (second)  Fan- 
nie Heiligman,  of  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania, 
daughter  of  Henry  and  Farnie  (Freefleld) 
Heiligman,  her  mother  still  living.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Pauling  are  the  parents  of  two  children: 
Josephine  and  Betty.  Mr.  Pauling  is  noted 
for  his  farrious  Root  Beer  and  his  special 
headache  powders,  which  have  gained  a 
national  reputation.  The  family  home  is  at 
No.    192    James    Street,    in    Kingston. 


JOHN     F.     MAYOCK.     D.     D.     S A     dentist 

well  known  and  of  high  reputation  in  Wilkes- 
Barre  is  John  F.  Mayock,  who  took  the 
degree  of  Doctor  of  Dental  Science  from  the 
University  of  Maryland  in  1899  and  who,  dur- 
ing the  three  years  prior  to  matriculation  in 
the  university,  also  attended  Holy  Cross  Col- 
lege at  Worcester,  Massachusetts.  He  began 
the  practice  of  dentistry  in  Wilkes-Barre  in 
1899,  and  in  point  of  continuous  practice  is 
one  of  the  oldest  dentists  in  the  city.  He 
maintains  both  office  and  residence  at  the 
same  address.  No.  47  South  Washington 
Street. 

John  F.  Mayock  was  born  at  Miners  Mills, 
now  a  part  of  the  city  of  Wilkes-Barre,  June 
11,  1876,  a  son  of  Michael  and  Bridget  (Ruddy) 
Mayock,  deceased.  The  old  store  at  Miners 
Mills  in  which  Michael  Mayock  conducted  a 
general  merchandising  business  for  fifty 
years  is  now  (1929)  managed  by  his  son 
Michael.  Michael  and  Bridget  Mayock  were 
the  parents  of  nine  children:  1.  Mary  E., 
married,  of  Miners  Mills.  2.  Dr.  John  F.,  of 
whom  further.  3.  Patrick,  who  died  in  child- 
hood. 4.  James  C,  retired,  of  Miners  Mills. 
5.  Micliael,  who  conducts  the  store  at  Miners 
Mills.  6.  Dr.  Peter  P.,  see  following  biog- 
raphy. 7.  Dr.  Thomas  J.,  dentist,  also  en- 
gaged in  the  real  estate  business.  S.  Anna, 
member  of  the  Sister  of  Mercy,  known  as 
Sister  Charles,  instructor  in  music  at  St. 
Mary's  Convent,  Wilkes-Barre.  9.  Frank  D., 
Miners  Mills,  associated  with  Michael  in  the 
store. 

John  F.  Mayock  grew  to  manhood  at  Miners 
Mills,  and  there  attended  the  public  schools. 
After  attanding  Holy  Cross  College  and  grad- 
uating as  a  dentist  from  the  University  of 
Maryland  he  took  up  the  practice  of  his  pro- 
fession in  Wilkes-Barre,  where  he  has 
earned    a    worthy    niche    in    the    professional 


circle,  notably  among  confreres  in  dentistry. 
While  his  interests  are  closely  attached  to 
the  welfare  of  Wilkes-Barre  and  he  is  asso- 
ciated with  all  major  movements  for  civic 
progress,  his  particular  hobby  is  in  stock 
farming.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Pennsyl- 
vania State  Grange,  and  owns  a  fine  stock 
farm  known  as  the  Pocono  Farm  in  Bear 
Creek  Township,  Luzerne  County.  On  this 
farm  he  keeps  an  excellent  herd  of  Holstein 
cattle,  many  of  which  have  taken  prizes  at 
stock  shows  and  e.xiiibitions.  Dr.  Mayock 
also  has  on  the  farm  a  large  flock  of  chickens 
of  most  select  breeding.  It  is  not  at  .ill 
unusual  tor  him  to  spend  week-ends  at  the 
farm,  often  in  overalls,  tending  his  stock  and 
taking  delight  in  close  association  with  the 
soil.  Dr.  Mayock  is  a  Democrat,  a  member 
of  St.  Nicholas  Catholic  Church  at  Wilkes- 
Barre,  Psi  Omega,  dental  society,  the  Luzerne 
County  Medical  Society,  and  the  National 
Dental  Society.  He  is  presiacnt  of  the  Wyo- 
ming   Valley    Field   Trial    Association. 

John  F.  Mayock  married,  November  19,  1908, 
Matilda  Maier,  daughter  of  Nicholas  V.  and 
Theresa  (Horenberg)  Maier,  of  Wilkes-Barre, 
both  deceased.  Dr.  Mayock  and  his  wife  are 
the  parents  of  four  children:  John  Francis, 
Constance  M.,  Ruth  M.,  and  Robert  E.  Lee 
Mayock. 


1914,  Elizabeth  Smoulter,  of  Nanticoke,  Penn- 
sylvania, daughter  of  William  and  Ellen 
(Shea)  Smoulter,  To  this  union  have  been 
born  four  children:  John  Smoulter,  Peter 
P.,    Jr.,    Mary    Elizabeth,    and    Ellen    Jane. 


PETER      PAUL      MAYOCK,    M.     D One     of 

the  preeminent  urologists  in  Luzerne  County 
is  Peter  P.  Mayock,  M.  D.,  with  offices  at 
No.  43  South  Washington  Street,  Wilkes- 
Earre.  Dr.  May)Ck  was  born  at  Miners  Mills, 
Luzerne  County  (then  a  post-borough  of  some 
2,000  inhabitants  and  now  incorporated  into 
Wilkes-Barre)  on  August  27,  1SS3,  a  son  of 
Michael  and  Bridget  (Ruddy)  Mayock,  de- 
ceased. A  further  review  of  Michael  Mayock, 
is  contained  in  preceding  sketch  of  Dr.  John 
F.   Mayock. 

Dr.  Peter  P.  Mayock,  son  of  Michael  and 
Bridget  (Ruddy)  Mayock,  attended  the  public 
schools  of  Miners  Mills  and  the  Holy  Cross 
College,  where  he  graduated  in  the  class  of 
1904  with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts,  soon 
thereafter  enrolling  in  the  medical  depart- 
ment of  the  University  of  Georgetown  at 
\\'ashington.  District  of  Columbia,  where  he 
graduated  in  1908  with  the  degree  of  Doctor 
of  Medicine.  Then  for  a  year  he  was  interne 
at  the  Emergency  Hospital  at  Buffalo,  New 
York,  in  the  fall  of  1909  locating  at  Kingston, 
Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  car- 
ried on  a  general  practice  for  the  next  two 
years,  and  in  1911  came  to  Wilkes-Barre, 
where  he  became  associated  with  the  late  Dr. 
B.  J.  Witherby,  and  took  up  urology  as  a 
■specialty.  The  association  between  Drs. 
Witherby  and  Mayock  continued  until  the 
death  of  Dr.  Witherby  May  29,  1915,  after 
which  the  practice  was  carried  on  by  Dr. 
Mayock  alone.  Highly  regarded  in  his  pro- 
fession. Dr.  Mayock  is  a  member  of  the 
Luzerne  County  Medical  Society,  the  Lehigh 
Valley  Medical  Society,  and  the  American 
Medical  Association;  is  past  president  of  the 
County  Medical  Society,  is  the  urologist  in 
attendance  at  Mercy  Hospital,  at  Wilkes- 
Barre,  consulting  urologist  at  the  Nanticoke 
State  Hospital  and  the  State  Hospital  at 
Pittston,  Luzerne  County,  and  chief  of  the 
genito-urinary  division.  Clinic  No.  1,  of  the 
State  Department  of  Health,  at  Wilkes- 
Barre.  Dr.  Mayock  is  a  member  of  the  Fox 
Hill  Country  Club,  is  independent  in  politics, 
and  with  his  family  is  of  the  Catholic  faith, 
a  member  of  St.  Mary's  Catholic  Church,  at 
Wilkes-Barre. 

Dr.   Peter   P.   Mayock    married,   October   15, 


JAMES  A.  BOVLE — A  native  and  life-long 
resident  of  Luzerne  County,  Mr.  Boyle,  after 
a  careful  educational  preparation,  established 
himself  some  twenty  years  ago  as  an  archi- 
tect in  Wilkes-Barre,  where  he  has  continued 
in  the  practice  of  his  profession  with  much 
success  since  then.  He  has  handled  many 
large  contracts  for  public  buildings  and  is 
especially  well  known  as  the  designer  of 
sewer  systems  and  of  public  school  build- 
ings. In  his  professional  work  he  has  ac- 
quired a  very  high  reputation  tor  originality 
and  for  integrity,  and  the  many  commissions 
which  have  been  entrusted  to  his  care  have 
invariably  been  carried  out  to  the  entire 
satisfaction  of  his  clients. 

James  A.  Boyle  was  born  at  Drifton,  Lu- 
zerne County,  February  26,  1875,  a  son  of 
the  late  Patrick  M.  and  Bridget  (Moore) 
Boyle.  His  father,  who  was  born  in  Ireland, 
February  18,  1848,  and  who  died  in  King- 
ston, Pennsylvania,  June  14,  1911,  came  to  this 
country  early  in  his  life  and  was  for  many 
years  active  in  the  coal  mining  industry  as 
a  mine  superintendent  and  as  State  Inspector 
of  Mines  for  twelve  years  before  his  death. 
His  mother  was  born  at  Tamaqua,  Schuylkill 
County,  Pennsylvania,  in  June,  1855,  and  died 
in  Kingston,  Pennsylvania,  in  June,  1918. 

James  A.  Boyle  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools  of  Drifton,  at  a  private  preparatory 
school,  the  Wyoming  Seminary  one  and  half 
years,  and  at  the  Mining  and  Mechanical 
Institute  in  Freeland,  Luzerne  County,  from 
which  he  graduated  in  1905.  In  1890  he 
served  an  apprenticeship  as  pattern  maker 
in  the  Drifton  (Pennsylvania)  shops  then 
continuing  his  studies.  After  his  graduation 
in  1905  he  went  to  Philadelphia  and  took 
special  courses  in  Engineering  and  Archi- 
tecture at  Drexel  Institute,  graduating  there 
in  1908.  Soon  afterwards  he  established  him- 
self in  Wilkes-Barre  as  an  architect,  in  which 
profession  he  has  continued  to  be  active 
since  then,  with  offices  in  recent  years  in 
the  Bennett  Building.  Amongst  the  many 
large  commissions,  which  he  has  successfully 
carried  out  during  his  career,  should  be 
mentioned  especially  the  designing  of  the 
sewer  systems  for  Wilkes-Barre  and  Hanover 
townships  and  for  Ashley  and  Nanticoke  bor- 
oughs, as  well  as  of  high  school  buildings 
at  Larksvilie,  Edwardsville,  Sugar  Notch  and 
Warrior  Run,  Pennsylvania,  and  many  others. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  American  Society  of 
Civil  Engineers  and  a  life  member  of  the 
Knights  of  Columbus,  and  a  registered  archi- 
tect and  engineer.  In  politics  he  is  a  sup- 
porter of  the  Democratic  party,  while  his 
religious  affiliations  are  with  the  Roman 
Catholic  Church  and  more  particularly  with 
St.  Ignatius  Roman  Catholic  Church  of  King- 
ston. Mr.  Boyle  is  a  member  of  the  Fox  Hill 
Country  Club,  and  finds  much  enjoyment  in 
a   game   of  golf. 

Mr.  Boyle  married,  in  October,  1911,  Cath- 
erine Lannon  of  Hazleton,  Luzerne  County, 
a  daughter  of  Patrick  J.  and  Ellen  (Fallon) 
Lannon.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Boyle  have  no  children 
and  make  their  home  at  No.  71  Second  Ave- 
nue,   Kingston. 


THOMAS  F.  HEFFERIVAN — With  the  ad- 
vent of  Thomas  F.  Heffernan  into  the  field 
of  journalism,  the  Fourth  Estate  in  Wilkes- 
Barre  was  given  a  fresh  impulse,  which  told 
out  in  new  blood  and  life  when  he  took  over 


460 


the  Wilkes-Barre  "Sunday  Independent,"  and 
with  the  assistance  of  his  staff,  which  in- 
cludes his  brothers  and  a  son,  he  pushed  its 
circulation  in  1929  to  the  twenty-two  thou- 
sand figure.  The  Heffernans  cut  a  wide 
swath  in  the  newspaper  field  in  the  Wyo- 
ming: Valley,  where  theirs  is  the  only  Sun- 
day  journal   to   be   published. 

Born  in  Plymouth,  Luzerne  County,  Penn- 
sylvania, March  10,  1S71,  Thomas  F.  Heffer- 
nan  is  a  son  of  Andrew  and  Mary  (Cannole) 
Heffernan.  His  father,  a  native  of  Ireland, 
came  to  America  about  1S61,  and  married  at 
Plymouth,  In  1S68,  his  wife  being  a  native 
of  Elmira,  New  York.  Of  this  union  there 
are  ten  children,  all  living.  Catherine,  mar- 
ried A.  P.  Pringle;  Thomas  P.,  of  this  review; 
Nora.  Anna,  married  F.  J.  Murphy;  Mary,  Dr. 
Andrew  J.,  of  Wilkes-Barre;  Josephine,  mar- 
ried G.  J.  Wagner,  of  California;  John  V., 
a  member  of  the  editorial  staff  of  the  "Sun- 
day Independent";  Leo  G.,  a  major  in  the 
Aviation  Department,  United  States  Army, 
stationed  at  Rantoul,  Illinois;  and  George  P., 
advertising  manager  of  the  "Sunday  Inde- 
pendent." The  father  of  this  family  died  in 
1919  at  the  age  of  seventy-six  years.  The 
mother  died  in  1928  at  the  age  of  seventy- 
seven. 

Reared  in  Luzerne  County,  Thomas  P.  Hef- 
fernan received  his  education  in  the  local 
public  schools  and  at  Wyoming  Seminary, 
Kingston,  Pennsylvania.  He  taught  for  three 
years  in  the  public  schools  of  Plymouth, 
Luzerne  County,  and  from  pedagogy  grad- 
uated into  journalism,  joining  the  staff  of 
the  "Wilkes-Barre  Record"  holding  an  edito- 
rial position  on  this  newspaper  for  thirteen 
years. 

A  considerable  period  of  public  service 
through  political  appointments  next  inter- 
vened. He  was  made  assistant  county  treas- 
urer of  Luzerne  County  in  1901  under  the 
then  treasurer  Dr.  Lewis  Edwards,  and  served 
in  that  capacity  for  one  year.  In  1907  he 
was  appointed  postmaster  of  Wilkes-Barre 
by  President  Roosevelt,  and  was  reappointed 
by  President  Taft  in  1911,  serving  in  that 
office   eight  years   and   eleven   months. 

The  lure  of  the  printer's  ink  and  newspaper 
work  again  drew  Mr.  Heffernan  into  the 
"game"  and  in  1909  he  and  John  A.  Hourigan 
took  over  the  old  Wilkes-Barre  "Morning 
News"  and  changed  it  into  an  evening  edi- 
tion under  the  title  of  the  "Evening  News." 
In  1911,  Mr.  Heffernan  disposed  of  his  inter- 
est to  his  partner,  Mr.  Hourigan,  and  then 
bought  the  "Sunday  Independent,"  of  John 
J.  Maloney,  the  transfer  taking  place  in  1913. 

In  1915  Mr.  Heffernan  organized  the  Sun- 
day Independent  Corporation,  into  which 
were  received  as  members,  besides  himself, 
John  v.,  who  became  an  associate  editor  with 
his  brother,  Thomas  P.,  and  George  P.  Hef- 
fernan, who  cooperated  with  his  brothers 
as  head  of  the  advertising  department.  Sub- 
sequently Mr.  Hefternan's  son,  Thomas  E., 
was  made  a  member  of  the  company,  which 
for  some  years  has  been  known  as  the 
Wilkes-Barre  Independent  Company.  The 
Heffernans  took  up  the  management  of  their 
property  with  intelligence  and  enthusiasm, 
seeking  faithfully  to  fill  a  demand  through- 
out the  Wyoming  Valley  for  a  strictly  Sun- 
day newspaper.  How  well  they  have  suc- 
ceeded a  steadily  mounting  circulation  list 
bears  testimony. 

As  must  have  been  Implied  from  the  nature 
of  his  political  appointments,  Mr.  Heffernan 
is  allied  with  the  Republican  party.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  Wilkes-Barre  Wyoming 
Valley   Chamber   of   Commerce,    the   Pennsyl- 


vania Editorial  Association,  the  National  Edi- 
torial Association,  the  Pennsylvania  Sports- 
man's Club,  the  Wilkes-Barre  Neighborhood 
Club,  and  the  Wyoming  Valley  Country  Club, 
Pox  Hill  Country  Club,  Franklin  and  Kiwanis 
clubs.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  board  of 
trustees  of  Mercy  Hospital,  a  director  of 
W^ilkes-Barre  Deposit  and  Savings  Bank,  and 
a  communicant  of  St.  Mary's  Roman  Catholic 
Church. 

Mr.  Heffernan  married  at  Plymouth,  Lu- 
zerne County.  June  20,  1900,  Louise  Easen, 
a  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Mary  (Barnes) 
Easen,  natives  of  England.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Heffernan  are  the  parents  of  a  son,  Thomas 
E.,  born  August  24,  1902,  educated  in  the  pub- 
lic schools  of  the  county  and  a  graduate  of 
W^yoming  Seminary  of  Kingston.  He  is  asso- 
ciated with  his  father  in  the  publishing  of  the 
"Sunday  Independent." 


EDWARD  C.  DREHER,  M.  D. — Following 
the  splendid  example  of  his  illustrious  father, 
Dr.  Charles  B.  Dreher  of  Tamaqua,  Pennsyl- 
vania, Dr.  Edward  C.  Dreher,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre,  has  made  for  himself  a  place  of  esteem 
among-  the  physicians  of  his  native  State. 
Dr.  Charles  B.  Dreher  has  for  sixty-t"wo  years 
been  practicing  medicine,  and  at  the  age  of 
eighty-three  years  continues  his  activity  and 
is  one  of  the  oldest  practicing  physicians  in 
the  State  of  Pennsylvania.  He  and  his  wife, 
Sarah  (Erode)  Dreher,  make  their  home  at 
Tamaqua.  They  have  five  children:  1.  Au- 
gusta, the  wife  of  Judge  Shay  of  Pottsville, 
Pennsylvania.  2.  Edward  C,  of  whom 
further.  3.  Herbert  C,  who  is  a  contractor 
at  Flint,  Michigan.  4.  Guy  L.,  real  estate 
manager  for  the  Lehigh  Coal  and  Navigation 
Company  at  Lansford,  Pennsylvania.  5.  An- 
nabel Virginia,  the  wife  of  Dr.  E.  E.  Shef- 
ferstine,  who  is  the  surgeon  for  the  State 
Hospital   at   Coaldale,   Pennsylvania. 

Edward  C.  Dreher  was  born  at  Tamaqua, 
Schuylkill  County,  Pennsylvania,  November 
21,  1871.  He  grew  up  in  Tamaqua  where  he 
attended  public  school  and  later  went  to 
Millersville  to  the  State  Normal  School.  He 
then  attended  the  University  of  Michigan  at 
Ann  Arbor,  Michigan.  After  finishing  his 
work  at  the  University  of  Michigan,  he 
entered  the  Hahnemann  Medical  College  at 
Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  was 
graduated  in  1893  with  the  degree  of  Doctor 
of  Medicine.  Soon  after  he  located  in  Wilkes- 
Barre  where  he  has  practiced  medicine  for 
the  past  thirty-four  years.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Homeopathic  Medical  Society  of 
Luzerne  and  is  also  a  member  of  the  State 
and  National  Homeopathic  Medical  societies. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  staff  of  the  Wyoming 
Valley  Homeopathic  Hospital  of  Wilkes- 
Barre  and  is  chief  surgeon  for  this  hospital. 
In  politics.  Dr.  Dreher  is  a  Republican  and 
in   religion  he  is  a  Protestant. 

On  June  8,  1891,  Dr.  Edward  C.  Dreher  mar- 
ried Blanche  Overton,  daughter  of  Andrew 
and  Catherine  (Boston)  Overton,  of  "Wilkes- 
Barre,  Pennsylvania.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Overton's 
ancestors  came  from  the  State  of  Connecticut 
in  the  early  days  of  the  Indians  and  settled 
in  Wyoming  Valley,  Pennsylvania.  Dr.  and 
Mrs.  Edward  C.  Dreher  have  one  child:  Cath- 
erine Overton   Dreher. 


DANIEL  A.  FELL,  JR. — The  Fells,  ably  rep- 
resented in  the  present  generation  by  Daniel 
A.  Fell,  Jr.,  prominent  member  of  the  Luzerne 
County  Bar  with  offices  in  the  Coal  Exchange 
Building  at  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania,  are 
thought  to  have  descended  of  Purness  Pells, 
the   commonly-accepted   term   for   High   Pur- 


^  ^'jl>l^ 


461 


ness,  England.  Among  these  members  we  find 
the  Fells  of  Long  Lands,  the  Fells  of  Swarth- 
moor  Hall  and  the  Fells  of  Dalton  Gate,  each 
branch  having  a  separate  coat-of-arms. 
More  remotely  there  were  the  Fells  of 
Hawkeswell,  and  the  Fells  of  Redman  Hall; 
but  Joseph  Fell,  son  of  John  Fell  and  Mar- 
garet Fell  of  Long  Lands  Parish  of  Uldale, 
County  of  Cumberland,  England,  was  the  son 
of  John  Fell  of  Dane  Ghyll  Flam  Hall  near 
Furness  Abbey  and  probably  the  same  fam- 
ily is  the  elder  Fells  of  Swarthmoor  Hall,  and 
is  not  to  be  understood  as  having  been  the 
progenitor  of  them  all.  The  descent  to  the 
sixth  generation  of  which  Daniel  A.  Fell,  Jr., 
is  a  representative  is  through  the  follow- 
ing: 

Joseph  Fell,  the  original  paternal  ancestor, 
was  born  in  England,  October  19,  166S,  and  was 
a  yeoman.  He  received  his  education  in  the 
common  schools  and  became  a  carpenter  and 
joiner;  emigrating  to  America,  he  settled 
in  1705  at  Buckingham,  Bucks  County,  Penn- 
sylvania. He  was  married  twice,  his  first 
wife.  Bridget  Wilson,  his  second  wife,  Eliz- 
abeth Doyle  of  Irish  descent,  and  whose  entire 
family  and  herself  were  Quakers,  who  came 
from  Bucks  County,  but  whose  mother  hailed 
from  Do.vlestown,  Pennsylvania,  to\vn  named 
in   honor  of   her  father. 

Thomas  Fell,  born  June  9.  1725,  from 
whom  all  the  Fells  in  Northeastern  Pennsyl- 
vania are  descended,  for  three  of  his  sons, 
Jesse,  Samuel  and  Amos,  settled  in  that  portion 
of  the  State,  was  a  Quaker,  and  married 
Jane  Kirk,  daughter  of  Geoffrey  Kirk.  His 
son,  Jesse  Fell,  became  prominent  in  W'ilkes- 
Barre  as  a  military  leader,  an  associate 
Judge  of  Luzerne  County  shortly  before 
ISOO.  He  made  a  successful  experiment  of 
burning  anthracite  coal  in  a  grate  of  his 
own  invention  in  the  old  Fell  house  on  the 
northeast  corner  of  Northampton  and  Wash- 
ington   streets,    February    11,    1S08. 

Amos  Fell,  youngest  son  of  Thomas  and 
Jane  (Kirk)  Fell,  born  in  Buckingham,  No- 
vember 1,  1762,  died  at  Pittston,  Luzerne 
County,  Pennsylvania,  in  September,  1S25. 
He  located  on  a  tract  of  land  back  of  Pitts- 
ton  in  the  autumn  of  17S5,  became  a  sur- 
veyor and  school  teacher  and  joined  the 
Quaker  faith.  He  burned  coal  for  domestic 
purposes  and  this  was  taken  from  the  out- 
crop on  the  Brown  farm.  He  married  No- 
vember 10,  1784,  Elizabeth  Jackson,  daugh- 
ter of  William  Jackson,  of  Shrewsbury,  New 
Jersey. 

Jacob  Fell,  son  of  the  above,  was  born 
March  15,  1791,  and  died  September  1,  1831. 
He  married  (first),  October  S,  1814,  Mary 
Ackley,  daughter  of  Daniel  and  Sarah  Ackley 
of  West  Findley,  Washington  County,  Penn- 
sylvania, and  their  children  were:  Elizabeth, 
who  married  Stewart  Rainow;  Daniel  Ack- 
ley, of  whom  further;  Sarah,  Mercy  and 
Mary  Fell.  Mercy  Fell  married  John  Behee 
of  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania.  Jacob  Fell 
married  (second).  May  2,  1826,  Elizabeth 
Johnson,  and  they  had:  Mary  A.,  wife  of 
Henry  Wilbur  of  Wilkes-Barre;  William  and 
Jacob   Fell. 

Daniel  Ackley  Fell,  second  child  and  eldest 
son  of  Jacob  and  Mary  (Ackley)  Fell,  was 
born  May  29,  1817  at  Pittston,  Luzerne 
Countj',  Pennsylvania,  became  a  leading 
building  contractor  and  erected  the  old  court 
house  on  the  public  square  and  bought  the 
old  court  house  bell  at  Troy,  New  York,  on 
his  wedding  trip.  He  also  built  the  old 
Wyoming  Valley  Hotel  and  many  of  the 
important  structures  of  his  day  and  section. 
He  was  master  builder  of  the  Lehigh  & 
Susquehanna    and    Central    Railroad    of    New 


Jersey  and  continued  this  line  of  work  until 
his  seventy-eighth  year.  He  was  a  fine  busi- 
ness man  of  remarkable  energy,  greatly 
interested  in  local  development  projects.  He 
died  in  the  fall  of  1S97,  beloved  and  respected 
by  all  who  knew  him.  He  married  January 
16,  1855,  Elizabeth  Gray,  born  at  Wilkes- 
Barre,  Pennsylvania,  January  4, 1836,  and  died 
October  8,  1S87;  she  was  a  daughter  of 
Alexander  and  Jane  (Russell)  Gray  of  Hunt- 
ley, Aberdeenshire,  Scotland.  The  old  Balti- 
more opening  near  the  East  End  was 
operated  and  opened  by  Mr.  Gray,  manager 
of  the  old  Baltimore  Coal  Company.  He 
later  engaged  in  mining  operations.  He 
moved  to  Aqueduct  Mills  near  Princeton, 
New  Jersey,  in  1866,  where  he  died  in  1873, 
his  widow  surviving  him  by  a  decade.  Daniel 
Ackley  Fell  and  his  wife,  Elizabeth  Gray 
had  the  following  children:  1.  Mary,  born 
April  30,  1856,  died  October  26,  1885.  2. 
Daniel  Ackley  Fell,  Jr.,  of  whom  further.  3. 
Dr.  Alexander  Gray  Fell,  now  deceased, 
prominent  Wilkes-Barre  physician,  born  April 
20,  1861,  at  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania,  grad- 
uated from  Princeton  University  in  1884  and 
the  Medical  School  of  the  University  of  Penn- 
sylvania in  1SS7  and  became  a  member  of  the 
staff  of  the  Wilkes-Barre  City  Hospital;  mar- 
ried November  14,  1901,  Rena  Maude  Howe, 
daughter  of  Thomas  B.  and  Maria  (Copeland) 
Howe,  of  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  and  they 
had  one  daughter,  Elizabeth  Copeland  Fell. 
Dr.  Fell  died  loved  and  respected  by  all  who 
knew    him. 

Daniel  Ackley  Fell,  Jr.,  born  November  23, 
1858,  attended  the  public  schools  of  Wilkes- 
Barre,  Wyoming  Seminary,  Harry  Hillman 
Academy  and  Lawrenceville,  New  Jersey, 
preparing  for  Princeton  University  at  Prince- 
ton, New  Jersey.  He  graduated  from  Prince- 
ton with  a  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts  in 
1883,  returned  to  Wilkes-Barre,  and  took 
up  the  study  of  law  in  the  office  of  Hon. 
E.  G.  Butler  and  was  admitted  to  the  Lu- 
zerne County  Bar  July  17,  1885,  He  served 
as  a  member  of  the  'Wilkes-Barre  City 
Council  and  was  appointed  Deputy  Rev- 
enue Collector  for  the  Wilkes-Barre  Dis- 
trict, and  elected  District  Attorney  of  Luzerne 
County  for  three  years,  and  in  this  position 
acquitted  himself  with  distinction.  He  was 
acting  postmaster  to  \S'ilkes-Barre,  Pennsyl- 
vania. He  was  appointed  by  Governor  John 
K.  Tenor  additional  law  judge  of  Luzerne 
County  and  was  one  of  the  members  of  the 
Coal  Commission  for  Luzerne  County  during 
the  great  war.  In  religious  affairs  he  is  a 
Protestant,  member  of  the  First  Presbyterian 
Church,  the  Luzerne  County  Bar  Association, 
the  Westmoreland  Club  and  the  Franklin 
Club  of  Wilkes-Barre.  Judge  Fell  married 
Frances  Lawrence  Bertles,  October  10,  1888, 
a  daughter  of  Arnold  and  Adelia  (Stevens) 
Bertles,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania,  and 
their  union  has  been  blessed  with  four  chil- 
dren: Harold  Bertels  Fell,  born  at  Wilkes- 
Barre,  Pennsylvania,  August  IS,  1889:  Alex- 
ander Gray  Fell,  born  May  6,  1891,  died 
August  29,  1891;  Daniel  Ackley  Fell,  III; 
born  March  27,  1S9S;  Alexander  Gray  Fell, 
II,  born  January  18,  1900;  and  John  Gilling- 
ham  Fell,  born  December  14,  1902,  died  Janu- 
ary 16,  1906. 

(1)  Harold  B.  Fell  attended  the  Harry  Hill- 
man  Academy,  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania, 
Mercersburg  Academy.  Mercersburg,  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  graduated  from  Princeton  Uni- 
versity with  a  Civil  Engineer's  degree  in 
1912.  His  first  employment  was  with  the 
Lehigh  Valley  Coal  Company  from  1912  to 
1917  in  which  organization  he  was  associated 
with    the    mechanical,    mining    and    efficiency 


462 


departments  and  later  as  superintendent  and 
engineer  in  cliarge  of  the  Wyoming  "Valley 
Water  Company,  subsidiary  of  the  Lehigh 
Valley  Coal  Company.  In  1917  he  joined  the 
army  and  at  the  time  of  his  discharge  held 
the  rank  of  major  in  the  Field  Artillery.  He 
was  in  the  service  for  a  period  of  eighteen 
months  during  the  years  191S  and  1921.  He 
was  general  manager  of  the  Peerless  Steel 
Company  at  Ardmore,  Oklahoma,  and  entered 
the  oil  business  in  1921.  He  is  now  presi- 
dent of  the  Simpson-Fell  Oil  Company  and 
Lacardo  Oil  Company  at  Ardmore,  Oklahoma. 
He  married  Georgie  Simpson  of  Ardmore, 
Oklahoma,  January  8,  1919.  They  have  two 
daughters,  Frances-Alice  and  Elizabeth  Simp- 
son Fell.  He  is  now  lieutenant-colonel  of 
the  Federal  Army  Reserves,  commanding  the 
359th   Field  Artillery. 

(2)  Daniel  A.  Fell,  III,  now  of  Winfleld. 
Kansas,  attended  Harry  Hillman  Academy  of 
Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania,  IVTercersburg, 
Academy,  Mercersburg,  Pennsylvania,  La- 
fayette College  and  Princeton  University. 
While  at  Lafayette  he  was  corporal  of  the 
Reserve  Officers'  Training  Corps,  during  the 
war.  He  is  an  engineer  and  chemist  by  pro- 
fession, now  in  the  employment  of  William 
S.  Barnickel  &  Company  of  St.  Louis,  Mis- 
souri, and  is  at  present  engaged  in  the  oil 
field,  treating  oil  for  said  firm.  He  married 
Ruth   Dillworth   of  Ardmore,   Oklahoma. 

(3)  Alexander  Gray  Fell,  II,  attended  pub- 
lic school  and  Harry  Hillman  Academy  of 
Wilkes-Barre.  Pennsylvania.  He  enlisted  in 
the  United  States  Navy,  June  22,  1918  and 
was  stationed  at  Bremerton  Navy  Yard, 
Puget  Sound,  Wasliington.  He  is  now  en- 
gaged in  the  general  insurance  business  at 
Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania. 

ALEXANDER    P.    0'MAI/l.EY,    M.    D More 

than  fort.v  years  of  successful  medical  prac- 
tice in  Wilkes-Barre  brought  to  Dr.  Alex- 
ander P.  O'Malley  the  profound  respect  of  the 
entire  community,  the  high  regard  of  his 
fellow^  physicians,  and  the  sincere  friendship 
of  the  many  people  to  whom  he  was  able  to 
bring,  in  hours  of  trouble  and  distress,  the 
relief  that  only  a  kindly  and  sympathetic, 
as  well  as  intelligent,  doctor  can  bring.  Dr. 
O'Malley  belonged  to  the  old  school  of 
medicine  who  believed  that  their  prescript 
tions  were  more  efficacious  if  made  with  an 
understanding  of  the  patient's  personal  idio- 
syncracies  as  well  as  his  actual  physical 
ailments. 

Alexander  P.  O'Malley  "was  born  in  Ireland 
in  1S52,  the  son  of  James  and  Louise 
(Sproule)  O'Malley,  natives  of  Westport, 
County  Mayo,  who  came  to  America  "while 
their  son  was  still  a  child.  Dr.  O'Malley 
entered  the  academic  course  at  Yale  Univer- 
sity. Upon  deciding  to  become  a  physician, 
he  commenced  the  study  of  medicine  in  the 
medical  department  of  Nevy  York  University. 
Here  he  was  graduated  with  the  degree  of 
Doctor  of  Medicine  in  1876  and  shortly  there- 
after opened  an  office  for  practice  at  Plains, 
Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania.  It  was  not 
long,  however,  before  he  located  in  Wilkes- 
Barre,  I)eginning  his  two-score  years  of  faith- 
ful  service   to   the    community. 

While  Dr.  O'Malley  was  more  interested 
in  his  profession  and  in  his  home  life  than 
in  the  club  life  of  the  community,  he  always 
gave  generously  to  all  movements  for  the 
social  and  civic  betterment  of  the  city.  In 
religion  Dr.  O'Malley  was  a  Roman  Catholic, 
a   member  of   St.   Mary's   Church. 

Dr.  O'Malley  married  (first)  Kate  Frances 
Walsh,  of  Brooklyn,  New  'York,  to  which 
union  were  born  two  children:  1.  Andrew 
W.    O'Malley,    M.    D,,    of    whom    a    biography 


follows.  2.  Henrietta  Frances,  who  becaiue 
the  wife  of  James  C.  Cornell,  of  Detroit, 
Michigan.  Mrs.  O'Malley  died  November  15, 
1885,  and  Dr.  O'Malley  married  (second) 
Amelia  Regina  McKay,  daughter  of  Hugh 
Williamson  and  Cecilia  (McDermott)  McKay 
of  Jersey  City.  By  this  second  marriage  there 
were  two  children:  3.  Regina  Cecilia.  4. 
Marguerite  Elizabeth,  who  is  the  wife  of  John 
T.  Mackenrow.  They  are  the  parents  of  Jane 
Amelia  and  Margaret  Elizabeth  Mackenrow. 
The  death  of  Alexander  P.  O'Malley  oc- 
curred December  12,  1914,  bringing  deep 
sorrow  to  a  wide  circle  of  friends,  in  addi- 
tion to  the  members  of  his  devoted  family. 
Ties  that  have  been  forty  years  in  the  mak- 
ing cannot  be  quickly  broken,  particularly 
if  they  be  the  deep  attachments  that  the' 
sterling  worth  of  a  man  such  as  Dr.  O'Malley 
was  would  inspire.  He  was  an  influence  for 
good  in  the  social  group  of  which  he  was  a 
part  and  he  can  never  be  forgotten  by  those 
who  were  privileged  to  know  and  love  him. 

ANDREW  W.  CMALLEY  M.  D. — A  native 
son  of  whom  Wilkes-Barre  is  justly  proud 
is  Dr.  Andrew  W.  O'Malley,  noted  medical 
specialist  and  son  of  Dr.  Alexander  P.  O'Mal- 
ley who,  for  forty  years  prior  to  his  death 
in  1914,  practiced  medicine  in  the  city.  Dr. 
O'Malley  is  a  recognized  leader  in  his  field 
and  enjoys  the  highest  regard  of  his  fel- 
low-professionals among  wliom  he  is  active 
in  organization  work.  He  plays  his  part  ably 
in  the  civic  life  of  W^ilkes-Barre  and  has 
extensive  fraternal  and  social  affiliations 
through  whicli  he  has  built  up  a  wide  circle 
of  friends,  in  addition  to  those  people  who 
have  come  to  know  and  respect  him  through 
professional    contacts. 

Dr.  O'Malley  was  born  in  Wilkes-Barre, 
November  5,  1883.  His  father,  as  stated 
above,  was  Dr.  Alexander  P.  O'Malley,  a 
iDiography  of  whom  precedes  this;  and  his 
mother,  before  her  marriage,  had  been  Kate 
Frances  Walsh,  of  Brooklyn,  New  York.  Her 
death  occurred  November  15.  1885.  The  son 
spent  his  boyhood  days  in  Wilkes-Barre 
where  he  attended  the  parochial  schools,  and 
Harry  Hillman  Academy;  then  completed  his 
preparatory  work  in  the  lower  form  classes 
at  Notre  Dame  University  in  Indiana.  For 
his  college  work  he  matriculated  at  Ford- 
ham  University,  New  York  City,  graduating 
in  1903  with  the  degree  Bachelor  of  Arts. 
After  that  came  the  Medical  School  of  the 
Illinois  Medical  College  of  Chicago  from 
which  he  received  his  Doctor  of  Medicine 
degree  in  1907.  During  the  two  succeeding 
years  he  served  as  resident-physician  in 
Bellevue  and  Allied  Hospitals,  New  York 
City,  then  associated  himself  with  the  re- 
nowned Mayo  brothers  of  Rochester,  Min- 
nesota, with  whom  he  worked  and  studied 
until  January,  1910,  when  he  came  to  Wilkes- 
Barre  and  opened  an  office.  He  engaged  in 
general  practice,  though  specializing  in 
gynecology  and  proctology,  fields  in  which 
he  had  done  particular   research. 

Though  Dr.  O'Malley  had  carried  his  studies 
much  further  than  do  the  majority  of  med- 
ical men  he  still  was  not  satisfied  and,  in 
1911,  he  went  to  Vienna,  Berlin,  and  Dublin 
where  he  attended  clinics  and  observed  the 
work  of  some  of  the  most  renowned  men  in 
the  profession  on  the  continent.  Since  his 
return  to  Wilkes-Barre  he  has  been  kept 
constantly  occupied  with  his  rapidly  grow- 
ing and  lucrative  practice.  Dr.  O'Malley  is 
identified  with  the  various  medical  associa- 
tion units.  He  is  politically  Democratic  and 
fraternally  affiliated  with  Wilkes-Barre 
Lodge,  No.  109,  Benevolent  and  Protective 
Order  of  Elks.     He  is  a  member  of  the  Wyo- 


^'^-^e.^aZa.i^  <^<^^/^id^42^>l<J^ 


azc/  c5^  V2^^^^^^^^i^^L__^ 


463 


niing-  Valley  Country  Club  and  the  Valley 
Country  Club  at  Hazleton,  and  is  past  presi- 
dent of  Wilkes-Barre  Exchange  Club.  Dr. 
O'Malloy  is  one  of  the  original  sponsors  of 
the  Wyoming-  Valley  Air  Port.  His  religious 
affiliations  are  with  St.  Mary's  Roman  Cath- 
olic Church. 

On  .\ugust  30,  1911.  Dr.  O'Malley  married 
Anna  M.  Boland,  daughter  of  C.  G.  Boland,  of 
Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  who  was,  before  his 
death,  president  of  the  Lackawanna  National 
Bank  at  Lackawanna,  New  York.  They  be- 
came the  parents  of  five  children,  Mary  Cath- 
erine, Elizabeth  Ann,  Andrew  P.,  J.  Chris- 
topher, and  Grace  Celestine. 


REV.  KDWARD  AUGUSTUS  WARRINER — 

In  devoting  his  life  to  things  of  the  mind 
and  of  the  spirit,  the  late  Rev.  Edward 
Augustus  Warriner  was  shaping  his  life  in 
accordance  with  the  traditions  of  a  family 
important  since  the  founding  of  America  and 
representative  of  the  finest  ideals  of  this 
country.  He  was  an  Episcopal  minister  and 
a  writer  of  prose  and  poetry  who  caught  in 
words  the  beauty  and  goodness  of  much  in 
the  universe  and  conveyed  these  qualities  to 
his  fellows  less  gifted  with  perception  and 
appreciation.  His  home  was  long  in  Mont- 
rose,   Pennsylvania. 

The  American  progenitor  of  the  Warriner 
family  was  William  Warriner,  who  came  to 
America  in  1638  and  was  one  of  the  proprie- 
tary settlers  of  Springfield,  Massachusetts. 
Other  notable  names  are  associated  with 
the  history  of  the  Warriner  family,  includ- 
ing that  of  Philip  Sherman,  descendant  of 
Thomas  Sherman,  of  Norfolk,  England,  who 
joined  Roger  Williams  in  Connecticut,  where 
he  was  elected  secretary  or  recorder  in  163S. 
The  Whitings  were,  dating  from  1641,  treas- 
urers of  Connecticut  for  three  generations; 
the  Pynchons  were  founders  of  Springfield, 
Massachusetts,  which  they  named  for  their 
English  home;  the  Wyllys  family,  in  England 
friends  of  Shakespeare's,  in  this  country 
produced  George  Wyllys,  governor  of  Con- 
necticut in  1642,  whose  son,  grandson  and 
great-grandson  held  in  succession  the  office 
of  secretary.  Space  forbids  the  mention  of 
other  notable  names  interwoven  with  the 
family   history  of  the  Warriners. 

Edward  Augustus  Warriner  was  born  in 
Agawam,  Massachusetts,  February  19,  1829, 
son  of  Ruel  and  Anna  C.  Warriner.  He  was 
reared  on  the  farm  and  graduated  from  Union 
College,  in  New  York,  in  1855,  going  from 
college  into  the  teaching  profession  for  a 
time.  He  then  studied  law  and  was  admitted 
to  the  bar  in  Springfield,  Massachusetts, 
where  he  practiced  for  three  years.  The 
church  made  a  powerful  appeal  to  him,  how- 
ever, and  caused  him  to  fit  himself  for  service 
as  a  minister.  He  studied  theology  and  was 
made  deacon  in  1867  and  priest  the  follow- 
ing year.  In  1867  he  began  on  the  long 
pastorate  of  St.  Paul's  Episcopal  Church  in 
Montrose,  Pennsylvania,  which  occupied  forty 
years    of   his  life. 

His  mind  was  rich  in  literary  lore,  his  soul 
filled  with  a  love  of  beauty  and  inspired  with 
faith  in  his  own  country  and  its  historical 
elements.  He  was  a  writer  of  significant 
works,  including  "Victor  La  Tourette,"  a 
theological  novel  published  in  1875:  "Kear," 
a  poem  in  seven  cantos,  published  in  18S2, 
an  excerpt  from  which  is  given  below;  "I  am 
That  I  Am,  The  Idea  of  God."  published  in 
1SS7;  "The  Gate  Called  Beautiful — An  Insti- 
tute of  Christian  Sociology,"  1S9S.  All  these 
"works  were  characterized  by  sincerity,  grace, 
and  beauty,  and  all  were  widely  read.  The 
opening   stanzas   of   "Kear"   read   as   follows; 


Proud  Susquehanna  rolls  his  waters  on, 
Scarce    mindful     of     the     changes     time    has 

brought: 
The   Delaware  and   Iroquois   have  gone. 
And  every  work  by  Nature's  children  wrought, 
Yet  the  same  spirit  which  her  children  caught 
From  cloud  and  sunshine,  wood  and  mountain 

stream. 
And  which  the  laws  of  life  and  virtue  taught, 
Still  lingers  on  his  shores,  and  still  the  theme 
Inspires    of    ancient     legend     and     of    poet's 

dream. 

Hidden,   remote.   In  Pennsylvania's  hills, 
Thy  vine-clad  cottages,  O  fair  Montrose! 
Thy  fields  of  green  watered  by  mountain  rills, 
And  the  pure  sparkle  of  thy  winter's  snows. 
No  romance  of  forgotten  years  disclose; 
Yet  here  strange  legends  of  the  past  abound. 
Here  hostile  ashes  side  by  side  repose, 
For   thine    was    once    "the    Dark    and    Bloody 

Ground," 
Where  heroes  strove  for  fame  and  graves  of 

glory  found. 

Edward  Augustus  Warriner  married  (first) 
Louisa  Voorhis,  of  Lancaster,  Pennsylvania. 
He  married  (second),  in  1881,  Esther  Bolles, 
of  Montrose.  She  was  descended  from  an  old 
and  distinguished  family  in  England,  where 
the  name  has  been  traced  through  several 
forms  of  spelling  to  Bole,  meaning  the  stem 
or  trunk  of  a  tree.  This  derivation  appeals 
strongly  to  those  of  the  line  wlio  are  lovers 
of  the  great  out  of  doors  and  consider  trees 
one  of  Nature's  most  useful  and  beautiful 
gifts  to  man.  The  name  is  written  on  the 
Roll  of  Battle  Abbey,  which  Is  a  list  of  every 
person  of  consideration  that  fought  under 
William  the  Conqueror.  Mrs.  Warriner  is 
ninth  in  descent  from  Joseph  Bolles,  who 
came  to  Maine  before  1640,  and  whose  son, 
Thomas,  was  prominent  in  the  early  life  of 
New  London,  Connecticut,  doing  effective 
work  to  broaden  the  narrow  laws  of  the 
church.  Six  sons  and  two  daughters  rounded 
out  Mr.  Warriner's  family  circle.  Samuel 
D.,  president  of  the  Lehigh  Coal  and  Naviga- 
tion Company,  of  Philadelphia:  R.  C,  a  con- 
sulting mine  engineer,  of  New  York  City; 
Edward  V.,  in  the  automobile  business  in 
Springfield;  Louise,  who  married  Dr.  S.  Calvin 
Smith,  of  Philadelphia:  J.  B.,  vice-president 
and  general  manager,  Lehigh  Coal  and 
Navigation  Company,  Lansford,  Pennsylvania. 
P.  B.,  a  farmer  in  Luzerne  County;  Paul 
Sherman,  whose  record  accompanies  this; 
and  Anna  Chaffee,  wife  of  Marshall  Good- 
heart. 

Mr.  Warriner  died  in  the  spring  of  1907, 
at  the  advanced  age  of  seventy-eight.  His 
long  and  happy  life  was  an  harmonious  ful- 
fillment of  his  ideals  and  ambitions  and  was 
spent  in  the  service  of  the  mind  and  spirit. 


PAUL  SHERMAN  WARRINER — As  super- 
intendent of  the  Wyoming  Division  of  the 
Lehigh  Valley  Coal  Company,  Paul  S.  War- 
riner is  w^ell  known  in  the  city  of  Wilkes- 
Barre.  His  offices  are  in  the  Lehigh  Valley 
Coal  Company  Building  No.  133  North  River 
Street.  Mr.  Warriner  has  been  identified 
with    this    concern    for    about    twenty    years. 

The  branch  of  the  Warriner  family  of 
which  Mr.  Warriner  is  a  member  is  one  of 
the  very  old  New  England  families,  tracing 
back  to  William  Warriner,  who  came  to  this 
country  from  England  in  1638,  and  settled 
in  Springfield,  Massachusetts.  Descendants 
of  his  were  early  settlers  in  Pennsylvania, 
^vhere  the  traits  of  character  which  had  aided 
in  the  early  progress  of  New  England  con- 
tributed much  to  the  development  of  this 
State.  Rev.  Edward  Augustus  Warriner, 
father  of  Mr.  Warriner,  was  fOr  many  years 


464 


a  prominent  Protestant  Episcopal  minister 
at  Montrose,  Pennsylvania.  He  married 
Esther  Bolles,  whose  ancestors  also  were 
among  the  early  English  families  to  settle 
in  the  colonies,  long  before  the  period  of 
the  Revolution,  See  preceding  biography  for 
a  brief  review  of  the  life  of  Rev.  Edward 
Augustus  Warriner,  and  the  names  of  his 
children. 

Paul  S.  Warriner  was  born  in  Montrose, 
Pennsylvania,  November  11,  1887,  and  re- 
ceived his  education  in  the  public  schools  of 
Montrose  and  in  Lehigh  University,  class  of 
1910.  After  leaving  college  he  engaged  in 
the  bridge  building  and  contracting  busi- 
ness, which  he  continued  for  some  years. 
About  1909  he  entered  the  employ  of  the 
Lehigh  Valley  Coal  Company,  as  a  chainman 
in  the  engineering  department,  and  later  he 
was  inade  a  division  engineer.  Finally,  after 
having  gained  the  necessary  experience  and 
having  demonstrated  his  ability,  he  was  made 
superintendent  of  the  Wyoming  Division  of 
the  company,  which  position  lie  is  filling  at 
the  present  time  (1929).  He  is  skilled  in  his 
field,  and  is  well  known  among  a  large  group 
of  business  men.  He  is  a  Republican  in 
politics,  and  is  a  past  member  of  the  Rotary 
Club.  His  religious  affiliation  is  with  the 
Episcopal  Church. 

Mr.  Warriner  married  (first),  on  August 
30,  1919,  Louise  F.  Bryden,  of  West  Pittston, 
wlio  died  in  the  following  year.  On  August 
20,  1927,  he  married  (second)  Clara  .Jane 
Lape,  daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Harry  Lape, 
and  is  the  father  of  one  child,  Lois  Lape 
Warriner,  born  August  9,  1929. 


JEFFERSON      PA^VLING      BIEHL,.    M.    D 

A  reputation  for  dependability  and  efliciency, 
and  humanity  that  not  only  withstood  the 
tests  of  time  but  was  augmented  with  each 
passing  year,  had  Dr.  Jefferson  Pawling  Biehl, 
for  forty-six  years  a  practicing  pliysician 
in  and  about  Plymouth  and  a  Pennsylvania 
all  of  his  life.  He  began  his  work  as  a  doctor 
in  tlie  days  when  modern  conveniences  and 
the  ease  of  transportation  had  not  yet  made 
a  physician's  work  largely  activities  that 
may  be  carried  on  within  his  o'wn  office.  Dr. 
Biehl's  practice  took  him  about  over  the 
valley  a  great  deal  and  among  its  older  resi- 
dents he  was  looked  upon  as  a  trusted  and 
long-tried  friend.  His  abilities  were  rec- 
ognized to  the  extent  that  he  received  a 
number  of  appointments  as  medical  examiner 
for  industrial  concerns  and  served  on  the 
Plymouth  Board  of  Health. 

Dr.  Biehl  was  born  January  29,  1857,  at 
Lewisburg,  Pennsylvania,  the  son  of  James 
and  Rebecca  (Pawling)  Biehl.  He  received  his 
early  education  in  the  Lewisburg  schools  and 
was  graduated  from  Gettysburg  College.  He 
then  took  up  the  study  of  medicine  at  the 
Jefferson  Medical  College  where  he  received 
his  degree  in  18S3.  The  following  year  he 
commenced  practicing  his  profession  in  Plym- 
outh where  he  continued  to  serve  tlie  ill 
and  afflicted  to  the  utmost  of  his  really 
exceptional  ability  throughout  the  remainder 
of  his  life.  His  practice  extended  over  a 
period  of  forty-six  years  but  for  forty-nine 
years  he  had  resided  continuously  in  the 
same  house.  He  was  at  the  time  of  his 
death  the  oldest  living  member  of  Chapter 
144,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  of  Lewisburg. 
His  professional  organization  was  the  Lu- 
zerne County  Medical  Society  and  as  medical 
examiner  he  was  associated  witli  the  Lehigh 
&  Wilkes-Barre  Coal  Company.  Dr.  Biehl 
was  a  devout  member  of  the  Plymoutli  Pres- 
byterian Church  where  he  gave  his  serv- 
ices freely  wlien  ite  might  be  called  upon  to 


do  so.  As  a  community  service  he  held  mem- 
bership in  Fire  Company,  No.   1  of  Plymouth. 

In  18S4,  the  year  he  commenced  his  prac- 
tice in  Plymoutii,  Dr.  Biehl  married  (first) 
Carrie  V.  Davenport,  daughter  of  Jolm  and 
Mary  (Koontz)  Davenport.  To  this  union 
were  born  two  daughters,  who  later  became 
Mrs.  J.  Stanley  Rineheimer,  of  Kingston,  and 
Mrs.  Laurence  W.  Bevan,  of  Dallas.  The 
death  of  Mrs.  Biehl  occurred  May  9,  1909,  and 
in  1913  Dr.  Biehl  married  (second)  Marin 
Sally  Edmunds,  daughter  of  Philip  and  Emma 
Edmunds. 

Profound  sorrow  was  felt  throughout  the 
valley  when  the  death  of  Dr.  Biehl  occurred 
August  26,  1929,  for  during  his  long  years 
of  work  among  its  people  he  had  made  a 
host  of  friends  who  cherished  for  him  a  deep 
and  personal  regard.  Perhaps  it  is  inevitable 
that  a  doctor,  who  by  reason  of  the  type  of 
work  he  does  meets  people  during  their 
hours  of  sorrow  and  suffering  when  emotions 
are  near  tlie  surface,  should  have  a  minimum 
of  casual  acquaintances  and  a  higher  per- 
centage of  close  relationships  with  his  fel- 
lows than  does  the  average  man.  But  also 
by  reason  of  the  fact  that  his  work  is  so 
vital,  a  doctor  must  meet  his  daily  tasks  with 
greater  courage  and  skill  than  are  asked  of 
most  people  and  he  who  carries  on  a  med- 
ical practice  over  a  long  period  of  years 
during  which  he  is  held  in  universally  high 
regard,  has  proven  his  mettle,  indeed.  Dr. 
Bielil  was  a  courageous  and  a  skillful  man. 
More,  he  was  a  man  of  high  ideals,  a  man 
of  devotion  to  his  profession  and  of  human- 
ity and  sympathy  toward  those  who  came 
to  him  in  trouble.  He  will  long  continue  to 
be  missed  among  the  people  of  the  com- 
munity to   which  he  gave  his  life  in  service. 


HAZLETON  NEWSPAPERS — Of  the  numer- 
ous daily  aid  weekly  papers  launched  from 
time  to  time  in  Hazleton,  but  two  dailies 
and  a  few  weeklies  survive.  Tlie  dailies  still 
in  the  field  are  the  "Standard-Sentinel," 
morning,  and  the  "Plain  Speaker,"  evening, 
jointly  owned  by  Henry  Walser  and  John 
R.    Dershuclc. 

The  city's  first  newspaper  was  the  Hazle- 
ton "Sentinel."  It  was  established  as  an 
evening  publication  by  John  C  Stokes  and 
the  first  issue  appeared  January  IS,  1866. 
He  was  .associated  with  Fred  A.  Lauderburn, 
a  prominent  mercliant,  who  withdrew  from 
the  venture  within  a  year.  In  ttie  summer 
of  1868,  the  paper  passed  into  tlie  hands  of 
W.  A.  M.  Grior,  of  the  banking  firm  of  Pardee, 
Markle  and  Grier,  and  then  was  bought  by 
Henry  Wilson,  who  retired  at  the  end  of 
eighteen  months  and  purchased  a  half  inter- 
est in  the  "Wayne  County  Citizen."  Subse- 
quently the  paper  was  bought  by  Edwin 
Moore,  proprietor  of  a  music  store  in  Hazle- 
ton, and  Jerry  A.  Sander,  of  Berwick,  pub- 
lisher of  the  Berwick  "Gazette,"  who  later 
took  over  Mr.  Moore's  interest  and  carried  on 
the  business  for  a  number  of  years.  The 
paper  was  consolidated  in  1875  with  the 
"Daily  News"  and  "Anthracite  Record,"  the 
latter  a  weekly,  which  had  been  issued  by 
the  "News."  The  weekly  was  discontinued  at 
the   consolidation. 

After  the  consolidation,  the  name  of  the 
"Daily  News"  was  dropped  and  tlie  paper 
continued  under  the  name  of  the  "Daily 
Sentinel."  The  Hazleton  "Sentinel,"  a  weekly 
was  published  in  conjunction  with  the  daily 
for  many  years.  In  1879,  the  "Sentinel"  was 
taken  over  by  Charles  B.  Snyder,  who  had 
the  backing  of  W.  A.  M.  Grier,  banker.  In 
1884,  George  B.  Markle,  of  the  Markle  Bank- 
ing   &    Trust    Company    acquired    tlie    paper, 


46s 


which  continued  under  his  control  until  1888, 
when  it  was  leased  by  R.  Norman  Wallace. 
George  Maue  and  Terrence  McCloskey.  Mr. 
Wallace  died  a  year  later  and  the  business 
was  taken  over  by  Mr.  Maue,  who  conducted 
it  until  1892,  when  the  Sentinel  Printing 
Company  was  formed,  witli  John  McCarthy, 
editor:  C.  F.  Paul,  business  manager;  and 
George  Maue,  superintendent.  In  1905,  Fred 
Cuyle  and  George  Maue  bought  the  plant  and 
carried  on  the  publication  until  the  death  of 
Mr.  Cuyle  in  1912,  when  the  paper  was  pur- 
chased by  Henry  Walser  of  Hazleton,  and 
George  T.  Kirkendall,  of  Dallas.  In  1917, 
Messrs  Walser  and  Kirkendall  bought  the 
"Daily  Standard,"  morning,  and  merged  it 
with  the  "Sentinel"  under  the  name  of  the 
"Standard-Sentinel,"  morning.  In  1924,  Mr. 
Kirkendall  sold  his  interest  to  Mr.  Walser, 
wlio  became  sole  owner.  In  1926,  the  "Sen- 
tinel" was  consolidated  with  "The  Plain 
Speal\er,"  Mr.  Walser  becoming  joint  owner 
of  the  merged  properties  with  John  R.  Der- 
shuck. 

"The  Plain  Speaker"  was  founded  February 
6,  1882  with  John  Dershuck  and  Mr.  Lewis 
as  the  owners  and  editors,  and  Dominic  F. 
Sweeney  as  business  manager.  It  was  the 
successor  of  the  "Independent  Democrat," 
whicli  was  established  in  1880  by  John  Der- 
shuck. It  made  its  first  appearance  as  an 
afternoon  paper  but  was  later  turned  into 
a  morning  publication.  In  July  1SS2,  Mr. 
Lewis  severed  his  connection  -with  the  enter- 
prise and  Jolin  Dershuck  became  sole  owner. 
He  continued  the  paper  until  1886,  when  his 
brother,  William  C.  Dershuck,  became  asso- 
ciated with  him  and  the  firm  name  was 
changed  to  Dershuck  Brothers,  which  lasted 
until  September  1,  1887.  when  Dominic  F. 
Sweeney  purchased  William  C.  Dershuck's 
interest,  changing  the  firm  name  to  Dershuck 
and  Sweeney.  This  co-partnership  existed 
until  March  9,  1889,  when  Mr.  Dershuck, 
owing  to  continued  ill  health,  was  obliged 
to  retire.  His  interest  was  sold  to  James  L. 
Morris,  a  Wilkes-Barre  attorney,  and  a  new 
firm   was   created   under  the   title   of  Dominic 

F.  Sweeney,  editor  and  proprietor,  although 
Mr.  Morris  was  half  owner.  On  April  20, 
1SS9,  John  Dershuck  died  at  the  age  of  thirty- 
three  years. 

After  the  death  of  Mr.  Sweeney,  Mr.  Morris 
continued  the  business  for  a  time  and  then 
sold  tlie  paper  to  William  C.  Dersliuck  in 
1894,  who  owned  and  conducted  it  up  to  the 
time  of  his  death.  May  15,  1923.  He  changed 
it  into  an  evening  paper  in  September,  1900. 
Some  time  before  his  death,  he  turned  over 
an  interest  in  the  paper  to  his  son,  John  R. 
Dershuck,  into  whose  control  it  came  after 
the  passing  away  of  his  father.  In  1926, 
the  paper  was  merged  with  tlie  "Standard- 
Sentinel." 

The  "Daily  Standard"  was  started  as  a 
semi-weekly  paper  March  25,  1885,  by  the 
Standard   Company,   the  proprietors   being   L. 

G.  Lubrecht  and  Henry  A.  Buchenau.  Mr. 
Buchenau  retired  after  three  months  and  his 
interest  passed  into  the  hands  of  William  C. 
Lubrecht.  On  March  23,  1892,  it  became  a 
daily.  The  Lubrecht  brothers  owned  the 
paper  for  thirty-five  years  and  sold  it  in  1917 
to  Messrs.  Walser  and  Kirkendall,  who 
merged  it  with  the  "Sentinel." 

The  "Daily  News"  was  first  issued  on  Sep- 
tember 15,  1870,  by  J.  C.  Fincher,  who  came 
to  the  coal  regions  from  Philadelphia,  where 
he  had  been  connected  with  a  trade  journal. 
In  1875,  it  was  merged  with  the  Hazleton 
"Sentinel." 

The    "Middle   Coal   Field   Advertiser"    made 


its  appearance  September  19,  1874,  under  the 
ownership  of  George  Mancy,  as  a  weekly. 
On  December  10,  1878  it  was  succeeded  by 
the  "Daily  Bulletin,"  which  was  launched  by 
George  Maue,  who  had  been  connected  with 
the  printing  business  in  Hazleton  since  the 
early  part  of  1867.  The  "Bulletin"  was  pub- 
lished until  1883,  when  it  was  merged  with 
the    "Sentinel." 

The  Hazleton  "Volksblatt,"  a  German 
weekly,  was  launched  April  16,  1872,  by 
Moore  and  Sanders,  who  continued  its  pub- 
lication until  October  20,  1872,  when  Mr. 
Moore  retired.  Mr.  Sanders  remained  in 
charge  until  April  1,  1873  when  Peter  Der- 
shuck and  R.  F.  Stutzbach  bought  it.  Ill 
1874,  Mr.  Stutzbach  retired  from  the  firm. 
On  October  1,  1877,  it  was  changed  to  a 
semi-weekly,  but  a  year  later  it  went  back 
to  a  weekly.  In  1882,  Anton  Schneider  be- 
came owner  of  the  "Volksblatt."  He  sold  it  in 
July,  1891  to  Peter  Schneider,  wlio  has  since 
discontinued    it. 

The  Hazleton  "Journal,"  another  German 
weekly,  was  established  in  July,  1876,  by 
R.  F.  Stutzbach,  who  remained  in  charge 
until  his  death.  Several  years  afterwards 
it  ceased  publication. 

The  "Mountain  Beacon"  was  established  by 
John  C.  Stokes,  of  Hazleton,  October  25,  1877. 
In  August  of  1879,  Alfred  F.  Stokes  became 
publisher  and  editor.  It  has  passed  out  of 
existence. 

The  "Valley  Vigilant"  was  established  in 
19C3  by  William  A.  Evans,  under  whose 
ownership    it    has    continued    since. 

The  "Anthracite  Miner,"  official  organ  of 
the  United  Mine  Workers,  was  started  July 
31.   1925   as  a  weekly. 

"II  Trentino,"  an  Italian  paper,  was  founded 
in  1911  as  a  weekly,  the  publishers  being  P.  C. 
Flaim  and  M.  Mesolalia. 

"L'Unione  Italiana,"  another  Italian  weekly, 
was  started  in  1920.  Nicholo  Ciotola  is  the 
owner  and  editor. 

Among  the  other  papers  that  were  launched 
at  various  periods,  but  have  since  died  out, 
were  the  following:  "The  Democrat,"  started 
by  J.  C  Finclier;  "The  Miners'  Advocate,"  by 
George  S.  Boyle:  "The  American  Celt,"  by 
Tom  O'Brien;  "The  Daily  Item,"  owned  by 
the  late  James  E.  Roderick;  "The  Sunday 
Truth,"  by  Patrick  McGarvey;  "The  Com- 
mercial Advertiser,"  by  Mathew  Long;  "Onal- 
las,"  Hungarian  paper;  "Jednota  Schei- 
bish,"  weekly,  by  Franlv  Tucher;  "Langcliffi 
Monthly,"  by  Rev.  G.  N.  Makely,  a  church 
paper.  The  "Slovak  Citizen,"  weekly,  was 
published  by  John  J.   Jenosov. 


ALBERT  JOSEPH  LESTER — Railroad  work 
was  the  forte  of  the  late  Albert  J.  Lester, 
of  Forty  Fort  and  Wilkes-Barre,  who  digni- 
fied his  connection  with  it  as  he  advanced 
through  the  grades  to  the  important  posi- 
tion of  freight  agent.  His  mastery  of  the 
details  of  the  position  he  held  at  Wilkes- 
Barre  for  more  than  a  score  of  years  was 
acquired,  through  a  similar  connection,  on 
the  Lehigh  Valley  Railroad  at  another  point 
on  the  line,  and  in  the  positions  of  clerk 
and  traveling  auditor  for  the  same  railroad, 
with  which  he  was  associated  for  more  than 
forty  years.  His  death  occurred  December 
24,    1928. 

Born  at  Rock  Island,  Illinois,  January  3, 
1861,  Albert  J.  Lester  was  the  son  of  Jacob 
and  Bernadine  (Rosenfield)  Lester.  His 
father,  a  native  of  Binghamton,  New  York, 
is  a  retired  non-commissioned  officer  of  the 
United  States  Army,  and  has  his  residence  in 
Binghamton.     His  wife,  who  was  born  in  Ger- 


466 


many,  died  May  7,  1925.  Having  received  his 
education  in  the  public  schools  of  Bingham- 
ton,  Albert  J.  Lester  was  appointed  assistant 
bookkeeper  by  Crandall,  Stone  &  Company,  at 
Einghamton,  with  whicli  concern  he  remained 
for  one  and  one-half  years. 

Mr.  Lester's  career  in  railroad  work  begran 
July  16,  1S86,  when  he  was  employed  in  the 
capacity  of  clerk  in  the  freight  office  of  the 
Lehigh  Valley  Railroad  Company  at  Waverly, 
New  York.  The  attachment  he  then  made 
for  this  kind  of  service  was  cemented  more 
closely  with  the  passing  of  the  years,  so  that 
his  identification  with  the  same  system,  in  an 
ascending  grade,  was  never  lost  to  sight. 
From  the  ordinary  clerkship  he  advanced  to 
chief  clerk,  and  then  was  sent  out  on  the 
company's  lines  as  traveling  auditor,  in  which 
position  he  continued  for  three  years,  the 
while  he  was  on  the  high  road  to  a  position 
of  greater  responsibility.  His  next  promo- 
tion was  to  the  position  of  freight  agent  at 
Sayre,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  was  stationed 
for  one  and  one-half  years,  demonstrating 
to  the  satisfaction  of  his  superiors  his  quali- 
fications for  the  place.  It  was,  therefore, 
cause  for  congratulation  by  fellow-workers 
and  other  friends  when  he  was  considered 
the  logical  man  for  appointment  as  freight 
agent  at  Wilkes-Barre.  He  was  installed  in 
that  position,  August  1,  1906,  and  became 
regarded  as  a  fixture  there.  Mr.  Lester  gave 
five  years  of  military  service  to  the  United 
States  Army  as  a  musician,  being  stationed 
at    Fort   Yates,    North    Dakota. 

To  the  Republican  party  Mr.  Lester  always 
gave  his  undivided  allegiance.  His  fraternal 
affiliations  were  with  Wilkes-Barre  Lodge, 
No.  61,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  of  which 
he  was  Worshipful  Master  in  1924;  Sliekinah 
Chapter,  No.  1S2,  Royal  Arch  Masons;  Dieu 
le  Veut  Commandery,  No.  45,  Knights  Tem- 
plar; and  Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order 
Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine;  also  the  Junior 
Order  of  the  United  American  Mechanics.  He 
was  a  faithful  member  and  liberal  contribu- 
tor to  the  work  of  Grace  Protestant  Episco- 
pal Church  at  Kingston,  and  was  a  vestry- 
man until  he  resigned  on  account  of  ill 
health. 

Albert  J.  Lester  married,  November  12,  1884, 
Mabel  F.  Rosenthal,  daughter  of  John  and 
Mary  (Freeman)  Rosenthal,  of  Provincetown, 
Massachusetts.  Mrs.  Lester  is  a  member  of 
the  Daughters  of  the  American  Revolution. 
Their  daughter:  Helen  (Lester)  Page,  was 
graduated  from  Cornell  University,  class  of 
1909,  with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts, 
and  is  a  teacher  of  Spanish  and  German  in 
the   Kingston    (Pennsylvania)    High   School. 


HEIVRY  L.  GARTMAN— From  boyhood  Henry 
L.  Gartman  has  been  associated  with  mer- 
cantile activities,  and  since  March,  1926,  he 
has  been  the  proprietor  of  a  first-class  de- 
partment store,  located  at  No.  39  South  Main 
Street,  in  Wilkes-Barre.  The  business  is 
operated  under  the  name  of  "Gartman's"  and 
has  already  made  for  itself  a  reputation  for 
honest  and  efficient  service  and  quality  goods. 
Mr.  Gartman  is  a  graduate  of  the  University 
of  Pennsylvania  and  a  veteran  of  the  World 
War,  having  served  in  France  for  fifteen 
months. 

Dr.  Leo  N.  Gartman,  father  of  Mr.  Gart- 
man, is  a  well-known  physician  of  Philadel- 
phia, a  son  of  Noah  Gartman.  deceased.  He 
received  a  thorough  education,  chose  the 
medical  profession  as  his  field  of  service,  and 
then  completed  his  course  in  Jefferson  Medi- 
cal College,  from  which  he  received  his  medi- 
cal degree.  He  married  Rebekah  Silverman, 
daughter  of  a  successful  merchant,  and  they 


became  the  parents  of  five  children:  Henry 
L.,  of  further  mention;  Morton,  who  is  asso- 
ciated with  Gartman's  department  store; 
Naomi,  who  married  a  merchant  of  New  York 
City;  Edward,  of  Philadelphia;  and  Ernest, 
also  of  Philadelphia. 

Henry  L.  Gartman,  son  of  Dr.  Leo  N.  and 
Rebekah  (Silverman)  Gartman,  was  born  in 
Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania,  July  16,  1894,  and 
grew  to  manhood  in  the  city  of  his  birth.  As 
a  lad  he  attended  the  public  schools  of  Phila- 
delphia, and  later  he  matriculated  in  the  Uni- 
versity of  Pennsylvania,  from  which  he  was 
graduated  with  the  class  of  1914.  After  grad- 
uation he  entered  tlie  employ  of  his  maternal 
grandfather,  proprietor  of  the  department 
store  which  operates  under  the  name  of  M. 
Silverman  and  Son,  and  that  connection  was 
continued  until  May,  1917,  when  Mr.  Gartman 
enlisted  for  service  in  the  World  War,  as  a 
private  in  the  Ordnance  Department  of  the 
United  States  Army.  He  was  stationed  at  the 
Frankford  Arsenal  at  Philadelphia  for  a  time; 
then  in  Augusta,  Georgia;  and  later  at  Wa- 
tervliet,  New  York.  In  November,  1917,  he 
sailed  for  France,  "where  he  served  on  de- 
tached duty  with  the  French  Army  and  was 
commissioned  a  second  lieutenant,  for  meri- 
torious service.  After  fifteen  months  of 
service  in  France  he  returned  to  this  country, 
February,  1919,  and  was  mustered  out  of 
service  at  Washington,  District  of  Columbia, 
in  March,  1919.  He  then  returned  to  his  old 
position  with  his  grandfather,  at  Philadel- 
phia, with  whom  he  remained  until  March, 
1926.  At  that  time  he  came  to  Wilkes-Barre 
and  opened  a  first-class  department  store  at 
No.  39  South  Main  Street,  under  the  name  of 
"Gartman's"  and  in  this  mercantile  venture 
he  is  achieving  success.  He  has  already  made 
himself  known  in  the  city  as  a  first-class 
business  man  and  a  very  desirable  citizen, 
and  the  Indications  are  clear  that  "Gartman's" 
is  to  be  one  of  the  growing  concerns  of  the 
city.  Able,  energetic,  well  educated,  and 
experienced,  Mr.  Gartinan,  at  the  age  of 
thirty-four,  has  already  achieved  a  substan- 
tial success  and  has  made  for  himself  a  repu- 
tation which  is  a  valuable  business  asset.  In 
his  political  sympathies  he  is  a  Republican. 
He  is  a  member  of  Orient  Lodge,  No.  289,  B^ee 
and  Accepted  Masons,  of  Pliiladelphia;  of  the 
Poor  Richard  Club,  of  Philadelphia;  of  the 
Young  Men's  Christian  Association,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre;  and  the  American  Academy  of  Politi- 
cal Science.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the 
Wilkes-Barre-Wyoming  Valley  Chamber  of 
Commerce. 

Henry  L.  Gartman  was  married,  January 
10,  1922,  to  Evelyn  M.  Markovitz,  daughter  of 
David  and  Nellie  (Neufeld)  Markovitz,  of 
Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania,  and  they  make 
their  home  at  No.  261  Academy  Street,  in 
Wilkes-Barre.     They  have  no  children. 


BENJAMIN  F.  BEERS,  vice-president  and 
director  of  the  firm  of  W.  D.  Beers,  Incorpo- 
rated, is  the  son  of  Hiram  and  Fyanna 
(Kurtz)  Beers.  Both  parents  are  now  de- 
ceased. They  had  eight  children,  the  first  six 
of  whom  are  deceased:  Amelia;  George; 
Elizabeth;  Mary;  W.  D.,  of  whom  further; 
Jennie;  Benjamin  F.,  of  whom  further;  and 
Harry  H.,  of  whom  further. 

W.  D.  Beers,  who  died  in  1914,  at  the  age 
of  fifty-five  years,  was  the  founder  of  the 
grocery  business  of  W.  D.  Beers,  Incorporated, 
about  1889,  and  carried  on  the  business  from 
the  time  it  was  founded  until  the  time  of 
his  death  in  1914.  He  and  his  wife,  Eliza- 
beth   Beers,    had    two    children:      Jessie,    the 


467 


eldest,  is  the  wife  of  George  L..  Fenner,  an 
attorney  and  a  member  of  the  I^uzerne  County 
Bar.  Ralph,  the  second  child,  is  in  the  lum- 
ber and  box  manufacturing  business  at  Tren- 
ton, New  Jersey.  W.  D.  Beers  was  a  lifelong' 
Republican,  a  member  of  the  Protestant 
church  and  at  the  time  of  his  death,  was  one 
of  the  leading  citizens  of  Willtes-Barre.  He 
is  survived  by  his  widow  and  two  children, 
who  are  all  members  of  the  firm  of  W.  D. 
Beers,   Incorporated. 

Benjamin  F.  Beers,  of  whom  this  is  a  rec- 
ord, was  born  in  Wilkes-Barre.  where  he  has 
grown  up  and  where  as  a  boy  he  attended 
the  public  schools.  He  graduated  from  the 
city  high  school  and  in  the  year  1SS5  he 
started  to  work  in  the  drug  business.  In 
order  to  become  more  proficient  in  this  line 
of  work,  he  went  to  Pliiladelphia,  where  he 
took  a  course  in  the  Philadelphia  College  of 
Pharmacy  and  graduated  from  that  college 
in  1S92.  He  then  returned  to  Wilkes-Barre 
and  again  engaged  in  the  drug  business  until 
1907,  when  he  became  a  member  of  the  firm 
of  W.  D.  Beers.  Incorporated.  In  politics,  he 
is  a  Republican  and  he  is  in  religion  a  Protes- 
tant. He  is  a  member  of  the  Wilkes-Barre 
Lodge,  No.  109,  Benevolent  and  Protective 
Order   of   Elks. 

Benjamin  F.  Beers  married  Nellie  Kelly, 
of  Wilkes-Barre.  They  have  four  children: 
Clarence  H,,  who  is  an  automobile  supply 
salesman  in  Atlanta,  Georgia;  iVIargaret,  who 
is  the  wife  of  Raymond  Saul,  of  Norristown, 
Pennsylvania;  Yale,  who  is  engaged  in  thfi 
Insurance  business  in  Wilkes-Barre;  and  Ruth 
the  youngest,   is  at  home. 

Harry  H.  Beers,  the  younger  brother  of  W. 
D.  and  Benjamin  F.  Beers,  is  treasurer  of  W. 
D.  Beers,  Incorporated.  He  was  brought  up 
In  Wilkes-Barre  and  educated  in  the  public 
schools  of  this  city.  In  politics  he  is  a  Re- 
publican and  'a  Protestant  in  religion.  He 
is  a  member  of  Lodge  No.  109,  Benevolent  and 
Protective  Order  of  Elks,  and  belongs  to  the 
Franklin  Club.  Harry  H.  Beers  married 
twice.  His  first  marriage  was  to  Minnie 
Bachman,  of  Wilkes-Barre.  They  had  three 
children:  Arline,  who  married  Dr.  Bahmiller, 
of  Wilkes-Barre;  Leonard  H.,  who  is  manager 
of  a  Woolworth  store  in  Philadelphia,  and 
Robert  W.,  of  Wilkes-Barre.  Mr.  Beers  mar- 
ried (second),  October  12,  1922,  Annie  Gott- 
hold,  of  Wilkes-Barre. 


JAMES  P.  HARRIS— Ten  years  of  success- 
ful legal  practice  in  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsyl- 
vania, have  made  James  P.  Harris  one  of  the 
well-known  men  of  his  profession  in  Luzerne 
County.  He  has  his  offices  at  No.  609  Coal 
Exchange  Building,  in  Wilkes-Barre,  where 
he  has  built  up  a  large  practice,  and  where 
he  has  made  for  himself  a  reputation  which 
is  a  valuable  business  asset. 

John  Howard  Harris,  father  of  Mr.  Harris, 
was  a  descendant  of  one  of  the  old  families  of 
Indiana  County,  Pennsylvania,  and  was  one  of 
the  foremost  educators  of  this  section  of  the 
country.  For  thirty  years  he  was  president  of 
Bucknell  University,  and  during  that  time  he 
was  a  leader  in  educational  circles  in  the  State 
of  Pennsylvania.  He  married  Lucy  A.  Bailey, 
who  was  a  descendant  of  Obadiah  Gore,  who 
was  in  the  battle  and  massacre  of  Wyoming, 
and  some  of  whose  family  lost  their  lives  in 
the  massacre.  John  Howard  Harris  married 
(first)  Mary  E.  Mace,  who  died;  and  of  this 
marriage  there  were  three  children,  two  of 
whom  lived  to  maturity;  Mary  B.,  and  Her- 
bert F.  He  married  (second)  Lucy  A.  Bailey, 
and  they  were  the  parents  of  nine  children,  of 


whom  seven  lived  to  maturity,  and  of  whom 
four  entered  the  legal  profession:  Reese  H., 
who  is  an  attorney  and  a  member  of  the  well- 
known  law  firm  of  Knapp,  O'Malley.  Hill  and 
Harris,  of  Scranton,  Pennsylvania;  George  B., 
who  was  a  dentist,  but  is  now  deceased; 
Spencer  T.,  a  civil  engineer,  of  Indiana,  Penn- 
sylvania; Coleman  J.,  instructor  for  the  Penn- 
sylvania State  Forest  School,  at  Mont  Alto, 
Pennsylvania:  James  P.,  of  further  mention: 
Walter  W.,  also  a  member  of  the  law  firm  of 
Knapp,  O'Malley,  Hill  and  Harris,  of  Scranton, 
Pennsylvania;  and  Stanley  N.,  a  civil  engi- 
neer of  New  Brighton,  Pennsylvania. 

James  P.  Harris,  son  of  John  Howard  and 
Lucy  A.  (Bailey)  Harris,  was  born  in  Lewis- 
burg,  Pennsylvania,  April  14,  1892,  and  was 
reared  in  Lewisburg,  where  he  attended  the 
public  schools,  and  later  entered  Bucknell 
University,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in 
1912.  He  then  began  professional  study  in 
the  Law  School  of  the  University  of  Michigan, 
where  he  was  graduated  in  1914  with  the 
degree  of  Bachelor  of  Laws.  For  one  year 
after  receiving  his  professional  degree  he 
taught  in  Keystone  Academy,  at  Factoryville, 
Lackawanna  County,  Pennsylvania,  and  when 
the  school  year  closed  he  entered  the  law 
oflSce  of  Heebner  and  Bedford,  Philadelphia, 
Pennsylvania.  He  was  admitted  to  the  bar 
in  Philadelphia  in  1916,  and  in  July,  1917, 
enlisted  in  tlie  Ordnance  Department  of  the 
United  States  Army.  He  was  stationed  first 
at  Camp  Hancock,  in  Augusta,  Georgia,  and 
then  in  Camp  Wheeler,  in  Macon,  Georgia. 
Later  he  entered  the  Machine  Gun  Officers' 
Training  School  at  Camp  Hancock,  where  he 
remained  until  he  was  mustered  out  of  serv- 
ice in  November,  1918,  as  a  second  lieutenant. 
On  January  1,  1919,  he  opened  his  office  at 
No.  609  Coal  Exchange  Building,  in  Wilkes- 
Barre,  and  here  he  has  since  been  taking  care 
of  a  very  prosperous  and  important  clientele. 
Politically,  Mr.  Harris  gives  his  support  to 
the  principles  and  the  candidates  of  the  Re- 
publican party.  He  is  a  member  of  Black 
Diamond  Post,  of  the  American  Legion  of 
Wilkes-Barre,  and  fraternally  he  is  identified 
with  Wilkes-Barre  Lodge,  No.  61,  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons;  with  all  the  Scottish  Rite 
bodies;  and  with  the  Keystone  Consistory  in 
which  he  hold  the  Jhirty-second  degree;  also 
with  Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order 
Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Irem  Temple  Country  Club  and  of  the 
Lions  Club,  of  Wilkes-Barre;  and  his  reli- 
gious affiliation  is  with  the  First  Baptist 
Church   of   Wilkes-Barre. 

James  P.  Harris  married,  January  19,  1922, 
Isabelle  W.  Wolfe,  daughter  of  Leon  B.  and 
Isabelle  (Slauson)  Wolfe,  and  they  have  one 
son,  James  P.,  Jr. 


ARTHUR      EDGAR      NICHOLSON — A      man 

Who  is  prominent  in  the  industrial  life  of 
Luzerne  County  and  of  this  section  of  Penn- 
sylvania is  Arthur  E.  Nicholson,  who  is  dis- 
trict manager  of  the  Pennsylvania  Manu- 
facturers' Association  Casualty  Insurance 
Company,  with  offices  in  the  Miners'  Bank 
Building,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  and  secretary  of 
the  Luzerne  County  Branch  of  the  Pennsyl- 
vania Manufacturers'  Association.  He  has 
spent  most  of  his  life  in  Wilkes-Barre,  hav- 
ing learned  the  machinists'  trade  with  the 
Vulcan  Iron  Works  and  having  worked  in 
the  offices  of  that  company.  Since  1919  he 
has  had  his  present  position  witli  the  Penn- 
sylvania   Manufacturers'    Association. 

He  was  born  in  Wilkes-Barre  September 
5,  1S91,  the  son  of  William  H.  and  Emma 
(Comstock)  Nicholson.     His  grandfather  was 


468 


'W.  H.  Nicholson,  who  together  "with  three 
sons,  founded  the  firm  known  as  W.  H. 
Nicholson  and  Company,  manufacturing 
steam  specialties,  in  Wilkes-Barre,  in  1886. 
He  and  his  wife,  Elizabeth  (Craig)  Nichol- 
son, and  their  children,  came  in  1866  to  the 
United  States  from  New  Castle,  England,  of 
which  locality  they  were  natives.  The  grand- 
father, who  was  a  mechanical  genius,  per- 
fected several  inventions,  took  out  patents 
for  them  in  the  United  States,  and  started 
the  well-known  Nicholson  Company.  His  son, 
William  H.  Nicholson,  the  father  of  Arthur 
Edgar  Nicholson,  "who  was  born  in  England, 
in  1857,  and  died  in  Wilkes-Barre  on  Novem- 
ber 6,  1915,  was  an  important  figure  in  his 
day,  and  was  at  the  time  of  his  death  the 
manager  of  the  Nicholson  Coinpany.  He  and 
Emma  (Comstock)  Nicholson  were  the  par- 
ents of  six  children:  Laura,  Bertha,  Harry 
Samuel,  Prank  C,  William  R.,  and  Arthur 
Edgar,  of  further  mention.  This  family,  and 
also  the  family  of  the  grandfather,  W.  H. 
Nicholson,  are  discussed  in  greater  detail  in 
the  biography  of  Samuel  T.  Nicholson,  printed 
on   previous  pages. 

Arthur  Edgar  Nicholson,  the  son  of  William 
H.  and  Emma  (Comstock)  Nicholson,  who 
spent  the  early  part  of  his  life  in  Wilkes- 
Barre,  was  educated  in  the  city's  public 
schools  and  high  school,  having  been  grad- 
uated from  the  high  school  in  the  class  of 
1909,  and  from  the  Wilkes-Barre  Business 
College.  Then  he  learned  the  machinist's 
trade  with  the  Vulcan  Iron  Works,  with  which 
compan.v  he  remained  as  a  machinist  for  four 
years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  lie  "was  trans- 
ferred to  the  oflice  wliere  he  continued  to 
work  for  six  years.  In  1919,  he  became  rep- 
resentative of  the  Pennsylvania  IVIanufac- 
turers'  Association  Casualty  Insurance  Com- 
pany; then,  in  1921,  was  made  district  man- 
ager for  the  Northeastern  Pennsylvania  dis- 
trict, a  position  whicli  he  still  holds.  He  has 
been  secretary  for  the  Luzerne  County  Manu- 
facturers' Association  since  1919.  In  his 
political  affiliations  he  is  a  Republican  and 
a  recognized  leader  of  the  party,  being  well 
known  as  such  throughout  the  State.  He 
has  been  very  active  in  furthering  legislation 
at  Harrisburg  and  Washington,  District  of 
Columbia,  for  the  benefit  of  the  people  of 
Luzerne  County.  He  is  the  type  of  citizen 
who  recognizes  the  necessity  for  business 
men  taking  an  active  interest  In  local.  State 
and  national  political  affairs,  and  having  real 
representative  men  holding  oilice  wlio  are  a 
credit  to  their  constituents  which  contributes 
to  the  welfare  of  the  people  of  the  country. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Westminster  Presby- 
terian Church  of  Wilkes-Barre.  He  also  is 
a  member  of  the  PYee  and  Accepted  Masons, 
in  which  order  he  is  affiliated  with  the 
Wilkes-Barre  Lodge,  No.  61;  the  Shekinah 
Chapter,  No.  182,  of  Royal  Arch  Masons;  the 
Dieu  le  Vent  Commandery,  No.  45,  Knights 
Templar;  the  Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic 
Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine;  and 
the  Irem  Temple  Country  Club.  He  also 
holds  membership  in  the  Franklin  Club,  the 
Westmoreland  Club,  the  Rotary  Club,  and  is 
a  director  of  W.  H.  Nicholson  &  Company,  and 
of  the  South   Side  Bank  &  Trust  Company. 

In  Wilkes-Barre,  on  April  24,  1917,  Arthur 
Edgar  Nicholson  married  Bertha  Mannear, 
of  Wilkes-Barre,  a  daughter  of  Joseph  and 
Lavina  (Eva)  Mannear.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Nichol- 
son are  the  parents  of  two  children:  Arthur 
E.,    Jr.,   and   George   Mannear. 


EDWARD  LEO  MoGINLEY,  M.  D. — A  popu- 
lar and  skillful  physician,  Dr.  Edward  Leo 
McGinley  is  one  of  Wilkes-Barre's  youngest 
and  most  promising  members  of  the  medical 


profession.  Dr.  McGinley  has  been  engaged 
in  active  practice  in  this  city  since  1922,  and 
for  five  years  served  as  first  assistant  to  Dr. 
Granville  T.  Mattock,  the  famous  goiter  sur- 
geon at  the  Mercy  Hospital  here,  until  the 
latter's  death  in  1928.  Since  first  opening  his 
office  here,  he  has  continued  to  win  the  con- 
fidence and  trust  of  his  fellow-citizens  by 
reason  of  his  thorough  devotion  to  his  chosen 
life  work  and  his  great  ability  and  considera- 
tion. 

Dr.  McGinley  was  born  in  Wilkes-Barre, 
December  3,  1896,  son  of  Andrew  and  Bridget 
(O'Donnell)  McGinley,  both  of  Irish  stock. 
Both  parents  survive,  his  father  being  eighty- 
four  years  old  and  his  mother  being  eighty- 
one.  They  had  ten  sons:  James  J.,  Patrick 
F.,  Michael  J.,  all  of  Wilkes-Barre;  Dr.  Joseph 
Leo,  deceased,  of  whom  further;  John,  de- 
ceased; Andrew,  a  prominent  dentist  of  this 
city;  Rev.  Francis  A.,  a  Roman  Catholic  priest 
in  Scranton;  Christopher  and  Leo,  who  died 
in  childhood;  Dr.  Edward  L.,  of  whom 
further. 

Dr.  Joseph  L,  McGinley  was  born  in  Wilkes- 
Barre  in  1881.  He  was  educated  in  the  local 
public  schools  and  in  Wyoming  Seminary  at 
Kingston,  from  whicli  he  entered  Mount  St. 
Mary's  College  at  Emmitsburg,  Maryland.  He 
later  entered  the  University  of  Pennsylvania 
and  graduated  with  the  class  of  1912,  receiv- 
ing his  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine.  He 
began  the  practice  of  his  profession  in  Pitts- 
burgh, where  he  remained  for  six  years,  and 
in  1918,  he  enlisted  in  the  United  States  Army, 
receiving  the  rank  of  lieutenant  in  the  medi- 
cal Corps,  being  stationed  at  Garden  City, 
New  York.  Being  a  specialist  in  affections 
of  the  ear,  nose  and  throat,  he  performed 
much  valuable  service  and  after  the  Armis- 
tice, he  returned  to  Wilkes-Barre  and  opened 
his  professional  offices  at  No.  50  South  Wash- 
ington Street,  where  he  carried  on  a  flourish- 
ing practice  until  the  time  of  his  death.  May 
IS,  1927.  Dr.  McGinley  was  a  Democrat  in 
his  political  views,  and  a  member  of  St. 
Mary's  Catholic  Church.  He  was  a  member 
of  the  Luzerne  County  Medical  Society,  the 
State  Medical  Association  and  the  American 
Medical  Association.  He  was  a  member  of 
the  surgical  staff  of  the  Mercy  Hospital. 

Dr.  Edward  Leo  McGinley  attended  the 
local  public  schools,  and  after  his  graduation 
from  high  school  in  1912,  entered  the  Medico- 
Chirurgieal  Hospital  at  Philadelphia,  where 
he  remained  two  years,  after  which  he  ma- 
triculated at  the  University  of  Vermont, 
entering  the  medical  school.  After  four  years 
of  diligent  application  to  his  studies,  he  re- 
ceived his  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine  with 
the  class  of  1921.  After  spending  one  year  as 
interne  at  the  Fanny  Allen  Hospital  in  Bur- 
lington, Vermont,  and  the  Wilkes-Barre  Gen- 
eral Hospital  for  one  year.  Dr.  McGinley  then 
began  practice  in  Wilkes-Barre,  where  he  has 
ever  since  continued  to  rise  in  the  estimation 
of  all.  As  a  member  of  the  surgical  staff  of 
the  Mercy  Hospital,  he  has  established  a 
reputation  for  his  keen  and  penetrating 
knowledge  in  addition  to  great  surgical  skill. 
Ever  interested  in  the  people  of  his  com- 
munity and  their  welfare,  he  takes  an  active 
part  in  all  projects  for  city  progress  and 
advancement.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Luzerne 
County  Medical  Society,  the  Pennsylvania 
Medical  Society  and  the  American  Medical 
Association.  In  his  religious  aflSliations,  he 
is  a  member  of  St.  Mary's  Catholic  Church. 

Dr.  McGinley  married,  November  9,  1927, 
Virginia  Trapold,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  daughter 
of  Dr.  A.  C.  and  Ellen  (McPadden)  Trapold, 
and  they  have  a  daughter,  Jeanne  Trapold. 


469 


COLONEL  STEPHEN  ELLIOTT  —  Colonel 
Elliott  is  a  descendant  of  old  families  which 
have  participated  actively  in  the  making  o£ 
history  in  different  regions  of  the  United 
States,  being  a  son  of  Major  Charles  Pinckney 
Elliott  and  Hortense  Darling  (Beaumont) 
Elliott.  Major  Elliott  was  born  in  Beaufort, 
South  Carolina,  on  March  5,  1860,  a  son  of 
General  Stephen  Elliott,  Jr.,  and  Charlotte 
(Stuart)  Elliott;  a  grandson  of  the  Rev. 
Stephen  Elliott,  a  clergyman  in  the  Protes- 
tant Episcopal  Church  of  Georgia,  and  Anna 
Hutson  (Habersham)  Elliott,  a  daughter  of 
Major  John  Habersham,  a  member  of  the 
Continental  Congress  from  Georgia.  The  Rev. 
Stephen  Elliott  was  a  son  of  William  Elliott, 
who  was  a  son  of  William  Elliott,  who  was 
a  son  of  Thomas  Elliott,  an  early  settler  of 
Georgia.  General  Stephen  Elliott,  Jr.,  C.  S.  A., 
entered  the  Confederate  Army  as  captain  and 
rose,  in  May,  1864,  to  the  rank  of  brigadier- 
general;  he  died  in  Aiken,  South  Carolina,  on 
February  21.  1866,  of  wounds  received  at 
Petersburg,   Virginia,   in   1864. 

Major  Elliott,  the  father  of  Stephen  Elliott 
of  the  present  generation,  is  now  living  in 
Beaufort,  South  Carolina,  his  birthplace,  after 
having  served  thirty-five  years  in  the  United 
States  Army,  from  which  he  is  now  retired. 
He  received  his  education  at  the  West  Point 
Military  Academy;  was  a  cadet,  beginning 
July  1,  1S7S;  second  lieutenant  in  the  Thir- 
teenth Infantry,  January  13,  1882;  was  trans- 
ferred to  the  4th  United  States  Cavalry,  June 
7,  1883;  was  first  lieutenant,  October,  1888; 
was  retired  with  the  rank  of  captain,  July 
9,  1898.  Aside  from  his  military  accomplish- 
ments, "Which  he  achieved  in  two  wars.  Major 
Elliott  performed  considerable  work  of  an 
explorational  nature  in  the  western  part  of 
the  United  States.  He  married  Hortense  Dar- 
ling Beaumont,  a  daughter  of  Colonel  Eugene 
B.   and  Margaret    (Rutter)    Beaumont. 

The  Beaumont  ancestry  in  this  country  has 
been  traced  back  to  William  Bement  (or 
Beaman),  of  Saybrook,  who  married  Lydia 
Danforth  on  December  9,  1643;  was  in  Say- 
brook,  Connecticut,  as  early  as  1635:  and 
died  February  4,  1698.  His  wife,  who  died 
August  16,  1686,  was  a  daughter  of  Nicholas 
Danforth,  who  was  born  in  Suffolk  County, 
England,  "A  Gentleman  of  such  Estate  and 
Repute  in  the  World,"  says  Cotton  Mather, 
"that  it  cost  him  a  considerable  sum  to 
escape  the  knighthood  which  King  Charles  II 
imposed  upon  all,  and  at  so  much  per  an- 
num; and  of  such  Figure  and  Esteem  in  the 
Church  that  he  procured  that  Famous  Lecture 
at  Framlingham  in  Suffolk,  where  he  had  a 
fine  Manour."  He  came  to  New  England  in 
1634  and  was  admitted  a  freeman  in  Massa- 
chusetts colony  a  year  or  two  later.  His 
daughter  and  William  Bement  were  parents 
of  Samuel  Bement,  born  in  February,  1656, 
■who  had  a  son  Samuel,  who  in  1725  had  a 
son,  William  Bement,  who  died  August  22, 
1812,  having  married  Sarah  Everett,  of  Wind- 
ham (or  Lebanon),  Connecticut.  In  the  next 
generation  tlie  family  name  became  Beau- 
mont, the  man  who  adopted  this  name  having 
been  Isaiah  Beaumont,  a  Revolutionary  sol- 
dier, who  married  Fear  Alden;  their  son, 
Andrew  Beaumont,  born  in  Connecticut  in 
1791,  came  to  W^ilkes-Barre  in  1808,  played 
an  important  part  in  the  political  life  of  his 
day,  married  Julia  Colt  in  1813,  and  died  in 
Wilkes-Barre,  September  30,  1853;  their  son, 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Eugene  Beauharnais  Beau- 
mont, born  in  Wilkes-Barre,  August  2,  1S37, 
served  in  many  engagements  in  the  Union 
cause  in  the  American  Civil  War,  married  on 
September  8,  1S61,  Margaret  Rutter;  and  their 
daughter,  Hortense  Darling  Beaumont,  mar- 
ried Major   Charles  Pinckney   Elliott. 


Major  Charles  P.  and  Horten.se  Darling 
(Beaumont)  Elliott  are  the  parents  of  eight 
children:  1.  Margaret  Rutter,  born  October 
7,  1887,  of  Wilkes-Barre.  2.  Stephen,  of  whom 
further.  3.  Charlotte  Stuart,  born  September 
19,  1891,  now  the  wife  of  William  I^.  Lance, 
of  Wilkes-Barre.  4.  Eugene  Beaumont,  born 
August  29,  1893,  who  married  T.  Linthicurn, 
of  Los  Angeles,  California.  5.  Isabel  Stuart, 
born  August  1,  1895,  the  wife  of  Rayburn  L. 
Watres,  of  Scranton,  Pennsylvania.  6.  Na- 
thaniel Rutter,  born  July  15,  1897.  7.  Charles 
Pinckney,  Jr.,  born  September  22,  1901.  8. 
John  Beaumont  Colt,  born  January  2,  1904, 
now  a  member  of  the  Engineers  Corps  of  the 
United    States  Army. 

Stephen  Elliott,  the  second  of  the  family, 
was  born  August  23,  1889,  at  Fort  Myer, 
Virginia,  a  son  of  Charles  Pinckney  and  Hor- 
tense Darling  (Beaumont)  Elliott.  He  at- 
tended as  a  boy  the  public  schools,  then  went 
to  the  Harry  Hillman  Academy  in  Wilkes- 
Barre,  and  to  the  Wyoming  Seminary,  in 
Kingston,  Pennsylvania;  spent  one  year  at 
the  United  States  Naval  Academy  at  Annapolis, 
Maryland;  later  studying  civil  engineering  at 
Lehigh  University.  He,  like  his  ancestors  on 
the  different  sides  of  his  family,  has  had  a 
notable  career  in  the  military  service,  in  as- 
sociation with  the  National  Guard  of  Penn- 
sylvania. He  spent  much  time  in  his  earlier 
years  in  a  number  of  army  forts,  including 
Fort  Myer,  Virginia;  San  Antonio,  Texas; 
Walla  Walla,  Washington,  and  San  Diego, 
California.  After  he  had  attended  the  public 
schools  in  these  luany  different  army  centers 
he  came  to  Wilkes-Barre  in  1902.  He  enlisted 
in  the  9th  Infantry,  3d  Brigade,  Company  A, 
Pennsylvania  National  Guard,  June  11,  1911. 
He  was  commissioned  a  second  lieutenant  in 
1913  and  a  first  lieutenant  in  1915.  In  1916 
the  9th  Infantry  was  reorganized  as  the 
3d  Pennsylvania  Field  Artillery  and  as  such 
served  on  the  Mexican  border  from  Septem- 
ber, 1916,  to  March,  1918,  a  captaincy  having 
been  given  Lieutenant  Elliott  in  1916.  The 
regiment  was  called  for  service  in  the  World 
War  July  15,  1917,  and  was  dispatched  over- 
seas with  the  American  Expeditonary  Forces 
on  May  18,  1918.  It  was  a  unit  of  the  53d 
Field  Artillery  Brigade  and  was  trained  at 
Camp  De  Meucon,  France.  It  participated  in 
the  Oise-Aisne  offensive,  Champagne-Lor- 
raine and  Meuse-Argonne  as  a  part  of  the 
2Sth  Division.  Captain  Elliott  also  was  en- 
gaged with  his  regiment  in  Belgium  in  the 
Tpres-Lys  offensive,  being  attached  to  the 
91st  Division.  In  March,  1919,  he  was  com- 
missioned a  major  and  returned  to  the  United 
States  with  his  command,  arriving  at  Hobo- 
ken,  New  Jersey,  May  19,  1919.  In  the  follow- 
ing November  he  was  again  promoted,  this 
time  to  lieutenant-colonel  of  the  109th  Field 
Artillery,  Pennsylvania  National  Guard,  re- 
ceiving the  further  honor  of  a  colonelcy  in 
January,  1927. 

Stephen  Elliott  married,  September  16, 
1916,  Helen  Romaine  Dougherty,  daughter  of 
the  late  General  Charles  Bowman  and  Anna 
(Posten)  Dougherty,  of  Wilkes-Barre.  Mrs. 
Elliott   died   September   1,   1926. 


J.  RUSSELL  TAYLOR— Guardianship  of  the 
peace  of  the  city  of  Wilkes-Barre  is  safely 
vested  in  the  official  authority  of  J.  Russell 
Taylor,  who  held  the  highly  responsible 
position  of  acting  chief  of  police.  His  ad- 
vance was  from  the  place  of  inspector  of 
police,  which  he  filled  with  the  efficiency 
significant  of  unusual  capacity  for  detective 
work  as  his  specialty,  and  for  police  duty 
generally.  Chief  Taylor  is  a  naval  veteran 
of  the  World  War  and  enjoys  high  standing 
among    the    citizenry    of    Wilkes-Barre. 


470 


J.  Russell  Taylor  was  born  in  Wilkes- 
Barre,  January  25,  1S92,  the  son  of  Harry 
W.  and  Elizabeth  (Johnson)  Taylor,  both 
parents  living*.  His  father,  a  native  of 
Wilkes-Barre,  was  superintendent  of  the 
Bertel  Tin  factory  in  this  city  for  about 
thirty-five  years,  and  through  that  impor- 
tant connection,  he  became  very  well  and 
favorably  known  to  the  trade.  More  recently 
he  has  been  associated  with  the  American 
Automobile  Accessories  Company  at  Wilkes- 
Barre. 

J.  Russell  Taylor,  Wilkes-Barre's  Chief  of 
Police,  received  his  education  in  the  grade 
and  high  schools  of  his  native  city,  and 
started  early  to  make  his  own  way  in  the 
world,  which  he  has  been  achieving  ever  since, 
as  most  every  Wilkes-Barre  man  will  say.  He 
thought  first  to  make  a  career  in  the  silent 
drama,  and  he  did  make  an  essay  in  that 
direction,  when  he  accepted  the  position  of 
assistant  director  of  the  Black  Diamond 
Studios,  moving  picture  producers  at  Wilkes- 
Barre.  He  was  filling  that  berth,  after  one 
and  one-half  years  of  commendable  work, 
when  the  World  War  intervened.  He  enlisted 
for  service  in  the  Navy  and  was  assigned  to 
the  Naval  Intelligrence  Department  and  was 
attached  to  the  Third  and  Fifth  Naval  Dis- 
tricts. With  his  discharge,  on  December  18, 
1918,  there  accompanied  it  the  thanks  of  his 
superior  officers  for  his  service  intelligently 
and  bravely  performed.  In  1919  he  made  a 
near  approach  to  the  drama,  for  a  second 
time,  on  this  occasion  filling  the  position  of 
employment  clerk  during  the  building  of 
the  Capitol  Theater  in  Wilkes-Barre. 

From  the  viewpoint  of  public  service,  the 
chief  turning  point  in  Chief  Taylor's  career 
came  with  his  appointment  to  the  office  of 
Inspector  of  Police  of  Wilkes-Barre  in  Janu- 
ary, 1920.  He  developed  in  a  remarkable  way 
what  had  been  latent  ability  for  detective 
■work,  and  he  became  extremely  successful  in 
tracking  violators  of  the  law,  among  them 
being  a  number  of  desperate  criminals,  and 
bringing  them  into  court.  He  remained  a 
strong  right  arm  and  highly  efficient  officer 
during  the  tenure  of  his  inspectorship,  which 
ended  September  1,  192S,  with  his  elevation 
to  the  position  of  Acting  Chief  of  Police. 
Other  things  being  equal,  it  was  to  be 
expected  that  he  would,  when  the  time 
arrived,  be  advanced  to  the  full  chieftaincy 
— the  appointment  of  Chief  of  Police,  in 
December,  192S.  He  was  the  logical  man 
for  the  ofl^ce,  and  it  seemed  to  be  the  con- 
sensus of  the  people's  opinion  that  the  peace 
and  safety  of  the  city  could  not  be  more 
faithfully  preserved  than  through  his  head- 
ship of  the  Police  Department. 

Chief  Taylor  takes  an  active  interest  in 
things  progressive  along  civic  lines  and  with 
community  advance  movements  in  general 
in  Wilkes-Barre.  He  is  allied  with  the 
Republican  party,  affiliates  with  the  Amer- 
ican Legion,  by  reason  of  his  "war  service; 
with  Landmark  Lodge,  No.  442,  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons:  the  thirty-second  degree 
in  Kej'stone  Consistory;  Irem  Temple,  Ancient 
Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine; 
Lodge  No.  109,  Benevolent  and  Protective 
Order  of  Elks;  and  with  the  Junior  Order 
United  American  Mechanics.  He  also  belongs 
to  Irem  Temple  Country  Club  and  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Pennsylvania  Chiefs  of  Police 
Association,  and  the  International  Associa- 
tion of  Chiefs  of  Police.  His  religious  con- 
nection is  with  St.  Stephen's  Protestant 
Episcopal    Church    at   Wilkes-Barre. 

J.  Russell  Taylor  married,  July  29,  1922, 
Maude  Cook,  of  Ashley,  Pennsylvania,  the 
daughter    of    Thomas    E.    and    Frances    (Ben- 


nett) Cook,  and  one  son,  Russell  H.,  has  been 
born   to   this   union. 

JOHN  A.  HOURIGAN — One  Of  the  best- 
known  newspaper  men  in  the  Wyoming  Val- 
ley is  John  A.  Hourigan,  owner  and  publisher 
of  the  "Evening  News,"  of  Wilkes-Barre.  Mr. 
Hourigan  has  been  identified  with  the  print- 
ing and  the  publishing  business  throughout 
his  active  career,  and  has  been  the  owner 
and  publisher  of  the  "Evening  News"  since 
1909. 

John  and  Mary  Hourigan,  grandparents  of 
Mr.  Hourigan,  were  natives  of  Ireland,  who 
came  to  this  country  in  1845  or  1846,  and 
settled  in  Wyalusing,  Bradford  County, 
Pennsylvania,  where  they  lived  and  died. 
They  brought  with  them  to  this  country  a 
small  boy,  Patrick,  who  grew  up  in  Bradford 
County,  and  who,  as  a  young  man,  came  to 
Wilkes-Barre  in  1S62  and  enlisted  as  a 
private  in  Company  I,  52d  Pennsylvania  In- 
fantry. Patrick  Hourigan  fought  in  many  of 
the  hardest  fought  battles  of  the  Civil  War, 
was  captured,  and  for  eight  months  held  in 
the  famous  Andersonville  Prison.  He  was 
mustered  out  of  service  in  April,  1865,  after 
which  he  returned  to  Wilkes-Barre  and  mar- 
ried Bridget  Degnan  of  Wilkes-Barre.  That 
was  in  1869,  and  they  became  the  parents  of 
the  following  children:  1.  Mary,  who  died  at 
the  age  of  tliirty-eight  years.  2.  John  A.,  of 
further  mention.  3.  Henry,  died  in  childhood. 
4.  James,  died  in  childhood.  5.  Andrew,  a 
short  review  of  "whom  accompanies  this.  6. 
Joseph  B.,  who  is  salesmanager  of  the  Penn 
Tobacco  Company  of  Wilkes-Barre.  7.  Wil- 
liam, who  holds  a  position  with  the  Wilkes- 
Barre  "Evening  News."  8.  Sarah,  who  is  a 
teacher  in  the  public  schools  of  Wilkes-Barre. 

9.  Rev.  Frank  J.  (twin),  who  is  a  priest  in 
St.  Columbus  Church,  in  Newark,  New  Jersey. 

10.  Frederick  (twin  of  Frank  J.),  died  in 
childhood.  11.  Anna,  who  is  also  a  teacher  In 
the  public  schools  of  Wilkes-Barre.  Patrick 
Hourigan,  father  of  this  family,  died  in 
Wilkes-Barre,  August  26,  1911,  and  is  sur- 
vived by  his  widow,  who  is  now  (1927) 
eighty    years    of    age. 

John  A.  Hourigan,  son  of  Patrick  and 
Bridget  (Degnan)  Hourigan,  was  born  in 
Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania,  December  7, 
1872,  and  received  his  education  in  the  public 
schools  of  his  birthplace.  When  he  was  four- 
teen years  of  age  he  left  school  and  began 
his  long  connection  with  the  printing  and 
publishing  business  by  securing  a  position  as 
a  "printer's  devil,"  in  the  composing  room  of 
the  Wilkes-Barre  "Record."  Here  he  served 
an  apprenticeship  of  four  years  and  then  for 
twenty  years  followed  the  trade  of  the 
printer  in  the  same  connection.  At  the  end 
o£  that  time  he  was  made  foreman  of  the 
composing  department,  and  later  was  made 
manager  of  the  circulation  department.  On 
June  IS,  1909,  he  purchased  the  Wilkes-Barre 
"Morning  News,"  which  in  a  short  time  he 
changed  to  the  Wilkes-Barre  "Evening 
News."  When  he  purchased  the  news  sheet 
it  was  located  in  the  rear  of  No.  5  North 
Main  Street,  and  there  it  remained  until 
1923,  when  Mr.  Hourigan  bought  the  valuable 
property  located  at  Nos.  30-32  North  Main 
Street.  Here  he  made  extensive  improve- 
ments, installed  the  most  modern  machinery, 
and  in  every  way  equipped  the  place  for  the 
publication  of  a  first  class  news  sheet.  That 
he  has  succeeded  in  making  his  publication 
one  of  the  best  of  its  kind  in  the  city  Is 
evidenced  by  the  fact  that,  though  the  cir- 
culation was  very  small  at  the  time  he 
bought  the  paper,  it  has  now  reached  a  cir- 
culation of  more  than  fifteen  thousand.  Mr. 
Hourigan    staunchly    supports    the    principles 


and  the  candidates  of  the  Republican  party. 
He  takes  an  active  interest  in  local  public 
affairs,  was  a  member  of  the  City  Planning 
Commission  at  the  time  John  V.  Kosek  was 
mayor,  and  later  was  appointed  a  member 
of  the  school  board.  In  1921  he  was  elected 
a  member  of  the  school  board  for  a  term  of 
six  years  and  served  as  president  of  the 
board  in  1926.  He  is  a  member  of  the  board 
of  directors  of  the  Wyoming  Valley  Trust 
Company  of  Wilkes-Barre,  and  for  many 
years  has  been  active  in  various  enterprises 
planned  for  the  advancement  of  the  interests 
of  the  city.  His  religious  affiliation  is  with 
St.    John's   Roman    Catholic    Church. 

John  A.  Hourigan  was  married  to  Caroline 
G.  Henderson,  of  Plymouth,  Luzerne  County, 
Pennsylvania,  January  17,  1905.  She  is  a 
daughter  of  John  and  Mary  (Goble)  Hender- 
son, of  New  Jersey.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hourigan 
are  the  parents  of  five  children:  Mary  B., 
died  in  childhood;  Carolyn  G.,  John  A.,  Jr., 
Ruth  A.,  and  Jane  Mary. 


ANDREW  HOURIGAN  was  born  in  Wilkes- 
Barre,  March  15,  1S81.  He  graduated  from 
the  Wilkes-Barre  High  School,  and  then  read 
law  in  the  office  of  Hon.  Henry  W.  Palmer. 
He  was  admitted  to  Luzerne  County  Bar  June 
27,  1903.  He  filled  various  clerkships  in  the 
county  of  Luzerne:  served  as  assistant  dis- 
trict attorney  of  Luzerne  County;  assistant 
United  States  Attorney  Middle  District  of 
Pennsylvania.  Mr.  Hourigan  is  director  of 
Miners'  Bank,  Wilkes-Barre:  American  Bank 
and  Trust  Company,  of  Hazleton;  Capital 
Theatre  Company,  West  Side  Amusement 
Company,  Columbia  Silk  Throwing  Company, 
Smith  and  Clark  Company:  and  is  president 
of  Mercy  Hospital. 

Andre'w  Hourigan  married,  November  20, 
1913,  Marie  Quinn,  of  Johnston,  Pennsylvania, 
and  six  children  were  born  of  this  union. 
Mr.  Hourigan  and  his  family  are  members  of 
St.  Mary's   Roman  Catholic  Church. 


WALTER  BANKER — For  several  genera- 
tions the  surname  Banker  has  stood  for  all 
that  is  honorable  in  Wilkes-Barre.  Its  mem- 
bers have  contributed  vigorously  and  with 
intelligence  to  community  development,  and 
have  held  pron;iinent  place  among  the  sub- 
stantial citizenry.  Walter  Banker,  owner  and 
proprietor  of  Banker's  Drug  Store,  at  No.  57 
West  Market  Street,  is  a  son  of  Charles  H. 
Banker,  who  was  a  son  of  Phillip  Banker. 

Phillip  Banker  was  a  pioneer  settler  of 
Wilkes-Barre,  and  here  in  the  early  days  en- 
gaged in  trade  as  contractor  and  builder  in 
stone.  He  was  earnest  and  industrious,  of  a 
fine  intelligence,  and  enjoyed  a  well-earned 
prosperity.  Among  the  buildings  for  which 
he  is  remembered  are  the  Music  Hall  and  the 
old  Young  Men's  Christian  Association,  which, 
together  with  many  others  that  have  for  the 
most  part  been  destroyed  by  time,  comprised 
his  chief  contributions  to  the  advancement  of 
this  community,  thus  perpetuating  his  mem- 
ory. He  married  and  had  children,  and  of 
these  children  was  Charles  H.  Banker. 

Charles  H.  Banker,  like  his  father,  was  of 
an  earnest  temperament,  industrious  and  in- 
telligent. He  died  in  December,  1927,  at  the 
age  of  sixty-eight  years,  closing  a  life  re- 
plete of  useful  effort.  He  married  Emma 
Campsen,  and  to  this  union  were  born  eight 
children:  Walter,  of  whom  directly;  Minnie, 
unmarried;  Martha  Elizabeth,  married  Nor- 
man Hoover,  of  Wilkes-Barre;  Frances,  mar- 
ried Frederick  Lamoreau,  of  Forty  Fort,  Lu- 
zerne County:  C.  E.,  president  of  the  Banker 
Coal  Co.,  of  Wilkes-Barre;    Elsie  A.,  married 


A.  E.  Morgan,  of  Wilkes-Barre:  George  H., 
of  Wilkes-Barre,  and  Clara  E.,  unmarried. 

Walter  Banker,  eldest  child  and  son  of 
Charles  H.  and  Emma  (Campsen)  Banker, 
grandson  of  Phillip  Banker,  was  born  In 
Wilkes-Barre  on  March  13,  1881.  Here  he 
attended  the  public  schools  and,  while  pur- 
suing his  studies,  at  the  age  of  thirteen  years, 
went  to  work  in  Green's  Drug  Store,  at  No. 
57  West  Market  Street.  At  this  address,  now 
the  location  of  his  own  establishment,  he  has 
been  engaged  in  the  drug  business  during  the 
years  succeeding,  until  the  present  time 
(1929).  The  association  begun  in  1894  was 
most  instructive  to  Mr.  Banker,  in  phar- 
macy, and  three  years  later,  when  he  was 
sixteen  years  of  age,  he  was  able  to  pass 
the  State  examinations  in  that  subject,  en- 
titling him  as  registered  pharmacist  to  fill 
prescriptions  anywhere  in  the  State.  He  con- 
tinued faithfully  as  clerk  for  Mr.  Green  until 
1921;  meanwhile  he  had  accumulated  a  capi- 
tal both  in  money  and  good  will;  a  large 
share  of  the  clientele  patronizing  Green's 
Drug  Store  was  dependable  solely  upon  the 
presence  of  Mr.  Banker,  whose  personality 
was  and  is  most  pleasing  and  friendly,  and 
whose  ability  from  the  first  has  been  unques- 
tioned. In  1921  he  purchased  the  pharmacy, 
and  the  business  has  been  even  more  flour- 
ishing than   theretofore. 

Politically,  fraternally  and  in  religion  Mr. 
Banker  is  active:  his  interests  are  in  no  wise 
narrow,  but  broad  indeed.  He  is  a  Democrat, 
loyal  to  the  principles  of  government  upheld 
by  that  party,  and  holder  of  a  considerable 
influence  in  local  Democratic  circles,  which 
influence  he  exercises  quietly,  and  to  good 
effect,  always  in  the  welfare  of  the  commu- 
nity. He  is  a  communicant  of  Trinity  Luth- 
eran Church,  member  of  the  church  council 
and  superintendent  of  the  Sunday  School.  Mr. 
Banker  is  a  member  of  the  State  Luther 
League  and  of  the  National  Luther  League, 
and  of  the  latter  has  served  on  the  Executive 
Committee  of  the  United  States;  and  was  a 
member  and  chairman  of  the  Ministerial  Re- 
lief and  Pensions  Board  for  the  Pennsylvania 
Synod  of  the  church.  Toward  charitable  and 
kindred  causes  of  a  worthy  character  he  is 
ever  sympathetic,  and  gives  liberally  and 
readily,  regardless  of  considerations  of  race 
or  creed,  in  a  spirit  truly  humanitarian.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  Wilkes-Barre-Wyoming 
Valley  Chamber  of  Commerce  and  the  Wilkes- 
Barre  Kiwanis  Club.  He  has  been  president 
of  the  Luzerne  County  Pharmaceutical  Asso- 
ciation for  the  past  fourteen  years.  During 
the  World  War  he  served  in  various  capaci- 
ties on  the  board  and  committees  in  charge 
of  the  prosecution  of  war  work  from  within 
this  country,  and  participated  actively  in 
the   several   Liberty  Loan   campaigns. 

Walter  Banker  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Edna  Seward,  native  of  Luzerne  County,  born 
October  23,  1906,  a  daughter  of  Wynn  and 
Jessie  (McCuUoch)  Seward.  This  union  has 
been  blessed  with  three  children:  1.  Eliza- 
beth Martha,  who  married  Richard  C.  Sickler. 
2.  Marjorie  Jean,  who  resides  at  home.  3. 
Phillip  Walter,  also  residing  at  home.  The 
family  resides  at  No.  382  Wright  Street, 
Kingston. 


CLAUDE  P.  SMITH— Representing  the 
third  successive  generation  in  the  ownership 
and  management  of  what  is  now  the  largest 
dry  cleaning  and  dyeing  establishment  in 
Wilkes-Barre  and  one  of  the  largest  under- 
takings of  this  type  in  Pennsylvania,  Mr. 
Smith  has  been  actively  connected  with  this 
business  since   1921.     Pounded  by  his  grand- 


father,  George  Smith,  the  business  has 
enjoyed  a  constant  growth,  and  much  of  its 
success  in  recent  years  has  been  the  result 
of  the  exceptional  business  ability  of  C.  P. 
Smith  and  of  liis  progressiveness  and  energy. 
Though  one  of  the  younger  of  Wilkes-Barre's 
business  men,  he  is  one  of  the  most  substan- 
tial and  in  every  other  way,  too,  he  is  a 
very  useful  and  very  popular  member  of  the 
community. 

Claude  P.  Smith  was  born  in  Willies-Barre, 
March  4,  18S1,  a  son  of  the  late  Oscar  and  Anna 
(Tubbs)  Smith.  His  father,  who  was  born 
in  Wilkes-Barre  in  1856  and  who  died  there, 
June  8,  1921,  was  for  many  years  active  in 
the  management  of  the  Oscar  Smith  Carpet 
Company  and  the  Sanitary  Cleaning  &  Dyeing 
Company,  both  of  Wilkes-Barre.  He  was  also 
very  active  in  civic  affairs,  serving  for  a 
number  of  years  on  the  Wilkes-Barre  City 
Council  and  being,  at  three  different  oc- 
casions a  candidate  for  mayor.  Mr.  Smith's 
mother,  who  died  in  Wilkes-Barre  in  April, 
1920,  was  born  at  Cambra,  Luzerne  County, 
and  was  a  member  of  one  of  that  county's 
old    families. 

Claude  P.  Smith  was  educated  in  the  pub- 
lic schools  of  his  native  city  and  at  Wyoming 
Seminary  and  then  went  to  work  for  one  year 
in  the  Isaac  Long  Department  Store  as  a 
clerk.  Next  he  "went  to  Florida,  where  he 
remained  for  ten  years,  engaging  in  the 
laundry  business  and  becoming  president  and 
general  manager  of  the  E.  S.  Paine  Laundry 
Company  of  Jacksonville,  Florida.  In  1921, 
after  his  father's  death,  he  returned  to 
Wilkes-Barre  and  became  a  partner  of  his 
brother,  G.  Earl  Smith,  in  the  cleaning  and 
dyeing  concerns  founded  by  his  grandfather 
some  eighty  years  ago.  Since  then  he  has 
been  active  in  their  management  and,  to- 
gether with  his  brother,  G.  Earl  Smith,  has 
greatly  expanded  them.  Mr.  Smith  and  his 
brother,  in  1928,  also  controlled  the  Bornot 
Company,  cleaners  and  dyers  of  Philadelphia, 
one  of  the  oldest  and  largest  concerns  of  its 
type  in  the  United  States,  of  which  G.  Earl 
Smith  is  chairman  of  the  board  of  directors. 
His  religious  affiliations  are  with  the  Prot- 
estant Episcopal  Church,  and  more  particu- 
larly with  St.  Stephen's  Church  of  Wilkes- 
Barre.  In  politics  he  is  a  supporter  of  the 
Republican  party.  He  is  a  member  of  Temple 
Lodge,  No.  23,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  of 
Jacksonville.  Florida;  Jacksonville  Consis- 
tory, Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite;  and 
Irem  Temple,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  Ancient  Arabic 
Order   Nobles    of  the   Mystic   Shrine. 

Mr.  Smith  married,  September  28,  1904, 
Gertrude  -Al.  Morgan,  a  daughter  of  Dr.  Aston 
H.  and  Helen  (Sharp)  Morgan,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith  are  the  parents 
of  one  daughter,  Helen  M.  Smith,  born  in 
1906,  who  was  a  graduate  of  Beaver  College, 
Jenkintown,  Pennsylvania.  She  married 
Joseph    Fuller    Collingwood    of    Philadelphia. 

The  Oscar  Smith  Carpet  Company,  of  which 
Mr.  Smith  is  now  joint  owner  with  his 
brother,  was  established  in  1848  by  their 
grandfather,  Captain  John  Smith,  and  orig- 
inally carried  on  exclusively  the  cleaning  of 
carpets  and  upholstery.  In  1870  the  busi- 
ness was  taken  over  by  the  son  of  the 
founder,  the  late  Oscar  Smith,  father  of 
Claude  P.  Smith.  In  1909  the  latter,  together 
with  one  of  his  sons,  G.  Earl  Smith,  estab- 
lished a  new  branch  of  the  business,  devoted 
to  dry  cleaning  and  dyeing  and  known  as 
the  Sanitary  Cleaning  &  Dyeing  Company. 
On  the  death  of  Mr.  Oscar  Smith,  in  1921, 
Claude  P.  Smith  became  a  partner  of  his 
brother  and  this  partnership  has  continued 
since  then.  In  the  beginning  the  business 
was    located    in    a    small    building    on    South 


State  Street  and  only  three  people  were 
employed.  In  1912  an  addition  was  built 
and  in  1915  the  steady  growth  of  the  busi- 
ness required  larger  quarters  and  a  new 
building  was  erected  at  that  time  between 
State  and  Washington  streets.  Some  twenty 
people  were  required  at  that  period  in  the 
business'  history  to  care  for  its  constantly 
growing  trade.  Five  years  later,  in  1920,  still 
another  addition  became  necessary  and  after 
its  completion  the  working  force  was  in- 
creased to  thirty  people.  Once  more,  in  1924, 
the  expansion  of  the  business  required  new 
and  larger  quarters,  and  it  was  then  that 
its  present  headquarters  were  erected,  a 
brick,  concrete  and  steel  building  running 
the  full  length  from  Washington  Street  to 
State  Street.  It  contains  an  attractive  mod- 
ern show  room,  spacious  cold  storage  vaults 
for  furs  and  up-to-date  equipment  for  dye- 
ing and  cleaning.  The  number  of  employees 
now  averages  one  hundred  people. 

G.  Earl  Smith  was  born  February  22,  1883, 
in  Wilkes-Barre.  He  married  Ruth  Wilder- 
muth,   and  has   two   children. 


JEROME  !MEYER — Wilkes-Barre  numbers 
among  its  leading  citizens,  Jerome  Meyer, 
head  of  the  firm  of  Jerome  Meyer  and  Sons, 
wholesale  and  manufacturing  jewelers,  whose 
offices  are  at  No.  15  Public  Square,  Wilkes- 
Barre,  Pennsylvania.  Mr.  Meyer's  firm  is  one 
of  the  leading  jewelry  houses  in  Northeast- 
ern  Pennsylvania. 

It  is  the  only  firm  in  Northeastern  Pennsyl- 
vania who  are  members  of  the  Amsterdam 
and  Antwerp  Diamond  Exchange.  Once  a 
year  a  member  of  the  firm  goes  abroad  to 
buy  their  stock  of  diamonds  for  the  Wilkes- 
Barre  trade.  The  reputation  of  the  house  is 
that  of  a  highly  reputable  firm,  with  goods 
that  are  the  best  in  quality.  In  politics  Mr. 
Meyer  is  a  Republican. 

Jerome  Meyer  married  Minnie  Davis,  of 
New  York  City,  and  they  are  the  parents  of 
three  children:  Nat,  of  whom  further;  Har- 
old, of  whom  further;    and  Elsie. 

Nat  Meyer,  the  eldest  son,  was  born  April 
26,  1890,  in  Wilkes-Barre.  He  was  educated 
in  the  public  schools  and  was  graduated  from 
the  high  school  with  the  class  of  1907,  and 
has  been  a  member  of  the  jewelry  firm  of 
Jerome  Meyer  and  Sons  since  1910.  He  is 
a  member  of  Landmark  Lodge,  No.  442,  Free 
and  Accepted  Masons;  holds  the  thirty-second 
degree  in  Keystone  Consistory  of  Scranton, 
Pennsylvania:  and  a  member  of  Irem  Temple, 
Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic 
Shrine,  Irem  Temple  Country  Club,  Kiwanis 
Club,  and  the  .Tunior  Order  United  American 
Mechanics.  He  is  a  director  of  Wilkes-Barre- 
Wyoming  Valley  Chamber  of  Commerce.  In 
politics  Mr.  Meyer  is  a  Republican.  Nat 
Meyer  married  Gertrude  Claster,  of  Lock 
Haven,  Pennsylvania,  and  they  are  the  par- 
ents of  three  sons:  Alfred,  Theodore,  and 
Gilbert  Sidney. 

Harold  Meyer,  the  younger  son  of  Jerome 
and  Minnie  (Davis)  Meyer,  was  born  in 
Wilkes-Barre,  February  17,  1892,  and  gradu- 
ated from  the  high  school  with  the  class  of 
of  1909.  He  went  to  Philadelphia  and  spent 
two  years  there  learning  the  watch  and  jew- 
elry trade.  Upon  his  return  to  Wilkes-Barre 
he  became  a  member  of  his  father's  firm  in 
1911.  Harold  Meyer  is  a  Republican  and  a 
member  of  Landmark  Lodge,  No.  442,  Free 
and  Accepted  Masons;  Keystone  Consistory, 
of  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  thirty-second  de- 
gree; Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order 
Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine;  Irem  Temple 
Country  Club;    Junior  Order  United  American 


i^ianf^iia^^ 


473 


Mechanics  and  the  Loyal  Order  of  Moose.  Mr. 
Meyer  is  also  vice-president  of  the  Wilkes- 
Barre  Baseball  Club.  Harold  Meyer  married 
Ida  Claster,  of  Lock  Haven,  Pennsylvania, 
and  they  are  the  parents  of  two  children, 
Marjorie  Toby  and  Phillis  Ruth. 

The  firm  of  Jerome  Meyer  and  Sons  own 
their  own  building,  and  in  the  past  two  years 
they  have  acquired  considerable  business 
properties  in  the  central  section  of  Wilkes- 
Barre. 


R.  JAY  FLICK — Whether  as  a  leader  in 
local  journalism  and  its  county-wide  influ- 
ences, or  as  an  industrialist  whose  activities 
have  long  been  associated  with  the  broaden- 
ing' of  the  plans  and  purposes  of  a  score  of 
public  utilities  in  "Wilkes-Barre  and  the  State 
in  general,  R.  Jay  Flick  is  a  distinguished 
personality  and  factor  in  the  organization  of 
industrial  institutions  and  whatsoever  has 
to  do  with  the  promotion  of  public  welfare. 
As  the  presiding  executive  of  many  light  and 
power  concerns  in  this  section  of  the  State, 
he  is  everywhere  known  and  highly  regarded 
in  the  business  world. 

R,  Jay  Flick  was  born  June  24,  1S71,  in 
Wilkes-Barre,  a  son  of  Reuben  Jay  Flick, 
who  died  December  18,  1890,  and  Margaret  J. 
(Arnold)  Flick,  who  died  November  16,  1904. 
Reuben  Jay  Flick  was  president  of  the  Peo- 
ples' Bank  for  twelve  years,  president  of  the 
Wilkes-Barre  Lace  Manufacturing  Company 
for  many  years,  and  member  of  the  board  of 
directors  of  the  leading  industries  in  the 
Wyoming  Valley. 

The  first-comer  of  the  paternal  name  was 
Gerlach  Paul  Flick,  who  emigrated  from 
Amsterdam,  Holland,  in  ship  "Neptune," 
landed  at  Philadelphia,  September  23,  1751, 
and,  settling  in  Northampton  County,  fol- 
lowed the  occupation  of  miller.  His  young- 
est son,  Casper,  served  through  the  Revolu- 
tionary War,  afterwards  followed  his  father's 
occupation,  and  died  at  the  age  of  ninety-four 
years.  Of  his  twelve  children,  eleven  lived 
more   than   eighty   years. 

John  Flick,  who  was  born  in  1783  and  died 
in  1869,  eldest  son  of  Casper  Flick,  was  a 
leading  citizen  of  Northampton  County,  the 
village  of  Flicksville  being  named  for  him. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  Pennsylvania  Leg- 
islature in  1840-41,  and  he  held  other  respon- 
sible oflices,  and  served  in  the  War  of  1812 
until  peace  was  declared.  In  1813,  he  married 
Eva  B.  Caster,  daughter  of  Philip  Caster,  a 
soldier  of  the  Revolutionary  Army,  and  who 
at  one  time  lived  in  the  Wyoming  Valley, 
but  afterwards  settled  at  Lower  Mount 
Bethel,  Northampton  County.  Mrs.  Flick  died 
in   1873,  at  the  age   of  seventy-seven  years. 

Reuben  Jay  Flick,  who  was  born  in  1816, 
and  died  in  1890,  eldest  son  of  John  Flick, 
was  a  native  of  Flicksville,  Northampton 
County,  and  settled  in  Wilkes-Barre  at  the 
age  of  twenty-two  years.  He  was  closely 
identified  with  the  growth  of  that  city,  hav- 
ing been  officially  connected  with  its  leading 
financial,  industrial  and  benevolent  institu- 
tions. He  organized  and  was  for  twelve 
years  president  of  the  People's  Bank,  was  an 
elder  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  trustee  of 
Harry  Hillman  Academy,  the  Female  Insti- 
tute, the  City  Hospital,  the  Home  for  Friend- 
less Children;  also  Lincoln  University,  at 
Oxford.  He  was  nominated  for  Congress  in 
1882,  on  the  Prohibition  ticket.  He  married, 
January  9,  1858,  Margaret  Jane  Arnold, 
daughter  of  Adam  and  Margaret  (Hoof- 
smith)  Arnold,  of  Hamilton,  Monroe  County; 
and   they   were   the   parents   of   five   children: 


Liddon;  Warren  Jay ;  Helen  Jessie;  Harry  Lin- 
coln;  Reuben  J.(R.  Jay),  Jr.,  of  whom  further. 

R.  Jay  Flick  attended  the  Wilkes-Barre 
public  schools,  and  when  he  was  thirteen 
years  old,  entered  Harry  Hillman  Academy,  a 
private  school  in  that  city,  where  he  was 
graduated  in  1888.  He  was  graduated  at 
Phillips  Exeter  Academy  in  1890;  and  taking 
the  arts  course  at  Princeton  University,  was 
graduated  there  in  1894  with  the  degree  of 
Bachelor  of  Arts.  Taking  the  full  business 
course  at  Wyoming  Business  College,  he  was 
graduated  there  in  1896. 

In  the  year  of  his  graduation  from  the 
business  college,  1896,  Mr.  Flick  was  ap- 
pointed business  manager  of  the  Wilkes- 
Barre  "Times,"  an  evening  daily  paper  pub- 
lished by  the  Wilkes-Barre  Times  Company. 
About  two  years  later,  he  was  made  treas- 
urer of  that  company,  and  in  1905  he  became 
president  and  editor  of  the  paper.  Since  1896, 
Mr.  Flick  has  been  agent  for  the  R.  J.  Flick 
estate 

Having  become  interested  in  the  promotion 
and  reorganization  of  gas  and  electric  com- 
panies, Mr.  Flick  has  served  as  president  of 
the  Bethlehem  Consolidated  Gas  Company,  of 
Bethlehem;  president  of  the  Vineland  Light 
and  Power  Company,  of  Vineland,  New  Jer- 
sey; president  of  the  Mahanoy  City  Gas  Com- 
pany; a  director  of  the  Ann  Harbor  Railroad 
Company;  the  Auburn  Light,  Heat,  and  Power 
Company;  the  George  W.  Jackson  Company; 
and  a  vice-president  of  Wilkes-Barre  Cham- 
ber of  Commerce. 

During  a  long  period  inclusive  of  the  World 
War,  Mr.  Flick  was  director  of  the  Bureau 
of  Construction  of  the  American  Red  Cross, 
at  their  headquarters  in  Washington,  District 
of  Columbia. 

Mr.  Flick,  but  recently  president  of  the 
People's  Light  Company  of  Pittston,  is  now 
president  of  the  Oaklawn  Cemetery  Associa- 
tion; and  vice-president  of  the  Wilkes-Barre 
Lace   Manufacturing   Company. 

Mr.  Flick  is  a  member  of  the  American 
Geographical  Society;  the  Bibliophile  So- 
ciety; life  member  of  the  Wyoming  Valley 
Historical  Society;  life  member  of  the  Audo- 
bon  Society;  member  of  the  Westmoreland 
Club,  of  Wilkes-Barre;  Racquet  Club,  of 
Philadelphia;  and  the  Union,  New  York 
Yacht,  Riding,  Turf  and  Field,  and  Bankers' 
clubs,  of  New  York  City.  He  was  chairman 
of  the  souvenir  and  programme  committee  at 
the  Wilkes-Barre  Centennial,   in   1906. 

R.  Jay  Flick  married,  February  10,  1909, 
Mrs.  Henrietta  (Ridgely)  Flick,  widow  of 
his  brother,  Liddon  Flick,  and  daughter  of 
Dr.  Nicholas  Greenbury  Ridgely,  of  Hampton, 
Maryland,  and  Ida  (Deshon)  Ridgely.  They 
have  one  daughter,  Eleanor  Ridgely  Flick, 
born  December  8,    1910. 


FRANCIS  IVAPOLEOiV  LOUGHNANE — Hold- 
ing the  important  position  of  division  engi- 
neer on  the  Lehigh  Valley  Railroad,  Francis 
N.  Loughnane,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  is  a  man 
who  has  made  the  grade  from  the  humble 
place  of  water-boy,  mastering  in  turn  every 
step  of  the  way.  He  is  esteemed  as  one  of 
the  most  valued  of  the  oflicials  on  the  Lehigh 
system,  and  in  his  expertness  as  a  railroad 
man  the  management  reposes  implicit  con- 
fidence. He  is  a  striking  example  of  the 
foreign-born  boy  who  has  come  to  America, 
and  achieved  a  career  of  success  and  useful- 
ness. Possessing  the  commission  of  a  cap- 
tain in  the  Engineers'  Reserve  Corps,  United 
States  Army,  he  stands  ready  at  any  time 
to  serve  his  government  in  emergency. 

Francis   Napoleon   Loughnane   was   born   in 


474 


the  British  Isles,  September  19,  1869.  JHis 
father,  James  Loughnane,  was  born  in  Scot- 
land, and  was  a  member  of  the  British  Army 
for  many  years.  He  died  in  1SS3.  The 
mother,  Mary  Agnes  (Burl^e)  Loughnane, 
who  was  a  native  of  Ireland,  died  in  1S96. 
Francis  Napoleon  had  public  school  and  aca- 
demy training  in  his  native  land,  and  pursued 
his  studies  further  at  schools  in  Pittston, 
Pennsylvania,   and  New  York   City. 

Mr.  Loughnane  began  his  career  as  a  rail- 
road worker  by  taking  a  real  job,  that  of 
water-boy,  on  the  Lehigh  Railroad.  He  was 
sent  out  with  section  and  construction  gangs 
to  help  the  men  slake  their  thirst  while 
in  the  performance  of  their  arduous  labor. 
Cheerful,  willing  and  ambitious,  he  was  one 
of  the  best  water-boys  that  section  of  the 
railroad  had  known.  It  was  reasonable  to 
expect  that  such  a  promising  lad  would  re- 
ceive merited  promotion,  which  came  to  him 
in  the  form  of  the  position  of  watchman. 
Here  he  discharged  his  duties  with  faithful- 
ness and  precision.  Then  he  advanced  to 
track-walker,  and  in  his  integrity  rested  the 
safety  of  many  lives  and  much  valuable  prop- 
erty which  passed  in  trains  over  the  section 
patrolled  by  him.  Next  he  .was  made  sec- 
tion foreman  and  "extra-gang"  foreman. 
All  the  while  he  was  developing  his  expert- 
ness  in  track  construction  and  supervision. 
When  the  time  came  to  fill  the  vacancy  in 
a  position  of  general  foreman,  he  was  named 
for  that  promotion.  In  that  responsible  duty 
he  showed  marked  ability,  and  his  work  was 
extremely  pleasing  to  the  division  head  and 
his  own  immediate  superior.  From  the  gen- 
eral foremanship  he  passed  to  assistant  road- 
master,  and  then  to  supervisor  of  tracks. 
The  peak  of  his  railroading  career  to  date 
(1929)  was  attained  in  1911,  when  he  was 
appointed  division  engineer  on  the  Lehigh. 
This  advancement  was  hailed  with  delight  by 
Mr.  Loughnane's  comrades  in  the  service,  and 
he  has  ever  since  been  an  increasingly  indis- 
pensable official  in  the  company's  personnel. 
His  headquarters  are  in  Wilkes-Barre,  in 
which  city  he  and  his  family  have  their 
residence. 

Mr.  Loughnane  is  an  ardent  Republican. 
During  his  entire  residence  in  Wilkes-Barre, 
since  1S98,  he  has  conscientiously  endeavored 
to  cooperate  with  the  people  of  the  city  who 
have  the  advance  of  their  community  very 
much  at  heart.  He  has,  therefore,  become 
one  of  the  valued  citizens,  whose  civic  ideals 
are  in  harmony  with  the  general  upward 
movement.  Mr.  Loughnane  finds  his  great- 
est recreation  in  good  reading,  and  is  par- 
ticularly fond  of  historical,  biographical, 
philosophical  and  scientific  works.  His  prin- 
cipal fraternal  affiliation  is  with  Wilkes- 
Barre  Lodge,  No.  109,  Benevolent  and  Pro- 
tective Order  of  Elks,  and  he  belongs  to  the 
Wilkes-Barre-Wyoming  Valley  Chamber  of 
Commerce,  the  Society  of  American  Military 
Engineers,    and    the    Fox    Hill    Country    Club. 

Francis  N.  Loughnane  married,  in  1898, 
Margaret  Fahey,  daughter  of  Michael  and 
Margaret  (Regan-Durkin)  Fahey,  of  Ash- 
land, Schuylkill  County,  Pennsylvania.  They 
are  the  parents  of  two  children;  1.  Albert 
McKenzie,  who  fought  in  the  World  War, 
with  the  commission  of  captain  in  the  Cana- 
dian Army  Medical  Corps,  with  service  over- 
seas. He  was  given  a  special  citation  and 
awarded  the  Croix-de-Guerre  by  the  French 
for  brave  and  meritorious  service  in  the  field 
under  particularly  hazardous  conditions.  2. 
Francis. 


WILLIS  LEONARD  DEA!V.  A.  M. — The  fam- 
ily of  the  surname  Dean  of  which  Professor 
Willis   L.    Dean    of  Wyoming  Seminary,   busi- 


ness department,  member  of  the  faculty  for 
more  than  fifty  years,  is  a  member,  is  de- 
scended from  Walter  Deane  of  South  Chard, 
Somersetshire,  England,  who  died  in  lB91. 
His  son,  William  Deane,  was  the  father  of 
nine  children,  of  whom  two  j-ounger  sons, 
John  and  Walter,  came  to  Boston,  Massachu- 
setts, in  1637.  Walter  Deane  was  born  in 
Chard,  England,  between  1615  and  1620,  took 
the  freeman's  oath  in  Massachusetts  in  1638, 
was  selectman  in  Taunton,  Massachusetts, 
for  seven  years  until  1686,  married  Eleanor 
Strong,  daughter  of  Richard  Strong,  of  Taun- 
ton, England,  and  had  four  children.  Of  these 
the  youngest  son,  James,  learned  the  trade  of 
blacksmith  and  iron  worker,  and  became 
prominent  in  the  town  of  Stonington,  Massa- 
chusetts; he  later  resided  in  Plainfield,  owned 
many  lands  there  and  in  Voluntown,  and 
died.  May  29,  1725.  His  son  Jonathan  was 
baptized  April  2,  1693,  became  a  considerable 
man  of  property  in  Plainfield,  served  in  the 
State  Legislature,  married,  in  1716,  Sarah 
Douglas,  and  had  children.  Of  them  was 
Captain  Ezra  Dean  (the  final  "e"  had  been 
dropped  from  the  surname  by  his  father), 
born  in  Plainfield,  Connecticut,  in  1718,  who 
was  the  first  of  the  family  to  come  to  the 
Wyoming  Valley  in  Pennsylvania,  which  he 
did  in  1769,  when  fifty-one  years  of  age.  This 
Captain  Ezra  took  unto  himself  four  wives. 
One  of  them  was  from  North  Kingston,  Rhode 
Island,  and,  so  it  is  said,  it  was  in  honor  of 
her  that  Kingston,  Pennsylvania,  was  named. 
His  fourth  wife,  Phoebe  Waterman,  wed  in 
1774,  survived  him,  when  he  died,  in  1806, 
leaving  five  of  his  fourteen  children.  Jona- 
than, one  to  survive,  was  born  in  1741,  and 
was  town  clerk  of  West  Greenwich  from  1776 
until  1780;  he  came  to  Pennsylvania,  locat- 
ing in  Abington  in  1800,  was  the  first  clerk 
in  the  first  church  in  that  town,  and  died  in 
1822.  His  wife,  Mary  Davis,  bore  him  five 
children.  James  Dean  was  born  in  1780,  in 
West  Greenwich,  Rhode  Island.  He  married 
Catherine  Tripp,  of  Providence,  Pennsylvania, 
in  1803,  thereby  joining  two  pioneer  families 
of  the  State:  and  they  had  eight  children. 
Among  them  was  Nelson  N.  Dean,  born  July 
11,  1814,  who  attended  the  public  schools  of 
his  native  town,  Abington,  and  the  Franklin 
Academy,  at  Hartford,  Pennsylvania. 

Nelson  N.  Dean,  of  the  eighth  generation 
from  Walter  Deane  of  South  Chard,  Somer- 
setshire, England,  and  of  the  sixth  from 
Walter,  the  progenitor,  of  Massachusetts, 
was  a  farmer  by  occupation.  An  intelligent 
citizen,  interested  in  the  welfare  of  his 
county,  he  was  elected  one  of  the  three 
commissioners  of  Luzerne  County,  in  1876, 
and  was  the  last  to  serve  in  that  capacity 
from  the  portion  of  Luzerne  County  which 
was  cut  off  and  became  Lackawanna  County. 
Mr.  Dean  married,  April  25,  1850,  Clarissa 
Dayton  Searle.  born  November  14.  1824.  in 
Pittston  Township,  Luzerne  County.  Her 
great-grandfather.  Constant  Searle,  native 
of  Stonington,  Connecticut,  was  killed  in  the 
Wyoming  Massacre,  July  3,  1778.  Her  grand- 
father, Roger  Searle,  then  a  youth  of 
eighteen,  was  in  the  battle,  but  escaped;  and 
many  other  members  of  the  family  were  in- 
volved. Her  mother  was  Mary  (Stark)  Searle, 
daughter  of  Henry  Stark  of  Plains,  Luzerne 
County,  and  a  descendant  of  General  Stark  of 
the  Continental  Army.  After  their  marriage, 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dean  began  housekeeping  in 
their  own  home  near  Abington  Centre,  now 
Waverly,  Pennsylvania,  where  they  spent  the 
balance  of  their  lives.  Their  children  "were: 
1.  James  Elmer,  born  September  13,  1851.  2. 
Willis  Leonard,  born  February  5,  1857,  of 
whom  directly.  Nelson  N.  Dean  died  June  1, 
1S79,  soon  after  completing  his  term  of  office 


475 


as  county  commissioner;  and  not  long  after- 
ward liis  son  Willis  erected  a  pleasant  home 
for  his  mother,  in  the  center  of  Waverly 
village,  where  she  resided  until  her  death. 

Willis  L.  Dean,  of  the  ninth  generation 
from  Walter  Deane  of  South  Chard,  Somer- 
setshire, England,  and  of  the  seventh  from 
^Valter  the  progenitor  in  Massachusetts, 
youngest  son  of  Nelson  N.  and  Clarissa  Day- 
ton (Searle)  Dean,  attended  the  Madison 
Academy,  in  Waverly,  the  Wyoming  Semi- 
nary, Kingston,  and  graduated  from  the  com- 
mercial department  of  the  latter,  in  1873,  at 
the  age  of  seventeen  years.  He  taught  in 
Lowell's  Commercial  College,  in  Binghamton, 
New  York,  for  the  next  two  years,  then,  in 
1S75,  became  instructor  in  penmanship  and 
bookkeeping  in  Wyoming  Seminary,  and  was 
made  principal  of  the  college  of  business  of 
that  institution  in  1SS2,  which  position  he 
has  filled  through  the  succeeding  years,  to 
the  sincere  appreciation  of  trustees  and  pa- 
trons alike.  Mr.  Dean  has  not  limited  his 
studies  to  those  of  his  department,  but  has 
acquired  a  broad  and  liberal  culture  from 
reading  widely,  and  from  contact  with  men 
of  learning  elsewhere.  In  1890,  after  he  had 
served  fifteen  years  in  the  seminary,  Dickin- 
son College  conferred  upon  him  the  degree 
of  Master  of  Arts,  in  recognition  of  his  at- 
tainments. Mr.  Dean  is  a  man  of  excellent 
business  capacity,  and  from  small  beginnings, 
by  prudent  management,  has  acquired  a  sub- 
stantial competency.  He  is  widely  known  and 
respected  in  all  circles  of  education  of  Lu- 
zerne County  and  enjoys  an  extensive  ac- 
quaintanceship in  those  of  the  State.  Kindly, 
firm  in  his  opinions  yet  ever  ready  to  alter 
them  in  the  face  of  evidence,  industrious, 
keenly  intelligent,  and  possessed  in  generous 
measure  of  those  qualities  of  character  which 
tend  to  endear  a  man  to  his  fellows,  Mr. 
Dean's  friends  are  many  and  devoted,  and 
extend  down  to  the  youngest  of  his  pupils  in 
the   seminary. 

On  June  20,  1878,  Mr.  Dean  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Mary  Goodwin,  born  in  King- 
ston, March  24,  1857,  daughter  of  Philip  M. 
and  Eliza  (Grosvenor)  Goodwin,  and  to  this 
union  ^vere  born  two  children':  1.  Searle  G., 
born  November  13,  ISSO,  died  October  10, 
1881.  2.  Marjorie,  born  September  19,  1884, 
graduate  of  Wyoming  Seminary,  class  of 
1903.  She  married,  October  12,  1905,  George 
Wiilard  Carey,  of  Forty  Fort,  and  is  the 
mother  of  two  sons.  Dean  and  George  W.,  Jr. 


JOSEPH    VINCENT    CONNOLE,    M.    D. — One 

of  the  leading  eye.  ear,  nose,  and  throat 
specialists  in  Luzerne  County  is  Dr.  Joseph 
A^incent  Connole,  whose  offices  are  located  in 
the  Miners  Bank  Building,  in  Wilkes-Barre, 
Pennsylvania.  Dr.  Connole  is  a  native  of  Lu- 
zerne County,  and  a  graduate  of  Jefferson 
Medical  College,  in  Philadelphia,  and  has  been 
located  in  Wilkes-Barre  since  the  fall  of  1919. 

Dr.  Joseph  Vincent  Connole  was  born  in 
Plymouth,  Luzerne  County,  July  8,  1889,  son 
of  John  F.  and  Mary  Elizabeth  (Keating) 
Connole,  of  Plymouth,  both  deceased.  John 
P.  Connole  was  a  well-known  business  man 
in  Plymouth  for  many  years,  and  he  and  his 
wife  were  the  parents  of  six  children:  Mary, 
married  John  P.  McGroarty,  of  Wilkes-Barre; 
Thomas,  whose  death  occurred  when  he  was 
twenty-three  years  of  age;  Dr.  John  F.,  who 
is  a  well-known  physician  of  Wilkes-Barre; 
Alethea  B.:  Dr.  Joseph  Vincent,  of  further 
mention;   and   Anna  M. 

Dr.  Joseph  Vincent  Connole  received  his 
early  school  training  in  the  parochial  school 
at  Plymouth,  and  then  became  a  student  in 
the  Harry  Hillman  Academy,  from  which  he 
was  graduated  with  the  class  of  1908.    As  he 


had  early  determined  upon  the  medical  pro- 
fession as  his  future  field  of  service,  he  then 
entered  Jefferson  Medical  College,  at  Phila- 
delphia, where  he  finished  his  course  with 
graduation  in  1912,  receiving  at  that  time 
the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine.  After 
graduation  he  served  an  interneship  of  two 
years  in  the  Newark  City  Hospital,  and  then, 
still  desiring  to  further  prepare  himself  for 
the  best  possible  service  in  his  chosen  field, 
spent  another  year  in  special  study  of  the 
ear,  nose,  and  throat  in  the  Pennsylvania 
Hospital,  at  Philadelphia.  In  the  fall  of  1915, 
he  went  to  the  Wills  Eye  Hospital,  of  Phila- 
delphia, where  he  studied  for  a  period  of 
two  years.  In  October,  1917,  he  enlisted  for 
service  in  the  World  War,  and  served  in  the 
United  States  Navy  as  senior  lieutenant,  in 
charge  of  the  eye  work  at  the  Philadelphia 
Navy  Yard,  where  he  remained  for  a  period 
of  two  years.  At  the  end  of  that  time,  in  the 
fall  of  1919.  he  came  to  Wilkes-Barre  and 
opened  an  office  in  the  Miners  Bank  Building, 
where  he  has  since  been  continuously  and 
successfully  engaged  in  special  practice.  He 
has  become  known  as  one  of  the  leading 
specialists  in  his  field  in  Luzerne  County, 
and  has  built  up  a  very  large  and  important 
practice. 

He  is  a  member  of  the  Luzerne  County 
Medical  Society,  the  Pennsylvania  State  Medi- 
cal Society,  and  the  American  Medical  Asso- 
ciation; and  is  a  member  of  the  Nu  Sigma 
Nu  Fraternity.  He  is  a  member  of  the  staff 
of  Mercy  Hospital,  of  Wilkes-Barre.  Politi- 
cally, he  is  a  Democrat.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Westmoreland  Club,  and  of  the  Wyoming 
Valley  Country  Club,  and  his  religious  affilia- 
tion is  with  St.  Mary's  Roman  Catholic 
Church   of  Wilkes-Barre. 


THOMAS  JEFFERSON  HALSBY — Engaged 
in  civil  engineering  in  Wilkes-Barre  and  Lu- 
zerne County,  Thomas  Jefferson  Halsey  holds 
an  important  position  in  the  life  of  this  com- 
munity, where  he  is  a  civil  and  consulting 
engineer  and  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Winter- 
mute  and  Halsey.  There  is  scarcely  any 
phase  of  the  life  of  his  city  and  county  in 
which  Mr.  Halsey  is  not  keenly  interested, 
and  so  it  is  that  he  stands  high  in  the  esteem 
and  affection  of  his  fellowmen. 

He  was  born  in  Laurel  Run  Borough,  Lu- 
zerne County,  on  February  27,  1S90,  son  of 
Frank  S.  and  Marj'  (Gress)  Halsey.  His 
father,  who  was  born  in  Wyoming,  Luzerne 
County,  Pennsylvania,  and  died  in  May,  1927, 
was  a  carpenter  and  contractor  by  trade; 
he  was  born  in  1852.  The  mother,  Mary 
(Gress)  Halsey,  was  born  in  Wilkes-Barre 
in  1858. 

Thomas  Jefferson  Halsey  received  his  early 
education  in  the  public  and  high  schools  of 
Kingston,  Pennsylvania.  Later  he  studied 
civil  engineering,  which  he  took  up  for  his 
professional  career;  and  on  January  1,  1927, 
he  become  a  partner  with  Ferdinand  Clark 
Wintermute,  both  forming  the  firm  of  Win- 
termute  and  Halsey,  civil  and  consulting 
engineers.  Mr.  Halsey's  amiable  personality, 
as  well  as  his  skill  and  training  for  the  work 
in  which  he  is  engaged,  render  him  a  valu- 
able member  of  the  community  in  which  he 
lives  and  works  and  a  leader  among  con- 
sulting engineers. 

In  addition  to  his  professional  activities, 
Mr.  Halsey  is  active  in  the  affairs  of  his 
city.  In  his  political  alignment,  he  is  a 
staunch  Republican  and  a  loyal  supporter 
of  the  candidates  and  policies  of  his  party. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Patriotic  Order  Sons 
of  .-Vmerica,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Presby- 
terian   Church.      Mr.    Halsey's    offices    are    in 


476 


the  Liberty  State  Bank  Building,  in  Wilkes- 
Barre;  while  he  resides  at  No.  63  Walnut 
Street,   Forty  Fort. 


EDWARD    CONRAD    BAH>  MILLER,    M.    D. 

— Well  known  i*  Wilkes-Barre,  where  his 
skill  as  surgeon  and  general  practitioner  is 
making  for  him  a  position  well  up  in  the 
medical  profession,  though  he  is  now  (1929) 
in  liis  early  thirties  and  began  the  practice  of 
medicine  and  surgery  in  1920,  Edward  Con- 
rad Bahnmiller  was  born  in  Willces-Barre  on 
July  23,  1S94,  a  son  of  Frederick  and  Ida 
(Fetzel)   Bahnmiller  of  that  city. 

Frederick  Bahnmiller  is  a  machinist  by 
trade  and  came  to  the  United  States  from 
Germany  when  a  young  man.  He  is  an  adept 
machinist,  and  industrious,  numbered  among 
those  who  are  making  for  Wilkes-Barre  a 
conspicuous  place  in  the  forefront  of  Ameri- 
can industry.  Frederick  and  Ida  (Fetzel) 
Bahnmiller  are  the  parents  of  two  children: 
Helen,  the  wife  of  Albert  Saunders;  and  Dr. 
Edward  C.  Bahnmiller,   of  whom  further. 

Dr.  Bahnmiller  was  reared  in  his  native 
city,  and  there  attended  the  public  schools, 
graduating  from  high  school  in  1913.  He  then 
attended  Colgate  University,  graduating  in 
1916  with  tlie  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts.  He 
matriculated  in  the  University  of  Pennsyl- 
vania in  the  Department  of  Medicine  and 
graduated  "with  the  class  of  1920  with  the 
degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine:  and  then  re- 
turned to  Wilkes-Barre  to  serve  one  year  as 
interne  in  the  Wilkes-Barre  General  Hos- 
pital. He  is  a  member  of  the  Beta  Theta 
Pi  Chapter:  a  member  of  the  Luzerne  County 
Medical  Society,  tlie  Pennsylvania  Medical 
Society,  the  Lehigh  Valley  Medical  Society, 
and  the  American  Medical  Association.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  surgical  staff  of  the 
Wilkes-Barre  General  Hospital.  Dr.  Bahn- 
miller is  a  member  of  Landmark  Lodge,  No. 
442,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  the  Con- 
sistory of  Scranton,  thirty-second  degree: 
Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles 
of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  and  Irem  Temple 
Country  Club.  Politically,  Dr.  Bahnmiller  is 
a   Republican. 

Dr.  Edward  C.  Bahnmiller  married,  Septem- 
ber 22,  1922,  Arline  Ruth  Beers,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre,  daughter  of  Harry  Beers  of  that  city, 
and  Minnie    (Bachman)    Beers,    now   deceased. 


OSTERHOIT  FREE  LIBRARY — The  Oster- 
hout  Free  Library  of  Wilkes-Barre  was  en- 
dowed by  the  "n^ill  of  tlie  late  Isaac  S.  Oster- 
hout  who  died  in  18S2.  This  endowment  was 
given  to  the  people  of  Wilkes-Barre  for  a 
library,  the  amount  to  be  allowed  to  accumu- 
late for  five  years  before  the  work  of  estab- 
lishing a  library  should  begin. 

Seven  directors  were  appointed  by  Mr. 
Osterhout  to  take  full  charge  of  this  work. 
The  original  board  consisted  of  the  following 
members;  Mr.  Edmund  L.  Dana,  president: 
Messrs  Hubbard  B.  Payne,  Lewis  C.  Paine, 
Edward  P.  Darling,  Harrison  Wright,  Andrew 
H.  McClintock,  Sheldon  Reynolds.  These 
seven  members,  with  the  minister  of  the 
First  Presbyterian  Church,  Rev.  Francis  B. 
Hodge,  D.  D.,  and  Rev.  Henry  L.  Jones,  D.  D., 
rector  of  St.  Stephen's  Episcopal  Church, 
chosen  as  ex-officio  members,  comprised  the 
full   board. 

In  18S7  the  directors  purchased  the  prop- 
erty, including  the  church,  of  the  First  Pres- 
byterian Society  on  South  Franklin  Street, 
intending  to  use  the  site  for  a  library  build- 
ing. They  were  strongly  advised  to  retain 
the  church  and  adapt  it  to  library  uses,  %vhich 
they  did.  The  Gothic  architecture  proved  as 
appropriate  for  a  library  as   for  a  church. 

The  same  year  they  called  Miss  Hannah  P. 


James  of  the  Free  Library  of  Newton,  Mas- 
sachusetts, to  be  the  first  librarian,  and  Miss 
Myra  Poland  of  Arlington,  Massachusetts,  as 
her  assistant.  Five  other  assistants,  three 
from  Wilkes-Barre  and  two  others,  graduates 
of  the  first  library  school,  comprised  the 
staff  of  workers  who  were  employed  to 
catalogue  and  prepare  the  first  10,500  vol- 
umes. The  work  continued  for  nearly  a  year 
and  a  half.  The  library  was  opened  January 
29,  1SS9. 

It  was  pioneer  work,  as  there  was  no  other 
free  library  in  this  part  of  the  State.  In 
1902  Miss  James  was  obliged  to  leave  the 
library  on  account  of  ill  health.  She  attended 
to  the  selection  of  tlie  books,  however,  for 
several  months  at  her  home.  She  passed  away 
in  April,  1903.  Her  work  was  not  completed, 
for  with  her  deep  interest  in  establishing 
the  library  and  in  its  success,  one  so  well 
equipped  was  needed  indefinitely.  She  was 
succeeded  by  Myra  Poland,  the  assistant 
librarian. 

The  privileges  of  the  library  have  been 
extended  from  time  to  time.  Any  resident 
of  Luzerne  County  is  permitted  to  take  books 
if  satisfactory  references  are  given.  With 
the  growth  of  the  library  came  the  need  for 
more  room,  and  a  wing  was  added  to  the 
building,  which  was  completed  in  1908.  The 
wing  contains  a  three-story  stack,  including 
a  cataloguing  room,  and  the  main  library  is 
an  open  shelf  room.  The  children's  room  is 
in  the  front  of  the  main  building  and  the 
reference  department  is  at  the  back  where 
the   cliapel   was   originally. 

For  many  years  there  were  no  branch 
libraries  in  connection  with  the  library.  In 
April,  1923,  the  first  branch  was  opened,  and 
the  second  in  February,  1924.  In  1926  a 
library  was  placed  in  a  Settlement  Club 
House  with  a  librarian  in  attendance  and 
later  a  collection  of  books  was  sent  to  an- 
other Settlement  Club  House  with  a  librarian 
in   charge    of   that. 

The  growth  of  the  library  has  been  con- 
tinuous and  the  work  ever  increasing.  The 
report  for  1927  showed  a  circulation  of  343,276 
volumes.  Tlie  number  of  borrowers  registered 
was  24,757.  The  number  of  volumes  in  the 
main  library  and  branches  as  last  reported 
was  72,847. 

A  free  library  supported  entirely  by  an 
endowment  fund  is  somewhat  unusual,  and 
it  makes  the  donor's  gift  one  to  be  greatly 
appreciated.  The  name  of  Isaac  S.  Osterhout 
is  one  to  be  remembered  with  deep  gratitude 
as  a  benefactor  who  made  to  the  people  of 
his  city  and  county  a  munificent  gift. 

PRAIVK  CRAIG  NICHOLSON — The  member 
of  a  well-known  family  of  Wilkes-Barre, 
Frank  C.  Nicholson,  who  since  1913  has  been 
electrical  engineer  for  the  Lehigli  Valley 
Coal  Company,  is  highly  respected  in  his 
community  for  his  notable  business  and  pro- 
fessional attainments.  He  is  also  a  prominent 
figure  in  the  social,  civic,  and  fraternal  life 
and  development  of  Wilkes-Barre  and  vi- 
cinity. 

He  was  born  in  Wilkes-Barre  on  August 
31,  1887,  the  son  of  William  H.  and  Emma 
(Comstoek)  Nicholson.  His  grandfather  was 
W.  H.  Nicholson,  a  native  of  England,  who 
came  to  the  United  States  in  1866  from  New 
Castle,  England,  and  of  further  mention  in 
this    volume. 

Prank  C.  Nicholson  spent  his  boyhood  in 
^^'ilkes-Barre,  where  he  attended  the  public 
schools  and  the  high  school,  having  been 
graduated  from  the  Wilkes-Barre  High 
School  in  the  class  of  1905.  Later  he  attended 
the  Pennsylvania  State  College,  from  which 
he   was   graduated   in   the   class   of  1909   with 


477 


the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Science  in  Elec- 
trical ICngineering.  and  in  1914  he  received 
his  degree  of  Master  of  Electrical  Engineer- 
ing-. In  1909  he  took  a  position  with  the 
Westinghouse  Electric  Company,  in  Pitts- 
burgh, returning  later  to  Wilkes-Barre  to  be- 
come associated  with  the  Vulcan  Iron  Works. 
In  1913  he  became  electrical  engineer  for  the 
Lehigh  Valley  Coal  Company,  and  has  filled 
this  position  ever  since  that  time.  Mr.  Nich- 
olson is  president  of  Luzerne  County  Alumni 
Association  of  Pennsylvania  State,  from  1914 
to  1929;  first  secretary  of  the  Pennsylvania 
State  College  Engineering  Extension  School 
of  Wilkes-Barre,  1917;  instructor  in  Electri- 
cal Engineering  subjects  in  the  Mining  In- 
stitute of  Wilkes-Barre,  1914-17.  In  his 
political  afflliations  he  is  a  member  of  the 
Republican  party.  He  is  identified  religiously 
with  the  Westminster  Presbyterian  Church, 
of  Wilkes-Barre.  Active  in  the  fraternal  life 
of  the  city,  he  is  a  member  of  the  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons,  in  which  order  he  is  affili- 
ated with  Lodge,  No.  61,  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons;  Shekinah  Chapter,  No.  1S2,  Royal 
Arch  Masons:  the  Dieu  le  Veut  Commandery, 
No.  45,  Knights  Templar;  the  Irem  Temple 
of  the  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the 
Mystic  Shrine;  and  the  Shrine  Country  Club. 
He  holds  memberships  in  the  American  In- 
stitute of  Electrical  Engineers,  Wilkes- 
Barre  manager  of  the  Lehigh  Valley  Section 
of  American  Institute  Electrical  Engineers; 
a  member  of  Wilkes-Barre-Wyoming  Valley 
Chamber  of  Commerce,  and  the  Greek  letter 
fraternity  Theta  Xi.  His  business  interests 
include  a  directorship  in  the  W.  H.  Nicholson 
Company,  of  Wilkes-Barre.  He  is  also  a 
member  of  the  Electrical  Engineers  Com- 
mittee  of  American  Mining  Congress. 

On  June  14,  1911,  Mr.  Nicholson  married 
Henrietta  Hines,  of  Wilkes-Barre.  Their 
marriage  has  been  blessed  witn  two  children: 
Rhea   Louise,   and   William  H.,    3d. 


MICHAEL,  A.  BROWJV — The  Story  of  a  poor 
boy,  without  advantages  of  education  or  fam- 
ily influence,  "who  has  risen  by  his  own  hard 
work  and  intelligent  effort  to  be  the  head 
of  the  Wilkes-Barre  police  force,  is  embodied 
in  the  life  of  Michael  A.  Brown.  The  son  of 
poor  parents,  he  began  as  a  breaker  boy  in 
the  coal  mines,  picked  slate,  drove  a  mule  and 
finally  joined  the  Wilkes-Barre  police  force, 
which    he    has    served    thirty-four    years. 

Michael  A.  Brown,  police  cliief  of  Wilkes- 
Barre,  Pennsylvania,  until  his  retirement  in 
September,  192S,  was  born  in  Wilkes-Barre 
on  October  15,  1867,  son  of  Patrick  and  Mary 
(Stone)  Brown,  both  deceased.  Patrick  Brown, 
his  father,  came  to  Luzerne  County  from  Ire- 
land when  a  young  man,  to  work  in  the  coal 
mines.  He  was  a  miner  when  he  married 
Mary  Stone,  and  they  had  seven  children: 
Bridget,  Michael  A.,  Martin,  Mary,  deceased, 
wife  of  Michael  Quinn;  Catherine,  Margaret, 
deceased;   and  Jennie. 

Michael  A.  Brown  grew  up  in  his  native  city 
and  attended  the  public  schools.  Family 
necessity,  however,  made  it  imperative  that 
he  leave  school  at  the  early  age  of  nine 
years  and  he  went  to  work  as  a  breakerboy 
in  the  coal  mines  of  the  Lehigh  and  Wilkes- 
Barre  Coal  Company.  Soon  he  was  given 
more  responsible  work  as  a  slate  picker,  and 
later  he  became  a  mule  driver,  hauling  cars 
of  broken  coal  from  the  galleries  to  the 
sorting  rooms.  He  was  nineteen,  when  it 
suddenly  occurred  to  him,  one  day,  that  he 
had  had  enough  of  coal  mining.  It  also 
seemed  to  him  that  his  health  would  improve 
if  he  were  to  work  a  while  in  the  open  air, 
instead  of  in  those  dim  corridors,  far  down 
under    the    earth,    breathing    coal    dust    and 


gaseous  air  for  long  hours.  He  therefore 
obtained  employment  in  the  blacksmith  and 
wagon  shop  of  Louis  La  Grand  and  Sons,  in 
Wilkes-Barre,  where  he  remained  about  five 
years,  at  which  time  he  entered  the  employ 
as  an  apprentice  of  Peter  Frey  Wagon  Shop 
for   four  years. 

About  this  time,  his  attention  was  attracted 
by  a  published  notice  of  several  vacancies 
on  the  police  force  of  Wilkes-Barre.  The 
life  of  a  policeman,  with  its  promise  of 
excitement  and  promotion,  seemed  particu- 
larly attractive  to  the  young  man.  He 
applied  and  was  appointed.  First  he  was 
a  patrolman,  and  his  faithful  and  distin- 
guished service  won  him  promotion  and 
transfer  to  the  detective  division.  Several 
notable  cases  which  he  solved,  leading  to  the 
capture  of  notorious  criminals,  earned  him 
yet  another  distinction,  and  he  was  appointed 
captain  of  detectives.  The  intelligence  and 
loyalty  of  his  work  continued,  and  he  was 
appointed  chief  of  police  on  February  15, 
1922.  Most  of  Wilkes-Barre's  citizens — rep- 
resenting its  business,  financial  and  profes- 
sional life — know  Michael  A.  Brown  and 
instinctively  trust  him,  for  his  honesty  and 
devotion  during  his  thirty-four  years  in  the 
city's  service  have  merited  their  confidence. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  National  Association 
of  Chiefs  of  Police,  and  the  Ancient  Order 
of  Hibernians.  Mr.  Brown  is  a  staunch 
Democrat  and  a  communicant  of  St.  Patrick's 
Roman     Catholic     Church     in     Wilkes-Barre. 

Mr.  Brown  married,  June  4,  1900,  Bridget 
Garvin,  daughter  of  Patrick  Garvin,  of 
Wilkes-Barre.  Mrs.  Brown  died  October  20, 
1920.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Brown  were  the  parents 
of  four  children:  1.  Michael  Edmond,  now 
a  member  of  the  Wilkes-Barre  police  force, 
who  married  Ethel  Betterley  of  Wilkes- 
Barre.  2.  Paul,  who  died  in  childhood.  3. 
Francis,  an  electrical  contractor.  4.  Leo. 
The  home  of  their  father,  Michael  A.  Brown, 
is    at    No.    26    Parii    Avenue,    Wilkes-Barre. 


CH.4RLES  MAIIRER — Prominent  in  the  life 
of  Wilkes-Barre  for  many  years,  Charles 
Maurer  is  now  city  commissioner  and  super- 
intendent of  the  Department  of  Parks  and 
Public  Property.  For  a  considerable  period 
he  was  the  proprietor  of  a  meat  market  on 
South  Main  Street.  This  business  he  con- 
ducted until  1923.  In  the  same  year  he  was 
elected  to  the  position  of  City  Commissioner 
and  reelected  in  November,  1927,  in  which 
capacity  he  has  continued  to  serve  since  that 
time.  Mr.  Maurer's  well-known  energy  and 
ability  have  made  him  a  public  official  of 
the   greatest  value  to  his   community. 

His  father,  George  Maurer,  now  deceased, 
was  for  many  years  in  the  meat  business  in 
Wilkes-Barre.  He  married  Margaret  Fleisch- 
man,  also  now  deceased,  and  they  were  the 
parents  of  five  children:  Annie,  "who  was 
married  to  Henry  Bckardt,  and  now  de- 
ceased. William  F.,  of  Wilkes-Barre;  Charles; 
Minnie,  deceased,  the  wife  of  Joseph  Keenan, 
of  Wilkes-Barre,   and   Kate. 

Charles  Maurer  -was  born  on  May  20,  1S64, 
at  Wilkes-Barre.  Pennsylvania.  He  attended 
the  local  public  schools  and  when  he  was 
only  ten  years  old  his  father  died.  At  the 
age  of  sixteen  he  began  work,  and  was  em- 
ployed at  different  times  by  several  butcher 
and  meat  firms  in  Wilkes-Barre.  After  a 
number  of  years  he  took  over  the  manage- 
ment of  his  father's  old  store,  which  had  been 
continued  since  the  death  of  his  father  by  his 
mother  and  brother  William,  and  finally,  at 
the  age  of  thirty,  he  opened  his  own  store  on 
South  Main  Street,  near  Ross  Street,  Wilkes- 
Barre.  Here  for  almost  thirty  years  he  con- 
ducted  an    excellent    business   until,    in    1923, 


478 


he  "was  forced  to  give  up  his  business  on  ac- 
count of  ill  health. 

Politically,  Mr.  Maurer  is  a  member  of  the 
Republican  party,  and  in  1923  he  was  elected 
one  of  the  city  commissipners  for  Wilkes- 
Barre,  since  "which  time  he  has  served  also 
as  superintendent  of  the  Department  of 
Parks  and  Public  Property.  He  is  afBliated 
fraternally  with  the  Ancient  Free  and  Ac- 
cepted Masons,  being  a  member  of  Wilkes- 
Barre  Lodge,  No.  61.  a  member  of  Shekinah 
Chapter,  No.  1S2,  of  the  Royal  Arch  Masons: 
Mount  Horeb  Council,  Dieu  le  Veut  Com- 
mandery.  No.  45,  of  the  Knights  Templar; 
Caldwell  Consistory,  at  Bloomsbury,  Pennsyl- 
vania, of  the  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite 
Masons  of  the  thirty-second  degree.  He  is 
also  a  member  of  Irem  Temple,  Ancient 
Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  Irem  Country  Club  and 
the  Craftsmen's  Club.  He  and  his  family  at- 
tend St.  John's  Lutheran  Church  of  Wilkes- 
Barre,  of  which  he  serves  as  a  trustee. 

On  June  14,  1893,  Mr.  Maurer  married  Louise 
Rapp,  daughter  of  George  Rapp,  of  Weisport, 
Carbon  County,  Pennsylvania.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Maurer  are  the  parents  of  five  children:  1. 
George,  who  died  at  the  age  of  twelve  years. 
2.  Margaret,  who  married  Milton  J.  LeRoy, 
of  Niagara  Falls,  New  York,  and  they  have 
a  son,  Milton  J.,  Jr.  3.  Charles  P.  a  mining 
engineer,  with  the  Berwyn  Coal  Company, 
resides  at  Windber.  He  married  Levinia  Pen- 
gilly,  of  Hazleton,  Pennsylvania,  and  they 
are  the  parents  of  one  child,  Charles  P.,  Jr. 
4.  Earl  W.,  deputy  city  treasurer  of  Wilkes- 
Barre;  married  Louisa  Richards,  of  Moosic, 
Pennsylvania.  5.  Robert  H.,  who  is  a  chemist 
for  the  Luzerne  County  Gas  Company.  He 
married  Nerline  Smith,  of  Conyngham,  Lu- 
zerne County,  Pennsylvania,  and  they  have 
one  son,   Robert. 


LEO    W.    LONG — The    son    of    one    of    the 

pioneer  merchants  of  Wilkes-Barre  and  him- 
self a  native  and  life-long  resident  of  that 
city,  Mr.  Long  was  engaged  there  for  many 
years  in  business  as  the  owner  of  one  of  the 
leading  stores.  Since  his  retirement  in  1911 
he  has  devoted  himself  to  the  active  support 
of  civic  and  charitable  movements  and,  in 
1927,  was  appointed  chairman  of  the  Wilkes- 
Barre  Police  Civil  Service  Commission.  In 
this  important  position,  as,  indeed,  in  many 
other  ways,  he  has  proven  himself  one  of  the 
most  useful  and  progressive  members  of  the 
community,  to  the  continuous  development 
and  growth  of  which  both  he  and  his  father 
made   many    valuable    contributions. 

Leo  W.  Ijong  was  born  in  Wilkes-Barre, 
April  2S,  1859,  a  son  of  the  late  Marx  and 
Caroline  (Mayer)  Long.  His  father,  who  was 
born  in  1817,  came  to  Wilkes-Barre  in  1839. 
At  that  time  the  city  gave  few  indications  of 
its  later  growth  and  importance.  Though 
even  then  the  county  seat  of  Luzerne  County, 
it  was  little  more  than  a  small  country  town, 
with  no  railroad,  no  paved  streets  and  no 
street  lights.  Even  its  coal  industry,  now 
so  important  not  only  to  the  city  itself,  but 
to  the  entire  country,  was  practically  non* 
existent.  To  this  undeveloped,  but  promising 
territory  the  older  Mr.  Long  came,  carrying 
at  that  time  a  pack  of  merchandise  on  his 
shoulders  and  traveling  from  house  to  house 
and  from  farm  to  farm  throughout  the  Wyo- 
ming Valley,  in  order  to  carry  on  his  busi- 
ness. In  1S43  he  opened  a  small  store  on  the 
corner  of  the  Public  Square  and  West  Market 
Street,  Wilkes-Barre.  By  1848  the  business 
had  prospered  to  such  an  extent  that  he  was 
able  to  erect  a  building  of  his  own  on  the 
south  side  of  the  Public  Square  and  there  he 
continued   with    much    success    for    sixty-two 


years  until  his  death  in  Wilkes-Barre  in 
1910  at  the  ripe  old  age  of  ninety-three 
years.  During  all  these  years  he  was  one  of 
the  leading  business  men  of  the  city  and  he 
could  always  be  found  in  the  forefront  of 
those  fighting  and  working  for  the  develop- 
ment and  welfare  of  Wilkes-Barre.  As  the 
city  grew  from  a  small  town  into  a  large 
and  busy  city  of  some  70,000  population,  his 
own  business  kept  growing,  until  it  became 
one  of  the  leading  establishments  of  its  type 
in  that  section  of  Pennsylvania.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Marx  Long  were  the  parents  of  seven 
children,  of  whom  three  are  still  living: 
Emma,  who  married  Harry  Laycock  of  Wyo- 
ming, Pennsylvania;  Sallie,  who  married 
Samuel  Oppenheim  of  Wilkes-Barre;  and  Leo 
W.,    of   whom    further. 

Mr.  Long  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools  of  his  native  city  and  grew  to  man- 
hood there.  Even  as  a  boy  he  helped  in  his 
father's  business  and,  after  he  had  completed 
his  education,  he  became  associated  with  him 
in  the  conduct  and  development  of  the  store. 
He  continued  actively  in  the  management  of 
the  enterprise  until  his  father's  death  in 
1910  and  then  carried  on  the  business  for  an- 
other year,  until  he  disposed  of  his  interest 
in  it  in  1911.  Since  then  he  has  lived  in  re- 
tirement, giving  much  of  his  time  to  civic 
and  charitable  work.  As  the  result  of  his 
long  residence  in  Wilkes-Barre,  his  well 
known  probity  and  his  unselfish  devotion  to 
the  interests  of  the  community,  he  has  been 
for  many  years  one  of  its  most  widely  known 
and  most  highly  respected  citizens.  He  has 
been  especially  active  in  the  affairs  of  the 
several  fraternal  organizations,  of  which  he 
has  been  a  member  since  early  manhood  and 
which  include  the  following:  Wilkes-Barre 
Lodge,  No.  109.  Benevolent  and  Protective 
Order  of  Elks;  Landmark  Lodge,  No.  442, 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons:  Shekinah  Chap- 
ter, No.  182,  Royal  Arch  Masons;  Keystone 
Consistory  of  Scranton,  Ancient  Accepted 
Scottish  Rite  of  the  thirty-second  degree; 
Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles 
of  the  Mystic  Shrine;  and  Irem  Temple 
Country  Club  at  Dallas,  Luzerne  County.  He 
was  one  of  the  most  active  and  effective 
workers  in  connection  with  the  building  of 
the  beautiful  new  Elks'  home  on  North  River 
Street  and  of  the  equally  attractive  Irem 
Temple  on  North  Franklin  Street.  It  was 
also  largely  due  to  his  initiative,  foresight 
and  energy  that  the  Irem  Temple  Country 
Club  is  no'w  the  proud  possessor  of  its  mag- 
nificent building  and  beautiful  grounds  at 
Dallas.  For  many  years  he  has  been  a  mem- 
ber of  the  board  of  directors  and  the  treas- 
urer of  the  Wilkes-Barre  Branch  of  the 
Association  for  the  Blind  and  in  this  office 
he  has  found  many  opportunities  to  give 
expression  to  his  innate  kindliness.  In  1927 
he  accepted  the  appointment  at  the  hands  of 
Mayor  Daniel  L.  Hart  to  the  office  of  chair- 
man of  the  Police  Civil  Service  Commission, 
a  position  for  which  his  executive  ability  and 
a  thorough  knowledge  of  conditions  in  and 
of  the  needs  of  the  city  made  him  especially 
available. 

Mr.  Long  is  unmarried  and  makes  his  home 
at  the  Sterling  Hotel. 


RALPH  PAYNE  THOMAS — For  the  past 
eight  years  Ralph  Payne  Thomas  has  been 
engaged  in  the  investment  business  in 
Wilkes-Barre,  with  offices  at  Nos.  S5G-S58  in 
the  Miners'  Bank  Building.  He  operates 
under  the  name  of  R.  P.  Thomas  and  Com- 
pany, Inc.,  and  has  developed  a  very  sub- 
stantial and  prosperous  business.  For  two 
years  prior  to  opening  his  offices  here,  Mr. 
Thomas    was    engaged    in    the    same    line    of. 


.      I    UU-UULA>d 


479 


business  in  Boston,  Massachusetts,  but  since 
1922    he    has    been    located    here. 

Thomas  P.  Thomas,  father  of  R.  P.  Thomas, 
has  been  associated  with  the  Lehig-h  Valley 
Coal  Company  for  the  past  forty  years,  be- 
ginning- his  connection  with  that  concern  as 
a  small  boy  serving  as  mule  driver  in  the 
mines,  and  recently  retired  as  general  man- 
ager of  the  company.  He  married  Jane  Wil- 
liams, and  they  are  the  parents  of  three 
children:  Harold  Pettibone,  of  Cleveland, 
Ohio,  deceased:  Beatrice  Eloise,  who  is  the 
wife  of  C.  Robert  Kruse,  of  Toledo,  Ohio, 
now  residing  in  Will\es-Barre;  and  Ralph 
Payne,    of    further    mention. 

Ralph  Payne  Thomas,  son  of  Thomas  P. 
and  Jane  (Williams)  Thomas,  was  born  in 
West  Pittston,  Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania, 
and  received  his  early  education  in  the  public 
schools  of  his  birthplace,  graduating  from 
the  Kingston  High  School  with  the  class  of 
1911.  and  then  prepared  for  college  at  Wyo- 
ming Seminary,  at  Kingston,  Luzerne  County, 
where  he  "was  graduated  with  the  class  of 
1913.  In  1914  he  entered  Lehigh  University, 
wliere  he  continued  his  studies  for  three 
years,  and  then  made  a  change,  entering 
Tale  University  as  a  senior  in  the  class  of 
1918.  Before  his  senior  year  was  completed, 
the  United  States  entered  the  World  War, 
and  Mr.  Thomas  enlisted  in  the  United 
States  Navy,  where  he  served  as  a  pilot  of 
seaplanes  and  flying-boats  for  two  years. 
He  was  stationed  at  Pensacola,  Florida,  as  an 
instructor  in  flying-boats  with  the  rank  of 
ensign,  and  later  was  transferred  to  Rocka- 
way  Naval  Air  Station,  on  Long  Island,  New 
York,  wliere  he  was  commissioned  a  junior 
lieutenant,  and  where  he  served  until  he  was 
mustered  out  of  service  in  1919.  Upon  his 
return  to  civilian  life  he  went  to  New  York 
City  and  became  identified  with  the  Lehigh 
Valley  Coal  Sales  Company  as  salesman  in 
the  New  England  States,  continuing  that 
connection  until  1920,  when  he  engaged  in 
the  investment  business  in  Boston,  Massa- 
chusetts. In  1922  he  returned  to  Wilkes- 
Barre,  and  engaged  in  the  investment  bond 
business  under  the  name  of  R.  P.  Thomas  and 
Company,  Inc.,  he  being  the  organizer  of  the 
company.  He  opened  offices  at  Nos.  856-858 
Miners'  Bank  Building,  in  Wilkes-Barre, 
■where  he  has  since  lieen  successfully  engaged. 
Mr.  Thomas  is  a  Republican  in  his  political 
sympathies,  and  is  well  known  in  Masonic 
circles,  being  a  member  of  Kingston  Lodge, 
No.  395,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons:  and  of 
all  the  Scottish  Rite  bodies;  also  of  Caldwell 
Consistory,  of  Bloomsburg,  an  Ancient  Ac- 
cepted Scottish  Rite  Mason  of  the  thirty- 
second  degree;  of  Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic 
Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre;  and  of  Irem  Temple  Country  Club. 
He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Wilkes-Barre- 
Wyoming  Valley  Chamber  of  Commerce,  the 
Wyoming  Valley  Country  Club,  and  a  charter 
member  of  the  Lions  Club.  In  addition  to 
the  business  connections  already  mentioned, 
Mr.  Thomas  is  treasurer  of  the  Springfield 
Coal  Company  of  Springfield,  New  Jersey; 
treasurer  of  the  Glenview  Coal  Company  of 
Dallas,  Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania;  treas- 
urer of  the  Bethlehem  Coal  Company,  Beth- 
lehem, Pennsylvania;  and  secretary  of  the 
Beneficial  Loan  Society  of  Wilkes-Barre. 
His  religious  affiliation  is  with  the  Presby- 
terian Church  of  Kingston. 

Ralph  Payne  Thomas  was  married,  Decem- 
ber 4,  1917,  to  Elise  Duer,  of  Brookline, 
Massachusetts,  daughter  of  J.  Howard  and 
Arzelle  (Littlefleld)  Duer,  of  Brookline.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Thomas  are  the  parents  of  two  chil- 
dren: Barbara  Duer,  and  Caryl  Elise.  Mr. 
Thomas    has   always   retained    his    interest    in 


his  college  associations  and  is  a  member  of 
Phi  Gamma  Delta  college  fraternity,  and  a 
member  of  the  Phi  Gamma  Delta  Club  of  New 
York  City.  Mr.  Thomas  is  one  of  the  able 
and  resourceful  business  men  of  the  city, 
and  there  is  every  evidence  that  the  future 
holds  for  him  even  greater  success  than  he 
has    already    attained. 

THEODORE  S.  BARBER  has  been  identified 
with  the  mining  of  coal  for  thirty  years,  is 
president  and  director  of  the  Morris  Run 
Coal  Mining  Company,  Wilkes-Barre,  Penn- 
sylvania, Morris  Run  Coal  Company,  Inc., 
New    York   City. 

Mr.  Barber's  family  came  to  Wyoming 
Valley  from  Connecticut  with  the  early  set- 
tlers. His  father.  Colonel  Albert  P.  Barber, 
was  an  officer  in  the  Northern  Army  during 
the  Civil  War,  commanded  Battery  M,  Penn- 
sylvania Heavy  Artillery,  succeeding  Cap- 
tain Schooley,  vrho  was  captured  and  confined 
in  Andersonville  Prison.  Colonel  Barber  mar- 
ried Helen  P.  Jenkins,  great-granddaughter 
of  Colonel  John  Jenkins,  of  New  London, 
Connecticut,  prominent  in  the  history  of 
Wyoming  Valley  through  his  participation  in 
the  expedition  of  General  Sullivan  and  his 
army.  They  became  the  parents  of  five  chil- 
dren: Helen,  who  married  Dr.  William  F. 
Gray,  of  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania:  Jose- 
piiine.  wife  of  Walter  F.  Semon;  Theodore  S., 
of  further  mention;  Laura,  wife  of  Raymond 
M.  Fulforth;  Mary,  wife  of  George  R.  Mc- 
Lean,   member   of  Luzerne   County   bar. 

Theodore  S.  Barber,  son  of  Colonel  Albert 
P.  and  Helen  F.  (Jenkins)  Barber,  was  born 
in  Plymouth,  Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania, 
June  8,  1872,  and  received  his  education  in 
the  public  schools  of  his  birthplace  and  in  the 
Lackawanna  School,  of  Scranton,  Pennsyl- 
vania. After  the  death  of  his  father,  in  1888, 
he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Wilkes-Barre 
and  Wyoming  Valley  Traction  Company,  of 
which  corporation  he  was  secretary  and 
treasurer  until  the  time  he  became  associated 
with  other  Wilkes-Barreans  in  the  purchase 
of  Michigan  Public  Utility  properties.  Mr. 
Barber  is  a  member  of  the  American  Insti- 
tute of  Mining  and  Metallurgical  Engineers; 
president  and  director,  Morris  Run  Coal  Min- 
ing Company,  Wilkes-Barre;  also  Morris  Run 
Coal  Company,  Inc.,  New  York  City;  director 
Lehigh  Valley  Coal  Corporation  and  Burns 
Brothers,  Incorporated,  New  York  City,  Le- 
high Valley  Coal  Company;  vice-president 
and  director,  Wyoming  National  Bank;  presi- 
dent and  director,  Ellsworth  &  Company, 
Wilkes-Barre. 

Mr.  Barber  is  a  member  of  the  First  Pres- 
byterian Church,  a  trustee  of  the  Wyoming 
Geological  and  Historical  Society,  Osterhout 
Library,  Wilkes-Barre  Institute,  Home  for 
Friendless  Children,  Fo^ty  Fort  Cemetery 
Association.  Politically,  Mr.  Barber  gives  his 
support  to  the  principles  and  the  candidates 
of  the  Republican  party.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Union  League  Club,  New  York  Yacht 
Club,  Bankers'  Club  of  America,  New  York 
City;  Westmoreland  Club,  North  Mountain 
Club,   Country    Club,   Wilkes-Barre. 

Mr.  Barber  was  married,  October  15,  1910. 
to  Amy  Sturdevant,  daughter  of  E.  W.  and 
Mary  (Stark)  Sturdevant,  of  Wilkes-Barre. 
They  are  the  parents  of  two  children,  Mary 
Sturdevant  and  Amy  Huston.  The  family 
home  is  located  at  No.  171  South  Franklin 
Street,  Wilkes-Barre. 

EDWARD  L.  LEWITH— Foremost  in  all 
matters  that  pertain  to  the  advancement  of 
"U'ilkes-Barre,  its  civic  and  material  growth 
and  prosperity,  Edward  L.  Lewith  is  a  lead- 
ing   citizen    who,    owing    to    his    well-proven 


48o 


enterprise  and  success  in  the  realty  field,  has 
the  regard  of  his  hosts  of  friends  and  asso- 
ciates, as  well  as  of  the  general  public,  who 
have  received  permanent  benefit  as  a  result 
of  his  upright  and  conscientious  business 
dealings.  There  is  hardly  a  department  of  the 
municipal  life  of  his  native  city  in  which 
Mr.  Lewith  has  not  shared,  whether  as  valued 
official,  adviser,  or  director,  and  this  city  of 
notable  business  activities  and  beautiful 
homes,  owes  much  of  its  present-day  prog- 
ress to  this  public-spirited  citizen. 

Edward  L.  Lewith  was  born  November  1, 
1880,  in  Wilkes-Barre,  a  son  of  Lewis  and 
Josephine  (Freeman)  Lewith.  Lewis  Lewith 
was  for  many  years  an  extensive  wholesale 
liquor  dealer.  He  died  in  1912  at  the  age  of 
sixty-nine  years,  his  widow  surviving  him  at 
the  age  of  seventy-nine  years.  They  were 
the  parents  of  three  children:  Mildred,  who 
married  H.  G.  Gump,  of  Wilkes-Barre;  Fran- 
ces, who  married  Louis  Casper,  also  of  this 
city,  and  engaging  in  the  wholesale  drygoods 
business;    and    Edward    L.,    of   whom    further. 

Edward  L.  Lewith  secured  his  education 
in  the  public  and  high  schools  of  Wilkes- 
Barre,  graduating  from  high  school  with  the 
class  of  1896,  and  from  Wyoming  Seminary 
with  the  class  of  1S98,  then  engaging  in 
business  with  his  father,  who  for  more  than 
forty-two  years  was  one  of  the  leading  mer- 
chants in  this  city.  In  1919,  Mr.  Lewith  en- 
tered upon  the  real  estate  interests  that  have 
engaged  his  attention  from  that  time  to  the 
present,  and  today  he  is  one  of  the  largest 
dealers  and  owners  of  realty  in  Luzerne 
County,  with  his  offices  at  No.  436  Miners 
Building.  In  political  matters  he  gives  his 
adherence    to    the    Republican    party. 

Mr.  Levi^ith  Is  vice-president  of  the  Wyoming 
Valley  Building  and  Loan  Association:  chair- 
man of  the  Wilkes-Barre  Planning  Commis- 
sion; president  of  the  Greater  Wilkes-Barre 
Real,  Estate  Exchange;  director  of  the  Miners 
Bank;  vice-president  of  the  Wilkes-Barre- 
Wyoming  Valley  Chamber  of  Commerce;  sec- 
retary of  the  Guarantee  Title  and  Mortgage 
Company,  and  fraternally,  he  is  affiliated 
with  Landmark  Lodge,  No.  442,  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons;  Keystone  Consistory, 
Scranton,  of  the  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish 
Rite  in  the  thirty-second  degree;  Irem  Tem- 
ple, Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the 
Mystic  Shrine;  Lodge  No.  109,  Benevolent  and 
Protective  Order  of  Elks;  treasurer  of  B'nai 
B'rith;  member  of  the  finance  committee  of 
the  Young  Men's  Hebrew  Association;  and 
member  of  the  Concordia  Society. 


WYOMING  SEMIIVARY — This  well-known 
and  justly  popular  institution  of  learning, 
located  in  the  classic  valley  of  Wyoming,  has 
a  history  well  worthy  of  note.  The  friends 
of  education  in  the  old  Oneida  Conference  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  after  estab- 
lishing on  a  broad  and  permanent  basis  a 
seminary  at  Cazenovia,  Ne'w  York,  in  the 
northern  portion  of  their  territory,  deter- 
minedly entertained  the  project  over  eighty- 
five  years  ago  of  providing  for  the  increasing 
educational  demands  of  the  southern  portion 
of  the  work.  With  a  commendable  foresight 
they  devised  measures  for  the  erection  of  an 
institution  of  learning  in  northeastern  Penn- 
sylvania. 

At  the  session  of  the  Oneida  Conference, 
held  in  Wilkes-Barre,  August  9,  1843,  the 
matter  was  fully  discussed,  and  the  necessary 
preliminary  steps  were  taken  by  the  appoint- 
ment of  David  Holmes,  Jr.,  Lucian  S.  Bennett, 
Thomas  Myers,  Madison  F.  Myers,  Lord  But- 
ler, Sharp  D.  Lewis,  and  Silas  Comfort  as 
"Trustees  of  a  contemplated  seminary  of 
learning    to    be    located    either    in     Wilkes- 


Barre  or  Kingston,"  according  to  the  amount 
of  subscriptions  obtained  in  each  place  with- 
in a  given  time.  Kingston,  providing  the 
larger  subscription,  "was  the  chosen  locality. 
At  the  first  meeting  of  the  board  of  trustees 
David  Holmes  was  elected  president;  Silas 
Comfort,  secretary:  and  Madison  F.  Myers, 
treasurer.  The  first  building,  a  brick  struc- 
ture of  three  stories,  thirty-seven  by  seventy 
feet,  was  erected  and  opened  for  students  in 
1844.  The  size  of  the  chapel  was  twenty- 
four  by  twenty-nine  feet;  the  recitation  room, 
thirteen  by  twenty-nine  feet;  the  room  for 
the  primary  department,  twenty  by  twenty- 
nine  feet;  "with  some  twenty  rooms  in  all  for 
boarding  students.  The  cost  of  the  buijding 
was  about  five  thousand  dollars.  Such  was 
the  beginning  of  this  educational  enterprise — 
one  building,  two  teachers  and  fifty  scholars. 
The  trustees  secured  as  their  principal  (see 
Bennett  sketch)  the  Rev.  Reuben  Nelson, 
A.  M..  then  a  young  man,  but  who  afterward 
abundantly  demonstrated  his  fitness  to  in- 
augurate and  carry  forward  such  an  enter- 
prise to  a  successful  consummation.  Under 
such  leadership,  seconded  by  the  energetic 
cooperation  of  a  noble-minded  and  self- 
denying  board  of  trustees  and  a  corps  of 
efficient  teachers,  the  institution  attained  a 
popularity  and  influence  second  to  none  of 
its  class  in   the  land. 

In  half  a  dozen  years  after  the  erection  of  the 
first  edifice,  such  was  the  patronage  obtained 
that  an  additional  building  was  demanded. 
In  the  spirit  of  an  unselfish  liberality,  the 
late  William  Swetland  volunteered  to  erect 
the  projected  additional  building  at  his  own 
expense.  The  second  building  was  named  by 
the  trustees  Swetland  Hall,  in  memory  of  the 
respected  donor.  At  the  same  time  Hon.  Ziba 
Bennett  contributed  one  thousand  dollars  as 
a  foundation  for  a  library.  This  was  there- 
after called,  in  honor  of  the  donor,  the  Ben- 
nett Library. 

In  the  early  spring  of  1853,  additional  fa- 
cilities were  deemed  essential,  and  the  build- 
ing of  a  wing  or  wings  to  the  main  building 
was  contemplated,  with  a  view  to  affording 
accommodations  to  a  larger  number  of 
students.  On  March  15,  1853,  the  seminary 
buildings  "were  burned.  While  the  brick  and 
stone  and  ashes  were  yet  warm,  the  trustees 
with  undaunted  heroism,  in  their  meeting  on 
the  day  of  the  fire,  resolved  that  a  committee 
of  three  be  appointed  to  draw  plans  and 
specifications  for  the  rebuilding  of  the  semi- 
nary. This  showed  the  stuff  these  men  were 
made  of.  Again  did  tlie  tried  friend  of  the 
cause,  William  Swetland,  come  to  the  rescue, 
and  he  nobly  undertook  at  his  own  expense 
the  work  of  rebuilding  and  enlarging  Swet- 
land Hall.  Through  the  liberality  of  Payne 
Pettebone,  George  Swetland,  A.  Y.  Smith, 
Isaac  C.  Shoemaker,  and  others,  a  third 
building  was  erected  about  the  same  time,  to 
which  the  name  Union  Hall  was  given.  Thus, 
through  fire  and  disaster,  larger  and  better 
buildings  were  erected,  and  the  three  blocks 
— Administration  Hall  in  the  center,  with 
Swetland  Hall  on  the  left  and  Union  Hall 
on  the  right — stood  a  noble  monument  to  the 
energy  and  liberality  of  the  men  of  Wyoming 
Valley. 

A  few  years  afterward  the  ladies'  boarding 
hall  was  destroyed  by  fire.  Then  a  fierce 
tornado  swept  over  the  place  and  unroofed  a 
building.  Then  a  fiood  did  more  or  less  dam- 
age to  the  seminary  property.  Yet  with 
heroic  spirit  the  board  of  trustees  measured 
up  to  every  exigency,  so  that  repeated  diffi- 
culties have  been  overcome,  financial  embar- 
rassments removed,  and  the  entire  machinery 
kept  moving  without  intermission  and  with- 
out  a  jar. 


48i 


The  Civil  War  seemed  for  a  brief  period  to 
interfere  with  the  wonted  success  of  the 
institution.  Yet  even  with  this  temporary 
drawbacli,  the  trustees  projected  other  plans 
for  the  success  of  the'  school.  A  commercial 
department  was  added  in  1863.  Professor  W. 
S.  Smythe,  afterward  principal  of  Cazenovia 
Seminary,  was  secured  to  take  charge  of  the 
commercial  college,  and  under  his  efficient 
supervision  it  proved  a  decided  success.  Pro- 
fessor L.  L.  Sprague  was  the  head  of  this 
department  for  many  years,  and  under  his 
management  it  became  an  institution  equal 
to  the  best  schools  of  the  kind  at  that  time 
in  the  country.  In  1882  Professor  Willis  L. 
Dean,  A.  M.,  became  principal.  He  skillfully 
developed  this  department  in  all  its  branches 
into  the  highest  form  of  commercial  training. 

At  the  close  of  the  war  it  was  found  that 
the  enlargement  of  the  seminary  was  abso- 
lutely required.  The  three  buildings  had  al- 
ready been  united  by  the  addition  of  wings, 
yet  this  did  not  meet  the  demand  for  room. 
In  the  year  1866  it  was  determined  to  erect  a 
memorial  building  to  be  named  Centenary 
Hall,  to  coiTimemorate  the  organization  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  America 
in  1766.  This  was  completed  in  1867,  at  a 
cost  of  about  twenty-five  thousand  dollars. 
These  buildings  are  all  under  one  roof,  three 
and  four  stories  high,  with  three  hundred 
and  fifty  feet  frontage.  The  edifice  as  a  whole 
is  an  ornament  to  the  valley.  There  are  ample 
accommodations  for  one  hundred  and  seventy- 
five  boarding  students  and  three  hundred  and 
twenty-five  day  scholars. 

At  the  General  Conference  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  held  in  Brooklyn,  New 
York,  in  May,  1872,  Rev.  Dr.  Nelson,  after 
serving  as  principal  for  a  period  of  twenty- 
eight  years,  during  "which  time  he  developed 
his  skill  as  an  educator  and  financier,  was 
elected  senior  book  agent  at  Ne'w  York,  and 
resigned  his  position  as  principal.  He  was 
succeeded  by  Rev.  David  Copeland,  A.  M., 
president  of  the  Female  College  of  Hills- 
boro,  Ohio,  a  gentleman  whose  literary  tastes 
and  attainments  and  acknowledged  abilities 
and  extended  experience  as  an  educator  ren- 
dered him  preeminently  flttecl  for  the  impor- 
tant and  responsible  position  of  principal  of 
an  institution  of  this  grade.  Dr.  Copeland 
remained  at  the  head  of  the  seminary  until 
1SS2,  when  Dr.  L.  D.  Sprague  became  the 
principal.  He  was  eminently  a  Christian  gen- 
tleman and  ripe  scholar.  He  enlarged  the 
curriculum  of  the  school  and  prepared  the 
institution  to  do  the  advanced  work  that  it 
has. been  able  to  do  in  later  years.  Never  was 
the  seminary  more  successful  than  now.  The 
course  of  study  is  most  thorouj^rh  and  com- 
prehensive, and  will  compare  favorably  with 
that  of  the  highest  institutions  of  its  class. 
This  time-honored  and  deservedly  popular  in- 
stitution receives  its  full  share  of  patronage, 
and  under  its  present  efficient  management  is 
destined  to  exert  a  still  more  potent  influence 
in  the  education  of  the  youth  of  our  land. 

The  system  of  instruction  adopted  is  thor- 
ough and  designed  to  prepare  students  foi 
the  active  duties  of  life  or  for  a  course  of 
professional  or  collegiate  training.  There  are 
seven  departments  of  study  provided,  for 
each  of  which  a  diploma  is  awarded,  namely: 
College  preparation,  literature  and  science, 
commerce,  music,  art,  oratory,  and  home 
economics.  As  an  evidence  of  the  high  grade 
of  scholarship  of  young  people  prepared  here 
for  college  today  they  stand  among  the  first 
at  the  best  colleges  in  the  country.  Many 
prominent  people  distinguished  in  church. 
State  and  the  home  have  been  educated  in 
this  seminary. 

In  1887,  through  the  liberality  of  friends  of 


the  Seminary,  Nelson  Memorial  Hall  was 
erected  in  memory  of  Dr.  Nelson,  the  first 
principal,  at  a  cost  of  $30,000.  In  1894  Abram 
Nesbitt,  a  resident  of  Kingston,  who  had 
shown  already  his  friendship  for  the  school 
in  many  ways,  with  large  beneficence  erected 
Nesbitt  Science  Hall,  at  a  cost  of  $35,000. 
During  this  year,  also,  the  Wyoming  Field 
was  purchased,  through  the  gifts  of  many 
friends  of  the  seminary,  and  fitted  up  for 
athletic  purposes  at  a  cost  of  $22,000.  In 
1897,  Mrs.  Caroline  M.  Pettebone  (daughter 
of  William  Swetland,  mentioned  before  In 
this  article)  who  had  been  for  many  years  a 
most  liberal  supporter  of  the  school,  erected 
the  Caroline  M.  Pettebone  Gymnasium  at  a 
cost   of   $33,000. 

The  fine  material  equipment  of  the  semi- 
nary, with  its  high  reputation  as  an  educa- 
tional force,  places  it,  in  rank,  among  the 
first  half  dozen  preparatory  schools  of  the 
country,  and  makes  it  an  ornament  to  Wyo- 
ming "Valley  and  a  factor  of  inestimable 
value  in  developing  and  maintaining  its  so- 
cial and  intellectual  life.  The  graduates  of 
the  seminary,  from  all  departments,  number 
about  forty-five  hundred.  The  present  (1928) 
attendance  averages  seven  hundred  students 
each  term,  and  the  number  of  students  from 
the  beginning  have  been  about  eighteen 
thousand.  The  faculty  numbers  thirty-seven. 
The  endowment  has  now  reached  about  one 
million  seven  hundred  thousand  dollars.  The 
friends  of  the  Seminary  are  hoping  that  this 
amount  "will  soon  be  increased  to  three  mil- 
lions in  order  to  provide  for  larger  salaries 
for  teachers  and  pensions  for  those  teachers 
who  give  a  large  proportion  of  their  life- 
work  to  the  sen"iinary. 

The  Sprague  Memorial,  now  erected  in 
honor  of  Dr.  Sprague's  service  as  a  teacher 
in  the  sei"ninary  for  more  than  sixty  years 
(completed  in  1928),  provides  administration 
rooms,  accommodations  for  the  Bennett  Li- 
brary, twenty-one  recitation  rooms,  the  art 
room,  the  four  literary  society  rooms,  the 
swimming  pool,  and  the  girls'  gymnasium. 
This  is  the  most  imposing  building  on  the 
seminary  campus,  is  fireproof  and  modern  In 
every   detail. 


JAMES  J.  TORMAY- — The  man  who  is  ven- 
turesome enough  to  attempt  small  things, 
regardless  of  consequences  to  himself,  and 
who  is  not  afraid  of  hard  work,  is  usually 
the  one  who  soars  ahead  in  the  business 
world.  Such  a  person  is  James  J.  Tormay, 
Today,  when  still  young  in  years  he  is  head 
of  a  successful  warehouse  business  dealing  in 
food  products:  and  he  is  also  a  sugar  broker, 
familiarly  known  as  "Jim"  Tormay,  "the 
sugar  man."  The  success  which  has  attended 
his  efforts  thus  far  has  come  to  him  solely 
through  his  own  initiative  and  resourceful- 
ness, and  from  present  indications  will  con- 
tinue. The  slogan  on  which  his  business  has 
grown  is  "Building  for  permanency — on 
honesty." 

Mr.  Tormay  is  a  native  of  the  little  town 
of  Plymouth,  where  he  resided  until  three 
years  ago,  before  moving  to  Wilkes-Barre. 
He  was  born  August  5,  1893,  the  son  of  Hugh 
J.  Tormay,  a  native  of  Ireland,  born  there  in 
1873,  and  his  wife,  Elizabeth  Cassidy,  who 
was  born  in  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania. 
Both  parents  are  living,  the  father  engaged 
in    business    as    a    salesman. 

James  J.  Tormay,  after  completing  the 
elementary  and  high  school  courses  of  study, 
took  up  a  business  course  at  the  Wharton 
School  of  Business,  after  which  he  began 
business  as  a  shipping  clerk  for  Clark  Broth- 
ers Stores.  He  remained  at  this  employment 
for    a    number    of    years,    then    entered    the 


employ  of  Armour  and  Company  as  a  sales- 
man. After  t'wo  years,  he  severed  his  connec- 
tion with  this  firm  and  found  the  same  kind 
of  work  with  the  H.  O.  Cereal  Company, 
■where  he  remained  for  another  two  years. 
At  the  end  of  this  time  he  felt  confident 
that  he  had  the  necessary  experience  for 
entering  upon  a  business  of  his  own,  and  in 
1923  started  a  food  products  and  sugar 
brokerage  business  under  his  own  name. 
This  was  located  in  Plymouth,  but  in  1924 
he  moved  to  Wilkes-Barre,  with  his  office 
in  the  Merchants'  Warehouse  Building.  His 
business  outgrowing  these  quarters,  he 
moved,  in  1926,  to  his  present  office  and 
warehouse  at  Penn  Avenue  and  Union  Street. 
His  business  is  steadily  growing,  six  being 
the  number  of  employees  no'w  on  his  payroll. 

Mr.  Tormay's  political  views  are  those  of 
the  Democratic  party.  He  belongs  to  the 
Kiwanis  Club,  and  the  Wyoming  Valley 
Country  Club,  and  his  religious  afliliation  is 
with    St.   Aloysius   Roman   Catholic   Church. 

Mr.  Tormay  married,  in  1914,  Marie  G. 
O'Connell,  of  Plymouth,  daughter  of  Charles 
S.  and  Anna  (Cahalan)  O'Connell,  to  whom 
was  born  si.x  children:  Thomas,  Marie,  James, 
William,  Edward,  and  Claire. 


LEOIV  KURTZ  WILLMAN,  D.  D.— Pastor 
of  the  First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of 
Wilkes-Barre,  which,  under  his  ministry,  has 
grown  and  prospered  until  its  membership 
numbered  more  than  1,600  persons  (1927), 
and  Sunday  school  attendance  in  proportion. 
Leon  Kurtz  Willman,  Doctor  of  Divinity,  is 
a  native  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  born 
at  Pottstown,  July  26,  1873,  a  son  of  Mabery 
and  Esther  G.    (Dry)   Willman,   deceased. 

Mabery  Willman  was  for  many  years  a 
merchant  of  produce  and  groceries  in  Potts- 
town; in  all  he  engaged  in  this  enterprise 
for  some  twenty-five  years  in  that  commun- 
ity, and  was  there  high  in  the  estimation 
of  mercantile  associates  and  the  public.  He 
took  part  in  communal  projects  whenever 
the  request  was  made,  and  was  accounted 
one  of  the  public-spirited  citizens  of  the 
town.  Mabery  Willman  married  Esther  Gul- 
din  Dry,  and  they  became  the  parents  of 
two  children  who  grew  to  maturity:  Eliz- 
abeth Maude,  who  married  Wallace  W.  Dill, 
Doctor  of  Medicine,  of  Pottstown,  and  who 
died   in    1916;   and   Rev.   Dr.   Leon   Kurtz. 

Rev.  Dr.  Leon  Kurtz  Willman  attended 
the  public  schools  of  Pottstown,  and  grad- 
uated from  high  school  with  the  class  of 
1S90.  Then  for  three  years  he  attended  the 
Hill  School,  completing  his  studies  in  this  in 
1893,  when  he  matriculated  in  Wesleyan  Uni- 
versity, at  Middletown,  Connecticut,  whence 
he  graduated  with  the  degree  of  Bachelor 
of  Arts  in  1897,  holding  membership  in  Phi 
Beta  Kappa  Fraternity.  For  a  year,  then, 
he  undertook  courses  in  the  Drew  Theological 
Seminary,  at  Madison,  New  Jersey,  and  in 
the  fall  of  1898,  at  the  age  of  twenty-five 
years,  took  charge  of  his  first  post  as  minis- 
ter, at  Waterbury,  Vermont,  under  the  Ver- 
mont Methodist  Episcopal  (Conference.  Here 
he  was  pastor,  to  the  great  pleasure  of 
the  parish,  members  of  which  appreciated 
his  devotion  to  the  Gospel  and  their  spiritual 
welfare,  for  a  period  of  four  years;  and 
when,  in  1902,  he  was  transferred  to  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  at  Montpelier, 
Vermont,  his  loss  was  keenly  felt  in  Water- 
bury  by  those  with  whom  he  had  been  in 
contact.  The  same  was  true  in  Montpelier, 
when,  after  two  years  of  faithful  service, 
he  "was  transferred  to  the  Philadelphia  Con- 
ference, and  was  granted  leave  of  absence 
to  join  the  faculty  of  the  Hill  Preparatory 
School    at    Pottstown,    in    which    he    had    been 


a  student.  Here  he  taught  Biblical  history, 
with  interpretations,  for  three  years,  and  in 
1907  was  reinstated  as  minister,  appointed 
by  the  Philadelphia  Conference  to  the  Spring 
Garden  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Phila- 
delphia, where  he  served  for  seven  years. 
In  the  last  year  of  this  charge,  his  health, 
which  had  been  taxed  in  exercise  of  theolog- 
ical duties,  began  to  fail;  and  on  this  account 
he  was  appointed  to  pastorship  of  the  First 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  at  Asbury  Park, 
Ne'w  Jersey,  and  there  remained  four  years. 
But  in  1918,  his  health  having  mended,  he 
gave  up  this  charge  to  become  associate 
field  director  of  the  American  Red  Cross,  in 
charge  of  the  Embarkation  Hospital  at  New- 
port News,  Virginia,  until  1919,  when  he  was 
appointed  to  tlie  pastorate  of  the  Broadway 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  at  Camden,  New 
Jersey;  and  in  1920  he  was  transferred  to 
the  pastorate  of  the  First  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church  of  Wilkes-Barre,  under  the 
Wyoming    Conference. 

The  First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of 
Wilkes-Barre  is  one  of  the  three  oldest 
churches  in  the  city.  These  three  churches 
joined  together  for  services  in  the  "Old  Ship 
Zion."  a  devotional  structure  which  in  early 
colonial  days  stood  on  the  public  square, 
and  thereby  formed  an  interesting  highlight 
in  religious  history.  In  the  Pennsylvania 
Council  of  Churches,  Dr.  Willman  has  a  place 
of  active  service  as  chairman  of  the  com- 
mission on  social  service.  He  is  a  trustee 
of    Wyoming    Seminary. 

Rev.  Dr.  Willman  participates  actively  in 
the  material  as  well  as  the  spiritual  welfare 
work  of  Wilkes-Barre,  and  during  the  years 
of  residence  here  has  occupied  a  distinctive 
place  in  a  number  of  progressive  enterprises, 
which  his  effort  physically  and  mentally  has 
done  much  to  further.  A  Republican  and 
staunch  in  support  of  the  party,  still  he  is 
not  greatly  concerned  with  exercising  the 
influence  that  he  may  hold  in  political  mat- 
ters. Fraternally,  however,  he  is  most  active. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Wilkes-Barre  Rotary 
Club,  the  Greek  Letter  college  fraternities 
of  Psi  Upsilon  and  Phi  Beta  Kappa  (which 
last  is  an  honorary  scholastic  organiza- 
tion). Lodge  No.  61,  of  the  Free  and  Ac- 
cepted Masons,  Shekinah  Chapter,  No.  182,  of 
the  Royal  Arch  Masons,  Dieu  le  Vent  Com- 
mandery.  No.  45  of  Knights  Templar,  Irem 
Temple  of  the  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles 
of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  and  the  Shrine  Country 
Club.  In  literary  fields  Dr.  Willman  has 
achieved  a  dignified  position  through  author- 
ship of  a  volume,  "Men  of  the  Old  Testa- 
ment," and  the  "Pastor's  Vade  Mecum,"  a 
hand-book  for  ministers.  Based  upon  the 
merit  of  this  work,  his  alma  mater  conferred 
on  him  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity  in 
1914. 

Rev.  Dr.  Leon  Kurtz  Willman  married, 
January  17,  1901,  Anne  Lydia  Judkins,  of 
Bristol,  New  Hampshire.  Mrs.  Willman  is  a 
daughter  of  Rev.  George  Janvrin  and  Myra 
(Dolloff)    Judkins,    of   Bristol. 


MAX  TISCHLER,  M.  D. — Since  the  close 
of  the  World  War  Dr.  Max  Tischler  has  been 
engaged  in  medical  practice  in  Wilkes- 
Barre.  In  addition  to  his  general  practice 
he  has  specialized  in  obstetrics  and  in  gyne- 
cology. He  is  a  member  of  the  Pennsylvania 
Department  of  Health,  Clinic  No.  1,  and  of 
the  obstetrical  staff  of  Wilkes-Barre  Gen- 
eral Hospital.  During  the  world  war  he  was 
a  member  of  the  Medical  Corps,  stationed  at 
Fort   Oglethorpe,   at   Chattanooga.    Tennessee. 

Joseph  Tischler,  father  of  Dr.  Tischler, 
located  in  Wilkes-Barre  in  1895,  and  was 
for  a  quarter   of  a  century   one   of  the  active 


J)>^.^^iuru>\     (Qr^^'-y>-<o^^ — 7^.^ 


483 


business  men  of  the  city,  continuing  active 
to  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  when 
he  was  fifty-three  years  of  age.  He  married 
Fannie  Braun,  and  they  were  the  parents  of 
six  children:  Dr.  Max,  of  further  mention: 
Oscar  S. ;  Ethel  A.;  Sarah  R.;  Cecil;  and 
Emma    M. 

Dr.  Max  Tischler  was  born  in  New  York 
City,  April  13,  1892,  and  was  brought  to 
Wilkes-Barre  by  his  parents  when  he  was 
about  three  years  of  age.  As  a  boy  he 
attended  the  public  schools,  graduating  from 
Wilkes-Barre  High  School  in  1909,  and  the 
following  fall  he  entered  Lafayette  College, 
at  Easton,  Pennsylvania,  from  which  he  was 
graduated  with  the  class  of  1913,  receiving 
at  that  time  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Phil- 
osophy. In  the  fall  of  that  same  year  he 
began  his  professional  study  in  Johns  Hop- 
kins University,  of  Baltimore,  from  which  he 
was  graduated  in  1917.  with  the  degree  of 
Doctor  of  Medicine.  He  then  returned  to 
Wilkes-Barre  and  became  an  interne  in 
Wilkes-Barre  General   Hospital,  but  in  April, 

1917,  he  enlisted  in  the  Medical  Corps  and 
was  called  to  active  duty  in  May,  1918,  sta- 
tioned at  Fort  Oglethorpe,  at  Chattanooga, 
Tennessee,  "where  he  remained  for  fourteen 
months,  being  mustered  out  of  service  June 
15,  1919,  with  the  rank  of  first  lieutenant 
of  the  Medical  Corps.  Upon  his  return  to 
civilian  life  he  came  back  to  Wilkes-Barre, 
took  the  State  board  examinations,  which 
he  successfully  passed  in  July,  1919,  and 
opened  his  office  at  No.  66  South  Washing- 
ton Street  and  later  moved  to  No.  132  South 
Franklin  Street,  in  Wilkes-Barre,  "where  he 
has  since  been  engaged  in  practice.  In  addi- 
tion to  a  very  large  and  steadily  growing 
general  practice.  Dr.  Tischler  is  a  specialist 
in  obstetrics  and  in  gynecology.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Luzerne  County  Medical  So- 
ciety, of  the  Pennsylvania  State  Medical 
Society,  and  of  the  American  Medical  Asso- 
ciation. Fraternally,  he  is  identified  with 
Wilkes-Barre  Lodge,  No.  109,  Benevolent  and 
Protective  Order  of  Elks:  and  with  Fidelity 
Lodge,  No.  655,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons. 
He  was  appointed  chairman  of  Child  Health 
activity  in  Luzerne  County  in  1928.  He  has 
served  as  a  member  of  the  board  of  directors 
of  the  Young  Men's  Hebrew  Association,  and 
is  one  of  the  active  citizens  of  this  city. 

Dr.    Max    Tischler    was    married,    April    30, 

1918,  to  Helen  B.  McClosky,  of  Wilkes-Barre, 
and  they  are  the  parents  of  two  children: 
Lewis    Jay,    and    Asher    Aba. 

HARLEM  IRVIN  BVAIVS,  M.  D. — Thoroughly 
trained  in  his  profession.  Dr.  Harlem  Irvin 
Evans  has  practiced  medicine  in  Ashley, 
Pennsylvania,  since  1921.  During  this  period 
of  service,  he  has  been  active  at  all  tii"nes  in 
the  care  of  the  sick  and  injured,  building  up 
a  very  successful  general  practice  to  which 
he  has  given  much  of  his  time.  He  is  other- 
wise active  in  the  community  life,  ho"wever, 
serving  as  medical  adviser  of  the  Ashley 
Board  of  Health,  and  he  is  a  member  of  many 
local    clubs    and    fraternal    organizations. 

Harlem  I.  (H.  Irvin)  Evans  was  born  March 
7,  1895,  at  Wilkes-Barre,  a  son  of  Daniel 
H.  Evans,  a  mason  and  contractor,  who  was 
born  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  and  of  Mar- 
garet Evens,  who  was  born  in  Wales.  Har- 
lem Irvin  Evans  attended  the  public  schools 
of  Wilkes-Barre  and  the  high  school  there, 
from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1913,  and 
later  entered  Jefferson  Medical  College,  where 
he  received  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine 
in  1920.  In  1921  he  was  an  interne  in  the 
Wilkes-Barre  General  Hospital  coming,  soon 
afterward,  to  Ashley,  where  he  has  since 
made  his  home.     From  1923  until  1927  he  was 


a  member  of  the  medical  staff  of  the  Wilkes- 
Barre  General  Hospital,  and  In  1927,  he  was 
appointed  assistant  surgeon  there,  a  position 
which  he  still  holds.  Dr.  Evans  is  medical 
examiner  for  the  Travellers  Insurance  Com- 
pany, the  Connecticut  Mutual  Life  Insurance 
Company,  the  Connecticut  General  Life  In- 
surance Company,  the  Prudential  Insurance 
Company,  the  Metropolitan  Insurance  Com- 
pany, the  Lincoln  Insurance  Company,  the 
National  Life  Insurance  Company,  the  Balti- 
more Life  Insurance  Company,  and  the  Mon- 
arcli  Life  Insurance  Company.  He  is  also 
on  the  medical  staff  of  Irem  Temple,  Ancient 
Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine. 
Dr.  Evans  is  also  captain  in  the  103d  Medical 
Kegiment  of  the  Pennsylvania  National 
Guard. 

Politically,  he  is  a  member  of  the  Repub- 
lican party,  and  he  is  a  member  of  Luzerne 
County,  Pennsylvania  State,  and  the  Ameri- 
can Medical  associations.  He  is  affiliated  fra- 
ternally with  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  and 
with  the  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  in  which 
organization  he  is  a  member  of  Lodge  No.  655, 
Shekinah  Chapter  of  the  Royal  Arch  Masons, 
Dieu  le  Veut  Commandery,  No.  45,  of  the 
Knights  Templar,  and  Irem  Temple,  Ancient 
Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine. 
He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Lions  Club  and 
of  the  Franklin  Club.  He  attends  the  Pres- 
byterian  Church  of  Wilkes-Barre. 


RICH.VRD  H.  SCUREM.-VN — For  years  as- 
sociated prominently  with  the  milling  indus- 
try of  Pennsylvania,  Richard  H.  Scureman 
was  regarded  as  an  outstanding  figure  in  the 
business  and  industrial  life  of  Wilkes-Barre 
and  Luzerne  County,  having  maintained  his 
place  of  business  for  years  in  Wilkes-Barre 
and  lived  in  Kingston.  He  took  a  lively 
interest  in  all  affairs  of  his  town,  county 
and  State,  and  in  the  course  of  a  busy  and 
useful  career  acquired  a  large  number  of 
faithful  friends  and  acquaintances,  all  of 
whom  learned  that  they  could  thoroughly 
trust  him  in  transactions  of  any  sort  and 
came  to  admire  the  man's  splendid  qualities 
of  character  and  to  love  him  dearly.  His 
death,  needless  to  say,  was  an  occasion  of 
deep  and  sincere  sorrow  in  Wilkes-Barre 
and   the   surrounding   towns   and   countryside. 

Mr.  Scureman  was  born  in  Sullivan  County 
November  25,  1860,  son  of  Apollos  E.  and 
Lydia  (Wilt)  Scureman.  His  father,  a  drover 
and  stock  dealer,  owned  a  large  butchering 
establishment  in  Sullivan  County,  where  he 
was  a  widely  known  and  highly  respected 
citizen,  having  been  a  son  of  Henry  Scure- 
man, the  original  settler  of  the  family  in 
Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania,  who  came 
here  from  New  Jersey  in  the  early  years  of 
the  last  century.  Apollos  E.  and  Lydia  E. 
(Wilt)  Scureman  were  the  parents  of  seven 
children:  1.  Richard  H.,  of  whom  this  is  a 
record.  2.  Anna,  who  married  John  J.  Lantz. 
3.  Alice,  who  is  the  "wido"w  of  Langley  C. 
Smith,  of  New  York  City.  4.  Emma,  who 
became  the  wife  of  G.  J.  Clark,  a  leading 
attorney  of  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania.  5. 
Francis,  who  married  H.  M.  Kellogg,  of 
Lopez,  Sullivan  County.  6.  Charles  G.,  a 
resident  of  Jersey  Shore,  Lycoming  County. 
7.   George    W.,    of   Brockton,    Massachusetts. 

Richard  H.  Scureman  received  his  early 
education  in  the  public  schools,  and  grew 
to  manhood  at  Dushore.  Later  he  clerked  in 
McKnight's  store,  in  Plains,  and  in  1878 
entered  the  employ  of  Thomas  Waddell  at 
the  Waddell  colliery  in  Luzerne,  where  he 
was  for  nearly  fifteen  years  chief  clerk. 
Then,  in  1892,  he  entered  the  milling  busi- 
ness in  that  city,  becoming  associated  with 
A.    T.   Gangloff   and   G.    J.   Clark    in   an    enter- 


484 


prise  known  as  Scureman,  Gangloffi  and  Com- 
pany, merchant  millers.  Six  years  later,  in 
1898,  he  joined  forces  with  E.  S.  Millard, 
forming"  the  firm  of  Millard  and  Scureman, 
also  merchant  millers,  in  Kingston.  This 
partnership  lasted  until  1919,  "when  Mr. 
Scureman  purchased  the  milling"  business  of 
the  late  John  Fennimore,  on  South  Pennsyl- 
vania Avenue,  Wilkes-Barre,  forming  what  is 
now  known  as  tl"ie  Scureman  Milling  Com- 
pany. In  all  his  work  in  the  milling  trade. 
Ml.  Scureman  showed  himself  to  be  a  man 
of  outstanding  talents  and  business  capabil- 
ities, and  built  for  himself  a  large  business 
in  this  part  of  the  State.  After  he  formed 
his  own  company,  he  admitted  his  son,  Mur- 
ray S.  Scureman,  into  the  enterprise,  and  this 
son    now    is    at    the    head    of    the    business. 

Mr.  Scureman,  throughout  his  life,  ranked 
hig"h  in  the  fraternal  and  social  life  of 
his  community.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  in  which  he  was 
affiliated  with  the  Kingston  Lodge,  No.  395: 
Shekinah  Chapter,  No.  182,  Royal  Arch 
Masons;  the  Dieu  le  Veut  Commandery, 
Knights  Templar;  and  Irem  Temple  of  the 
Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic 
Shrine.  He  also  was  a  member  of  the  Kiwanis 
Club,  the  Franklin  Club  and  other  social 
organizations.  He  was  a  director  of  the  First 
National  Bank  of  "Wilkes-Barre;  a  director 
of  the  Greater  Wilkes-Barre  Chamber  of 
Commerce  and  the  "Wilkes-Barre  Credit 
Men's  Association;  and  a  trustee  of  the 
Kingston  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Ever 
eager  to  promote  the  best  interests  of  his 
city,  he  was  especially  active  in  work  on  the 
West  Side;  and  perhaps  his  greatest  social 
activity  was  that  with  the  Community  Wel- 
fare Federation,  for  "whicli  he  served  on  dif- 
ferent occasions  as  West  Side  chairman. 

On  August  3,  1893,  Mr.  Scureman  married 
Sarah  E.  Smith,  of  Shickshinny,  Luzerne 
County,  Pennsylvania,  a  daughter  of  A.  L. 
and  Mary  (McAfee)  Smith.  Of  this  union 
there  was  born  one  son,  Murray  S.  Scureman. 
His  birth  date  was  May  29,  1899,  and  he  re- 
ceived his  early  education  in  the  public 
schools  of  Luzerne  and  Dorranceton.  Later 
he  was  graduated  with  the  class  of  1917  from 
Wyoming  Seminary.  He  then  attended 
Princeton  "University,  at  Princeton,  New 
Jersey,  where  he  was  graduated  in  1921  with 
the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts.  Since  leaving 
college  he  has  l^een  associated  in  the  man- 
agement of  the  Scureman  Milling  Company, 
of  which  he  is  now  the  active  head.  In  his 
political  views  he  is  a  Republican,  and  his 
religious  affiliation  is  with  the  Kingston 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  of  which  church 
he  is  a  steward.  During  the  World  War,  he 
was  a  member  of  the  Students'  Army  Train- 
ing Corps  at  Princeton.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  in  which  his 
affiliations  are  with  the  Kingston  Lodge,  No. 
395:  Shekinah  Chapter,  No.  182,  Royal  Arch 
Masons;  the  Dieu  le  "Veut  Commandery,  No. 
45,  Knights  Templar;  and  Irem  Temple, 
Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic 
Shrine.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Central  Board 
of  Football  Officials — a  national  organization, 
and  during  his  college  training  was  a  member 
of  the  Princeton  team.  He  was  secretary- 
treasurer  of  the  Princeton  Alumni  Associa- 
tion of  Northeastern  Pennsylvania,  and  is  a 
member  of  the  Terrace  Club  of  Princeton 
University.  In  addition  to  his  duties  with 
the  Scureman  Milling  Company,  he  also  is 
treasurer  of  the  Old  Homestead  Baking  Com- 
pany, of  Wilkes-Barre,  a  director  of  the 
Homade  Baking  Company,  of  Scranton,  and 
director  of  the  Homade  Baking  Company  of 
Johnson    City,    New    York,     He    is    one    of    the 


active    and   progressive    young   business    men 
of  Luzerne  County. 

The  death  of  the  father,  Richard  H.  Scure- 
man, which  took  place  on  June  28,  1928,  de- 
prived this  community  of  one  of  its  foremost 
members  of  the  milling  trade  and  of  a  citizen 
of  outstanding  qualities,  solid  and  substantial 
and  useful  to  his  city  and  State.  A  man  of 
achievement,  helpful  in  his  attitude  toward 
other  people,  lovable  in  character,  he  lived  a 
life  whose  influence  "was  ever  for  good  and 
"Whose  benefits  to  the  community  were  many: 
while  in  his  own  family  circle  he  was  fondly 
cherished  as  an  excellent  husband  and  father. 
Wilkes-Barre  will  find  it  difficult  to  replace 
a  man  of  his  type. 


G.  FREDERICK  PARRISH  is  the  repre- 
sentative today  of  a  family  which  has  been 
long  associated  with  the  progress  and  well- 
being  of  Wilkes-Barre.  He  is  prominent  in 
business  circles  and  is  one  of  the  substantial 
citizens  of  tl"iat  progressive  town.  He  is  the 
only  son  of  Frederick  Brown  Parrish,  who 
departed  this  life  September  3,  1885,  after 
many  years  of  activity  as  a  leading  repre- 
sentative of  the  business  interests  of  Wilkes- 
Barre  and  the  vicinity.  G.  Frederick  Parrish 
is  unmarried  and  resided  with  his  mother, 
Mrs,  Ella  Drake  (Reels)  Parrish,  in  their 
beautiful  residence  at  No.  248  South  Franklin 
Street,  Wilkes-Barre,  until  her  death  on 
February  9,  1929.  After  his  preliminary  edu- 
cation at  Pomfret  School  Mr.  Parrish  con- 
tinued his  studies  at  Yale,  graduating  from 
that    institution    in    the    class    of   1905. 

Following  his  graduation  from  the  famous 
university,  Mr.  Parrish  for  two  years  was 
employed  by  Madeira,  Hill  and  Company,  of 
New  York  City  and  Philadelphia,  after  which 
he  returned  to  Wilkes-Barre  and  immediately 
entered  into  business  life.  The  Parrish  family 
has  for  several  generations  been  connected 
with  the  coal  industry  in  and  around  Wilkes- 
Barre,  therefore  it  is  not  surprising  that  in 
a  very  short  time  Mr.  Parrish  was  holding  the 
position  of  president  of  the  Red  Ash  Coal 
Company  of  Wilkes-Barre,  which  office  he 
filled  until  the  month  of  November,  1926.  At 
the  present  time  he  is  a  director  of  Burns 
Brothers  of  New  York,  the  largest  retail  coal 
corporation  in  the  world.  In  addition  to  his 
other  business  interests  Mr.  Parish  is  a  direc- 
tor of  the  Wyoming  National  Bank  of 
Will<es-Barre.  He  is  affiliated  with  St. 
Stephen's  Episcopal  Church  in  Wilkes-Barre. 
Mr.  Parrish  spends  much  of  his  leisure  in 
athletics  and  he  is  a  prominent  member  of 
the  Westmoreland  Club,  the  Wyoming  "Valley 
Country  Club  and  the  North  Mountain  Club. 
He  is  also  a  member  of  the  New  York  Rac- 
quet and  Tennis  Club,  the  Rockaway  Hunting 
Club  of  Cedarhurst,  Long  Island,  and  the 
Yale  Club  of  New  York.  In  politics  he  is  a 
Republican  but  he  has  never  cared  to  hold 
office,  although  tendered  the  opportunity  on 
several   occa.sions. 

No  history  of  Wilkes-Barre  would  be  com- 
plete without  some  mention  of  the  father  of 
Mr.  Parrish,  the  late  Frederick  Brown  Par- 
rish. Up  to  the  time  of  his  death  in  1885  the 
latter  was  prominently  affiliated  with  the 
coal  interests  of  Wilkes-Barre,  holding  the 
office  of  president  of  the  Hillman  "Vein  Coal 
Company  and  the  Hanover  Coal  Company 
when  that  sad  event  occurred.  Mr.  Parrish 
was  at  the  san"ie  time  vice-president  of  the 
Red  Ash  Coal  Company,  director  of  the  Pitts- 
ton  Engine  and  Machine  Company,  and  a 
member  of  the  Western  Anthracite  Joint 
Committee.  Born  at  Piermont,  Rockland 
County,  New  York,  November  27,  1849,  he 
spent  his  early  youth  in  the  Middle  Western 


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48s 


States  owning-  to  the  fact  that  his  father's 
business  as  railroad  contractor  Itept  his  fam- 
ily almost  continuously  on  the  move.  It  was 
in  1862  that  the  family  moved  to  Wilkes- 
Barre,  where  he  attended  the  Wilkes-Barre 
Institute,  later  going  to  the  Lawrenceville 
(New  Jersey)  Academy.  During  one  of  his 
school  vacations  he  worked  with  the  en- 
gineering corps  in  charge  of  the  construction 
of  the  Lehigh  and  Susquehanna  Railroad 
from  Mill  Creek  to  Green  Ridge.  In  1S69  and 
1S70  he  served  as  apprentice  in  the  machine 
shops  of  the  Lehigh  and  Susquehanna  Rail- 
road and  in  the  latter  year  he  started  work 
with  the  engineering  corps  of  the  Lehigh 
and  Wilkes-Barre  Coal  Company.  Within 
two  years  he  was  advanced  to  the  responsible 
post  of  assistant  superintendent  and  the  fol- 
lowing year  he  was  named  superintendent. 
It  was  in  1881  that  Mr.  Parrish  assisted  his 
father,  George  H.  Parrish,  and  the  Hon. 
Morgan  B.  Williams,  in  the  organization  of 
the  Red  Ash  Coal  Company,  of  which  his 
father  was  elected  president.  His  uncle, 
Charles  Parrish,  was  head  of  the  Arm  of 
Charles  Parrish  and  Company  and  he  ap- 
pointed Mr.  Parrish  general  superintendent 
of  that  concern  about  this  same  time.  The 
general  recognition  of  his  sound  business 
ability  and  excellent  judgment  by  his  busi- 
ness associates  led  to  his  appointment  to  the 
presidency  of  the  Hillman  Vein  Coal  Com- 
pany and  the  Hanover  Coal  Company,  to- 
gether with  the  other  responsible  offices  he 
held  to   the  day  of  his  death. 


lating  to  improvement  and  public  welfare. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  county  and  State 
medical  associations,  the  American  Medical 
Association,  and  the  American  Legion.  His 
fraternities  are  Sigma  Chi,  and  Kappa  Beta 
Phi,  of  Jefferson  Medical  College.  His  re- 
ligious afflliations  are  with  St.  Francis' 
Roman   Catholic  Church. 


THOMAS  RAY  DORRIS.  M.  D. — A  promi- 
nent factor  in  the  medical  profession.  Dr. 
Thomas  Ray  Dorris  occupies  a  high  place  in 
the  estimation  of  his  fellow-citizens  of  Nanti- 
coke,  being  one  of  the  youngest  and  most 
advanced  physicians  practicing  in  the  State. 
In  recent  years  there  have  been  so  many 
remarkable  discoveries  in  the  medical  world, 
some  of  them  highly  revolutionary  as  com- 
pared with  the  practice  and  teaching  of  pre- 
vious decades,  that  medical  and  surgical 
science  has  reached  new  heights,  and  the 
people  of  Nanticoke  are  to  be  congratulated 
upon  having  in  their  midst  a  physician  like 
Dr.  Dorris,  who  follows  carefully  the  latest 
developments  in  the  realm  of  medicine  and 
utilizes  the  newest  and  most  modern  methods 
and  appliances  in  his  noble  work  of  minister- 
ing to  the  needs  of  suffering  humanity. 

Dr.  Dorris  was  born  in  Shenandoah,  June 
10,  1899,  son  of  Dennis  and  Mary  (Brennan) 
Dorris.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools 
of  Nanticoke,  graduating  from  high  school 
with  the  class  of  1917.  He  entered  Bucknell 
University,  from  which  he  received  his  degree 
of  Bachelor  of  Science,  in  1921.  He  then 
matriculated  at  Jefferson  Medical  College, 
Philadelphia,  and  diligently  applied  himself 
to  the  long  and  arduous  studies  in  prepara- 
tion for  a  medical  career,  distinguishing  him- 
self by  his  intiniate  knowledge  of  the  various 
subjects  and  his  thorough  attention  to  detail. 
He  received  his  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine 
with  the  class  of  1925.  and  served  as  interne 
at  Mercy  Hospital,  Wilkes-Barre,  until  1926, 
and  he  is  still  a  member  of  the  staff  of  this 
institution.  In  1926,  he  came  to  Nanticoke, 
opened  an  office,  engaged  in  the  general  prac- 
tice of  his  profession,  and  soon  acquired  a 
large  and  important  following,  which  in- 
creased steadily  as  people  recognized  his 
splendid  qualities  and  superior  ability.  In 
the  short  time  that  Dr.  Dorris  has  been  lo- 
cated in  this  town,  he  has  won  the  respect 
and  esteem  of  the  entire  townspeople,  as  he 
takes  a  deep  and  sincere  interest  in  the  civic 
affairs  of  the  community,  and  his  advice  and 
support   are    eagerly   sought    in    questions    re- 


HARHY     HARTLAIND    ROTH — One    of    the 

well-known  and  outstanding  business  men 
of  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania,  is  Harry  H. 
H.  Roth,  whose  business,  electrical  contract- 
ing, has  been  established  for  many  years  ai 
No.  75  North  Main  Street,  where  he  also  car- 
ries a  full  line  of  electrical  supplies  and 
equipment.  Mr.  Roth  also  conducts  a  key 
and  gun  shop  and  is  a  locksmith  along  with 
his  other  skill  as  a  mechanic  and  electrician. 
He  is  the  son  of  Ernest  F.  and  Eliza  D.  (Ton- 
kin) Roth.  His  father  died  on  August  10, 
1917,  at  the  age  of  seventy-one  years.  His 
mother  passed  away  October  17,  1928,  aged 
seventy-six  years.  Ernest  P.  Roth  was  the 
son  of  Charles  Christian  Roth,  who  built  the 
three-story  brick  building  now  occupied  by 
his  grandson,  Harry  H.  Roth.  This  is  one  of 
the  oldest  brick  buildings  in  Wilkes-Barre. 
The  Roth  family  is  one  of  the  oldest  families 
here  and  Mr.  Harry  H.  Roth's  mother,  Eliza 
D.  (Tonkin)  Roth,  is  a  daughter  of  John  and 
Nancy  (Jeffrey)  Tonkin,  who  were  natives 
of  England.  The  Tonkin  family  was  origi- 
nally French  when  the  name  was  spelled 
Tonquin.  The  Jeffrey  family  is  one  of  the  old 
English  families  dating  back  before  the  days 
of  Oliver  Cromwell.  Ernest  F.  and  Eliza  D. 
(Tonkin)  Roth  "were  the  parents  of  five  chil- 
dren: 1.  Harry  H.,  of  whom  further.  2. -Carl, 
died  in  childhood.  3.  Raymond  R.,  of  New 
York  City.  4.  Ernest,  of  Los  Angeles,  Cali- 
fornia. 5.  Helen  Louise,  the  wife  of  Edward 
Goldsmith   of  New  York   City. 

Harry  H.  Roth  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools  and  then  at  the  Wyoming  Seminary. 
After  he  finished  his  school  work,  he  imme- 
diately entered  business  by  working  in  hia 
father's  store  at  the  old  stand.  When  his 
father  died  in  1917,  he  took  over  the  business 
and  has  since  conducted  it.  Under  Mr.  Roth's 
management,  this  business  has  progressed 
and  shown  a  steady  prosperous  growth  which 
can  easily  be  attributed  to  the  foresight  of 
its  manager  in  keeping  it  abreast  of  the 
times. 

Mr.  Roth  is  a  member  of  Landmark  Lodge, 
No.  442,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons:  he  is  a 
member  of  Shekinah  Chapter.  No.  182,  Royal 
Arch  Masons;  Dieu  le  Veut  Commandery,  No. 
45,  Knights  Templar;  the  Consistory  of 
Scranton,  thirty-second  degree;  Irem  Temple, 
Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic 
Shrine;  Wilkes-Barre  Lodge,  No.  109,  Benevo- 
lent and  Protective  Order  of  Elks;  the  Irem 
Country  Club  and  St.  Stephen's  Protestant 
Episcopal  Church.  In  politics  he  is  a  Demo- 
crat. 

On  August  18,  1920,  Harry  H.  Roth  married 
Hilda  Nelson  of  Wilkes-Barre,  the  daughter 
of  John  A.  and  Martha  (Davis)  Nelson.  Mr. 
and   Mrs.   Roth   have  no   children. 


l»f.  A.  OPPENHBIJI — During  the  greater 
part  of  the  time  which  has  passed  since  he 
was  seventeen  years  of  age,  M.  A.  Oppenheim 
has  been  engaged  in  the  retail  clothing  busi- 
ness. He  has  also  for  many  years  been  inter- 
ested in  the  furniture  business,  and  at  the 
present  time  (1929)  he  is  president  of  the 
People's  Outfitting  Company,  whose  estab- 
lishment is  located  at  Nos.  99-105  South  Main 
Street,  in  Wilkes-Barre;  a  member  of  the 
board  of  directors  of  the  Associated  Furni- 
ture   Corporation,   of   Wilmington,   Delaware: 


and  vice-president  of  the  Wilkes-Barre  Mort- 
gage  Company. 

Mr.  Oppenheim  is  one  of  the  eight  children 
of  Max  Oppenheim,  "who  was  a  merchant,  and 
of  Yetta  (Ansense)  Oppenheim,  both  of  whom 
are  deceased.  The  children  were;  M.  A.,  of 
further  mention;  Delia,  "who  married  A.  Sil- 
verman, a  Chicago  merchant;  Alex,  who  i.s  a 
merchant  in  Rockford,  Illinois;  Anna,  de- 
ceased; Mamie,  deceased;  Reuben,  deceased; 
Lillian,  deceased;  and  Isadore,  who  is  a 
merchant  in  Gary,  Indiana.  Born  in  Detroit, 
Michigan,  May  3,  1S6T,  M.  A.  Oppenheim  was 
still  an  infant  when  his  parents  removed 
from  Detroit  to  Peoria,  Illinois,  and  in  the 
last  named  city  he  gre'w  to  be  a  lad  of  seven- 
teen years,  attending  the  public  schools. 
When  he  was  seventeen  he  went  to  Gridley, 
McLean  County,  Illinois,  "where  he  began  his 
long  connection  with  the  clothing  business. 
After  gaining  the  necessary  experience  he 
became  a  traveling  salesman  in  South 
America,  and  this  enlarged  field  gave  him 
ample  opportunity  to  see  many  places  and  to 
become  acquainted  with  the  business  oppor- 
tunities of  numerous  cities  and  towns.  At 
the  age  of  twenty-four  years  he  located  in 
Des  Moines,  Iowa,  and  again  engaged  in  the 
clothing  business.  After  a  few  years  of  suc- 
cessful operation  there,  he  again  made  a 
change,  this  time  going  to  Quincy,  Illinois, 
where  he  changed  his  line  of  business  activ- 
ity, by  engaging  in  the  furniture  business. 
Later,  he  removed  to  Chicago.  Illinois,  and 
continued  in  the  furniture  business  there 
until  1915,  when  he  came  to  Wilkes-Barre, 
where  he  has  since  been  located.  In  1915  he 
purchased  an  interest  in  the  People's  Out- 
fitting Company,  then  located  at  No.  10  South 
Main  Street,  but  later  removed  to  the  pres- 
ent location  at  Nos.  99-105  South  Main  Street, 
and  he  has  since  that  time  devoted  his  at- 
tention largely  to  the  development  of  the 
interests  of  that  concern.  As  president  of  the 
company  he  is  giving  to  his  work  the  bene- 
fits of  his  experience  gained  in  several  dif- 
ferent localities,  and  the  People's  Outfitting 
Company  has  developed  into  one  of  the  well- 
known  and  largely  patronized  establishments 
of  the  city.  Along  with  his  activities  in  this 
connection,  Mr.  Oppenheim  has  retained  his 
interest  in  the  furniture  business,  and  is  a 
member  of  the  board  of  directors  of  the 
Associated  Furniture  Corporation,  of  Wil- 
mington, Delaware;  and  has  also  extended  his 
business  interests,  serving  as  vice-president 
of  the  Wilkes-Barre  Mortgage  Company.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  Greater  Wilkes-Barre 
Chamber  of  Commerce.  He  was  one  of  the 
leading  factors  in  the  reorganization  of  the 
old  ^Vilkes-Barre  Chamber  of  Commerce,  of 
which  he  is  now  a  director,  and  takes  an 
active  part  in  the  civic  and  philanthropic 
work  of  the  city,  being  a  member  of  the 
Wyoming  Valley  Associated  Charities,  which 
organization  he  serves  as  president;  and  a 
member  of  the  board  of  directors  of  the 
Young  Men's  Hebrew  Association.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Masonic  Order  and  of  the 
Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks: 
vice-president  of  the  Wyoming  Valley  Auto- 
mobile Association;  a  past  president  of  the 
Wilkes-Barre  Kiwanis  Club;  and  a  member 
of  the  Fox  Hill  Country  Club.  He  is  also  an 
active  and  interested  director  of  the  Wilkes- 
Barre  Playground  Association,  which  he 
helped    to    organize. 

M.  A.  Oppenheim  was  married,  March  24, 
1896,  to  Jene  Danenbaum,  of  Des  Moines, 
Iowa,  and  they  make  their  home  at  No.  155 
West   River   Street,   Wilkes-Barre. 

JOHN  B.  IVALLIS,  JR. — Retired  from  active 
business  January  1,  1929,  John  B.  Wallis,  Jr., 


formerly  district  manager  for  the  Hercules 
Powder  Company,  has  taken  an  active  part 
in  the  business,  social  and  fraternal  life  of 
Wilkes-Barre,  and  was  vice-president  of  the 
First  National  Bank  of  Ashley,  Pennsylvania. 

Mr.  Wallis  was  born  on  January  23,  1876, 
at  Ashley,  Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania, 
the  son  of  John  B.  and  Sallie  (Fenner)  Wallis. 
His  mother  died  when  he  was  only  eight 
years  old.  His  father,  a  native  of  England, 
came  to  Luzerne  County  in  his  eighteenth 
year,  and  was  a  prominent  citizen  of  Ashley 
Borough  for  over  fifty  years.  He  died  in 
1915,  at  the  age  of  eighty  years,  while  on  a 
visit  to  England. 

John  B.  Wallis,  Jr.,  entered  the  public 
schools  of  his  birthplace,  and  later  he  at- 
tended Woods  Business  College.  When  he 
completed  his  education  he  entered  business 
with  his  father,  who  was  the  agent  and  dis- 
trict manager  for  the  Climax  Powder  Com- 
pany, and  this  arrangement  continued  until 
his  father's  death.  Since  that  time  Mr.  Wallis 
has  carried  on  alone  the  business  of  his 
company,  the  oldest  and  one  of  the  largest 
dealers  in  powder  and  explosives  in  Luzerne 
County. 

By  political  inclination  Mr.  Wallis  is  a 
member  of  the  Republican  party,  but  he  has 
never  sought  nor  cared  for  public  office.  He 
is  affiliated  fraternally  with  the  Ancient 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  being  a  member 
of  Coalville  Lodge,  No.  474,  of  Ashley.  In  this 
organization  he  is  also  a  member  of  Caldwell 
Consistory,  of  Bloomsburg,  Pennsylvania,  of 
the  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite  Masons 
of  the  thirty-second  degree.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Irem  Temple  of  the  Ancient  Arabic 
Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  and  of 
the  Irem  Country  Club,  the  Westmoreland 
Club,  the  Scranton  Club,  the  Fox  Hill  Country 
Club,  and  the  Wilkes-Barre  Lodge,  No.  109, 
Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks.  He 
is  a  member  of  Grace  Protestant  Episcopal 
Church    of    Kingston,    Pennsylvania. 

In  1915,  Mr.  Wallis  married  Anna  Doney, 
who  was  born  at  Ashley,  Pennsylvania,  a 
daughter  of  Elijah  and  Mary  Elizabeth  (Par- 
sons) Doney,  both  deceased,  the  father  form- 
erly engaged  in  the  hotel  business  in  Ashley. 


•WILLIAM  L.  GRALA,  M.  D. — The  healing 
of  the  sick  and  maimed  has  been  the  life 
work  of  Dr.  William  L.  Grala,  one  of  Hazle- 
ton's  leading  physicians,  and  he  is  noted 
throughout  Luzerne  County  for  his  skill,  his 
fine  ability  and  his  kindly  manner.  Dr.  Grala 
was  born  in  Scranton,  Lackawanna  County, 
June  S,  18S9,  the  son  of  Peter  and  Mary 
(Morcinick)  Grala,  both  natives  of  Poland, 
who  came  to  this  country  in  their  early 
youth.  After  a  few  years  in  Scranton,  the 
father  of  Dr.  Grala  located  in  Hazleton, 
where  he  was  employed  in  the  mines.  He 
passed  away  in  Hazleton  at  the  age  of  fifty- 
seven   years. 

The  early  education  of  Dr.  Grala  was  ac- 
quired in  the  public  schools  of  Hazleton, 
after  which  he  assumed  a  clerical  position  at 
the  First  National  Bank,  in  Hazleton,  Penn- 
sylvania, for  three  years.  He  then  entered  the 
State  Normal  School  at  Bloomsburgh,  gradu- 
ating in  1914.  Deciding  to  become  a  doctor 
he  then  took  the  medical  course  at  Temple 
University,  from  which  he  received  his  de- 
gree of  Doctor  of  Medicine  in  1919.  He  served 
for  a  time  as  interne  at  St.  Agnes'  Hospital, 
Philadelphia,  and  in  1920  entered  the  Civil 
Service,  taking  a  post  willi  the  Bureau  of 
War  Risk.  He  was  first  stationed  in  Phila- 
delphia and  was  later  transferred  to  Wash- 
ington, District  of  Columbia,  where  he  was 
for  some  six  months  in  the  Veterans'  Bureau. 
In    1922    he    returned    to    Hazleton,    where    he 


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started  in  practice,  which  speedily  grew  to 
be  an  extensive  and  remunerative  clientele. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  County,  State  and 
American  Medical  societies  and  associations, 
the  Kiwanis  International,  and  his  fraternal 
affiliations  are  with  the  Benevolent  and  Pro- 
tective Order  of  Elks.  He  is  an  active  mem- 
ber of  the  Crippled  Children's  Association, 
and  is  active  in  all  work  for  the  miners  and 
their  families.  He  is  affiliated  with  the  Holy 
Trinity  Roman  Catholic  Church,  and  is  very 
prominent  in  all  civic  and  community  affairs. 
Dr.  Grala  has  a  pleasing  personality  and  is 
well  liked  throughout  the  community.  His 
own  early  struggles  have  given  him  a  kindly 
feeling  for  others  and  a  broad  understanding 
which  he  might  otherwise  have  failed  to 
possess.  His  patients  are  of  the  highest 
standing  in  the  community,  but  he  ever  finds 
time  to  give  of  his  skill  to  relieve  the  suffer- 
ings of  all  who  appeal  to  him,  whatever  their 
rank   or  station. 

On  September  26,  1922,  Dr.  Grala  married 
Magdalene  Saffran.  Mrs.  Grala  died  Septem- 
ber 29,  1923,  following  the  birth  of  their 
child,  William  L,.,  Jr.  Dr.  Grala  and  his  son 
reside  in  their  very  pretty  home  at  No.  101 
North  Church   Street,   Hazleton. 


HARRY  HARLAIV  SWAINB.iNK — Account- 
ed prominent  among  the  citizens  of  Wilkes-  ' 
Barre  and  in  this  city  proprietor  of  a  phar- 
macy comparable  in  size,  service  and  extent 
of  business  "wuth  any  retail  drug  enterprise 
in  Luzerne  County,  Harry  Harlan  Swainbank 
is  widely  known  and  respected  in  the  Wyo- 
ming Valley,  wherein  the  family  has  been 
represented  honorably  for  more  than  one 
hujidred   and    fifty   years. 

Mr.  Swainbank's  ancestors  were  of  the 
first  settlers  in  the  Wyoming  Valley,  and 
after  the  dreadful  battle  and  massacre  of 
July  3,  177S,  were  forced  to  flee  for  safety. 
They  returned,  however,  reestablishing  them- 
selves with  good  foundation  in  the  fertile 
soil  of  the  valley.  In  1804  was  born  Jefferson 
Swainbank,  Mr.  Swainbank's  grandfather, 
who.  for  many  years,  drove  the  old  stage 
coach  between  Wilkes-Barre  and  Easton, 
Pennsylvania,  some  hundred  years  ago.  Jef- 
ferson Swainbank  was  father  of  a  large 
family.  Three  of  his  sons  served  under  the 
Union's  colors  in  the  Civil  War;  namely. 
Miller  H.,  of  whom  further:  John,  and  Samuel 
Swainbank.  Samuel  was  killed  in  battle  in 
Virginia;  for  a  long  time  John  was  held  pris- 
oner at  Andersonville.  Miller  H.  Swainbank, 
father  of  Mr.  Swainbank,  was  by  trade  a 
wagon-maker  and  blacksmith;  a  brave  man 
in  war,  serving  with  the  rank  of  first  ser- 
geant in  Company  K,  104th  Pennsylvania 
Volunteers.  Prior  to  1880  he  plied  his  trade 
at  Tunkhannock,  Pennsylvania,  and  in  that 
year  came  to  Wilkes-Barre.  He  married  Sarah 
Barber.  They  had  children:  1.  Jennie,  who 
died  in  childhood.  2.  Ella,  who  died  in  1913, 
and  was  unmarried.  3.  Harry  Harlan,  of 
whom  directly.  4.  Charles  Miller,  in  the  elec- 
trical supply  and  repair  business  at  Williams- 
port,  Pennsylvania.  5.  Lillian,  who  married 
George  F.  Powell,  Rochester,  New  York.  6. 
George  Guthrie,  merchant,  dealer  in  furni- 
ture, Kingston.  Miller  H.  Swainbank  died 
May  2,  1927,  at  the  age  of  eighty-six 
years.  The  death  of  his  good  wife  preceded 
his  own,  in  1919,  she  having  attained  the  age 
of  seventy-eight.  Both  parents  early  incul- 
cated in  their  children  those  habits  of 
thought  and  conduct  which  have  remained 
with  them  into  manhood  and  womanhood, 
and  to  whicli  are  attributable  in  great 
measure  their  characters,  and  their  substan- 
tial positions  in  their  respective  communities. 

Harry    Harlan    Swainbank,    third    child    and 


eldest  son  of  Miller  H.  and  Sarah  (Barber) 
Swainbank,  was  born  at  Tunkhannock,  De- 
cember 23,  1870,  and  there  had  his  earliest 
years  in  grammar  school.  He  was  nine  years 
of  age  when  his  parents  came  to  Wilke.'?- 
Barre.  Here  Mr.  Swainbank  continued  his 
education.  At  sixteen  he  went  to  work  in 
the  drug  store  operated  by  Wolfe  &  Company, 
later  entered  the  Philadelphia  College  of 
Pharmacy,  and  from  it  graduated,  in  1S90,  at 
the  age  of  twenty  years.  Mr.  Swainbank  re- 
turned to  Wilkes-Barre,  and  soon  went  into 
business  for  himself.  His  first  drug  store 
was  at  No.  82  South  Main  Street;  his  second, 
and  present  establishment,  is  at  No.  29  West 
Market  Street,  to  which  address  he  removed 
in  1925.  Here  he  conducts  one  of  the  most 
modernly  appointed  and  stocked  of  drug 
houses  in  the  city,  and  himself  in  point  of 
experience  is  one  of  the  oldest  pharmacists 
in  the  community.  Politically  Mr.  Swainbank 
is  allied  with  the  Republican  party,  finding  its 
principles  most  satisfactory.  He  is  a  member 
of  Landmark  Lodge,  No.  442,  Free  and  Ac- 
cepted Masons;  Shekinah  Chapter,  No.  182, 
Royal  Arch  Masons;  Dieu  le  Veut  Com- 
mandery,  45,  Knights  Templar;  Irem  Temple, 
Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic 
Shrine;  and  the  Irem  Temple  Country  Club, 
Wilkes-Barre.  During  the  World  War  Mr. 
Swainbank  was  active  on  the  various  com- 
mittees and  boards  in  charge  of  war  work, 
and  took  part  in  the  several  campaigns  of 
the  Liberty  Loan.  He  is  a  member  of  St. 
Stephen's  Episcopal  Church.  His  charitable 
inclinations  are  highly  sympathetic,  and  his 
contributions  to  all  worthy  appeals  generous. 
On  December  9,  1908,  Mr.  Swainbank  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Florence  Wise,  of 
Williamsport,  Pennsylvania,  daughter  of 
William  E.  and  Sarah  (Campbell)  Wise:  and 
they  are  the  parents  of  two  children,  Sarah 
and  Louise. 


EDGAR  LYONS  KLIPPLEI — Conducting  a 
prosperous  business  on  the  place  where  his 
father  established  himself  three-quarters  of 
a  century  ago,  Edgar  Lyons  Klipple  is  the 
head  of  the  oldest  establishment  in  Wilkes- 
Barre  which  has  been  operated  under  the 
same  name  for  such  a  period.  Lilte  his  father, 
he  has  "won  from  his  fellow-citizens  their 
recognition  of  a  citizenship  of  iiigh  value  to 
all,  his  character  and  life  of  sincerity  and 
fair  dealing  being  a  proud  escutclieon.  Aside 
from  his  business  affairs  he  has  always  taken 
a  deep  interest  in  all  civic  matters  tliat  are 
a  part  of  communal  life  and  in  those  fra- 
ternal organizations  that  bring  into  closer 
contact  the  individuals  with  whom  he  is 
associated  otherwise.  These  varied  forms  of 
his  activities  have  made  him  one  of  the  most 
substantial  of  the  citizens  of  this  section  of 
the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  holding  the  re- 
spect   and    admiration    of  all. 

Edgar  Lyons  Klipple  was  born  in  Wilkes- 
Barre,  July  19,  1S67,  a  son  of  Conrad  and 
Mary  Ann  (Hutchins)  Klipple,  both  deceased. 
Conrad  Klipple  was  born  in  Germany  in  1S17 
and  died  in  W^ilkes-Barre,  .September  2,  1885. 
His  wife  was  a  native  of  Wilkes-Barre,  born 
here  in  1827  and  deceased  here,  June  12,  1906. 
They  were  the  parents  of  six  children; 
Thomas,  Sarah,  James,  Elizabeth,  and  Lillie, 
all  deceased:  and  Edgar  Lyons,  of  this  re* 
view,  the  only  survivor.  Conrad  Klipple,  the 
father,  was  a  Democrat  in  politics  and  was 
one  of  the  first  vestrymen  of  St.  Stephen's 
Church,  in  Wilkes-Barre.  He  came  here  from 
Germany  when  a  young  man  and,  after  a  few 
years  of  varying  work,  established  himself 
in  the  shoe  business  in  1854  at  the  place 
where  his  son  now  conducts  his  own  business 


488 


of  sporting  and  athletic  goods  and  general 
stationery    supplies. 

Edgar  L.  Klipple  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools  of  Wilkes-Barre,  and  at  the  Wilkes- 
Barre  Academy.  He  is  a  Republican  and  in 
1905  was  elected  on  that  ticket  to  the  Common 
Council  from  the  Seventh  Ward  of  Wilkes- 
Barre,  in  which  body  he  served  during  1906 
and  1907.  He  belongs  to  St.  Stephen's  Episco- 
pal Church  and  has  membership  in  the  order 
of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  Fidelity  Lodge, 
No.  655;  to  the  Consistory,  Scottish  Rite  Ma- 
sons, of  Bloomsburg,  holding  the  thirty-second 
degree.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Craftsmen's 
Club,  Franklin,  and  the  Wilkes-Barre  Auto- 
mobile Club  and  is  a  life  member  of  the  Wyo- 
ming Historical  and  Geological  Society,  also 
belonging  to  the  United  Sportsmen's  Club  of 
Pennsylvania,  and  a  inember  of  the  John 
Burroughs  Association  of  New  York  City. 
He    is   very  fond   of  hunting  and    fishing. 

In  1S90,  Edgar  Lyons  Klipple  adopted  his 
nephew,  Edgar  Klipple,  born  in  1886,  who, 
for  the  last  twenty  years  has  been  associated 
with  him  in  business.  He  also  is  a  member 
of  Fidelity  Lodge,  No.  655,  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons,  having  the  thirty-second  degree;  also 
of  Shekinah  Chapter,  No.  182,  Royal  Arch 
Masons;  Dieu  le  Veut  Commandery,  No.  45, 
Knights  Templar;  Caldwell  Consistory,  of 
Bloomsburg,  Pennsylvania,  Scottish  Rite 
Masons.  During  the  participation  of  the 
United  States  in  the  World  War  he  served 
as  regimental  sergeant  major  and  was  sta- 
tioned at  Camp  Grant,  Illinois.  The  paternal 
ancestors  of  himself  and  his  uncle,  Edgar 
Lyons,  came  from  Germany  and  on  the  ma- 
ternal side  originated  in  England  and  both 
were  among  the  earliest  settlers  of  Wyoming 
Valley. 

Edgar  Klipple,  his  nephew  and  business  as- 
sociate, married  Fannie  Smith,  of  Pittston, 
Pennsylvania,  daughter  of  Andrew  C.  and  Mae 
(Carey)  Smith.  She  was  a  member  of  the 
Daughters  of  the  American  Revolution  and 
died   without   issue   in   1913. 


CHARLES  W.  HOIVEYWEIjI, — A  descendant 
of  one  of  the  early  families  in  Luzerne 
County,  Charles  W.  Honeywell,  president  of 
the  Deemer  and  Company,  dealers  in  office 
supplies  and  banking  equipment,  at  Wilkes- 
Barre,  is  one  of  the  enterprising  younger 
men  of  this  community.  His  general  experi- 
ence in  business  here  and  elsewhere  has 
given  him  a  wide  grasp  on  the  commercial 
conditions  and  equipped  him  for  progress  in 
his  particular  line  of  endeavor.  He  is  the  son 
of  Lincoln  D.  and  Elnora  (Wolfe)  Honey- 
well. 

Lincoln  D.  Honeywell,  who  is  now  retired 
from  active  business  and  making  his  home 
in  Wyoming,  is  the  son  of  Samuel  Honeywell, 
whose  ancestors  were  among  the  pioneers 
who  settled  Wyoming  Valley  at  the  time  of 
the  Indian  Massacre,  which  event,  with  all 
its  horror,  has  such  an  important  place  in 
history  of  our  country  showing  as  it  did  the 
great  difficulties  those  brave  men  and  women 
had  to  overcome  in  order  to  make  a  settle- 
ment in  the  wilderness.  This  family  not  only 
braved  the  dangers  of  attacks  from  savages, 
but  when  the  time  came  to  flght  for  freedom, 
they  took  part  in  the  Revolutionary  War  and 
thereby  proved  their  loyalty  to  the  ideals  of 
the  Republic  and  left  to  their  descendants  a 
heritage  of  honor  and  fame.  Lincoln  D. 
Honeywell  and  his  wife  were  the  parents  of 
two  children:  Charles  W.,  of  whom  further; 
and  Margaret,  who  is  now  the  wife  of  T.  J. 
Aston.  Mrs.  Elnora  (Wolfe)  Honeywell  died 
at  the  age  of  fifty  years. 

Charles  W.  Honeywell  was  born  at  Carves- 


ton,  Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania,  on  Feb- 
ruary 10,  1884.  He  was  educated  at  the  local 
public  schools  and  at  the  Wyoming  Seminary 
at  Kingston,  Pennsylvania,  graduating  in  the 
class  of  1905.  After  leaving  school  he  went 
to  Youngstown,  Ohio,  where  he  took  a  posi- 
tion with  the  (jeneral  Fireprooflng  Company 
where  he  remained  as  a  salesman  for  seven 
years.  After  this  experience,  he  made  a 
cliange  and  went  into  Canada  locating  at 
Montreal  where  he  remained  until  1916,  at 
"Which  time  he  returned  to  Wilkes-Barre  and 
became  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Deemer  and 
Company.  He  has  given  himself  a  thorough 
training  in  the  details  of  this  organization, 
filling  all  positions  from  clerk  to  that  of  his 
present  office,   president  of  the  company. 

In  politics,  Mr.  Honeywell  is  a  Republican 
and  his  religious  affiliation  is  with  the  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  Church.  He  is  interested  in 
all  matters  pertaining  to  the  community's 
welfare  and  is  an  active  participant  in  pro- 
moting its  interests.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Landmark  Lodge,  No.  442,  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons;  Shekinah  Chapter,  No.  182,  Royal 
Arch  Masons;  Dieu  le  Veut  Commandery,  No. 
45,  Knights  Templar;  Caldwell  Consistory, 
Bloomsburg,  Pennsylvania,  Ancient  Accepted 
Scottish  Rite  of  the  thirty-second  degree 
Masons;  Irem  Temple  of  the  Ancient  Arabic 
Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine  at  Wilkes- 
Barre. 

On  April  22,  1914,  Charles  W.  Honeywell 
married  Edna  Austin,  daugliter  of  Miner  B. 
and  Ella  (Welsh)  Austin.  They  have  two 
children:    Charles  Clinton  and  Donald  Lee. 


JOHN  STEVENS  NIVER — The  business 
career  of  John  S.  Niver  was  a  varied  one 
during  his  early  years,  but  since  1909  he  has 
been  engaged  in  the  lumber  business  in 
Wilkes-Barre,  first  as  a  member  of  the  con- 
cern known  as  the  Anthracite  Lumber  Com- 
pany, and  since  1919  under  his  own  name, 
with  offices  at  Nos.  718-22  Second  National 
Bank  Building,  Wilkes-Barre.  Mr.  Niver  is 
a  thirty-second  degree  Mason,  and  has  many 
friends  in  the  city  of  Wilkes-Barre. 

John  Niver,  grandfather  of  Mr.  Niver,  was 
for  many  years  the  proprietor  of  the  old, 
well-known  "Niver  House,"  located  in  Nichol- 
son, Wyoming  County,  Pennsylvania,  an  old 
hotel,  a  historic  landmark  which  is  still 
standing  (1929)  and  which  is  locally  known 
as  the  "Old  Niver  House."  John  Niver  reared 
a  family  of  children  among  whom  was 
George  W.,   father  of  Mr.  Niver. 

George  W.  Niver  followed  in  the  footsteps 
of  his  father,  as  far  as  occupation  was  con- 
cerned, and  during  the  greater  part  of  his 
life  was  engaged  in  the  hotel  business.  In 
1885  he  sold  the  hotel  and  at  the  time  of  his 
death,  which  occurred  June  13,  1887.  he  was 
proprietor  of  a  livery  stable  in  Scranton, 
Lackawanna  County.  He  and  his  wife,  Mrs. 
R.  Emma  (Stevens)  Niver,  who  survives  her 
husband  and  is  now  living  at  No.  185  Acad- 
emy Street,  Wilkes-Barre,  aged  seventy-six 
years,  became  the  parents  of  two  children, 
Dora,  who  died  at  the  age  of  eight  years;  and 
John  S.,  of  further  mention. 

John  S.  Niver,  son  of  George  W.  and  R. 
Emma  (Stevens)  Niver,  was  born  in  Provi- 
dence, now  Scranton,  March  1,  1881,  and  was 
a  child  of  six  years  when  the  death  of  his 
father  brought  change  of  residence  and  an 
alteration  in  general  family  conditions.  After 
the  death  of  the  father  the  mother  took  her 
son  to  her  girlhood  home  at  Nicholson,  Wyo- 
ming County,  and  there  the  child  attended 
the  public  schools  until  he  was  fourteen 
years  old.  At  that  early  age  he  found  em- 
ployment in  the  store  of  G.  S.  Woolworth, 
working  as  driver  and  delivery  boy,  and  when 


-^' 


489 


he  was  sixteen  years  of  age  he  commenced 
to  learn  the  die-making  and  mechanic's  trade 
with  the  Scranton  Foundry  Company.  For 
about  six  years  he  continued  in  this  line,  but 
in  1906,  at  the  age  of  twenty-five,  he  came  to 
Wilkes-Barre  and  engaged  in  the  retail 
grocery    business. 

The  automobile  was  rapidly  coming  into 
general  use  at  this  time  and,  after  three 
years  as  proprietor  of  a  prosperous  grocery 
business,  Mr.  Niver  decided  to  try  his  ability 
at  selling  cars.  Two  years  of  experience  in 
this  field  gave  him  the  self-confidence  and 
determination  which  made  him  anxious  to 
own  a  business  upon  his  individual  respon- 
sibility. He  formed,  therefore,  a  partnership 
with  John  Eschenbach  to  deal  in  lumber. 
They  operated  under  the  firm  name  of  the 
Anthracite  I^umber  Company,  with  oflices  in 
the  Second  National  Bank  Building,  Wilkes- 
Barre.  In  1919  Mr.  Niver  withdrew  from  the 
partnership  and  has  since  engaged  in  the 
lumber  business  under  his  own  name,  ■with 
offices  at  Nos.  718-22  Second  National  Bank 
Building,  Wilkes-Barre.  He  handles  all  kinds 
of  lumber  and  mining  tiinber,  and  is  known 
as  an  able  and  reliable  business  man.  The 
varied  experiences  of  his  earlier  years  have 
brought  valuable  returns  and  are  still  yield- 
ing the  benefits  of  many  and  diverse  lessons 
learned  in  the  hardest  and  best  of  all  schools. 

Mr.  Niver  is  Republican  in  his  political 
allegiance,  and  is  well  known  in  Masonic 
circles,  being  a  member  of  Wilkes-Barre 
Lodge,  No.  61,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons: 
Shekinah  Chapter,  No.  1S2,  Royal  Arch  Ma- 
sons; Dieu  le  Veut  Commandery,  No.  45, 
Knights  Templar:  Keystone  Consistory,  An- 
cient Accepted  Scottish  Rite,  of  Scranton,  in 
■which  he  holds  the  thirty-second  degree,  and 
Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of 
the  Mystic  Shrine.  He  is  also  a  member  of 
Irem  Temple  Country  Club,  of  the  Franklin 
Club  and  the  Kiwanis  Club,  and  is  Protestant 
in  his  religious  beliefs  and  allegiance. 
Twenty-six  years  of  residence  and  of  busi- 
ness experience  in  the  city  of  Wilkes-Barre 
have  brought  to  Mr.  Niver  a  large  circle  of 
friends  and  associates,  as  well  as  a  full  share 
of  material  success.  The  death  of  Mr.  Niver 
occurred  April  12,  1928,  his  sudden  and  un- 
anticipated demise  from  heart  failure  bring- 
ing profound  sorrow  far  and  wide,  for,  of  an 
amiable  and  pleasing  disposition,  and  pos- 
sessed of  sterling  character,  he  made  a  legion 
of  friends  In  every  section  of  the  county  and 
valley.  With  large  delegations  of  both  Ma- 
sonic and  Kiwanis  organizations  and  a  host 
of  friends  present,  the  funeral  was  held 
amidst  a  wealth  of  flowers  that  testified  to 
the  esteem  in  which  he  was  held.  Mr.  Niver 
was  a  capable  and  successful  business  man, 
but  he  was  infinitely  more  than  that.  He  was 
possessed  of  a  fundamental  goodness  and 
kindliness  that  endeared  him  to  rich  and  poor 
alike.  He  ^vas  devoted  to  his  mother  and 
made  her  life  bright  by  his  tender  care  and 
solicitude.  The  early  death  of  his  father 
thrust  John  Stevens  Niver  out  into  the  world 
of  men  and  affairs  at  an  age  "when  most  boys 
are  still  concerned  with  books  and  play,  but 
with  smiling  courage  and  joyous  enthusiasm 
he  met  difficulties  and  overcame  them,  and 
who  shall  say  but  what  his  life  was  richer, 
his  personality  finer,  for  the  trials  by  fire  he 
was  forced  to  go  through  in  his  impression- 
able years? 


CHARLES  L,OIVG,  M.  D. — Preeminent  in  the 
medical  profession  of  Wilkes-Barre  since 
1884,  when  he  began  practice.  Dr.  Charles 
Long  is  a  member  of  an  important  and  well- 
known  family  of  Luzerne  County.  He  is  the 
son   of   Simon   and    Tetta    (Coons)    Long,    the 


father  having  come  to  the  United  State.«i  from 
Bavaria,  Germany,  in  1846,  associating  him- 
self immediately  with  the  mercantile  life  of 
Wilkes-Barre  as  clerk  in  the  store  then  con- 
ducted by  his  brother,  Martin,  a  year  later 
opening  a  store  of  his  own  on  the  north  side 
of  the  Public  Square,  The  first  enterprise 
was  sufficiently  successful  to  insure  his  busi- 
ness future  in  Wilkes-Barre,  and  after  a 
few  years  he  re-located,  to  the  west  side  of 
the  square.  His  third  move  was  to  the  west 
side  of  South  Main  Street,  and  his  fourth 
and  last  address,  now  occupied  by  the  firm, 
at  Nos.  10  and  12  South  Main  Street,  on  the 
east  side.  Simon  Long  continued  actively  in 
business  for  more  than  fifty  years,  and  at 
the  time  of  his  death,  December  31,  1901,  at 
the  age  of  seventy-six  years,  was  widely 
known  as  the  oldest  merchant  in  Wilkes- 
Barre.  The  death  of  his  wife  antedated  his 
own  nine  years,  her  demise  having  occurred 
on  February  19,  1892,  at  the  age  of  sixty- 
six.  Simon  Long  was  a  dominant  citizen  in 
the  city,  and  until  death  took  a  personal  and 
active  interest  in  all  things  directed  toward 
the  general  good  of  the  people:  also,  at  the 
time  of  his  death,  he  was  the  oldest  member 
of  Wilkes-Barre  Lodge,  No.  61,  of  the  Free 
and  Accepted  Masons.  Mr.  Long  and  his  de- 
voted wife  ■were  the  parents  of  ten  children, 
of  whom  nine  reached  maturity:  1.  Caroline, 
deceased,  was  the  wife  of  Simon  Ulman,  of 
Salisbury,  Maryland.  2.  Edith,  widow  of 
Henry  Schwarz  of  New  York.  3.  T.,ena,  de- 
ceased, was  the  wife  of  Isaac  Ulman,  of  Salis- 
bury, Maryland.  4.  Isaac  S.,  a  retired  mer- 
chant of  Wilkes-Barre.  5.  Charles,  of  whom 
further.  6.  Hannah,  wife  of  Joseph  S.  Coons 
(q.  V.)  of  Joseph  S.  Coons  and  Company,  de- 
partment store,  of  Wilkes-Barre.  7.  Rosa, 
wife  of  Louis  Schloss,  deceased,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre.  8.  Millard  F.,  whose  biography  accom- 
panies this.  9.  Cosmar  P.,  see  accompanying 
biography. 

Dr.  Charles  Long  attended  the  public 
schools  of  Wilkes-Barre  and  Philadelphia, 
graduating  from  Philadelphia  High  School. 
In  1879,  at  the  age  of  eighteen.  Dr.  Long 
matriculated  in  Jefferson  Medical  College  at 
Philadelphia,  where  he  graduated  with  the 
degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine  in  1882,  after 
which  he  spent  a  year  as  interne  in  the 
Wilkes-Barre  City  Hospital.  In  1SS3  and 
1884  he  took  courses  in  special  post-graduate 
work  in  Vienna,  Austria,  returning  to  the 
United  States  immediately  thereafter  to  take 
up  the  practice  of  his  profession,  in  Wilkes- 
Barre,  where  he  has  since  been  actively  en- 
gaged. He  is  affiliated  with  a  number  of  fra- 
ternal organizations,  among  them  bei'ng  the 
Luzerne  Medical  Society,  the  Lehigh  Valley 
Medical  Society,  the  Pennsylvania  State  Medi- 
cal Society,  the  American  Medical  Associa- 
tion, Lodge  No.  61  of  the  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons,  Wilkes-Barre.  Keystone  Consistory 
of  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  Ancient  and  Ac- 
cepted Scottish  Rite  Masons  of  the  thirty- 
second  degree,  Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic 
Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  Irem  Tem- 
ple Country  Club,  the  Concordia  Society,  and 
the  Jewish  Orphans'  Society  of  Luzerne 
County,  of  which  last  he  is  president.  Dr. 
Long  is  likewise  president  of  the  medical  staff 
of  the  Wilkes-Barre  General  Hospital,  and  a 
consulting  physician  of  the  Mercy  Hospital, 
Wilkes-Barre.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
Wilkes-Barre  School  Board  for  ten  years.  He 
is  a  Democrat. 

Dr.  Charles  Long  married,  June  2,  1897, 
Fannie  Sax,  daughter  of  Julius  and  Florence 
(Ezekiel)  Sax,  of  New  York,  now  deceased. 
The  union  has  resulted  in  three  children:  1. 
Charles  Francis,  who  is  a  physician  in  Phila- 
delphia; and  a  graduate  of  Haverford  College 


49P 


and  the  medical  department  of  the  University 
of  Pennsylvania,  class  of  1923;  married  Hazle 
Aaron  of  Philadelphia,  from  wliich  union  was 
born  a  son,  Charles  Long,  2d.  2.  Julian  Sax, 
also  a  graduate  of  Haverford  College  and  the 
medical  department  of  the  University  of 
Pennsylvania,  class  of  1925.  Both  sons  have 
spent  two  years  as  internes  in  the  Philadel- 
phia General  Hospital.  Dr.  Julian  S.  is  now 
(1929)  practicing  in  Wilkes-Barre.  3.  Alice 
Sax,  wife  of  John  J.  Goldsmith,  of  New  York 
City,  New  York.  Mrs.  Long,  wife  of  Dr. 
Charles  Long,  daughter  of  Julius  and  Flor- 
ence (Ezekiel)  Sax,  as  above  noted,  was  born 
in  Nashville,  Tennessee,  and  for  years  lias 
been  one  of  the  leading  women  of  Wilkes- 
Barre  in  civic,  educational  and  welfare  or- 
ganizations. She  was  a  member  of  the  group 
vvhicli  organized  the  Wilkes-Barre  Civic  Club, 
and  the  organizer  and  first  president  of  the. 
Visiting  Nurse  Association  of  AVilkes-Barre. 
(The  Civic  Club  was  later  called  The  Wyo- 
ming Valley  Women's  Club.)  Associated  with 
Mrs.  Henry  L.  Palmer  and  Mr.  Lincoln  Brown, 
Mrs.  Long  organized  the  first  recreation  and 
playground  centers  of  Wilkes-Barre;  and  out 
of  those  early  efforts  has  emerged  the  exten- 
sive and  well  planned  playground  system  of 
1927.  Mrs.  Long  was  also  a  founder  and  the 
first  president  of  the  College  Women's  Club 
of  Wilkes-Barre,  and  actively  concerned  in 
the  organization  of  the  local  Parent-Teachers 
Association,  as  well  as  its  first  president. 
She  has  served  as  cliairman  of  education  on 
the  local  council  of  Jewish  women,  and  as 
chairman  of  the  national  council  as  well,  of 
which  she  was  Pennsylvania  State  president; 
and  as  a  director  of  the  national  council.  In 
the  General  Federation  of  Women's  Clubs 
she  has  served  as  chairman  of  the  Committee 
on  Illiteracy:  in  the  Pennsylvania  State  Fed- 
eration of  Women's  Clubs  she  is  a  director 
and  chairman  of  the  Department  of  Educa- 
tion and  Fine  Arts.  She  was  an  organizer  and 
the  first  president  of  the  Community  Round 
Table,  which  was  fostered  by  the  Greater 
Wilkes-Barre  Chamber  of  Commerce.  To 
round  out  completely  this  long  roster  of  club 
and  social  and  welfare  connections,  Mrs. 
Long  is  very  favorably  recognized  and  ap- 
preciated in  her  connections  with  the  Wilkes- 
Barre  Girl  Scouts;  she  was  president  of  the 
Wyoming  Valley  Kindergarten  Federation, 
and  constantly  has  devoted  the  utmost  of 
time  to  those  works  that  tend  toward  the  up- 
lift of  mankind. 


MILLARD  F.  LONG — Member  of  the  old 
established  firm  of  Simon  Long's  Sons,  retail 
establishment  located  in  South  Main  Street, 
Millard  F.  Long  is  a  highly  respected  mer- 
chant of  Wilkes-Barre. 

Millard  F.  Long  was  born  in  Wilkes-Barre 
on  August  27,  1867,  a  son  of  the  late  Simon 
and  Yetta  (Coons)  Long.  A  short  review  of 
Simon  Long's  life  will  be  found  in  the  pre- 
ceding biography.  Dr.  Charles  Long.  Simon 
Long  and  his  devoted  wife,  Yetta  (Coons) 
Long,  were  the  parents  of  ten  children,  of 
wliom  nine  reached  maturity;  1.  Caroline, 
deceased,  was  the  wife  of  Simon  Ulman,  of 
Salisbury.  Maryland.  2.  Edith,  widow  of 
Henry  Schwarz  of  New  York.  3.  Lena,  de- 
ceased, was  the  wife  of  Isaac  Ulman,  of 
Salisbury,  Maryland.  4.  Isaac  S.,  a  retired 
merchant  of  Wilkes-Barre.  5.  Dr.  Charles 
see  preceding  biography.  6.  Hannah,  wife  of 
Joseph  S.  Coons  (q.  v.)  of  Joseph  S.  Coons 
and  Company,  department  store,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre.  7.  Rosa,  wife  of  Louis  Schloss,  de- 
ceased, of  Wilkes-Barre.  8.  Millard  F.,  of 
whom  further,  is  a  member  of  the  old  estab- 
lished firm  of  Simon  Long's  Sons,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre.  9.  Cosmar  P.,  see  following  biography. 


Millard  F.  Long  grew  up  in  Wilkes-Barre, 
receiving  his  education  in  the  public  schools 
and  in  Wilkes-Barre  Academy.  When  he  was 
only  sixteen  years  old  he  entered  the  mer- 
cantile field  in  his  father's  store,  and  later 
became  a  member  of  the  well-known  firm  of 
Joseph  S.  Coons  and  Company,  which  for 
many  years  has  been  one  of  the  leading  de- 
partment stores  of  Wilkes-Barre.  On  April 
1,  1926,  he  disposed  of  his  interest  in  the 
Coons  Company  and  returned  to  Simon  Long's 
Sons,  which  he  now  (1929)  directs,  associated 
in  this  direction  with  his  brother,  Cosmar  P. 
Long.  Simon  Long's  Sons  carries  a  high- 
class  line  of  clothing  and  men's  furnishings, 
together  with  a  spacious  store  devoted  to 
men's,  "women's  and  children's  shoes,  exclu- 
sively. One  of  the  most  extensive  mercan- 
tile houses  in  Wilkes-Barre  and  Wyoming 
Valley,  Simon  Long's  Sons  has  dealt  in  finest 
quality  goods  for  more  tlian  three  quarters 
of  a  century.  Millard  F.  Long  is  in  close 
association  with  the  political  and  social 
leaders  of  Wilkes-Barre,  and  is  affiliated  with 
Lodge  No.  61  of  the  Free  and  Accepted  Ma- 
sons, Consistory  of  Scranton,  Pennsylvania, 
Ancient  and  Accepted  Scottish  Rite  Masons 
of  the  thirty-second  degree,  Irem  Temple  of 
the  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mys- 
tic Shrine  of  Wilkes-Barre,  the  Irem  Country 
Club,  Wilkes-Barre  Lodge,  No.  109,  of  the 
Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks, 
the  Concordia  Club,  the  Fox  Hill  Country 
Club,  the  Craftsmen's  Club,  the  Greater 
Wilkes-Barre  Chamber  of  Commerce.  Also, 
in  connection  with  his  managerial  and  finan- 
cial interest  in  Simon  Long's  Sons  he  haa 
other  and  extensive  business  interests;  he  is 
a  member  of  the  board  of  directors  of  the 
Liberty  State  Bank  and  Trust  Company  of 
Wilkes-Barre. 

Millard  F.  Long  married,  on  March  7,  1893, 
Minnie  Mayer,  daughter  of  Marx  and  Fannie 
Mayer  of  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania.  This 
union  has  resulted  in  the  birth  of  three 
children:  Simon,  associated  with  the  firm  of 
Simon  Long's  Sons;  Clinton,  also  with  the 
firm:  and  Ruth,  wife  of  Everett  G.  Frank, 
of  New   York   City. 


COSMAR  P.  LONG — An  outstanding  citizen 
in  commercial  and  fraternal  affairs  of 
Wilkes-Barre  is  Cosmar  P.  Long,  member  of 
the  firm  of  Simon  Long's  Sons,  dealing  in 
clothing,  furnishings  and  hats  for  men,  boys, 
and  children,  and  shoes  for  everybody.  For 
forty  years  (1929)  he  has  ijeen  one  of  the 
principal   merchants    of   the   city. 

Cosmar  P.  Long  was  born  in  Wilkes-Barre 
on  March  26,  1S70,  the  youngest  son  of  Simon 
and  Yetta  (Coons)  Long,  deceased.  He  is  the 
brother  of  Isaac  S.  Long,  a  retired  merchant, 
of  Dr.  Charles  Long,  practicing  in  Wilkes- 
Barre,  and  of  Millard  F.  Long,  with  whom  he 
conducts  the  business  of  Simon  Long's  Sons. 
(See  accompanying  biographies  of  the  latter 
two.) 

Cosmar  P.  Long  took  his  early  education  in 
the  local  public  schools,  undertook  courses 
of  a  commercial  character  in  the  Wyoming 
Seminary  at  Kingston,  Pennsylvania,  and  at 
the  age  of  eighteen  went  to  work  in  his 
father's  store  at  No.  12  South  Main  Street, 
Will^es-Barre.  Since  then  he  has  been  asso- 
ciated continuously  with  the  firm  of  Simon 
Long's  Sons,  and  has  taken  part  whole- 
heartedly in  local  affairs.  He  is  aflSliated 
with  Wilkes-Barre  Lodge,  No.  61,  of  the  Free 
and  Accepted  Masons,  Keystone  Consistory,  of 
Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  Ancient  and  Accepted 
Scottish  Rite  Masons  of  the  thirty-second 
degree,  Irem  Temple  of  the  Ancient  Arabic 
Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine  of  Wilkes- 
Barre,    the    Irem    Temple    Country    Club,    the 


^^£<^-/i^ 


<^o\rtAX5c    /-    /dd^uyi^ 


491 


Fox  Hill  Club,  the  Concordia  Club,  and 
Wilkes-Barre  Lodge,  No.  109,  of  the  Benevo- 
lent and  Protective  Order  of  Elks.  He  has 
taken  part  in  all  movements  which,  in  his 
judgment,  were  for  the  best  interests  of  fel- 
low-citizens, and  occupies  a  high  place  in  the 
estimation  of  his  many  friends. 

Mr.  Long  married,  .June  5,  1907,  Florence 
L.  Ansbacher  of  New  York  City,  daughter  of 
S.  L.  and  Rachel  (Schwab)  Ansbacher,  of 
New  York  City.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Long  are  the 
parents  of  two  sons:  Henry  Ansbacher,  a 
graduate  of  Yale  College;  and  John  Ans- 
bacher, now  (1929)  a  junior  at  that  in- 
stitution. 


l.OVISA  IDA  BliAIR,  M.  D.— It  is  said 
"blood  will  tell,"  and  if  this  is  true,  it  is 
entirely  fitting  that  Dr.  Lovisa  I.  Blair  should 
be  one  of  the  leading  members  of  the  medical 
profession  in  Wilkes-Barre,  for  her  ances- 
tors on  both  the  paternal  and  the  maternal 
sides  have  for  generations  been  prominent  In 
the  settlement  and  the  development  of  the 
Wyoming  Valley  region.  Dr.  Blair  comes 
from  a  race  of  pioneers  and  men  of  action, 
and  has  inherited  much  of  the  ability  and 
the  sturdy  initiative  of  her  forebears.  She 
is  a  graduate  of  the  Women's  Medical  Col- 
lege, of  Philadelphia,  where  she  received  her 
medical  degree  in  1912,  and  after  serving  her 
interneship  she  returned  to  W^ilkes-Barre. 
where  she  has  since  been  successfully  engaged 
in  practice,  with  offices  at  No.  342  South  River 
Street,   where   she   also   makes    her   home. 

Dr.  Lovisa  I.  Blair  was  born  in  Plymouth, 
Luzerne  County,  and  is  a  daughter  of  Brice 
S.  and  Florence  (Davenport)  Blair,  both  de- 
ceased, and  a  granddaughter  of  Francis  and 
Ellen  (Slavin)  Blair,  of  New  York.  She  is 
also  a  granddaughter,  on  the  maternal  side, 
of  Samuel  and  Louisa  (Smith)  Davenport,  of 
Plymouth,  Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania.  The 
Davenport  family  is  an  old  Connecticut  fam- 
ily, and  they  were  among  the  first  settlers 
in  Wyoming  Valley,  under  the  Susquehanna 
Company.  Its  members  took  part  in  the  bat- 
tle and  massacre  of  Wyoming,  July  3,  1778, 
and  its  members  also  fought  in  the  Revolu- 
tion. One  Thomas  Davenport  was  the  first 
of  the  name  to  settle  in  the  Wyoming  Valley, 
and  Abijah  Smith,  great-grandfather  of  Dr. 
Blair,  on  the  maternal  side,  was  also  one  of 
the  early  settlers  of  this  region.  In  1S07  he 
opened  the  first  coal  mine  in  the  Wyoming 
Valley,  at  Plymouth,  Luzerne  County,  and  in 
that  same  year  he  mined  and  shipped  the  first 
fifty  tons  of  anthracite  coal  from  the  Wyom- 
ing Valley,  shipping  this  consignment  from 
Plymouth  on  a  little  ship  called  "The  Ark," 
to  Columbia,  Lancaster  County,  Pennsylvania. 
This  shipment  was  not  only  the  first  from  the 
Wyoming  Valley,  but  the  first  to  be  shipped 
from  any  point  in  the  State.  Abijah  Smith's 
ancestor.  Lieutenant  Abraham  Smith,  came 
from  England  to  Boston  in  1663.  Dr.  Blair 
is  also  a  direct  descendant  of  Colonel  George 
and  Captain  Samuel  Ransom,  both  of  whom 
fought  in  the  battle  of  Wyoming,  July  3,  1778, 
and  both  of  whom  also  fought  in  the  Revolu- 
tionary War,  serving  under  General  Wash- 
ington. Another  of  Dr.  Blair's  noted  ances- 
tors was  Judge  James  Nesbit,  the  first  judge 
of  Luzerne   County. 

Francis  Blair,  paternal  grandfather  of  Dr. 
Blair,  was  a  resident  of  New  York  City,  New 
York,  and  came  to  Luzerne  County,  Pennsyl- 
vania, in  the  early  fifties,  as  a  contractor,  to 
build  the  old  "gravity  road"  from  Honesdale, 
Pennsylvania,  to  Pittston,  Luzerne  County, 
Pennsylvania.      He    married   Ellen    Slavin,    of 


New  York  City,  and  among  their  children 
was  Brice  S.  Blair,  of  further  mention. 

Brice  S.  Blair,  son  of  Francis  and  Ellen 
(Slavin)  Blair,  was  born  in  Candor,  Tioga 
County,  New  York,  December  2.5,  1S33,  and 
died  December  3,  1921.  Like  his  father,  he 
"was  a  contractor,  and  he  was  an  important 
factor  in  the  development  of  roads  in  this 
section  of  the  State.  He  built  the  Blooms- 
burgh  Division  of  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna 
and  Western  Railroad,  the  Sullivan  Railroad, 
a  line  built  from  Bloomsburgh,  Pennsylvania, 
and  the  Jefferson  branch  of  the  Delaware  and 
Hudson  Railroad.  When  electricity  began  to 
take  its  place  as  a  means  of  transportation. 
Mr.  Blair,  ever  progressive  and  abreast  of 
the  times,  built  the  first  electric  railway  in 
the  Wyoming  Valley,  for  the  Wyoming  Trac- 
tion Company.  He  "was  a  thirty-second  degree 
Mason,  belonging  to  all  Scottish  Rite  bodies. 
Mr.  Blair  married  (first)  Marinda  Davenport, 
and  they  had  a  daughter,  Nellie,  deceased, 
who  married  James  W.  Vandling;  he  mar- 
ried (second)  Florence  Davenport,  a  sister  of 
his  first  wife,  both  wives  of  the  old  Connecti- 
cut family  already  mentioned.  Their  chil- 
dren were:  Dr.  Lovisa  I.,  of  whom  further; 
Cora  May,  deceased;  Estella,  who  married 
Richard  Willis  Goslin;  Maude,  who  married 
Richard  W.  Owen,  and  Jeanette,  deceased, 
who   married  Wilson  M.   Long. 

Dr.  Lovisa  I.  Blair,  daughter  of  Brice  S. 
and  Florence  (Davenport)  Blair,  was  born  in 
Plymouth,  Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania,  and 
received  her  early  school  training  in  the  local 
public  schools.  Later,  she  continued  her 
studies  in  Wyoming  Seminary,  in  Kingston, 
Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania,  and  then  be- 
came a  student  in  Syracuse  LTniversity,  New 
York.  Having  determined  to  enter  the  medi- 
cal profession  she  then  entered  the  Women's 
Medical  College,  in  Philadelphia,  where  she 
completed  her  course  with  graduation  ■with 
the  class  of  1912,  receiving  at  that  time  the 
degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine.  After  serving 
an  interneship  of  one  year  in  the  College 
Hospital,  she  returned  to  Luzerne  County  and 
located  in  Wilkes-Barre,  where  she  opened 
her  office  at  No.  342  South  River  Street,  and 
where  she  has  since  been  successfully  engaged 
in  practice.  She  is  a  member  of  the  Luzerne 
County  Medical  Society,  the  Pennsylvania 
Medical  Society,  and  the  American  Medical 
Association,  and  has  made  for  herself  an 
assured  place  among  the  able  members  of  the 
medical  profession  of  this  State.  She  is  also 
a  member  of  the  staff  of  the  Wilkes-Barre 
General  Hospital,  laryngologist  for  the  State 
Clinic  at  Wilkes-Barre,  and  medical  examiner 
for  the  girls'  department  of  Wyoming  Sem- 
inary, at  Kingston,  also  chief  medical  exam- 
iner for  the  Wilkes-Barre  city  schools.  She 
is  a  member  of  the  Dial  Rock  Chapter,  Daugh- 
ters of  the  American  Revolution,  the  Penn- 
sylvania Society  of  Colonial  Dames,  the 
Wyoming  Valley  Women's  Club,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre;  and  of  the  College  Women's  Club,  of 
Wilkes-Barre.  Dr.  Blair  takes  an  active 
interest  in  all  civic  affairs,  and  like  her 
worthy  progenitors,  is  influential  in  whatever 
cause  she  espouses.  She  has  a  host  of  friends 
in  this  section  of  Luzerne  County,  and  is 
highly  esteemed  among  her  professional 
associates. 


GEORGE  M.  WALL — For  many  years 
prominent  in  the  business  and  civic  life  of 
Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania,  George  M. 
Wall,  who  makes  his  home  in  Kingston  and 
is  widely  known  throughout  the  Wilkes- 
Barre    district,    has    been    serving    since    the 


49a 


fall  of  1927  as  treasurer  of  this  county.  In 
this  work  he  has  been  eminently  successful, 
as  was  the  case  with  all  of  his  previous 
endeavors,  with  the  result  that  he  is  highly 
esteemed  and  respected  in  the  community  for 
his  achievements  in  both  public  and  private 
life. 

Mr.  Wall  was  born  in  Plains,  Luzerne 
County,  Pennsylvania,  on  July  31,  1S70,  son 
of  John  and  Margaret  A.  (Martin)  Wall,  both 
of  whom  are  now  deceased.  His  father  came 
to  America  from  England  in  1865,  and  in  this 
country  was  tor  many  years  a  miner  in  the 
employ  of  the  Lehigh  Valley  Coal  Company. 
His  wife,  Margaret  A.  (Martin)  Wall,  a  resi- 
dent of  Schuylkill  County,  Pennsylvania,  was 
also  a  native  of  England,  although  he  mar- 
ried her  after  he   came   to   the  United   States. 

George  M.  Wall  spent  his  boyhood  days  in 
Plains,  Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania,  where 
he  attended  the  public  schools  until  he  was 
twelve  years  of  age.  Then  he  became  a  coal 
picker  at  the  mines  of  the  Lehigh  Valley 
Coal  Company,  with  which  he  remained  until 
he  was  sixteen  years  old.  In  1886  he  made 
a  change,  however,  and  began  his  long  con- 
nection with  the  Sheldon  Axle  and  Spring 
Company,  which  lasted  until,  in  the  spring 
of  1927,  the  company  went  out  of  business. 
Mr.  Wall  served  this  organization  first  as 
timekeeper.  His  early  experiences  in  earn- 
ing his  living  in  the  mines  of  the  Lehigh 
Valley  Coal  Company  had  inured  him  to  hard 
work  and  self-dependence;  and,  ambitious 
and  determined  to  make  his  way  in  the  world 
by  honest  effort  and  sound  ability,  he  rendered 
service  of  such  a  quality  as  to  win  him  a 
succession  of  promotions.  While  filling  effi- 
ciently the  special  position  in  which  he  was 
at  the  time  placed,  he  always  prepared  him- 
self for  the  position  next  higher  in  the  scale 
and  so  fitted  himself  to  take  advantage  of 
whatever  opportunities  offered  themselves. 
Strictly  a  self-made  man,  he  worked  his  way 
through  all  departments  of  the  Sheldon  Axle 
and  Spring  Company,  and,  after  twenty-six 
years  of  faithful  service,  was  made,  in  1912, 
vice-president  and  general  manager  of  the 
corporation.  He  continued  in  this  dual  ca- 
pacity until  1925,  when  he  resigned  the 
managership,  serving  from  then  onward  as 
vice-president  only.  In  the  spring  of  1927 
the  Sheldon  Axle  and  Spring  Company,  after 
a  long  and  useful  period  of  existence,  during 
which  Mr.  Wall  played  so  important  a  part  in 
its  affairs,  went  out  of  business,  leaving  him 
free  to  take  upon  himself  public  responsi- 
bilities which  theretofore  he  had  not  felt 
free  to  accept.  So  it  was  that,  in  the  fall  of 
the  same  year,  1927,  he  was  elected  treasurer 
of  Luzerne  County,  an  oflSce  which,  since  that 
time,  he  has  filled  with  credit  to  himself 
and  advantage  to  the  community,  and  into 
which  he  has  put  the  same  full  measure  of 
enthusiasm  and  devotion  that  has  character- 
ized every  enterprise  which  he  has  under- 
taken. 

In  his  political  sympathies  Mr.  Wall  is  a 
staunch  Republican;  and,  although  he  never 
sought  public  office  before  he  became  a  can- 
didate for  the  treasurership  of  Luzerne 
County,  he  has  always  been  a  public-spirited 
citizen,  willing  to  contribute  to  the  advance- 
ment of  the  general  welfare  of  the  city  in 
which  he  has  lived  for  the  greater  part  of 
his  life.  He  has  maintained,  also,  several 
business  connections,  being  a  member  of  the 
board  of  directors  of  the  Vulcan  Iron  Works, 
of  Wilkes-Barre:  and  the  Second  National 
Bank,  of  Wilkes-Barre.  He  is  also  a  member 
of  the  board  of  directors  of  the  Young  Men's 
Christian  Association.  Fraternally  he  is 
identified  with  the  Free  and  Accepted  Ma- 
sons, in  which  he  is  affiliated  with  the  Lodge 


No.  61,  of  Wilkes-Barre;  the  Shekinah  Chap- 
ter of  Royal  Arch  Masons;  the  Dieu  le  Veut 
Commandery  of  Knights  Templar;  Caldwell 
Consistory  of  the  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish 
Rite,  of  Bloomsburg,  in  which  he  holds  the 
thirty-second  degree;  and  Irem  Temple  of 
the  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the 
Mystic  Shrine.  Mr.  Wall  is  also  a  member 
of  the  Westmoreland  Club,  of  Wilkes-Barre, 
and  his  religious  faith  is  that  of  the  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  Church,  in  Plains,  Luzerne 
County,  and  is  a  trustee  and  superintendent 
of  the  Sunday  school.  At  one  time  he  was 
president  of  the  Plains  Township  School 
Board,  as  well  as  a  director  of  the  Central 
Poor   District. 

George  M.  Wall  married,  on  September  29, 
1897,  Kate  R.  Ross,  of  Plains,  Pennsylvania, 
daughter  of  Nathan  and  Margaret  (Mc- 
Clellan)  Ross.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wall  are  the 
parents  of  three  children,  a  daughter  and 
two  sons:  1.  Margaret  Marian,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre,  who  became  the  wife  of  Robert  B. 
Baird,  and  they  have  one  daughter,  Janet 
Wall  Baird.  2.  John  Seal,  a  graduate  of  Syra- 
cuse University,  of  Syracuse,  New  York.  3. 
Ross  Frazer,  a  student  at  Princeton  Univer- 
sity,  of  Princeton,  New  Jersey,   class  of  1929. 


FULLER  L.  DAVENPORT,  D.  D.  S. — For  over 
a  quarter  of  a  century  Dr.  Fuller  L.  Daven- 
port, has  been  engaged  in  dental  practice  in 
Wilkes-Barre,  with  oflfices  at  No.  524  in  the 
Miners  Bank  Building.  He  has  for  years  been 
known  as  a  skilled  dental  surgeon  and  as  a 
public-spirited  citizen,  and  he  has  a  host  of 
friends  in  this  section  of  the  State. 

Dr.  Davenport  is  a  descendant  of  one  of 
the  oldest  families  of  Connecticut,  of  Eng- 
lish origin,  whose  members  were  among  the 
first  settlers  of  that  State.  Of  this  Connecti- 
cut family,  Thomas  Davenport,  ancestor  of 
Dr.  Davenport,  came  to  the  Wyoming  Valley, 
with  his  brother  Robert,  among  the  first 
settlers  here,  and  both  brothers  took  part  in 
the  battle  and  massacre  of  Wyoming,  July 
3,  1778.  Oliver  Davenport,  a  descendant  of 
Thomas,  mentioned  above,  lived  in  Plymouth, 
Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania,  and  among 
his  children  was  Edwin  Davenport,  who 
married  Mary  McAlarney,  now  deceased. 
They  were  the  parents  of  the  following  chil- 
dren: Hon.  Stanley  W.  Davenport,  who  was 
at  one  time  Congressman  from  Luzerne 
County;  Andrew  Livingston,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre;  Ward  P.,  deceased;  Julia  Ella,  wife 
of  George  H.  Flanagan,  casnier  of  the  Wyo- 
ming National  Bank;  James  M. ;  Liva  Ran- 
som, wife  of  Donald  A.  MacCrea,  of  Little 
Rock,  Arkansas;  Lloyd  U.,  deceased;  Brice 
Blair,  who  was  killed  at  the  age  of  twelve 
years  by  being  thrown  from  a  horse:  and 
Fuller  L.,  of  further  mention.  The  father 
of  this  family,  Edwin  Davenport,  was  for 
many  years  engaged  in  business  as  a  mer- 
chant  in   Luzerne   County. 

Dr.  Fuller  L.  Davenport,  son  of  Edwin  and 
Mary  (McAlarney)  Davenport,  was  born  in 
Plymouth,  Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania, 
November  3,  1877,  and  grew  to  manhood  in 
Plymouth.  As  a  boy  he  attended  the  local 
public  schools,  and  then  prepared  for  college 
in  Wyoming  Seminary  in  Kingston,  Penn- 
sylvania, after  which  he  entered  the  dental 
department  of  the  University  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, from  which  he  was  graduated  with 
the  class  of  1903,  receiving  the  degree  of 
Doctor  of  Dental  Surgery.  Upon  the  com- 
pletion of  his  professional  training  he  re- 
turned to  Luzerne  County,  and  located  in 
Wilkes-Barre,  where  he  has  since  been  suc- 
cessfully engaged  in  practice.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Luzerne  County  Dental  Society, 
the    Susquehanna    Dental    Society,    the    Penn- 


Ujyi)'     Q.fJ  ^U^■A^^i^i:^-^''--■ 


sylvania  Dental  Society,  and  the  American 
Dental  Association,  being  well  known  anions 
his  professional  associates  as  a  skilled  dental 
surgeon.  Politically  he  gives  his  support  to 
the  principles  and  the  candidates  of  the 
Democratic  party,  and  though  a  public- 
spirited  citizen  he  prefers  to  serve  the  com- 
munity in  private  capacity,  rather  than  as 
a  public  official.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Westmoreland  Club,  and  is  always  a  wel- 
come guest  at  social  gatherings.  While  a 
student  at  the  University  of  Pejinsylvania  he 
was  a  member  of  the  crew  of  1S99-1900  which 
won  the  races  for  the  University  at  Pough- 
keepsie,  New  York,  and  also  of  the  crew 
which  competed  in  all  the  Henly  races  at 
Henly  England,  in  1901.  His  religious  affilia- 
tion "is  with  the  Protestant  faith. 

Dr  Puller  L.  Davenport  married  Mary 
West  Maull,  of  Lewes,  Delaware,  daughter 
of  Franklin  C.  and  Victoria  (West)  Maull 
Dr  and  Mrs.  Davenport  are  the  parents  of 
two  children:  Elizabeth  West  and  Julia 
Ellen  On  the  maternal  side  Dr.  Davenport 
is  a  descendant  of  Captain  Samuel  Ransom,  a 
soldier  of  the  Revolution,  who  was  killed  in 
the   Wyoming   Massacre,    July    3,   1778. 


REV.  JOHN  J.  CURRAN,   pastor  of  the   Si- 
Mary's  Catholic  Church  at  Wilkes-Barre,   and 
one    of    the    leading    officers    of    the    Catholic 
Church    in    Eastern    Pennsylvania,    was    born 
June    20,    1859,    in    Wayne    County,    Pennsyl- 
vania.   Father    Curran    is   a   son    of    John    and 
Helen    (McKeone)    Curran,   both   of  whom  are 
now  deceased.    John  Curran,  the  father,  came 
to   this  country  from   Ireland  about   1847.    He 
was  for  a  number  of  years  a  miner  in  Eastern 
Pennsylvania.    By  his  marriage  to  Helen  Mc- 
Keone" he  became   the   father  of  ten   children, 
of  whom  nine  lived  to  maturity:     1.   Thomas, 
deceased.     2.   Jane.     3.   Mary.     4.   Ann.     5.   John 
J      of    whom    further.      6.    Hartley,    deceased. 
7  '     Anthony,      deceased       S      Helen,      married 
Charles    Hoban,    who     is    now    the    assistant 
superintendent     of     public     schools     for     the 
State  of  Pennsylvania.    9.  William,  resides  in 
Wilkes-Barre.    10.   Patrick,  died  in  childhood. 
John    J.    Curran.    the    second    son    and    fifth 
child   of  John  and   Helen    (McKeone)    Curran, 
was  about  seven  years  of  age   when  his  par- 
ents   removed    to    Avoca,    in    Luzerne    County, 
and  it  was  here  that  he  received  his  primary 
education.    While  he  was  still  but  eight  years 
of   age,   however,   he   was   put   to   work   as   a 
slate  picker  at  the  Avoca  Mines  of  the  Penn- 
sylvania  Coal    Company.     He    remained    there 
a's  a  breaker  driver  boy  for  over  eight  years, 
attending  night  schools  in  the  meantime,  for 
he  was  an  ambitious  lad.    When  he   was  six- 
teen  years  of  age  he   returned  to   the   public 
schools,  and  thus  obtained  two  more  years  of 
schooling,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  entered 
the   Wyoming   Seminary   at  Kingston,    in   Lu- 
zerne Countv.    There  he  was  graduated  with 
especially    high    marks    in    both    English    and 
mathematics.    He  studied  next  at  St.  Vincent 
College,     Latrobe,     Pennsylvania,     remaining 
there    for    about   three    years   and    graduating 
in    1882.     In    the    fall    of    this    same    year    he 
enrolled  as  a  student  at  the  Grand  Seminary 
at   Montreal,    Dominion   of   Canada,    where    he 
studied    for    some    five    years,    in    preparation 
for  the  ministry.    He  was  ordained  as  a  priest 
in    18S7    by    the    Rt.    Rev.    William    O'Hara,    m 
the    Scraiiton    Cathedral,    and    he     was    then 
appointed  as  assistant  pastor  of  the  St.  Rose 
Church  at  Carbondale,   Pennsylvania.     Father 
Curran  remained  there  for  about  eight  years; 
and  then  in  1895  was  appointed  to  locate  and 
become    the    first    pastor    of    the    Holy    Savior 
parish    at    East    End,    Wilkes-Barre.      Father 
Curran  performed  this  task  with  a  will,   and 
so    great   was    the    result    of    his   achievement 


that  he  was  able  to  build  and  found  this 
church,  and  to  serve  in  it,  as  well,  for  the 
ensuing  twenty-four  years.  Starting  with  only 
a  few  members,  he  built  it  up  to  include  more 
than  twenty-flve  hundred  souls.  In  recogni- 
tion of  his  ability  and  the  love  and  esteem  in 
which  he  was  held,  he  was  appointed,  in 
1919,  to  the  pastorate  of  St.  Mary's  Church  on 
South  Washington  Street,  in  Wilkes-Barre. 
In  this  latter  work,  he  has  been  charged  with 
the  accomplishment  of  many  improvements, 
and  he  has,  as  well,  built  a  fine  parish  house. 
The  interior  of  this  beautiful  church  is  one 
of  the  finest  examples  of  religious  decoration 
and  equipment  in  all  Luzerne  County.  The 
parish  numbers  slightly  more  than  ten 
thousand  souls,  the  largest  membership  of 
any    church    in    Wyoming  Valley. 

Father   Curran    is   spoken    of   as   one   of   the, 
most  active  priests  in  the  Valley,  and  one  of 
the    most    greatly    beloved.     He    was    particu- 
larly   instrumental    in    promoting    and    build- 
ing   the    Misericordia    College    at    Dallas,    in 
Luzerne   County,   and   this    institution    is   now 
under  the  competent  charge  of  the  Sisters  of 
Mercy.     He    also    took    an    important    part    in 
the  promotion  of  funds  and  equipment  for  the 
new   wing  of  the   Mercy   Hospital  at   Wilkes- 
Barre,  and  this  wing  is  also  under  the  super- 
vision of  the  Sisters  of  Mercy.    He  was  one  of 
the     prime     movers     in     the     organizing     and 
establishing     of     the     St.     Patrick's     Catholic 
Church    and    parish    in    South    Wilkes-Barre. 
Father   Curran    has   long   been   a   strong   sup- 
porter of  the  temperance  movement  since  his 
childhood  days,  and  for  the  past  twelve  years 
he   has   taken   an   active  part   in  the   work   of 
the    Anti-Saloon    League.      During    the    early 
years     of     his     pastorate     at     the     East     End 
Church  at  Wilkes-Barre  he   administered  the 
total    abstinence    pledge    to    his    entire    con- 
gregation.   Even   greater  than   this,   however, 
is  the  great  good  Father  Curran  has  brought 
about   for  the   cause   of   the   miners,    the   men 
who    toil    deep    down    in    the    bowels    of    the 
earth,  mining  the  coal.    For  more  than  thirty- 
five    years    he    has    stood    as    an    ardent    sup- 
porter   of    the   Cause    and    Rights   Bill    of    the 
Miners.     During    the    great    anthracite    strike 
of   1902   he   acted  as  mediator  with   President 
John     Mitchell,     of     the     Miners'     Union,     and 
President  Theodore  Roosevelt,  endeavoring  to 
bring    about    a    compromise    settlement    with 
its   ensuing   end   to   the   long    drawn-out   con- 
flict.    In    fact,    he   has    assisted    as   an   advisor 
on  both  sides  of  the  controversy  in  practically 
all   of   the   anthracite   strikes   since   the   year 
1900     His  association  with  John  Mitchell  and 
President    Roosevelt    at    this    time    created    a 
friendship  between   Father   Curran  and   these 
two  men  that  only  death  has  severed.    Of  all 
the  men  in  the  Wyoming  Valley  today,  there 
is    not    one    more    universally  beloved    than 
Father  John  J.  Curran. 


HOMER    B.    AVILCOX,    M.    D.— One    of    the 

leading  phvsicians  of  Kingston  and  of  the 
Wyoming  Valley,  Dr.  Homer  B.  Wilcox  has 
long  possessed  the  respect  and  esteem  of  his 
fellow-citizens,  especially  of  those  among 
them  who  are  his  patients  and  who  have 
learned  to  appreciate  the  skill  and  gentleness 
with  which  he  goes  about  his  professional 
duties.  Not  only  for  his  excellence  in  the 
medical  profession  is  he  highly  regarded  in 
Kingston  and  its  environs,  but  for  the  splen- 
did qualities  of  character  that  are  manifest 
in    his    performance    of    his    work. 

Descended  from  an  old  Pennsylvania  fam- 
ily Dr  Wilcox  is  a  son  of  Chester  B.  and 
JeAnie  R.  (Major)  Wilcox,  the  former  dying 
at  the  age  of  sixty-two  years,  the  latter  still 
surviving,  although  she  has  attained  an  ad- 
vanced  age,   having   been   born    in    1851.     Dr. 


Wilcox's  father,  Chester  B.  Wilcox,  was  a 
son  of  Elias  Bowen  and  Nancy  (Maxfleld) 
Wilcox,  whose  ancestors  were  among  the 
early  settlers  and  were  engaged  in  the  battle 
and  massacre  of  Wyoming  on  July  3,  1778. 
Elias  Bowen  Wilcox,  Dr.  Wilcox's  grand- 
father on  his  father's  side  of  the  family,  was 
born  in  Plains,  Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania, 
in  ISIS,  and  died  at  the  age  of  eighty-six 
years.  He  and  his  wife  were  the  parents  of 
three  children;  Mary,  who  married  Alexander 
Ferguson;  Chester,  who  was  Dr.  Wilcox's 
father;  and  Emma,  who  died  in  childhood. 
Elias  Bowen,  the  grandfather,  was  a  brick- 
maker  by  trade,  and  was  prominent  as  a  con- 
tractor in  this  part  of  Pennsylvania.  On  the 
maternal  side  of  his  family.  Dr.  Wilcox's 
grandfather  was  Robert  Major,  who  married 
Sarah  Ann  Adelman.  Born  in  England  in 
1808,  he  sailed  from  his  native  land  in  1S21 
with  his  parents,  and  came  to  Luzerne 
County,  Pennsylvania.  They  were  thirty- 
seven  days  on  the  ocean  in  making  their 
voyage  to  the  United  States,  and  settled  in 
Wyoming,  Luzerne  County.  Dr.  Wilcox's 
great-grandparents  on  his  inaternal  side 
were  Thomas  and  Mary    (Britton)   Major. 

Chester  B.  and  Jennie  R.  (Major)  Wilcox, 
Dr.  Wilcox's  parents,  had  four  children:  1. 
Dr.  Homer  B.,  of  further  mention.  2.  Bertha, 
who  died  at  the  age  of  sixteen  years.  3. 
Martha  W.,  who  became  the  wife  of  Carl  E. 
Bell,  of  Pittston,  Pennsylvania.  4.  Dorothy, 
who  died  at  the  age  of  seven  years. 

Homer  B.  Wilcox,  who  was  born  on  August 
7,  1877,  in  Plymouth,  Pennsylvania,  grew  to 
manhood  in  Kingston.  While  a  boy,  he  at- 
tended the  public  schools  there,  and  was 
graduated  from  the  high  school  in  the  class 
of  1891.  Then  he  became  a  student  at  the 
Wyoming  Seminary,  in  Kingston,  from  which 
he  was  graduated  in  the  class  of  1895.  His 
professional  work  he  took  at  the  University 
of  Pennsylvania,  from  which  he  was  gradu- 
ated in  the  class  of  1901,  receiving  the  de- 
gree of  Doctor  of  Medicine.  Until  1927,  he 
conducted  a  general  medical  practice  in 
Kingston;  but  in  that  year,  he  received  from 
the  University  of  Pennsylvania  a  special  de- 
gree in  Urology.  Since  that  time.  Dr.  Wilcox 
has  been  a  specialist  in  Urology;  and  in  this 
capacity  he  has  rendered  valuable  service  to 
the   community   in    and   near   Kingston. 

In  addition  to  his  own  practice.  Dr.  Wilcox 
is  keenly  interested  in  the  affairs  of  his  pro- 
fession. He  is  a  member  of  the  American 
Medical  Society,  the  Pennsylvania  State  Medi- 
cal Society,  the  Lehigh  Valley  Medical  Society, 
and  the  Luzerne  County  Medical  Society. 
Taking  at  all  times  an  active  part  in  political 
affairs,  he  is  identified  with  the  Republican 
party,  whose  principles  and  candidates  he 
staunchly  supports.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  in  which  order 
he  is  affiliated  with  the  Kingston  Lodge,  No. 
397;  the  Shekinah  Chapter,  No.  1S2,  of  Royal 
Arch  Masons:  the  Dieu  le  Veut  Coinmandery, 
No.  45,  Knights  Templar;  and  Irem  Temple, 
of  the  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the 
Mystic  Shrine.  He  also  belongs  to  the  Irem 
Temple  Country  Club.  He  is  affiliated  with 
the  Kingston  Lodge  of  the  Independent  Order 
of  Odd  Fellows,  and  is  a  member  of  the  staff 
of  the  Wilkes-Barre  General  Hospital,  where 
he  is  a  specialist  in  Urology. 

In  June,  190S,  Dr.  Wilcox  was  married  to 
Anna  Cameron  Harter.  of  Berwick,  Pennsyl- 
vania, a  daughter  of  George  W.  and  Rachael 
(Lockhart)  Harter.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Wilcox  are 
the  parents  of  four  children:  1.  Robert  Bowen, 
who  is  a  graduate  of  the  Wyoming  Seminary, 
of  Kingston,  and  now  in  Lafayette  College, 
class  of  1932.  2.  Marian  Lockhart,  graduate 
of  Wyoming  Seminary.    3.  Homer  Bowen,  Jr., 


class  of  1931,  high  school.  4.  Emily  Harter, 
attending  grammar  school.  Dr.  Wilcox  and 
his  family  reside  at  No.  165  South  Maple 
Avenue,   Kingston. 

Dr.  Wilcox  studied  music  for  years  in  the 
Wyoming  Seminary.  He  was  organist  in  the 
Presbyterian  Church  1895-96-97;  also  in  the 
Seminary  Chapel  for  the  same  length  of  time. 


JOH:v  a.  BURTOX — industry,  character,  a 
set  purpose  and  a  full  faith  in  oneself  have 
brought  their  reward  to  John  A,  Burton,  of 
Kingston,  who,  without  a  dollar  to  begin, 
has  made  his  way  to  the  topmost  branch  of 
the  local  commercial  tree  and  finds  himself 
one  of  the  most  respected  citizens  of  the 
community.  He  has  done  tills  in  a  compar- 
atively tew  years,  always  industrious  yet 
taking  time  from  his  base  of  operations  to 
lend  what  assistance  he  might  to  other  activ- 
ities. He  has  been  a  devoted  churchman,  a 
fair  competitor  in  business,  a  staunch  friend, 
a  citizen  faithful  to  the  tenets  of  his  civic 
duties.  He  has  helped  to  build  other  works 
while  he  was  building  his  own  and  has  ever 
taken  a  sincere  interest  in  fraternal  and  so- 
cial organizations  ■with  which  he  has  become 
affiliated.  In  short,  John  A.  Burton  is  one 
of  the  standard  citizens  of  our  community, 
in    whom    it   takes   a   justifiable    pride. 

He  was  born  in  Carbond^le,  Pennsylvania, 
March  23,  1S75,  a  son  of  John  and  Rosa  (Cam- 
mack)  Burton.  John  Burton  was  a  native 
of  Virginia,  the  father  of  four  children,  all 
of  whom  are  deceased  save  his  namesake 
son.  He  conducted  a  store  in  Kingston, 
whence  he  came  in  his  youth,  for  many  years 
and  died  here  at  the  age  of  sixty-nine.  The 
present  John  was  educated  in  the  Kingston 
public  sciiools  and  was  graduated  from  the 
Wilkes-Barre  Business  College.  He  then  be- 
came associated  with  the  F.  M.  Kirby  Com- 
pany's stores,  where  he  remained  for  seven 
years.  In  the  spring  of  1918  he  established 
himself  in  business,  opening  a  variety  store, 
which  he  has  ever  since  conducted.  In  poli- 
tics he  is  a  Republican,  in  religion  a  Metho- 
dist Episcopalian  and  a  member  of  the  oflficial 
board  of  the  Kingston  church  for  many  years. 
He  also  is  a  member  of  the  Quarterly  Con- 
ference Board  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  served  for  three  years  as  president 
of  the  Bible  class  and  was  assistant  super- 
intendent of  the  Sunday  school  for  ten  years. 
He  is  an  honorary  member  of  the  Kingston 
Fire  Department  and  is  affiliated  with  the 
Kingston  Lodge,  No.  395,  Order  of  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons.  He  also  belongs  to  Kings- 
ton Lodge,  No.  709,  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows,  of  which  he  is  Past  Grand,  and  to 
Kingston  Lodge,  No.  234,  Patriotic  Order  Sons 
of  America.  He  holds  membership  in  Wilkes- 
Barre  Lodge,  No.  109,  Benevolent  and  Pro- 
tective Order  of  Elks,  and  in  the  Kingston 
Business   Men's   AP'^ociation. 

Mr.  Burton  married,  at  White  Haven,  Penn- 
sylvania, June  15,  1904,  Nellie  Christy,  daugh- 
ter of  Charles  and  Nellie  Christy.  They  have 
one  child,  Virginia  Eleanor. 


LUTHER  M.  KNIPFB!\ — Like  his  father 
before  him.  Luther  M.  Kniffen  is  intensively 
concerned  in  the  welfare  of  Wilkes-Barre, 
and  is  here  accounted  an  outstanding  and 
substantial  citizen.  The  mortuary  estab- 
lishment of  which  he  is  the  head  was  estab- 
lished by  hiis  father,  and  is  the  oldest  estab- 
lishment of  its  size  and  kind  in  the  city. 
Luther  M.  Kniffen  is  a  son  of  Mayor  Lewis 
P.  and  Katherine  Gertrude  (Reick)  Kniffen; 
and  Lewis  P.  Kniffen  "was  born  in  Dallas 
Township,  Luzerne  County,  in  the  year  1858 
(died  on  December  6,  1924),  son  of  Charles 
E.   Kniffen,  who  came  to  Wilkes-Barre  in  the 


Jiyii!iiiii£iiii2iiiifeiiiji^iiiii'iiiii;iii^iiiii^,i,i,'^-.,^ 


/'i^^.tjLJl/     (^/j^t^Z^. 


.1^^.  ..^f^,  ...^^ 

iiii;'.ii..:iiiniiii'''.: 


second  quarter  of  the  nineteenth  century. 
Charles  E.  Kniffen  engaged  in  business  as 
general  contractor,  and  early  established  the 
family  name  among  those  honorably  held  in 
the  county.  He  was  the  father  of  six  chil- 
dren; Charles,  Jr.,  Frank,  Emma,  Lewis  P., 
Grace,  and  Richard,  of  whom  all  were  de- 
ceased in  1928,  save  Richard  Kniffen,  who 
resides  in  Atlantic  City. 

Lewis  P.  Kniften  left  the  farm  on  which  he 
was  born,  in  Dallas  Township,  after  he  had 
completed  his  education  in  the  district 
schools,  and  came  as  a  young  man  to  Wilkes- 
Barre.  Here  he  obtained  employment  in  the 
shop  of  a  mortician,  and  learned  that  pro- 
fession. In  due  time  he  established  funeral 
parlors  under  his  own  name,  and  at  the  time 
of  his  death,  in  1924,  had  been  in  the  pro- 
fession for  forty-one  continuous  years,  and 
was  the  oldest  funeral  director  and  mortician 
in  the  city  of  Wilkes-Barre.  Lewis  P.  Kniffen 
was  most  active  in  all  phases  of  life  in  the 
community.  Fraternally  his  connections  were 
extensive,  and  included  membership  in  Land- 
mark Lodge,  No.  442.  of  the  Free  and  Accept- 
ed Masons:  Caldwell  Consistory,  at  Blooms- 
burg,  of  the  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite 
Masons,  in  which  he  held  the  thirty-second 
degree;  Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order 
Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  at  Wilkes- 
Barre,  and  the  Irem  Country  Club:  St.  John 
Commandery  of  the  Knights  of  Malta:  the 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  at  Wilkes- 
Barre:  Lodge  No.  109  of  the  Benevolent  and 
Protective  Order  of  Elks:  the  Junior  Order 
of  United  American  Mechanics;  the  Patriotic 
Order  Sons  of  America:  the  Loyal  Order  of 
Moose:  and  the  Fraternal  Order  of  Eagles. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  First  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  of  Wilkes-Barre,  devout  in 
its  service,  and  generous  in  contributions  to 
all  charitable  causes  whether  or  not  they 
were  sponsored  by  the  church  in  which  he 
was  a  communicant.  Well  liked  and  admired 
for  his  high  character  and  great  abilities  by 
all  who  knew  him,  Lewis  P.  Kniften  was 
elected  to  the  office  of  mayor  of  Wilkes- 
Barre  in  1907.  and  during  the  four  years  of 
his  service  did  much  for  the  reform  and  bet- 
terment of  the  community.  In  1912  he  was 
elected  sheriff  of  Luzerne  County,  and  this 
office  too  was  for  a  term  of  four  years.  In 
1916  he  was  nominated  by  the  Republican 
party  to  represent  Luzerne  County  in  Con- 
gress, but  was  defeated  by  his  Democratic 
opponent,  who  polled  a  small  majority.  For 
eight  years  Mr.  Kniffen  served  as  city  com- 
missioner, and  occupied  that  office  when 
death  occurred.  Lewis  P.  Kniffen  married 
Katherine  Gertrude  Reick  of  Wilkes-Barre, 
daughter  of  Jacob  and  Elizabeth  Reick:  and 
to  this  union  was  born  one  son,  Luther  M. 
Kniffen,   of  whom  further. 

Luther  M.  Kniffen  was  born  in  Wilkes- 
Barre,  November  19,  18S8,  and  here  attended 
the  public  schools.  Under  the  direction  of  his 
father  he  applied  himself  to  gain  knowledge 
of  the  profession  of  mortician,  so  diligently 
and  intelligently  that  within  a  short  space 
of  time  he  was  well  versed  in  all  its  branches. 
He  is  now  (1929)  one  of  the  most  highly  re- 
garded funeral  directors  in  Luzerne  County, 
and  operates  his  establishment  in  the  quar- 
ters where  the  Kniffen  Funeral  Home  has 
stood  since  founded  by  Lewis  P.  Kniffen. 
Like  his  father,  Mr.  Kniffen  is  a  Republican 
and  loyal  to  the  party's  principles  of  National 
Government.  He  takes  an  active  part  in 
public  affairs  and  possesses  a  considerable 
influence  in  elections.  He  "was  elected  coroner 
of  Luzerne  County  in  1927.  Fraternally  he 
is  active  also,  being  a  member  of  Landmark 
Lodge,  No.  442,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons; 
Shekinah    Chapter,    No.    182,    Royal   Arch    Ma- 


sons; Dleu  le  Veut  Commandery,  No.  45, 
Knights  Templar:  Keystone  Consistory,  at 
Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  of  the  Ancient  Ac- 
cepted Scottish  Rite  Masons,  in  which  he 
has  attained  the  thirty-second  degree;  Irem 
Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the 
Mystic  Shrine  of  Wilkes-Barre;  the  Irem 
Country  Club;  Scranton  Lodge,  No.  123,  Be- 
nevolent and  Protective  Order  of  Elks:  the 
Knights  of  Malta:  the  Junior  Order  of  United 
American  Mechanics;  Loyal  Order  of  Moose: 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows:  Patriotic 
Order  of  Sons  of  America;  the  Pen  and  Pencil 
Club;  Irem  Gun  Club;  and  the  United  Sports- 
men of  America.  Mr.  Kniffen  is  a  communi- 
cant of  the  Lutheran  Church.  His  gifts  for 
relief  of  the  poor  and  toward  other  causes 
of  like  appeal  are  large,  readily  forthcoming, 
and  distinguished  for  their  substantial  pro- 
portion. When  the  United  States  entered  the 
World  War  in  1917,  Mr.  Kniffen  enlisted  for 
service,  and  was  assigned  to  duty  in  the 
Motor  Transport  Corps  at  Camp  Joseph  E. 
Johnston,  Jacksonville,  Florida,  with  the 
rank  of  lieutenant. 

Luther  M.  Kniffen  married  Charlotte  Hynd- 
man,  of  West  Pittston,  Pennsylvania,  Febru- 
ary 7,  1922.  Charlotte  (Hyndman)  Kniffen 
is  a  daughter  of  James  and  Ruth  (Harvey) 
Hyndman,  the  family  being  one  of  the  old 
ones  in  the  history  of  Luzerne  Countj':  so  too, 
the  house  of  Harvey  is  one  of  the  oldest  in 
the  Wyoming  Valley,  settlers  in  the  Valley 
having  come  from  the  State  of  Connecticut 
with  the  Susquehanna  Company,  and  having 
been  mentioned  with  merit  in  the  records  of 
battles  between  settlers  and  Indians.  Luther 
M.  and  Charlotte  (Hyndman)  Kniffen  reside 
at  No.   465  South  Main  Street,   Wilkes-Barre. 


ALFRED  W.  GROVER,  M.  D. — For  nearly 
a  score  of  years  Dr.  Alfred  W.  Grover  has 
been  faithfully  and  successfully  engaged  in 
general  medical  practice  in  Kingston,  Penn- 
sylvania, where  at  the  present  time  (1929) 
he  has  his  offices  at  No.  293  Maple  Street. 
Dr.  Grover  is  a  graduate  of  Wyoming  Semi- 
nary and  of  Albany  Medical  College,  and  is 
well  known  to  the  profession  in  this  part  of 
the  State.  He  is  also  well  known  in  fraternal 
circles,  and  is  prominent  in  the  Masonic 
Order. 

John  Grover,  great-grandfather  of  Dr. 
Grover,  was  born  in  Catawissa,  Pennsylvania, 
and  settled  in  Salem  Township,  Luzerne 
County,  among  the  earliest  settlers  of  that 
section.  He  had  a  son,  Butler  Grover.  born 
in  Salem  Township,  Luzerne  County,  a 
farmer,  who  married  Mary  Briggs,  a  native 
of  that  same  locality.  They  were  the  par- 
ents of  Millard  F.  Grover,  of  further  men- 
tion. 

Millard  F.  Grover,  son  of  Butler  and  Mary 
(Briggs)  Grover,  was  born  in  Hollenback 
Township,  Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania,  and 
died  at  the  age  of  sixty-nine  years.  For 
many  years  he  was  an  engineer  in  the  em- 
ploy of  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  and 
Western  Railroad  Company,  and  was  a  man 
who  commanded  the  respect  and  esteem  of 
his  associates.  He  married  Anna  M.  Vand- 
ling,  who  survives  him  at  the  age  of  seventy- 
two  years  (1929).  They  were  the  parents  of 
two  children;  Nellie  B..  of  Kingston,  who 
makes  her  home  with  her  mother  and  brother: 
and  Dr.  Alfred  W.,  of  further  mention. 

Dr.  Alfred  W.  Grover  was  born  in  Hollen- 
back Township,  Luzerne  County,  Pennsyl- 
vania, November  24,  1882,  and  spent  his  boy- 
hood in  Northumberland  and  in  Kingston. 
He  attended  the  public  schools,  graduating 
from  Kingston  High  School  with  the  class 
of  1S99,  and  then  continued  his  studies  in 
Wyoming    Seminary,    at    Kingston,    where    he 


496 


finished  his  course  with  graduation  in  1903. 
He  then  entered  the  Albany  IVTedical  College, 
ot  Union  University,  at  Albany,  New  York, 
where  he  received  the  degree  of  Doctor  ot 
Medicine  in  1907.  For  one  year  following  his 
graduation  he  served  as  an  interne  in  the 
Wilkes-Barre  City  Hospital,  and  then,  in 
September,  190S,  he  began  his  long  term  of 
service  as  a  general  medical  practitioner  at 
Kingston,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  is  known 
and  loved  as  a  faithful  and  able  physician. 
Over  twenty  years  of  service  have  endeared 
him  to  many  of  those  whom  he  has  served 
and  have  won  for  him  an  assured  place 
among  his  professional  colleagues.  He  is  a 
trustee  of  the  Nesbitt  Memorial  Hospital, 
Kingston,  and  a  member  of  the  surgical  staff 
of  that  institution.  He  is  a  member  and  vice- 
president  of  the  Luzerne  County  Medical 
Society,  of  the  Pennsylvania  State  Medical 
Society,  and  of  the  American  Medical  Asso- 
ciation, and  in  addition  to  these  professional 
affiliations,  also  finds  time  for  numerous 
other  fraternal  connections.  He  is  a  member 
of  Kingston  Lodge,  No.  395,  Free  and  Ac- 
cepted Masons;  Shekinah  Chapter,  No.  1S2, 
Royal  Arch  Masons;  Dieu  le  Veut  Command- 
ery.  No.  45,  Knights  Templar;  Caldwell  Con- 
sistory of  Bloomsburg,  Pennsylvania;  and  of 
Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles 
of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  of  Wilkes-Barre;  also 
of  Irem  Temple  Country  Club.  He  is  a 
member  of  Lodge  No.  709,  Independent  Order 
of  Odd  Fellows;  and  of  Washington  Post,  No. 
396,  Patriotic  Order  Sons  of  America;  and  his 
clubs  are  the  Craftsmen's  Club,  and  the 
"O^yoming  Valley  Motor  Club.  Dr.  Grover 
served  one  term  of  enlistment  in  the  Hos- 
pital Corps  of  the  9th  Pennsylvania  National 
Guard,  Infantry;  and  during  the  period  of  the 
participation  of  the  United  States  in  the 
World  War  served  as  a  member  of  Local 
Draft  Board,  No.  4,  of  Kingston,  Pennsyl- 
vania. Politically,  he  gives  his  support  to 
the  Republican  party,  and  his  religious  in- 
terest is  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,   of  which  he  is  a  member. 

Dr.  Grover  has  never  married,  but  has  de- 
voted his  entire  interest  and  devotion  to  his 
profession,  giving  to  his  many  patients  the 
faithful  and  expert  care  which  has  won  for 
him  not  only  professional  success,  but  the 
deep  and  lasting  regard  of  those  with  whom 
he  has  been,   and   is,   associated. 


PETER  FORVE: — ^More  than  fifty  years  ago 
there  was  established  in  the  town  of  Wilkes- 
Barre,  Pennsylvania,  a  plumbing,  heating, 
tinning  and  cornice  work  business,  which  con- 
tinues to  be  one  of  the  prominent  businesses 
of  this  city,  and  is  under  the  proprietorship 
and  management  of  Peter  Porve,  the  son  of 
Peter  Forve,  the  founder  of  the  business.  That 
an  establishment  of  this  kind  should  grow 
and  prosper  under  the  many  changes  that 
have  taken  place  in  the  building  trades  is 
due  to  the  skillful  ability  and  business 
acumen  of  the  man  who  founded  it  and  the 
business  principles  which  he  was  able  to 
instill  into  his  son,  "who  has  been  wise  enough 
to  remember  the  wisdom  of  his  successful 
father  and  not  forget   his   admonitions. 

Peter  Forve,  senior,  was  born  in  Germany 
and  was  brought  to  this  country  sometime 
about  the  year  1S53  when  he  was  five  years  of 
age.  As  he  grew  up  he  learned  the  trade  of 
a  plumber  and  after  he  became  proficient  in 
this  line,  working  in  it  continuously  for 
many  years,  he,  in  1870,  set  up  an  establish- 
ment of  his  own  which,  as  has  been  stated, 
since  his  death  has  been  carried  on  by  his 
son.  Peter  Forve,  junior.  This  business  is 
still  situated  where  it  was  begun,  at  No.  114 
North    Main    Street,    where    it    has    been    and 


continues  to  be  a  landmark  of  the  business 
section  of  the  city,  despite  the  many  changes 
which  have  taken  place  during  the  last  five 
decades  of  history  in  the  progress  of  the  city. 
Mr.  Forve  was  a  familiar  figure  in  this  shop 
and  office  until  April  7,  1913,  when  he  died 
at  the  age  of  sixty-five  years.  He  w'as  a  de- 
voted member  of  St.  Nicholas  Roman  Catholic 
Church  and  an  ardent  Democrat  in  his  polit- 
ical affiliations.  For  forty-three  years  he  was 
outstanding  as  a  prominent  citizen  and  busi- 
ness man  of  Wilkes-Barre.  He  was  married 
twice:  by  his  first  wife,  he  had  eight  chil- 
dren: I.Jacob  L.,  who  died  on  November  28, 
1S9S,  at  the  age  of  twenty-five  years,  was 
associated  with  liis  father  in  the  business 
until  the  time  of  his  death.  2.  Peter,  Jr.,  of 
whom  further.  3.  George  T.,  who  entered  the 
priesthood  and  is  priest  in  charge  of  the 
parish  of  the  Sacred  Heart  Roman  Catholic 
Church  at  Luzerne,  Pennsylvania.  4.  Marie, 
who  married  Carl  A.  Leighton  of  Wilkes- 
Barre.  5.  Regina,  who  married  Manus  J. 
Gallagher  of  Mauch  Chunk,  Pennsylvania.  6. 
Louis,  who  married  Lulu  Schmitt.  7.  Fred- 
erick.   8.  Hildegard. 

Peter  Forve,  Jr.,  grew  up  in  Wilkes-Barre 
and  was  educated  at  the  St.  Nicholas  paro- 
chial school  at  Wilkes-Barre.  While  a  young 
man,  he  learned  the  plumber's  trade  under 
the  proficient  direction  of  his  father  and  so 
was  qualified  in  every  part  of  the  business  to 
succeed  his  father  in  its  management  and  to 
undertake  to  further  its  progress.  In  1930 
this  business  will  be  sixty  years  old  and  its 
continuity  is  remarkable  because  of  the  fact 
that  few  businesses  in  this  country  have 
withstood  the  changes  of  conditions  that 
have  taken  place  since  the  time  of  the  Civil 
War.  It  is,  therefore,  one  of  the  notable 
institutions  of  Wilkes-Barre,  with  credit  due 
to  the  founder  and  his  able  son  who  have 
made  this  a  possibility. 

Mr.  Forve,  like  his  father,  is  a  member  of 
St.  Nicholas  Roman  Catholic  Churcii  and  is 
a  staunch  Democrat  in  his  politics.  He  is  a 
member  of  Wilkes-Barre  Lodge,  No.  109, 
Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  and 
belongs  to  the  Wilkes-Barre-Wyoming  Val- 
ley  Chamber   of   Commerce. 

On  November  8,  1899,  Peter  Forve  married 
Caroline  Schappert,  daughter  of  Joseph 
Schappert,of  Nanticoke,  Pennsylvania.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Forve  have  three  sons:  1.  Carl  J., 
who  is  associated  with  his  father  in  the 
plumbing  business.  2.  George  Thomas  who 
lives  in  New  York  City,  and  is  connected  with 
the  New  York  Telephone  Company.  3.  Peter, 
3d,  who  is  a  student  at  the  Villa  Nova  College. 


HENRY  SHAPIRO — For  more  than  twenty 
years  Henry  Shapiro  has  occupied  a  position 
of  importance  in  the  industrial  and  financial 
circles  of  Wilkes-Barre,  and  today  is  num- 
bered among  the  city's  foremost  men.  His 
career  has  been  varied,  but  in  the  main 
course  has  centered  on  steel  and  iron,  other 
connections  having  been  of  jireparatory  char- 
acter and  of  the  relationship  thereto.  Since 
his  round  success  at  steel  and  iron  and 
ownership  of  the  company  bearing  his  name, 
so  well  known  in  the  Wyoming  Valley,  he 
has  formed  other  connections  witli  finan- 
cial enterprises;  and  these  are  to  the  main 
course  of  his  career  as  branches  to  a  tree, 
the  trunk  always  having  been  steel  and  iron. 

Mr.  Shapiro  was  born  February  22,  1877, 
in  New  York  City,  son  of  Max  and  Mary 
(Oppenheim)  Shapiro.  He  was  five  years  of 
age  when  his  parents  brought  him  to  Penn- 
sylvania, and  hence  looks  upon  this  State 
as  his  native  place.  He  attended  public 
schools  and  business  college  at  Scranton, 
where  his  parents  established  their  home,  and 


entered  the  business  world  as  stenographer, 
in  the  employ  of  J.  L.  Connell  and  Company, 
when  lie  was  eighteen  years  of  age.  With 
the  Connell  organization  he  continued  six 
and  a  half  years,  then  entered  the  employ 
of  the  Scranton  Nut  and  Bolt  Company,  where 
he  continued  three  years,  leaving  the  com- 
pany in  1906  to  found  his  own  organization 
in  Wilkes-Barre.  So  successful  was  this  from 
the  outset  that  in  1920  Mr.  yhapiro  erected 
one  of  the  finest  manufacturing  plants  for 
steel  and  iron  products  in  this  part  of  Penn- 
sylvania. He  deals  in  iron  and  steel,  paper 
mill  supplies,  structural  materials,  rails  and 
pipe. 

Active  in  the  fraternal  and  civic  life  of 
Wilkes-Barre,  Mr.  Shapiro  is  a  member  of 
the  Free  and  Accepted  Masons;  Shekinah 
Royal  Arch  Chapter  of  Wilkes-Barre;  Key- 
stone Consistory,  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish 
Rite,  of  Scranton;  Irem  Temple,  Ancient 
Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine; 
Lodge  No.  109,  Benevolent  and  Protective 
Order  of  Elks;  the  Wyoming  Historical  and 
Geological  Society,  Wilkes-Barre  Chamber  of 
Commerce,  Pennsylvania  Manufacturers'  As- 
sociation, Institute  of  Scrap  Iron  and  Steel, 
and  the  National  Association  of  Waste  Mate- 
rial Dealers.  He  is  chairman  of  the  finance 
committee  and  a  trustee  of  Temple  Israel 
Wilkes-Barre.  His  home  is  at  No.  524  South 
Franklin  Street;  his  office,  Nos.  600-12  South 
Main   Street,   Wilkes-Barre. 

Mr.  Shapiro  married,  September  6,  1905, 
Lulu  Fisher,  of  Wilkes-Barre;  and  their  chil- 
dren are:  Frances  Marian,  now  Mrs.  Murray 
B.  Frankel;  Lester,  and  Selig. 


OLIN  DERR— In  the  Wyoming  Valley  the 
surname  Derr  stands  for  pioneership  and  en- 
terprise, but  rather  less  for  the  former  than 
the  latter,  while  in  the  State  of  Pennsylvania 
and  in  New  Jersey  from  colonial  days  the 
family  has  figured  long  indeed,  its  members 
having  been  among  the  early  settlers.  Repre- 
sentatives of  the  surname  in  Wilkes-Barre, 
prominent  among  them  Olin  Derr,  are  de- 
scended from  two  old  German  families:  Moe- 
lich  and  Dorr.  Johannes  Moelich  (or  John 
Mellick,  of  Bedminster),  was  born  at  Bens- 
dorf-on-Rhine,  Germany,  February  26  ITC 
son  of  John  Wilhelm  and  Anna  Catherine 
Moelich.  With  his  wife,  Maria  Cathrina 
Kirburger,  daughter  of  Gottfried  Kirburger 
a  burgomaster,  he  came  to  America,  aboard 
the  "Mercury,"  and  the  date  of  arrival  was 
May  29,  1725,  the  place,  Philadelphia.  One 
of  his  sons  was  Andrew,  born  at  Bensdorf- 
on-Rhine.  This  Andrew  Moelich  made  his 
residence  in  New  Jersey,  and  fought  in  the 
Revolution.  He  Anglicized  the  name  Moelich 
to  Malick  and  Mellick.  His  eldest  daughter' 
Catharine,  married,  in  17S7,  Johannes  Fein' 
later  John  Fine;  and  they  had  a  daughter 
Hannah,  born  in  1813,  died  in  1S64,  who  mar- 
ried John  Dorr,  later  John  Derr.  Thus  were 
the  two  houses  brought  together.  The  Dorrs, 
Derrs,  were  among  the  German  Protestants 
driven  out  of  the  Palatinates  in  the  first 
half  of  the  eighteenth  century,  and  the  pro- 
genitor of  the  family  in  this  country  whose 
descendant,  Olin  Derr,  resides  in  Wilkes- 
Barre,  was  Johann  Heinrich  Dorr.  This 
Johann  settled  in  Bucks  County,  and  was  an 
elder  in  the  old  "Swamp  Church,"  which  has 
since  become  the  Trinity  Reformed  Church. 
His  son  Jacob  served  in  the  Revolution;  and 
Jacob's  son,  Michael,  served  in  the  War  of 
1S12.  This  Michael  Derr  was  the  father  of 
twelve  children,  of  whom  the  eldest  son  was 
John  Derr,  millwright,  bridge  builder  and 
lumber  dealer,  in  Delaware;  and  it  was  he, 
as  noted,  who  married  Hannah  Fine,  who  was 


descended  of  the  house  of  Moelich.  They  had 
five  children,  of  whom  Thompson  Derr,  born 
in  Bucks  County,  Pennsylvania,  18.34,  was 
eldest  son.  He  was  a  business  man,  and 
after  several  experiences  elsewhere  came  to 
Wilkes-Barre,  about  1860,  founding  here  the 
insurance  firm  of  Thompson  Derr  &  Brother. 
Meanwhile  his  younger  brother  second  to  him- 
self in  age,  Henry  Haupt  Derr,  born  in  Nocka- 
mixon  Township,  Bucks  County,  July  5,  1839, 
died  in  Wilkes-Barre,  October  12,  1888,  came 
into  the  organization.  After  the  death  of  the 
senior  partner,  Henry  Haupt  Derr  came  into 
control  and  with  him  was  associated  another 
brother,  younger  than  himself,  Andrew  Fine 
Derr.  Henry  Haupt  Derr  became  one  of  the 
principal  men  of  Wilkes-Barre,  with  position, 
power  and  wealth.  His  interests  commercial! 
fraternal  and  otherwise  were  many.  He  mar- 
ried. May  15,  1866,  Mary  Delilah  Fell,  born 
October  9,  1837,  daughter  of  Samuel  Fell  and 
Mary  Dingman  (Kyte)  Fell;  and  they  had 
children:  1.  Grace,  born  August  22,  1867.  2. 
Katy  Thompson,  born  August  10,  1869,  died 
August  14,  1SS6.  3.  John,  born  September  26, 
1S71,  died  October  7,  1876.  4.  Chester  Berger 
born  April  20,  1873,  married  Charlotta  Con- 
salus  of  New  York  State;  later  divorced  and 
married,  in  1923,  to  Erica  von  Heimburgh,  of 
New  York  City.  5.  Ralph,  born  September 
19,  1875,  married  Edna  May  Consalus,  sister 
of  his  brother's  wife;  divorced  and  married, 
in  1914,  to  Mrs.  Phoebe  Lewis  Howell,  of 
Philadelphia,  engaged  in  insurance  brokerage 
in  Philadelphia.  6.  Henry  Haupt,  Jr.,  born 
January  7,  1878,  died  in  January,  1922.  7. 
Olin,   of  whom  follows: 

Olin  Derr,  youngest  child  of  Henry  Haupt 
and  Mary  Delilah  (Fell)  Derr,  was  born  in 
Wilkes-Barre,  May  4,  1880.  Here  he  attended 
the  public  schools,  and  prepared  for  more 
advanced  and  professional  training  in  Harry 
Hillman  Academy  and  Phillips  Academy,  at 
Andover,  Massachusetts.  He  matriculated  in 
Cornell  University,  Ithaca,  New  York,  in 
1900,  at  the  age  of  twenty  years,  graduat- 
ing with  the  degree  of  Mechanical  Engineer 
in  1904.  Mr.  Derr  after  having  completed  his 
schooling  entered  the  employ  of  several  ship- 
building concerns  of  New  York,  and  later,  in 
partnership  with  his  brother  Ralph,  engaged 
in  marine  construction,  with  dry  docks  on 
Staten  Island.  They  sold  out  after  four  years, 
and  Olin  Derr,  together  with  brothers  Ralph 
and  Henry,  went  to  Georgia,  there  to  engage 
in  the  manufacture  of  lumber.  Next  he  be- 
came associated  with  the  Lehigh  Valley  Coal 
Company,  as  assistant  chief  coal  inspector, 
and  in  1910  became  special  agent  for  Thomp- 
son Derr  and  Brother  in  Western  Pennsyl- 
vania. In  1912  he  took  a  position  as  special 
agent  for  the  Hanover  Fire  Insurance  Com- 
pany of  New  York.  When  in  1915  he  returned 
to  Wilkes-Barre  Mr.  Derr  took  charge  of  the 
compensation  department  of  Thompson  Derr 
&  Brother.  In  1917  he  went  with  E.  I.  du 
Pont  de  Nemours  &  Company,  Wilmington, 
Delaware,  to  work  in  powder,  which  the  Du 
Pont  organization  was  then  supplying  in 
large  shipments  to  the  United  States  and 
allies  in  the  World  War.  He  remained  with 
the  Du  Pont  interests  until  1921,  when  he 
assumed  charge  of  the  local  Philadelphia 
office  of  the  Pennsylvania  Indemnity  com- 
pany Exchange,  of  Philadelphia.  Then,  in 
1923,  Mr.  Derr  returned  to  Wilkes-Barre,  and 
has  during  the  years  succeeding  lived  in 
retirement.  Politically  he  is  affiliated  with 
the  Republican  party.  He  is  a  life  member 
of  the  Wyoming  Valley  Historical  and  Geo- 
logical Society,  and  a  communicant  of  the 
First  Presbyterian  Church.  Wilkes-Barre. 
Toward   charity   he   is  ever  generous. 

On    July    16,    1912,    Mr.    Derr    was    united    in 


marriage  with  Emily  Hand,  of  Wilkes-Barre 
TuBht^r  of  Isaac  P.  and  Mary  (Richardson) 
Hand:  and  they  are  the  parents  of  three 
children:  John  Fine,  2d,  Barbara  Mary,  and 
Chester  Berger,  2d.  The  family  residence  was 
at  No  76  West  Union  Street,  Wilkes-Barre. 
until  the  fall  of  1929  when  they  moved  to 
Daytona  Beach,  Florida,  where  they  purchased 
a  home.  Their  summers  are  spent  on  the 
shores  of  Lake  Champlain,  N.  T. 


GEORGE  G.  SWAINBANK— Descended  from 
the  pioneers  who  were  among  the  survivors 
of  the  Wyoming  Massacre,  of  July,  I'lJ. 
George  G.  Swainbank,  prosperous  "Jfrchant 
of  Kingston,  Pennsylvania,  has  worthily  up- 
held the  traditions  of  his  family  '"/^eir  con- 
spicuous uprightness  a^ /^.'V^^^^  °fw  hiStoTv 
monwealth.  The  family  history  is  the  history 
of  this  section  of  the  State,  its  members  hav- 
ing participated  in  the  wars  of  our  comitrj 
frSm  the  Revolution  to  the  World  War,  as 
well  as  in  the  commercial  development  of  the 
Community  in  which  they  have  set  themselves 
to  labor  and  advance.  wnvoo 

George  G.   Swainbank  was  born  iJ^J^l^^- 
Barre,    December  23,   1885,  a  son   of  Miller  H. 
and    Sarah     (Barber)    Swainbank.     Mi  ler    H. 
Iwainbank  was  a  son  of  JeKerson  Swambank 
who  was  born  in  Luzerne  County  in  1804  and 
drove   a   stage   coach   a   century   ago   between 
WUkes-Barre  and  Easton.     His  parents  were 
SeoTig^nal    settlers    of    the    family    in    this 
section,    when    the    territory    was    filled    with 
slvage    Indians   and    the   axe   of   the   pioneer 
was    hewing   a   way    into    the    forest   for     he 
feet  of  civilization  to  tread.    The  son   of  the 
stage    coach    driver    volunteered    for    service 
with   the   Union   Army   upon    the    outbreak    of 
the  Civil  war  and   was  attached  to   Company 
K      194th    Pennsylvania    Volunteer    Infantry, 
ranking   as    sergeant.     He    was    a    blacksmith 
by  tr^de  and  after  the  close  of  the  war  con- 
ducted an  establishment  at  Tunkhannock  and 
Wilkes-Barre.    He  and  his  wife  were  the  par- 
ents   of    six    children:     Jennie,    who    died    in 
Childhood:   Ella   N..  who   died  i"   ""./-fi^; 
Harry    H.,   now    a   druggist   in    Wilkes-Barre, 
Charles   M.,  who   is   engaged   in  the   electrical 
business  at  Williamsport,   Pennsylvania     Lil- 
lian, who  is  the  wife  of  George^H.  Powell,  of 
Rochester,     New     York;     and     George     G       of 
whom  further.    The  father  died  May  2,  1927, 
the  mother  in  1918.  *   j    ;„   tv,o 

George  G.  Swainbank  was  educated  in  the 
public  schools  here  and  in  the  Wyoming  Sem- 
inary, at  the  end  of  which  time  he  entered 
the  employ  of  Voorhis  and  Murray,  furniture 
dealers  in  Wilkes-Barre,  where  he  remained 
•  for  ten  years,  then  going  to  Harrisburg  for 
eighteen  months.  In  1916  he  returned  to 
Kingston  and  established  himself  m  the 
furniture  business  in  his  present  quarters,  at 
Nos.  260-264  Wyoming  Avenue,  Kingston,  ii 
is  the  largest  store  on  the  west  side  of  the 
city  and  carries  a  full  line  of  fu^^iture  of 
all  grades.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republican 
and  attends  the  Kingston  Methodist  Episco- 
pal Church.  He  belongs  to  Kingston  Loage 
No.  395,  Order  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons, 
Kingston  Lodge,  No.  709,  Independent  Order 
of  Odd  Fellows;  Patriotic  Order  Sons  ot 
America,    and   the    Sons    of   Veterans. 

Mr  Swainbank  married,  September  3,  191d, 
Elizabeth  Hughes,  of  Kingston,  daughter  of 
Edward  P.  and  Elizabeth  (Thomas)  Hughes. 
They  have  one  child,  Elizabeth  Louise.  Their 
home  is  at  No.  41  Chester  Street,  Kingston, 
Pennsylvania. 

PHILIP  STRAUSS— Straight  from  Austria 
to  Wilkes-Barre  came  thirteen-year-old 
Philip  Strauss,  in  1894.  He  was  alone,  his 
parents  were  dead,  but  he  had  an  energy,  a 


^tS;s:\f.^TLJ:^S^anSts1^£^|H 

ed  "the  ideal  American  merchant"  by  Ws 
Issoc'ates    and    commercial    inen    th-oughot^t 

S:imfri:"=y'anrSmfns^j 

2pp"aude3.  He  is  admired  as  a  citizen,  loved 
as  a  "riend,  respected  as  a  fair  competitor. 
His'rewird  has'^been  great.  In  the  opinion 
of    those    who    know    him    best    it    is    tuny 

•^"nTwas   born   in   Austria,   May    14,    1885,    a 
so^  of    Hirsh    and    Bessie    Strauss.      Coming 
?o  America  on  his  own  initiative,  he  located 
in    WiUces-Barre,    where    he    found    employ- 
ment   and    at    the    same    time    attended    night 
School.     He   never  lost  a   day   at   either.     He 
keot    his    eyes    open    and    saved    his    money. 
When   he   had   accumulated    $300     he    fancied 
^  might  engage  in  inlependent  business  and 
established  a  house  furnishing  store  m  Potts- 
viUe       The     financial     panic     of     1907     over 
whelmed  his  small  capital  and  he  was  forced 
tc  retire.      In    1909    he    became    manager    ol 
a    store    in    Nanticoke    and,    ten    years    later 
opened  his  own  present  establ.shnaent  at  Nos 
103     105     107    Main    Street,    Nanticoke.      These 
stores    Comprise    one    of    the    finest    business 
establishments  in   Eastern    Pennsylvania   and 
are   held   to  be  worthy  of  New  York  City  or 
Philadelphia.   His  ideas  of  display  are  artistic 
and  compelling,  each  division  of  a  house  being 
represented  by  itself.     There   are  completely 
furnished      drawing      rooms,      bedrooms      and 
kitchens,  libraries  and  bathrooms,  living  rooms 
and  porticos,  each  a  unit  in  itself      He  shows 
a    six-room    house,    completely    furnished    in 
most    artistic    design,    and    supplies    the    du- 
plicates   of    all   at   prices    so    attractive    that 
customers    grow    as    his    visitors    increase    in 
number.     Magazines  and  journals  throughout 
the    country   have    paid    him    the    compliment 
of  referring  to  his  institution  in  terms  of  the 
highest  praise,  and  to  him  as  a  merchant  of 
the     highest    qualifications.       His     capital    to 
be-in  was  $10,000.     Today  it  is  known  as  the 
"Million  Dollar  Store,"  while  its  owner  is  an 
outstanding  figure   in   the  commercial  I'/e  of 
Luzerne    County.      He    is    a    director    of    the 
Anthracite  Cooperative  Association.     His  rra- 
ternal  affiliations  include  membership  in  Nan- 
ticoke   Lodge,    No.     541,    Free    and    Accepted 
Masons,  and  Lodge  No.  109,  of  Wilkes-Barre, 
Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks.     He 
also   belongs   to  the  Nanticoke   Kiwanis  Club 
and   attends   the   Washington   Street   Temple, 
Reformed,     of    Wilkes-Barre.      His    gifts    to 
charity    are    generous    and    frequent,    and    he 
never  fails  to  help  in  needy  cases.     His  resi- 
dence  is  at  No.   698  East  Main  Street,  Nanti- 

*^°Mr  Strauss  married.  In  September,  1906, 
Nellie  Strauss,  of  Wilkes-Barre.  They  have 
one    child,   Bessie. 


\TTWOOD  KERR  HOWES — An  important 
fio'ure  in  the  business  lite  of  Hazleton  and 
that  vicinity,  Attwood  Kerr  Howes  is  presi- 
dent of  the  Farmer  Milk  Company,  Inc.,  at 
No  20  West  Walnut  Street,  Hazleton,  which 
vras  established  by  his  father,  Arthur  Fred- 
erick Howes,  and  is  now  the  largest  whole- 
sale and  retail  milk  organization  in  the 
vicinity  The  Hazleton  plant,  which  was 
originally  located  on  Laurel  Street,  was  first 
esJIblished  in  1914,  as  the  Ideal  Farm  Dairy, 
nroducing  at  that  time  all  its  own  milk  on 
near"by  farm  land.  With  its  tremendous 
growth  in  business,  the  firm  was  incorporated 


(Xi>^>^ 


499 


In  1919,  and  the  following  year  moved  to 
its  present  quarters  in  Walnut  Street,  where 
a  plant  of  the  most  modern  kind  was  erected. 
Additional  increases  in  the  volume  of  its 
business  have  made  necessary  several  addi- 
tions to  this  structure,  wherein  8,000  quarts 
of  milk  are  now  handled  daily,  pasteurized 
and  trans-shipped.  Here  also  cheese,  butter, 
and  other  dairy  products  are  manufactured, 
by  the  large  staff  of  sixty-flve  people  who 
are  here  employed.  Now  the  corporation  is 
capitalized  at  f40,000,  while  subsidiary  to 
this  company,  the  Light  Street  Milk  Com- 
pany was  established  in  1924  at  Light  Street, 
Pennsylvania,  near  Bloomsburg,  a  wholesale 
concern,  handling  daily  about  5,000  quarts. 
A  third  receiving  plant  was  founded,  in  1925, 
at  Creasy,  Pennsylvania.  The  officers  of  the 
Parmer  Milk  Company,  Inc.,  are:  A.  K. 
Ho\ves,  president;  George  Romig,  secretary 
and    treasurer. 

Attwood  Iveer  Howes  was  born  February 
12,  1903,  at  Hazleton,  a  son  of  Arthur  Fred- 
erick and  Rasella  Helen  (Young)  Howes. 
His  father  was  born  at  Portsmouth,  New 
Hampshire,  April  28,  1867,  a  son  of  James 
Howes,  a  man  of  deep  culture  who  served 
in  the  Union  Army  during  the  American  Civil 
War,  and  of  Ellen  (Atwood)  Howes.  When 
his  father  was  taken  prisoner  in  the  war, 
his  health  became  so  undermined  that  Arthur 
Frederick  Howes  was  obliged  to  begin  work 
as  a  newsboy  at  the  age  of  eight,  in  order 
to  help  support  the  family.  At  the  age 
of  eighteen,  however,  he  owned  his  own 
nev/spaper,  which  he  published  weekly  in 
Portsmouth.  He  was  employed  for  a  time 
by  the  Boston  "Transcript,"  during  which 
period  he  was  in  communication  with  Mr. 
llergenthaler,  then  working  on  his  new  in- 
vention, the  linotype  machine.  When  Mr. 
Howes  was  invited  to  assist  in  this  work, 
he  accepted,  and  for  several  years  was  asso- 
ciated with  Mr.  Mergenthaler,  in  the  course 
of  which  time,  he  not  only  suggested  several 
improvements  on  the  machine,  but  also  acted 
as  instructor  in  its  operation  and  use,  and 
as  traveling  salesman  for  its  disposal.  For 
two  years  thereafter  he  served  as  secretary 
to  Bishop  Newman,  and  after  that  was  in 
charge  of  the  first  Harrison  newspaper  in 
Montana.  Returning  east,  he  became  en- 
gaged in  advertising  work  in  the  employ  of 
the  Sperry-Hutchinson  Company,  dealers  in 
trading  stamps.  At  the  end  of  this  time,  he 
went  into  the  business  for  himself,  originat- 
ing the  Gold  Stamp,  transferring  his  activ- 
ities shortly  afterwards,  to  Wilkes-Barre, 
where  he  remained  until  the  time  of  his 
death.  Finally  he  sold  his  trading  stamp 
business  to  Clafflin  interests,  but  he  pur- 
chased the  Red  Stamp,  which  he  continued 
until  the  year  1923.  In  all  these  various 
activities,  Mr.  Howes  displayed  the  same  fine 
energy  and  ability  which  were  to  contribute 
so  largely  to  his  success  in  the  milk  busi- 
ness. In  1914  he  established  his  first  plant 
at  Hazleton,  and  from  this  time  the  record 
of  his  company  was  one  of  constant  progress 
and  growth.  In  1924  Mr.  Howes  also  pur- 
chased the  Hazleton  Ice  Company,  whose 
name  he  changed  to  the  Transparent  Ice 
Company,  of  No.  235,  South  Cedar  Street, 
which  he  controlled  until  his  death,  and  of 
which    his    son    is    now    manager. 

Mr.  Howes  was  always  active  in  civic 
affairs,  and  he  was  affiliated  fraternally  with 
the  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  in  which 
order  he  was  a  member  of  all  bodies  of 
the  local  York  Rite,  including  Irem  Temple, 
Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic 
Shrine.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Irem 
Temple  and  Wyoming  Valley  Country  clubs, 
while   he   and   his   family    worshipped    in    the 


faith  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church.  He 
married  Rasella  Helen  Young,  of  Marlon, 
Ohio,  and  of  this  marriage,  Attwood  Kerr 
Howes  was  a  son.  Mr.  Howes  died  on  Feb- 
ruary 22,  1927,  to  the  great  sorrow  of  his 
many  friends  and  acquaintances  In  all  parts 
of  the  country.  By  his  many  successes  he 
contributed  largely  to  the  growth  and  prog- 
ress of  Luzerne  County,  In  the  grateful 
memory  of  whose  people  he  will  always  hold 
a    jjrominent    place. 

Attwood  Kerr  Howes  was  educated  In 
Wyoming  Seminary,  after  which  he  took  up 
the  printing  business  in  Wilkes-Barre.  He 
became  proprietor  of  the  Sincerity  Printing 
Company,  which  began  as  a  job  shop  en- 
gaged in  ordinary  printing  work,  but  which 
gradually  came  to  produce  only  the  finest  of 
printing.  Books  and  pamphlets  appearing 
under  its  imprint  came  to  be  regarded  as 
examples  of  the  highest  type  of  perfection. 
Although  very  successful  in  this  work,  Mr. 
Howes  sold  his  business  in  1926,  to  become 
associated  with  his  father  in  the  manage- 
ment of  the  latter's  enterprise,  succeeding, 
upon  his  death,  to  the  presidency  of  the 
Farmer  Milk  Company,  Inc.,  and  its  sub- 
sidiaries. He  is  also  an  administrator  of 
his  father's  estate,  and  the  manager  of  the 
Transparent  Ice  Company,  the  only  ice  manu- 
facturing company  in  the  county.  Its  plant 
has  an  eighty-ton  capacity  and  is  modern 
in  every  respect,  employing  the  Frick  air 
filtration  method,  and  possessing  large  stor- 
age space.  In  his  operations  Mr.  Howes  uses 
thirty-two  trucks  and  six  horse-drawn  ve- 
hicles and  there  are  one  hundred  employees 
in    the   ice   department. 

Attwood  Kerr  Howes  has  also  been  active 
in  the  life  and  civic  affairs  of  Hazleton.  He 
is  especially  interested  in  the  work  of  the 
Young  Men's  Christian  Association  of  which 
he  is  a  member,  while  he  is  also  a  member 
of  the  local  Motor  Club,  and  of  the  Indepen- 
dent Society  of  Wyoming  Seminary.  Mr. 
Howes  is  affiliated  fraternally  with  King 
Hiram  Lodge,  No.  721,  of  the  Free  and  Ac- 
cepted Masons,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Prot- 
estant   Episcopal    Church. 

The  Howes  family  residence.  Ideal  Farm, 
is  situated  in  the  Conynghara  Valley,  at 
Conyngham,  Pennsylvania,  which  has  been 
their  home  since  1912.  This  splendid  prop- 
erty has  been  developed  into  one  of  the 
finest  and  most  modern  farms  in  all  East- 
ern   Pennsylvania. 


ROY  A.  STAUPFER — In  the  few  years  he 
has  been  in  business  for  himself  as  a  dealer 
and  also  as  a  repairer  of  automobiles,  Roy 
A.  Stauffer,  of  Wyoming,  has  built  up  a 
remarkable  business,  employing  a  large  force 
of  assistants  and  occupying  much  floor  space 
at    No.    285    Wyoming    Avenue. 

Mr.  Stauffer  was  born  in  Nuremberg, 
Schuylkill  County,  June  7,  1896,  the  son  of 
Wilson  and  Louise  (Mumey)  Stauffer,  both 
natives  of  Nuremberg,  where  the  former 
was  born  in  1S50  and  the  latter  in  1855.  The 
mother  of  Mr.  Stauffer  died  in  the  month  of 
November,  1927.  Following  his  early  educa- 
tion in  the  public  and  high  schools  of  Nurem- 
berg, Mr.  Stauffer  obtained  a  position  as 
blacksmith  and  assistant  foreman  with  the 
Lehigh  Valley  Railroad,  at  Sayre,  Bradford 
County.  This  was  in  1912,  and  he  remained 
with  the  railroad  corporation  until  1922,  in 
which  year  he  started  in  the  automobile 
business  as  a  mechanic.  For  a  year  he 
worked  with  various  firms  in  Sayre  and  In 
Wilkes-Barre,  acquiring  a  thorough  knowl- 
edge of  the  business,  at  the  end  of  which 
time  he  started  in  business  for  himself  in 
Pittston,    Luzerne    County,    giving    service    to 


the  Chevrolet  cars.  In  1925  he  located  in 
Wyoming,  where  he  has  since  continued, 
operating-  as  the  local  dealer  for  the  Chev- 
rolet car,  and  having  an  extensive  business 
in  repairs,  employing  over  a  dozen  mechanics. 
Mr.  Stauffer  is  affiliated  with  Athens  Lodge, 
No.  70,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons;  with 
Keystone  Consistory,  Ancient  Accepted  Scot- 
tish Rite  Masons,  ,of  Scranton,  and  Irem 
Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the 
Mystic  Shrine.  His  religious  affiliations  are 
with    the    Lutheran   Church. 

On  September  5,  1917,  Roy  A.  Stauffer  mar- 
ried Hilda  Schmaltz,  of  Hughestown,  Luzerne 
County,  daughter  of  Henry  and  Mary 
Schmaltz.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stauffer  had  by  this 
union  four  children,  all  boys  as  follows: 
Henry  Wilson,  who  died  In  infancy;  Glenn 
Floyd,    Carlton    Hugh,    and   Gail    Francis. 

HARRY  CIMMET — From  newsboy  on  the 
streets  to  one  of  the  leading  merchants  of 
Nantlcoke  in  less  than  thirty  years  is  the 
proud  record  of  Harry  Cimmet,  whose  depart- 
ment store  is  one  of  the  finest  examples  of 
its  class  in  Eastern  Pennsylvania.  From  the 
inception  of  the  business  he  had  gradually 
enlarged  his  establishment,  in  order  to  take 
care  of  the  constantly  growing  trade  that 
has  come  to  him  through  honest  endeavor 
to  please  and  to  give  full  value  to  all.  His 
activities  in  civic  affairs,  in  philanthropic 
work,  in  business,  financial  and  fraternal 
organizations  have  brought  him  into  intimate 
contact  with  his  fellow-citizens,  to  mutual 
advantage  and  profit.  Of  pleasing  personal- 
ity and  gifted  with  a  keen  intellect,  he  has 
gathered  to  himself  a  host  of  friends  in  the 
business  and  social  circles  of  Nanticoke  and 
vicinity,  who  regard  him  as  a  citizen  of 
unusual  worth  to  their  community. 

Mr.  Cimmet  is  of  Austrian  parentage,  born 
in  Chicago,  Illinois,  April  15,  1884.  His  par- 
ents were  Joseph  and  Molly  Cimmet,  both 
born  in  Austria,  who  emigrated  to  America 
and  first  settled  in  Chicago,  later  removing 
to  Plymouth,  Pennsylvania,  thence  to  Wilkes- 
Barre. 

Harry  Cimmet  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools  of  Wilkes-Barre  and  went  to  work, 
when  ten  years  of  age,  as  a  newsboy  after 
school.  At  sixteen  years  of  age  he  began 
in  earnest,  entering  the  clothing  establish- 
ment of  Charles  Finberg  and  Company,  in 
Wilkes-Barre,  where  he  remained  for  three 
years,  then  going  to  his  father,  who  was  con- 
ducting a  men's  furnishing  goods  store  in 
Plymouth.  He  gravitated  from  this  into  the 
wholesale  liquor  business,  establishing  him- 
self in  Avoca,  where  he  conducted  this  enter- 
prise for  two  years.  It  displeased  him  and, 
in  1909  he  came  to  Nanticoke,  where  he 
established  himself  in  the  business  of  gen- 
eral merchandise  at  No.  7  Bast  Main  Street. 
In  a  short  time  that  place  became  too 
cramped  for  his  growing  trade  and  he 
enlarged  the  premises  to  meet  the  demand. 
His  store  later  became  a  complete  depart- 
ment enterprise  and  is  now  one  of  the  leaders 
of  Nanticoke,  with  Hoor  space  twenty-two 
by  two  hundred  feet.  He  is  one  of  the  most 
progressive  business  men  of  the  city,  a 
charter  member  and  immediate  Past  Presi- 
dent Kiwanis  International,  a  director  and 
vice-president  of  the  Miners'  Trust  Company 
of  Nanticoke.  and  actively  associated  with  the 
Visiting  Nurses'  organization  and  the  Asso- 
ciation for  the  Relief  of  Crippled  Children. 
He  attends  the  Nanticoke  Synagogue,  and  is 
a  member  of  Temple  Israel  at  Wilkes-Barre. 
He  married,  in  June,  1906,  Dora  Morris, 
daughter  of  Jacob  and  Bessie  Morris,  of  King- 
ston.    Their  children  are:      1.   Sylvia,  a  grad- 


uate of  Bloomsburg  Norman  College  and  now 
a  student  at  the  University  of  Pennsylvania, 
where  she  is  preparing  for  an  educational 
career.  2.  Isadore,  a  graduate  of  Nanticoke 
High  School,  who  has  entered  the  University 
of  Pennsylvania,  taking  the  Wharton  busi- 
ness course.  3.  Harold,  student  at  Nanti- 
coke High  School.  Mrs.  Cimmet  is  very  active 
in   charitable  organizations. 

DR.  JAMES  F.  HALL — The  World  War 
changed  the  lives  and  the  occupations  of 
thousands  of  the  young  men  who  served  at 
home  and  overseas.  For  most  the  change 
was  in  the  directions  of  progress,  even 
though,  in  some  cases,  it  "was  radical  and 
more  or  less  abrupt,  and  for  many  of  the 
fine,  upstanding  young  men  of  the  country 
the  years  immediately  following  the  close 
of  the  war  were  the  years  during  which  they 
prepared  for  and  entered  professional  life. 
Dr.  James  F.  Hall  was  serving  as  a  conductor 
on  the  Erie  Railroad  when  the  United  States 
entered  the  World  War.  Within  four  years 
after  receiving  his  discharge  from  service  he 
had  conipleted  his  course  and  graduated  from 
the  Eastern  College  of  Chiropractics  and  was 
engaged  in  practice  in  Pittston,  Pennsylvania. 
For  six  years  now  (1928)  he  has  been  building 
up  his  present  practice,  and  during  that  time 
he  has  established  a  reputation  which  is 
well  worth  while,  both  professionally  and 
as  a  citizen.  He  has  his  offices  at  No.  42 
North  Main   Street,   here  in  Pittston. 

Dr.  James  F.  Hall  was  born  in  Duryea, 
Pennsylvania,  December  31,  1892,  son  of  Varo 
and  Anna  (Tighe)  Hall,  both  of  whom  are 
now  residents  of  Carbondale,  Pennsylvania. 
He  received  his  education  in  the  public 
schools  of  Duryea,  and  then,  at  the  age  of 
sixteen,  entered  the  employ  of  the  Erie  Rail- 
road Company,  serving  as  brakeman.  When 
he  was  twenty-one  he  was  promoted  to  the 
more  responsible  position  of  conductor  on 
the  Jefferson  branch  of  the  Erie  Road,  and 
he  was  serving  in  that  capacity  at  the  time 
of  the  entrance  of  the  United  States  into  the 
World  War.  Three  months  after  the  United 
States  declared  war  Dr.  Hall  enlisted,  in 
July,  1917,  as  a  member  of  Company  C,  311th 
Machine  Gun  Battalion,  79th  Division,  and 
was  stationed  at  Camp  Meade,  in  Maryland, 
where  he  remained  until  February,  1918, 
when  he  was  mustered  out  of  service  on 
account  of  disability.  There  was  a  period 
of  time  during  which  he  was  obliged  to  give 
careful  attention  to  the  building  up  of  his 
health,  and  after  his  recovery  he  decided  to 
devote  his  life  to  the  work  of  aiding  others 
in  their  search  for  health  and  strength. 
Accordingly,  he  entered  the  Eastern  College 
of  Chiropractics,  at  Newark,  New  Jersey, 
where  he  completed  his  full  course,  graduat- 
ing with  the  class  of  1922,  a  little  more 
than  four  years  after  his  dismissal  from 
the  service  of  the  United  States  Army.  Since 
that  time  he  has  been  practicing  in  Pittston, 
Pennsylvania,  where  he  has  built  up  a  very 
satisfactory  practice.  He  has  encountered 
the  usual  difficulties  which  osteopaths  and 
chiropractors  share  in  common,  but  his  skill 
and  his  success  in  the  treatment  of  numerous 
cases  have  won  for  him  the  respectful  rec- 
ognition of  both  the  medical  profession  and 
of  the  public  in  general  and  the  number 
of  his  patients  is  steadily  growing.  Along 
with  his  professional  activities.  Dr.  Hall 
finds  time  for  active  interest  in  civic  affairs, 
and  is  a  member  of  the  Planning  Commis- 
sion of  the  city  of  Pittston.  No  well  thought 
out  plan  for  the  advancement  of  the  progress 
of  the  city  of  Pittston  fails  to  receive  his 
earnest  and  generous  support,  and  he  has  for 
some    time    been    recognized    as    one    of    the 


aiiitiMliiilii!i{i;,ii,iiMaaL:         "iiiH^iiiiiiiiiln  Jiiii^;;  ",.,i.".  "i!;  ":„  "iiiiiiiiiiiiii 


most  progressive  of  the  citizens  of  this  com- 
munity. Dr.  Hall  is  a  member  of  E.  E.  Ken- 
dricli  Lodge,  No.  94,  Brotherhood  of  Rail- 
way Trainmen.  His  religious  membership 
is  with  St.  John's  Roman  Catholic  Church, 
of    Pittston. 

Dr.  James  F.  Hall  was  married,  November 
15,  1922,  to  Anna  June  Dickenson,  a  native 
of  England,  and  they  have  two  children: 
Mary    June    and    Mildred. 


JOHN  M.  DAIVKO — One  of  the  most  pro- 
gressive garage  men  in  Freeland  is  found 
in  the  person  of  John  M.  Danko,  who  is 
established  at  the  corner  of  Ridge  and  South 
streets,  Freeland,  under  the  name  of  Danko's 
Garage.  This  concern,  although  originally 
started  as  a  taxi-cab  service,  since  has  ex- 
panded into  a  general  garage  business  and 
Mr.  Danko  has  taken  over  the  local  agency 
for  Ford  automobiles.  Mr.  Danko  was  born 
February  11,  1S96,  in  Luzerne  County,  the 
son  of  George  and  Helen  Danko,  both  par- 
ents residents  of  Freeland,  the  father  having 
died    in    July,    1928. 

John  M.  Danko  was  educated  in  the  schools 
of  Foster  Township,  graduated  from  high 
school  there  in  1915,  and  at  once  became 
interested  in  taxicab  business.  This  led  to 
his  becoming  thoroughly  familiar  with  repair 
work  and  other  details  of  automobiles,  and 
he  has  a  reputation  for  being  one  of  the 
most  skilled  mechanits  on  automobiles  in 
this  section.  Danko's  Garage  was  established 
in  1913  and,  as  heretofore  stated,  its  activ- 
ities were  confined  to  taxicab  service.  In 
1919,  however,  Mr.  Danko  took  over  the  Ford 
agency,  and  moved  his  garage  to  No.  1221 
South  Street.  His  business  expanded  so  rap- 
idly that  in  1924  he  was  forced  to  seek  larger 
quarters,  whereupon  he  erected  the  present 
two-story  brick  and  steel  building  at  the 
corner  of  Ridge  and  South  streets,  Freeland. 
Here  he  has  a  modern  and  up-to-date  plant, 
occupying  a  ground  space  of  fifty-six  by  one 
hundred  and  fifty  feet  with  eighteen  thou- 
sand square  feet  of  floor  space.  Mr.  Danko 
keeps  himself  thoroughly  informed  upon  all 
inventions  and  new  methods  peculiar  to  his 
trade,  and  is  exclusive  dealer  for  Ford  prod- 
ucts. He  operates  a  public  garage  "with  day 
and   night   service,    and    also   sells    tractors. 

Testifying  to  Mr.  Danko's  progressive  ideas 
and  up-to-date  methods,  might  be  cited  his 
membership  in  Pennsylvania  Automotive  As- 
sociation, and  his  public  spirit  is  evinced 
through  membership  in  the  Rotary  Club  and 
the  Business  Men's  Association.  Neither  has 
he  neglected  his  civic  duties,  for  he  served 
four  years  as  a  member  of  the  Freeland 
Borough  Council.  Mr.  Danko's  commercial 
career  was  interrupted  during  the  World 
War,  he  having  enlisted  in  March,  1918,  be- 
ing attached  to  the  155th  Regiment,  Field 
Artillery,  SOth  Division,  organized  at  Camp 
Lee,  Virginia.  He  went  overseas  in  May, 
1918,  and  saw  action  at  St.  Mihiel.  in  the 
Meuse-Argonne  Offensive,  and  in  a  British 
sector.  After  fighting  valorously  for  his 
country,  Mr.  Danko  was  honorably  dis- 
charged on  August  C,  1919,  at  Camp  Dix, 
New  Jersey,  but  he  recalls  his  soldier  days 
through  his  membership  in  the  Freeland 
Post,  American  Legion.  He  is  also  a  mem- 
ber of  the  lodge.  Benevolent  and  Protective 
Order  of  Elks,  and  his  religious  worship  is 
given  through  St.  Mary's  Greek  Catholic 
Church,  at  Freeland.  Mr.  Danko  resides  at 
No.    827    South    Street,    Freeland. 


the  courts  of  the  Keystone  State,  Gfza  John 
Bruger  is  one  of  the  best-known  attorneys 
and  counselors  of  Luzerne  County,  having 
offices  in  Freeland,  where  he  resides,  and  in 
Lansford. 

GiSza  John  Bruger  was  born  in  Kurima, 
Hungary,  (now  Czecho-Slovakla),  May  6, 
1882,  the  son  of  John  and  Mary  Bruger. 
His  mother  died  in  her  native  land.  His 
father  came  to  America  in  1892  and  settled 
in  Bridgeport,  Connecticut,  where  he  pur- 
sued his  trade  of  carpenter.  He  died  May 
19,  moa.  The  son,  Gfza,  attended  the  primary 
and  preparatory  schools  of  Eperjes,  Hungary, 
finishing  his  legal  training  at  the  I..aw  Acad- 
emy, from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1905. 
His  final  examinations  were  taken  at  Klau- 
senburg  (Transylvania)  University.  Having 
served  one  year  in  the  Austro-Hungary 
army,  during  which  he  received  several  pro- 
motions, he  was  dismissed  with  the  rank 
of  second  lieutenant.  In  September,  1908,  he 
followed  his  father  to  America,  and  located 
at  once  in  Freeland,  where  he  became  an 
associate  of  John  Shigo  in  the  latter's  private 
bank,  maintaining  this  connection  until  De- 
cember 31,  1925.  He  had  taken  his  prelim- 
inary examinations  in  Pennsylvania  and 
United  States  law  in  July,  1917,  and  then 
began  intensive  reading  under  the  preceptor- 
ship  of  Charles  O.  Stroh,  an  eminent  attor- 
ney in  Freeland.  He  passed  his  final  exam- 
inations in  December,  1922,  was  admitted  to 
practice  before  the  State  Supreme  Court, 
April  9,  1923,  and  before  the  various  courts 
of    Luzerne    County    on    the    following    day. 

Mr.  Bruger  began  practice  in  Freeland  in 
1923,  and  in  January,  1926,  he  purchased  the 
office  of  his  former  preceptor,  Mr.  Stroh,  and 
thereafter  conducted  a  general  practice.  Mr. 
Bruger  is  building  up  a  large  and  desirable 
practice.  He  is  a  linguist  of  ability,  speak- 
ing fluently  a  number  of  languages.  As  a 
member  of  the  American  Bar  Association  and 
the  Luzerne  County  Ear  Association,  he 
enjoys  high  professional  standing  among  his 
fraternity    brethren. 

Mr.  Bruger  is  actively  interested  in  many  of 
the  larger  and  worth-while  endeavors  of  the 
Freeland  community.  He  is  president  of  the 
Freeland  Rotary  Club,  president  of  the  Mid- 
dle Coal  Field  Poor  District  of  Pennsylvania, 
president  of  the  Drifton  Tennis  Club,  presi- 
dent of  the  Anthracite  Athletic  Association. 
His  enthusiasm  for  athletics  has  been  sus- 
tained from  the  time  of  his  school  days.  He  at 
times  held  the  quarter-mile  and  half-mile 
championships  of  Hungary  and  also  the  mile 
intercollegiate  championship  of  his  native 
country.  Since  coming  to  America,  he  has 
won  a  number  of  medals  for  athletic  prowess. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Anthracite  Council  of 
Boy  Scouts,  is  affiliated  with  the  Benevolent 
and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  is  actively 
participating  in  the  affairs  of  the  Freeland 
Business  Men's  Association,  is  a  cordial  sup- 
porting inember  of  the  Freeland  Young  Men's 
Christian  Association,  and  is  vice-president 
of  the  Freeland  Branch  of  the  Hazleton 
Chapter  of  the  American  Red  Cross.  He  and 
his  family  are  communicants  of  St.  Anthony's 
Roman    Catholic   Church    at    Freeland. 

Gt^za  John  Bruger  married,  September  16, 
1911,  Anna  Majercsak,  of  Hazleton,  and  they 
are  the  parents  of  two  daughters:  Adrienne 
Helen,  and  Martha.  The  family  residence 
is  at  No.  527  Walnut  Street,  Freeland. 


GfcZA  JOHN  BRUGER — Son  of  a  foreign 
country,  who  came  to  this  land,  assimilated 
American  ideas  and  adopted  American  cus- 
toms,  studied    law    and   was   admitted    to    all 


PETER  B.  FEDDISH,  n.  C. — It  is  a  recog- 
nized fact  that  those  who  come  into  a  new 
country  as  immigrants  are  usually  persons 
possessed  of  initiative,  courage  and  imagi- 
nation. Otherwise  they  would  remain  in  the 
native   land  and   resign   themselves   to   what- 


502 


ever  ills  make  life  undesirable  there.  It 
takes  courage  and  hardihood  to  leave  all  that 
has  become  familiar  and  g^o  to  a  new  land, 
where  even  the  language  is  strange,  and  thus 
a  process  of  sifting  and  selection  is  auto- 
matically going  on  through  the  centuries. 
Hardship  waits  in  the  new  land,  but  also 
opportunity  is  there,  and  to  those  who  are 
able  to  make  the  most  of  the  latter,  come 
the  rewards.  Sometimes  the  difficulties  of 
the  second  generation  are  exceedingly  great, 
but  for  them  opportunity  is  correspondingly 
larger,  and  there  are  many  scattered  over 
this  broad  land  whose  lives  have  been  notable 
examples  of  the  courage  which  conquers 
handicaps  and  makes  of  them  a  highway  to 
success.  Among  the  sons  of  immigrants  who 
have  fairly  earned  a  place  among  the  last- 
mentioned  class  is  Dr.  Peter  B.  Feddish,  of 
Hazleton,  Pennsylvania,  who  is  a  successful 
chiropractor,  with  offices  in  the  American 
Bank  Building  in  this  city.  Before  taking  up 
the  study  of  chiropractic.  Dr.  Feddish  had 
been  ill  for  seven  years,  having  had  thirty- 
three  different  operations  performed  by  medi- 
cal doctors.  Receiving  no  relief  from  any  of 
these  operations,  he  finally  went  to  a  chiro- 
practor who  permanently  cured  him.  Natur- 
ally his  remarkable  recovery  aroused  his 
interest  in  chiropractic  and  he  immediately 
decided  to  adopt  the  profession  as  his  life 
work,  in  the  hope  of  bringing  relief  to  others 
who  were  suffering  as  he  had.  Dr.  Feddish 
is  a  graduate  of  the  Palmer  School  of  Chiro- 
practic, at  Davenport,  Iowa,  and  he  is  one  of 
the  many  in  professional  life  who  have 
worked  at  many  and  various  callings  in 
order  to  earn  the  wherewithal  to  secure  their 
professional  training.  Never  content  with  less 
than  tile  best  possible  preparation  for  his 
work.  Dr.  Feddish  spared  no  effort  to  make 
himself  one  of  the  able  and  thoroughly  pre- 
pared chiropractors  of  the  country,  and  he 
was  quite  -willing  to  work  hard  at  any  work 
he  could  get  until  his  training  was  made 
complete  and  thorougii.  Then  he  was  ready 
to  begin  practice,  and  his  success  with  his 
many  patients  has  fully  justified  his  course  of 
action. 

George  Feddish,  father  of  Dr.  Feddish,  was 
born  in  Austria,  about  1865,  but  came  to  this 
country  at  the  age  of  fourteen  years.  He 
was  ambitious  and  "willing  to  work,  and  lo- 
cated in  Pennsylvania,  where  he  soon  found 
employment  in  the  mines  and  eventually  be- 
came a  miner  and  a  carpenter,  but  as  the 
years  passed  and  he  married  and  became  the 
father  of  a  family,  fortune  ceased  to  favor 
him.  He  became  ill  and  unable  to  work,  and 
the  support  of  the  family  came  largely  upon 
the  young  shoulders  of  Peter.  George  Feddish 
lived  until  1919,  when  he  died,  at  the  com- 
paratively   early   age    of   fifty-four  years. 

Dr.  Peter  B.  Feddish,  son  of  George  and 
Anna  Feddish,  was  born  in  Sheppton,  Schuyl- 
kill County,  Pennsylvania,  August  22,  1900, 
and  received  his  education  in  the  several  cities 
in  which  the  family  were  at  various  times 
located,  including  Pittsburgh,  Pennsylvania; 
Chicago,  Illinois;  and  Davenport,  Iowa.  As 
time  passed,  the  sickness  of  the  father  made 
it  necessary  that  the  boy  should  be  the  main 
support  of  the  family,  and  he  worked  hard 
and  long  in  the  effort  to  supply  the  needs  of 
those  dependent  upon  him  and  also  to  secure 
the  means  for  his  own  education.  The  double 
burden  placed  upon  him  called  into  play  all 
his  energy  and  resourcefulness,  and  when  he 
determined  to  become  a  chiropractor,  he  bent 
his  will  to  the  task  of  securing  his  training. 
Eventually,  he  entered  the  Palmer  School  of 
Chiropractic,  at  Davenport,  Iowa,  and  in 
March,  1923,  was  graduated  as  a  Doctor  of 
Chiropractics.     For   a   short    time   he    was   en- 


gaged in  practice  in  Wisconsin,  but  later  he 
returned  to  his  home  in  Sheppton  and  en- 
gaged in  practice  there,  until  1924.  In  that 
year  he  came  to  Hazleton  and  opened  his 
offices  in  tlie  Ainerican  Bank  Building,  and 
since  that  time  he  has  been  most  successfully 
engaged  in  practice  here.  He  has  built  up 
a  fine  clientele  and  has  won  a  reputation  for 
sliill  and  success  in  treatment  that  is  daily 
bringing  him  new  patients.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Pennsylvania  Chiropractors  Associa- 
tion, the  Universal  Chiropractors  Association, 
and  the  Delta  Sigma  Clii  Fraternity,  and  has 
made  for  himself  an  assured  place  among  his 
professional  associates  and  in  the  community. 
During  the  World  War,  before  he  had  become 
a  chiropractor,  Dr.  Feddish  contributed  his 
"bit"  by  working  in  a  munitions  plant  in 
Janesville,  Pennsylvania.  His  religious  mem- 
bership is  with  St.  Peter's  Episcopal  Church. 

Dr.  Peter  B.  Feddish  has  his  offices  at  No. 
212  in  the  American  Bank  Building,  and 
makes  his  home  at  No.  739  Alter  Street,  in 
Hazleton. 


CONDY  O.  BOYLE — Dogged  determination 
to  succeed  in  life  was  coupled  with  industry 
that  never  wearied  in  the  case  of  Condy  O. 
Boyle,  of  Freeland,  who  has  been  one  of  the 
most  active  units  of  its  industrial  system  for 
nearly  half  a  century.  His  work  has  all 
been  constructive  and  profitable  alike  to  him- 
self and  the  community  wherein  he  labored, 
for  his  keen  business  mind  guided  him  in 
a  sound  cooperative  course  that  redounded 
to  the  success  of  all  enterprises  with  which 
his  own  became  associated.  He  produced 
from  the  raw  material  essential  things  for 
the  public  demand  and  built  the  people's 
homes  in  improved  territory  that  added  to 
the  sum  total  of  the  district's  wealth.  For 
all  the  years  that  he  has  spent  among  us 
he  has  ever  shown  himself  to  be  a  citizen 
of  high  distinction,  valued  for  his  contri- 
butions to  the  general  prosperity  and  hap- 
piness and  because  of  his  many  natural  at- 
tractive qualities.  He  may  number  his 
friends  by  his  acquaintances,  for  they  are 
synonymous  and   their   name   is  legion. 

Mr.  Boyle  was  born  in  the  County  Done- 
gal, Ireland,  December  22,  1S58.  a  son  of 
Owen  and  Mary  (O'Donnell)  Boyle,  and  was 
educated  in  that  country  and  at  night  schools 
in  the  United  States.  His  parents  both  died 
in  his  youth  and  he  emigrated  to  America 
and  settled  in  Drifton,  Pennsylvania,  where 
he  found  employment  in  the  mines  operated 
by  the  Cox  brothers,  working  there  for 
eight  years.  He  was  thrifty  and  saved 
enough  money  to  purchase  a  lot  on  Center 
Street,  upon  which  he  erected  a  building 
and  later  used  as  a  hotel,  conducting  it  suc- 
cessfully until  1906,  when  he  disposed  of  it 
in  order  to  give  his  entire  attention  to  other 
interests.  In  1900  he  had  formed  a  partner- 
ship with  Peter  Trunery,  James  McHugh, 
John  Shigo  and  Charles  Duscheck  and  or- 
ganized the  Freeland  Brewing  Company, 
erected  a  plant  and  began  its  operation.  The 
enterprise  grew  and  for  years  its  output 
annually  was  25,000  barrels  of  beer.  Mr. 
Boyle  was  president  of  the  corporation  and 
as  each  partner  withdrew  or  died  he  pur- 
chased his  stock,  eventually  becoming  sole 
owner  of  the  plant,  which  he  operated  until 
1927,  when  he  leased  it  and  retired  from 
active  work.  He  is  president  of  the  Citi- 
zens' Bank  of  Freeland  and  the  oldest  living 
member  of  that  financial  institution.  Owner 
of  a  large  tract  of  land  lying  to  the  west 
of  the  brewery,  he  had  it  surveyed  into 
some  500  building  lots,  organized  the  Cox 
Grove  Realty  Company  and  marketed  the 
lots    for    residential    purposes.     He    was    also 


503 


the  owner  of  twenty-two  acres  of  land  in 
Butler  Township,  west  of  Foster  Township, 
which  he  developed  in  like  manner,  erecting 
thereon  many  handsome  residences,  his  own 
having  been  the  first  one  to  be  built  in  this 
section.  His  investments  in  real  estate  in 
Freeland  are  heavy  in  addition  to  the  prop- 
erty noted.  He  is  fraternally  afflliated  with 
the  local  lodge  of  the  Benevolent  and  Pro- 
tective Order  of  Elks  and  attends  the  Roman 
Catholic  Church  of  St.  Ann.  The  family 
residence  is  at  No.  501  Vine  Street,  Freeland, 
Pennsylvania. 

Condy  O.  Boyle  married,  in  1891,  Nellie 
McGetrick.  Their  children  are:  1.  Eugene. 
2.  Frank.  3.  James,  deceased.  4.  Joseph.  6. 
Mary. 


DR.   JAMBS    F.    GALLAGHER — Among    the 

younger  members  of  the  medical  profession 
in  Freeland,  Pennsylvania,  is  Dr.  James  F. 
Gallagher,  who  has  been  engaged  in  general 
practice  here  for  the  past  two  years  (1928). 
Dr.  Gallagher  is  a  graduate  of  Temple  Uni- 
versity and  has  his  offices  in  the  Reforwitch 
Building.  He  has  already  laid  the  founda- 
tions of  a  very  satisfactory  practice  and  there 
is  every  prospect  that  his  career  will  be  a 
highly    successful    one. 

Dr.  James  F,  Gallagher  was  born  in  Lans- 
ford,  Pennsylvania,  November  27,  1900,  son 
of  John  P.  and  Anna  (Carlin)  Gallagher. 
After  completing  the  usual  early  and  pre- 
paratory courses  he  entered  Temple  Univer- 
sity, in  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania,  where 
he  completed  the  medical  course  with  the 
Class  of  1925.  His  interneship  was  passed 
in  the  Reading  General  Hospital,  and  in  the 
fall  of  1926  he  located  here  in  Freeland, 
where  he  has  since  conducted  a  general  med- 
ical and  surgical  practice.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Luzerne  County  Medical  Society,  the 
Pennsylvania  State  Medical  Society,  and  the 
American  Medical  Association,  and  though  he 
has  been  engaged  in  practice  but  a  short 
time  has  already  established  a  reputation, 
among  those  with  whom  he  has  been  associ- 
ated, tor  skill  and  for  close  attention  to 
the  interests  of  his  patients.  At  the  time 
of  the  World  War  Dr.  Gallagher  was  a  stu- 
dent and  he  entered  service  as  a  member 
of  the  First  Student  Army  Training  Corps. 
He  was  transferred  to  the  Medical  Depart- 
ment of  Camp  Lee,  Virginia,  and  later  to 
Camp  Colton,  and  was  mustered  out  of  serv- 
ice in  December,  191S.  Dr.  Gallagher  has 
many  warm  friends  in  Freeland  and  vicinity, 
and  is  one  of  the  able  and  energetic  young 
men,  of  whom  much  may  be  expected.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  Rotary  Club,  and  frater- 
nally, is  affiliated  with  the  Knights  of  Colum- 
bus, being  a  member  of  St.  Ann's  Roman 
Catholic    Church. 

Dr.  James  F.  Gallagher  is  unmarried,  and 
makes  his  home  at  No.  536  Center  Street,  in 
Freeland. 


WILLIAM  M.  DOIIGHERTY — Leaving  the 
railroad  business  after  serving  in  many  ca- 
pacities and  in  almost  ever,^  State  through- 
out the  West,  William  M.  Dougherty  re- 
turned to  his  native  State  of  Pennsylvania, 
settled  in  Freeland  and  for  many  years  con- 
ducted a  successful  hotel  that  had  been 
founded  by  his  father.  Mr.  Dougherty 
throughout  his  life  has  shown  a  versatility 
that  has  enabled  him  to  handle  with  skill 
the  details  of  many  positions  in  the  railroad 
field  and,  stepping  out  of  a  business  in  which 
he  had  been  engaged  for  years,  quickly 
demonstrated  his  qualifications  tor  the  new 
work  he  undertook.  He  has  been  a  very 
useful  citizen,  with  hosts  of  friends  and  bear- 
ing a  reputation  of  unblemished  record,  tak- 


ing a  sincere  interest  in  all  civic  affairs  of 
a  nature  appealing  to  the  progressive  ele- 
ment and  identifying  himself  with  such  fra- 
ternal organizations  as  are  constructive  In 
their  activities  and  sympathetic  In  their 
ideals  and  accomplishments. 

Mr.  Dougherty  was  born  In  Summit  Hill, 
Pennsylvania,  April  16,  1860,  a  son  of  Patrick 
and  Jane  (Mulhall)  Dougherty,  he  being  a 
native  of  Donegal,  and  she  of  Kilkenny,  Ire- 
land. They  met  and  were  married  in  this 
district  and  were  the  parents  of  twelve 
children,  the  death  of  the  mother  occurring 
in  1892,  the  father  in  1922  at  the  age  of 
ninety-two  years.  Patrick  Dougherty  was  a 
son  of  William  and  Mary  (Doran)  Dougherty, 
and  was  brought  to  America  by  his  parents, 
when  he  was  about  six  years  of  age.  They 
made  their  home  in  Philadelphia  and  William 
became  associated  with  the  railroad  business, 
■working  for  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad, 
assisting  in  the  building  of  the  road  between 
Johnstown  and  Altoona.  Patrick  grew  up  In 
Philadelphia  and  during  the  summer  came  to 
Summit  Hill,  where  he  worked  in  the  coal 
mines  as  a  hoisting  engineer.  It  was  during 
this  occupation  that  an  explosion  occurred 
that  blinded  him  for  life  and  he  was  com- 
pelled to  give  up  the  work  and  seek  other 
means  of  support.  Coming  to  Freeland  in  1867, 
he  built  and  operated  a  hotel  at  Washing- 
ton and  Walnut  streets,  later  conducting 
another  on  Center  Street,  known  as  the  St. 
Elmo  Hotel,  where  he  was  associated  with 
his  father  and  ably  assisted  in  the  manage- 
ment by  his  wife,  the  business  being  even- 
tually taken  over  by  his  son,  William  M. 
He  was  a  man  of  cheerful  disposition  and 
took  a  deep  interest  in  the  civic  activities 
of  Freeland,  was  frequently  chosen  as  dele- 
gate to  conventions  and  gave  a  good  ac- 
count of  himself,  regardless  of  his  affliction. 
His  church  was  the  Roman  Catholic  St. 
Ann's   of  Freeland. 

William  M.  Dougherty  was  the  eldest  son 
of  the  couple  and  as  a  boy  did  his  share  of 
the  work  around  the  hotel,  but  with  man- 
hood reached  and  the  success  of  the  enter- 
prise assured,  he  answered  the  urge  to  go 
out  into  the  world  and  entered  the  railroad 
service.  During  this  period  of  his  life  he 
moved  from  State  to  State  as  duty  called, 
becoming  yardmaster  at  St.  Louis,  Missouri, 
for  the  Missouri  Pacific  and  assigned  to  the 
transportation  department  of  the  Southern 
Pacific  at  Los  Angeles,  California.  His 
father's  advancing  age  caused  him  to  return 
to  Freeland  in  1900,  where  he  took  over 
the  hotel  and  conducted  the  enterprise  until 
1924.  In  politics  he  has  always  been  identi- 
fied with  the  Democratic  party,  to  which 
he  has  been  very  assistful  in  campaigns. 
He  is  a  director  of  the  Citizens'  Bank  of 
Freeland  and  is  affiliated  with  the  Benevolent 
and  Protective  Order  of  Elks  of  Freeland, 
the  Fishing  Club,  and  St.  Elmo  Club.  This 
latter  club  was  formed  by  Mr.  Dougherty, 
during  war  time  for  the  purpose  of  assisting 
their  local  soldiers  abroad.  Among  other 
things:  Four  hundred  and  seventy  new  one 
dollar  bills  of  issue  of  1918  were  sent  to  each 
soldier  from  Freeland  and  vicinity.  One  also 
was  sent  to  General  Pershing,  whose  secre- 
tary wrote  as  follows; 

Mr.   William  Dougherty, 
St.   Elmo   Club,    Freeland. 
Assistant   Secretary, 

General  Pershing  directs  me  to  acknowl- 
edge tile  receipt  of  your  letter  of  November 
25  and  to  thank  you  for  your  good  wishes. 

With  reference  to  the  one  dollar  bill  which 
you  enclosed  I  am  pleased  to  advise  you  that 
it  has  been  donated  to  a  fund  for  the  benefit 
of  the  French  children  in  the  town  where 
general   headquarters   are   located. 


504 


Mr.  Dougherty  is  a  member  of  St.  Ann's 
Roman    Catholic  Church. 

■William  M.  Dougherty  married,  in  1S93, 
Ann  Hagan  of  Alton,  Illinois,  whose  death 
occurred  November  1,  1924.  His  residence 
is  at  No.  910  Center  Street,  Freeland,  Penn- 
sylvania. 


JOHN  J.  KOSKER,  M.  D. — Poland  has  con- 
tributed largely  to  the  successful  population 
of  Nanticoke,  both  in  mercantile  activities  and 
in  its  professional  life,  an  outstanding  mem- 
ber of  tile  latter  class  being  John  J.  Kosker, 
physician  and  surgeon,  with  his  offices  at 
No.  107  South  Market  Street.  Although  a 
native  of  Luzerne  County,  Dr.  Kosker  is  a 
son  of  a  Polish  immigrant,  who  came  to 
America  and  settled  in  Nanticoke  when  a 
boy.  The  son  of  this  boy,  who  took  to  wife 
a  native  American  and  reared  a  family  of 
nine  children,  absorbed  the  germ  of  true 
Americanism,  acquired  a  sound  professional 
education  and  has  become  one  of  the  leading 
physicians  and  surgeons  and  one  of  the  most 
upstanding  citizens  of  the  community. 

He  was  born  in  Nanticoke,  November  14, 
1S86.  His  father  was  Con  Kosker  and  his 
mother  Bridget  Kosker,  the  first  named  hav- 
ing been  born  in  Poland  and  coming  to 
America  when  he  was  seven  years  of  age.  He 
settled  in  Nanticoke  and  became  a  breaker 
boy  at  tlie  mines,  afterward  a  miner.  He 
was  a  man  of  natural  musical  ability  and  for 
years  played  a  cornet  in  St.  Mary's  band  here. 
Six  of  the  nine  children  of  his  marriage  are 
still    living. 

John  J.  Kosker  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools  of  Nanticoke  and  graduated  from  the 
high  school  in  1914.  He  then  took  a  course 
at  Buckneil  and  at  the  University  of  Penn- 
sylvania, from  which  last-named  institution 
he  was  graduated  in  the  class  of  1920  with 
the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine.  He  became 
an  interne  in  Mercy  Hospital,  in  Wilkes- 
Barre,  coming  to  Nanticoke  in  1921,  where  he 
established  himself  in  practice.  He  is  on  the 
visiting  staff  of  the  Nanticoke  State  Hospital, 
a  member  of  the  local  medical  examiner  for 
the  Woodmen  of  the  World;  the  New  York 
Life  Insurance  Company;  the  Missouri  State 
Life  Insurance  Company;  the  Woman's  Bene- 
fit Association;  the  Liberty  Life  Assurance 
Society  and  the  Knights  of  Columbus.  His 
church  is  the  Roman  Catholic,  St.  Francis. 
He  belongs  to  the  Fraternal  Order  of  Eagles, 
to  the  Knights  of  Columbus,  Alhambra  Cara- 
van and  to  the  Benevolent  and  Protective 
Order   of  Elks. 

Dr.  Kosker  married,  in  1915,  Martha  C. 
Schkosky,  of  West  Nanticoke.  Their  children 
are:  Aurelia  Camilla,  Ileen  Antoinette,  Yvonne 
Marie,   and  John,   deceased. 


CHARLES  F.  D01VNEI,L,Y — Few  profes- 
sions have  shown  more  advancement  than 
that  of  funeral  directing  in  the  sixty  years 
that  have  elapsed  since  the  Donnelly  under- 
taking business  was  established.  Like  every- 
thing else,  it  has  felt  the  quickening  hand 
of  science,  especially  in  embalming.  Orig- 
inally the  undertaker  had  to  be  a  cabinet- 
maker too — in  fact,  the  latter  was  his  chief 
occupation — for  he  had  to  make  his  own 
coffins;  today,  these  are  manufactured  in 
finely  equipped  modern  plants.  The  equip- 
ment of  the  funetal  director  has  also  been 
improved  to  a  point  not  even  dreamed  of 
half  a  century   ago. 

Charles  F.  Donnelly,  the  well-known  fun- 
eral director  of  Pittston,  is  of  the  third  gen- 
eration of  his  family  in  this  country.  His 
grandparents,  Michael  and  Catherine  (Fal- 
lihu)  Donnelly,  both  natives  of  Ireland,  came 
to    America    early    in    life.      They    settled    in 


Susquehanna  County,  where  Michael  Donnelly 
engaged  in  farming.  Their  son,  Cornelius 
Donnelly  was  born  in  1S40  and  reared  on 
the  home  farm.  Early  in  life  he  learned 
the  trades  of  wagon  builder  and  cabinet- 
maker, wliich  he  followed  as  a  journeyman 
until  1869.  By  that  time,  as  a  result  of 
his  thrift  and  industry,  he  had  acquired  suf- 
ficient capital  to  establish  himself  in  busi- 
ness, and  having  confidence  in  his  ability 
and  being  a  man  of  courage,  he  embarked 
in  the  furniture  and  undertaking  business 
at  79  South  Main  Street,  Pittston,  where  ha 
continued  with  ever  increasing  success  until 
his  death  in  1913.  He  built  his  own  hearse 
and  furniture  delivery  vragons  and  con- 
structed his  own  coffins.  He  was  a  skilled 
mechanic  and  did  fine  work.  He  had  a  most 
agreeable  personality,  was  unfailingly  cour- 
teous and  sympathetic,  and  these  qualities 
attracted  and  held  a  large  circle  of  friends. 
He  was  married  three  times.  By  his  first 
wife,  Hanora  Neville,  he  had  the  following 
children:  John  J.,  deceased;  Michael  N., 
now  an  attorney-at-law  in  Pittston;  George 
B.,  engaged  in  the  insurance  business  in 
Philadelphia;  Rev.  Father  Francis,  a  Jesuit 
priest  in  Poughkeepsie;  Cornelius  Jr.,  de- 
ceased; William  J.,  deceased;  Alice,  wife  of 
Dr.  Hugh  J.  Lenahan  of  Pittston,  a  sketch 
of  whom  appears  in  this  work:  and  Nora. 
His  second  wife,  Elizabeth  McGuire,  of  Pitts- 
ton, bore  Mr.  Donnelly  two  children:  Charles 
F.,  of  whom  further,  and  Sister  Mary  Frances 
of  the  Order  of  Sisters  of  Charity  of  Mont- 
clair.  New  Jersey.  For  his  third  wife  Mr. 
Donnelly  married  Belinda  Powers  of  Pitts- 
ton, and  from  this  union  three  children  were 
born:  Agnes,  wife  of  Frank  Ryan,  a  lawyer 
of  Elizabeth,  New  Jersey;  Dr.  Joseph,  a  phy- 
sician of  Philadelphia,  and  Regina,  Sister 
Miriam,  of  the  Order  of  Sisters  of  Charity 
of  Newark,   New  Jersey. 

Charles  F.  Donnelly,  with  whom  this  re- 
view is  more  especially  concerned,  was  born 
in  Pittston,  June  15,  1882.  He  first  attended 
St.  John's  Parochial  School,  prepared  for  col- 
lege at  the  Harry  Hillman  Academy  in 
Wilkes-Barre,  and  matriculated  at  Holy 
Cross  College,  Worcester,  Massachusetts, 
from  which  he  was  graduated  in  the  class  of 
1903,  v/ith  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Science. 
Returning  to  Pittston,  he  began  to  work  with 
his  father,  under  whose  instruction  he  mas- 
tered the  practical  details  both  of  the  furni- 
ture business  and  funeral  directing.  He  also 
took  a  course  in  embalming  at  Eckles'  School 
of  Embalming,  Philadelphia.  Upon  the  death 
of  the  elder  Donnelly  the  son  assumed  con- 
trol of  the  business,  maintaining  the  same 
policies  which  had  gained  the  favor  of  the 
general  public.  But  by  1915  the  undertaking 
department  of  the  business  had  grown  to 
such  proportions  that  it  seemed  desirable  to 
devote  his  entire  time  and  attention  to  it: 
so  in  that  year  he  disposed  of  the  furniture 
business.  In  1923  he  erected  a  modern  build- 
ing, especially  designed  and  equipped  with 
every  modern  device  and  convenience,  includ7 
ing  a  sho'wroom,  where  caskets  and  fittings 
can  be  displayed'  most  effectively  and  in  an 
appropriate  atmosphere,  a  morgue  and  a 
garage.  His  progressive  methods,  always  fair 
and  straightforward,  his  kindly  consideration 
and  his  attentive  and  efficient  service  have 
won  for  Mr.  Donnelly  a  place  among  the 
leading  morticians  in  this  section  of  the 
State.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Luzerne  and 
Pennsylvania  Funeral  Directors  Associations. 

Mr.  Donnelly  is  vice-president  of  the  Lib- 
erty National  Bank  of  Pittston  and  is  a  trus- 
tee of  the  Pittston  Hospital.  Nothing  that 
affects  the  welfare  of  his  native  city  lies  out- 
side the   field  of  his   interests,  for  he  realizes 


^kvWiM:^ 


M.  £r. 


and  believes  that  the  measure  of  a  citizen's 
civic  responsibility  is  his  ability  to  serve  his 
community.  Mr.  Donnelly's  fraternal  mem- 
berships are  in  the  Knights  of  Columbus,  the 
Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks  and 
the  Fraternal  Order  of  Eagles.  He  is  also 
a  member  of  the  Pittston  Chamber  of  Com- 
merce, of  which  he  is  a  past  president,  and 
the  Fox  Hill  Country  Club. 

On  June  3,  1910,  Charles  F.  Donnelly  mar- 
ried Agnes  Martin  of  Pittston,  and  they  have 
the  following  children:  Charles,  Neil  and 
William.  Mrs.  Donnelly  is  active  in  many  of 
the  women's  organizations  of  her  city,  in- 
cluding the  Hospital  Auxiliary  and  St.  John's 
Guild.  The  family  are  communicants  of  St. 
John's  Roman  Catholic  Church.  Their  spa- 
cious residence  is  at  10  Delaware  Avenue, 
and  here  they  dispense  a  hospitality  that  is 
noted  for  its  cordiality  and  charm. 


LEWIS  PER>'A — The  legal  profession  is 
represented  in  Hazleton,  Pennsylvania,  by 
many  men  of  ability,  both  among  the  older 
members  of  the  bar  and  among  those  who 
have  begun  practice  within  the  last  ten  years. 
Prominent  among  those  who  belong  to  the 
last-named  class  is  Lewis  Perna,  who  was 
admitted  to  the  bar  in  February,  1920.  and 
has  since  that  time  been  engaged  in  general 
legal  practice  here.  Mr.  Perna  has  his  offices 
on  the  eighth  floor  of  the  Markle  Building 
and  is  taking  care  of  a  very  substantial  and 
lucrative  practice. 

Nicholas  Perna,  father  of  Mr.  Perna,  was 
born  in  Italy  and  remained  in  his  native  land 
until  after  his  marriage.  In  18S2.  the  year 
following  the  birth  of  Lewis  Perna,  he 
brought  his  family  to  America,  and  located 
in  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  settling  first  in 
Lattimer  Mines,  where  he  worked  as  a  la- 
borer in  the  coal  mines.  He  died  in  1906, 
after  twenty-four  years  in  this  country,  at 
the  age  of  sixty-three  years,  survived  by  his 
wife,  Rosa,  who  died  in  1908  at  the  age  of 
fifty-eight  years.  They  were  the  parents 
of  four  children:  John  B.,  who  is  alderman  of 
the  Fourteenth  "Ward  of  the  city  of  Hazleton: 
Anna;  Emanuila:  and  Lewis,  of  further  men- 
tion. 

Lewis  Perna,  son  of  Nicholas  and  Rosa 
Perna,  was  born  in  Italy,  November  27,  1881, 
and  was  brought  to  this  country  by  his  par- 
ents when  he  was  an  infant  less  than  a  year 
old.  His  parents  settled  in  Lattimer  Mines, 
Pennsylvania,  at  first,  but  about  five  years 
later  the  family  came  to  Hazleton,  and  in  the 
public  schools  of  this  city  young  Lewis  re- 
ceived his  early  training.  School  days  for 
him  were  brief,  ho'wever,  as  a  boy,  for  when 
he  was  eight  years  of  age  he  went  to  work 
in  the  mines  as  a  breaker  boy.  Hard  work 
and  long  hours  did  not  discourage  him.  He 
stuck  to  his  Job,  working  his  way  up  until 
he  was  a  full  fledged  miner,  and  then  con- 
tinuing as  a  miner  until  190S.  By  that  time 
he  had  reached  his  twenty-seventh  year  and 
had  managed  to  complete  a  course  in  the 
Hazleton  Business  College.  He  decided  that 
the  time  had  come  to  make  a  definite  change 
in  his  occupation  and  found  employment  with 
the  Prudential  Lite  Insurance  Company,  with 
whom  he  remained  three  years.  The  next 
two  years  he  spent  in  the  grocery  business, 
and  then,  on  January  1,  1914,  he  began  his 
term  as  minute  clerk  in  the  Luzerne  County 
Court.  This  experience  opened  the  way  to 
his  professional  life,  and  he  continued  as 
clerk  of  the  court  until  1920,  but  he  set  about 
the  task  of  preparing  himself  for  the  prac- 
tice of  law,  and  while  still  serving  as  clerk 
was  reading  law  under  the  direction  of  John 
Kemp  and  John  M.  Carr.  On  February  3, 
1920,  he  successfully  passed  the  examinations 


for  admission  to  the  bar  and  since  that  time 
he  has  been  successfully  engaged  in  general 
practice  in  Hazleton.  Perseverance  and  hard 
work  enabled  him  to  achieve  the  goal  he 
had  set  tor  himself,  and  his  eight  years  of 
practice  have  demonstrated  the  fact  that  the 
"University  of  Hard  Knocks"  does  its  work 
thoroughly  and  well,  inculcating  some  qual- 
ities which  no  other  institution  has  been  able 
to  so  successfully  instill.  Mr.  Perna  has  built 
up  a  very  substantial  practice,  and  has  be- 
come well  known  in  this  section  of  the 
county.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Luzerne 
County  Bar  Association,  and  has  won  the 
respect  of  his  professional  associates,  and 
he  has  also  found  time  for  active  participa- 
tion in  local  public  affairs.  He  gives  his  sup- 
port to  the  principles  and  the  candidates  of 
the  Republican  party,  and  for  twelve  years 
has  served  as  assessor  in  Hazleton.  He  is  a 
progressive  citizen  who  can  always  be 
counted  upon  to  aid  in  the  furtherance  of 
all  plans  for  the  advancement  of  the  welfare 
of  the  city  of  Hazleton,  and  his  ability  has 
long  been  recognized.  Fraternally,  he  is 
identified  with  the  Garibaldi  Society  (Past 
President),  and  the  Knights  of  Pythias  (Past 
Chancellor  Commander). 

Lewis  Perna  was  married,  April  26,  1906, 
to  Elizabeth  Roman,  and  they  are  the  parents 
of  nine  children:  Mary  Sunday,  Rose  Marie. 
Nicholas  Joseph.  Anna  Carmen:  Michael 
Archangel,  John  B.,  Caesar  Dominic,  Daniel 
Roman,  and  Jane.  The  family  home  is  located 
at  No.  704  North  Laurel  Street,   in  Hazleton. 


PHILIP  E.  HERTZ,  M.  D.,  one  of  the  lead- 
ing physicians  of  Luzerne,  was  born  in  this 
city,  September  1,  1900,  the  son  of  Joseph 
and  Hannah  (Goldstein)  Hertz,  both  natives 
of  Austria-Hungary,  who  came  to  this  coun- 
try in  1884,  the  latter  operating  a  large 
grocery  store  in  Luzerne  and  later  in  Wilkes- 
Barre,  when  he  retired.  His  wife,  the 
mother  of  Dr.   Hertz,   died  September  2,   1920. 

The  early  education  of  Dr.  Hertz  was  ob- 
tained in  the  public  schools  of  Luzerne,  after 
which  he  attended  Wilkes-Barre  High  School, 
graduating  with  the  class  of  1918.  He  then 
went  to  Lafayette  College,  at  Easton,  North- 
ampton County,  for  about  three  months,  at- 
tending students  army  training  camp.  In 
1919,  he  entered  the  LTniversity  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, graduating  with  the  degree  of  Bache- 
lor of  Arts  .in  1923.  He  then  took  up  his 
medical  studies  and  in  1925  secured  his  de- 
gree of  Doctor  of  Medicine.  For  a  year  he 
officiated  as  an  interne  at  the  Wilkes-Barre 
General  Hospital  and  on  September  1,  1926, 
started  as  a  general  practitioner  in  Luzerne, 
and  in  a  very  short  space  of  time  built  up 
for  himself  an  extensive  and  lucrative  prac- 
tice. He  is  on  the  staff  of  the  Nesbitt  West 
Side  Hospital  and  is  a  member  of  the  County 
and  State  medical  societies  and  of  the  Amer- 
ican Medical  Association.  His  college  fra- 
ternity is  Phi  Delta  Bpsilon,  and  his  religious 
affiliations  are  with  the  Luzerne  Synagogue. 
Dr.  Hertz  finds  keen  enjoyment  in  the  games 
of  tennis  and  baseball,  and  was  a  member  of 
the  University  of  Pennsylvania  football  team 
during  his  attendance  there. 

On  November  23,  1926,  Dr.  Hertz  married 
Helen  Goldberg,  daughter  of  Louis  and  Lena 
Goldberg,  of  Luzerne.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Hertz 
have  their  residence  at  No.  465  Bennett 
Street,  Luzerne,  where  the  former  also  has 
his  office. 


STANLEY  CARSON  CROOP — Since  1924 
Stanley  C.  Croop  has  been  proprietor  of  a 
general  store  and  postmaster  of  Hunlock 
Creek,  Pennsylvania,  -where  he  was  born  and 
where   he  has  lived  during  the  greater   part 


So6 


of  his  life.  Mr.  Croop  is  a  graduate  of 
Wyoming  Seminary  and  Business  College,  and 
of  Blair  Hall,  at  Blairstown,  New  Jersey,  and 
he  is  a  veteran  of  the  World  War,  having 
served  for  eighteen  months  on  a  submarine 
chaser.  In  addition  to  his  business  activities 
as  merchant  and  postmaster  Mr.  Croop  is  a 
director  of  the  Farmers'  State  Bank  of 
Shickshinny,  Pennsylvania. 

Benjamin  P.  Croop,  father  of  Mr.  Croop,  was 
born  in  Hunlock  Creek,  Pennsylvania,  May  15, 
1858,  and  has  spent  most  of  his  life  here.  He 
attended  the  local  public  schools,  tried  his 
hand  at  several  different  lines  of  business 
activity,  and  finally  became  a  successful  hotel 
owner  and  operator.  Eventually,  he  added  to 
his  business  as  hotel  owner  the  operation  of 
an  amusement  park  kno"wn  as  Croop's  Glen. 
This  he  made  attractive  with  picnic  grounds, 
all  sorts  of  amusements,  pony  rides  and  vari- 
ous other  novelties.  His  experience  as  a  hotel 
manager  enabled  him  to  make  a  profitable 
concern  of  Croop's  Glen,  the  natural  features 
of  the  tr.act  brought  many  pleasure  seekers 
to  the  place  and  the  Glen  became  one  of  the 
well-linown  and  popular  resorts  of  excur.sion- 
ists  and  picnickers.  Benjamin  F.  Croop  mar- 
ried Alveretta  Jane  Eves,  who  was  born  in 
Columbia  County,  Pennsylvania,  September 
13,  1859,  and  both  are  still  living  (1928). 

Stanley  Carson  Croop,  son  of  Benjamin  F. 
and  Alveretta  Jane  (Eves)  Croop,  was  born  at 
Hunlock  Creek,  Pennsylvania,  March  9,  1897. 
After  attending  the  public  schools  here  he 
continued  his  studies  in  Wyoming  Seminary 
and  the  Business  College,  from  "which  he  was 
graduated  with  the  class  of  1917,  after  having 
prepared  for  his  work  at  Blair  Hall,  Blairs- 
town, Warren  County,  New  Jersey.  When  his 
education  was  completed  he  became  his 
father's  associate  in  the  management  of 
Croop's  Glen,  but  the  entrance  of  the  United 
States  into  the  World  War  brought  many 
changes  and  in  1918  Mr.  Croop  enlisted  for 
service  in  the  United  States  Navy.  He  was 
assigned  to  Submarine  Chaser  No.  62,  on 
which  he  served  for  a  period  of  eighteen 
months,  receiving  his  discharge  July  2,  1919. 
Upon  his  return  to  civilian  life  he  returned  to 
Hunlock  Creek  and  resumed  his  work  with 
his  father  in  Croop's  Glen.  There  he  remained 
for  five  years,  but  in  1924  he  decided  to  en- 
gage in  business  for  himself  as  a  merchant 
in  Hunlock  Creek  and  established  here  a  gen- 
eral store,  which  he  has  since  successfully 
operated.  In  that  same  year  he  was  appointed 
postmaster  of  Hunlock  Creek,  which  office  he 
is  still  (1928)  filling  to  the  satisfaction  of  all 
concerned.  Mr.  Croop  continues  to  hold  an 
interest  in  Croop's  Glen,  which  has  steadily 
increased  in  popularity  and  which  has  greatly 
increased  in  value  merely  as  real  property,  as 
well.  He  is  a  member  of  the  board  of  direc- 
tors of  the  Farmers'  State  Bank  of  Shick- 
shinny, Pennsylvania,  and  is  actively  inter- 
ested in  the  advancement  of  the  general  wel- 
fare of  the  community  in  which  he  lives.  Mr. 
Croop  is  a  Republican  in  his  political  beliefs 
and  he  is  always  ready  to  serve  when  he  is 
sure  that  he  can  be  of  real  use  in  public 
office.  He  served  as  a  member  of  the  board 
of  school  directors  of  Hunlock  Township  for 
two  years,  and  has  always  been  generous  in 
supporting  the  various  projects  which  have 
been  launched  for  the  betterment  of  the  civic, 
social  and  economic  life  ot  this  district.  Fra- 
ternally, he  is  identified  with  Lodge  No.  531, 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons;  Caldwell  Con- 
sistory of  Bloomsburg,  Pennsylvania;  and 
Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  or 
the  Mystic  Shrine;  also  with  the  Junior  Order 
of  United  American  Mechanics.  His  religious 
membership  is  with  the  Protestant  Church. 


Stanley  C.  Croop  married,  August  31,  1922, 
Alice  Hudock,  of  Plymouth,  Pennsylvania, 
daughter  of  Stephen  J.  and  Mary  Hudock, 
and  they  are  the  parents  of  one  daughter, 
Alice  Jane,  who  was  born  February  24,  1927. 


EDWARD  A.  CRONAUER,  D.  D.  S. — An  im- 
portant member  of  the  community  life  in  Ash- 
ley, Pennsylvania,  is  Edward  A.  Cronauer. 
Coming  here  in  1919  to  engage  in  dentistry, 
he  quickly  won  the  confidence  of  his  patients 
and  built  up  a  very  successful  practice  to 
which  he  has  since  devoted  himself.  Aside 
from  his  professional  work.  Dr.  Cronauer  is 
otherwise  active  in  the  civic  and  social  life 
of  Ashley.  He  was  born  February  1,  1894,  in 
Gallitzin,  Cambria  County,  Pennsylvania,  a 
son  of  Prank  Cronauer,  a  miner,  who  was 
born  in  Hollidaysburg,  Pennsylvania,  and 
who  died  in  November,  1924,  and  of  Minnie 
(Garman)  Cronauer,  who  was  born  in  St. 
Boniface,  Pennsylvania,  and  is  still  living. 

Edward  A.  Cronauer  attended  the  public 
schools  of  his  birthplace,  and  later  entered  St. 
Francis  College,  at  Lauretta,  Pennsylvania, 
from  which  lie  was  graduated  in  1916,  and 
the  Dental  School  of  the  University  of  Penn- 
sylvania, where  he  received  the  degree  of 
Doctor  of  Dental  Surgery  in  1919.  Soon  af- 
terward, he  came  to  Ashley  to  begin  the  prac- 
tice of  his  profession,  which  he  has  carried 
on  uninterruptedly  since  that  time. 

Dr.  Cronauer  is  a  member  of  tlie  Luzerne 
County  Dental  Association  and  of  the  Amer- 
ican Dental  Association.  He  is  affiliated  fra- 
ternally with  the  Knights  of  Columbus.  He 
and  his  family  attend  St.  Leo's  Roman  Cath- 
olic Church   at  Ashley. 

In  1920,  Edward  A.  Cronauer  married 
Bernadette  Gunning,  of  Gallitzin,  a  daughter 
of  Joseph  and  Mary  Gunning  of  that  place. 
Dr.  and  Mrs.  Cronauer  are  the  parents  of 
three  children:  1.  Marjorie,  born  February  4, 
1922.  2.  Virginia,  born  February  14,  1926.  3. 
Edward,  born  June  27,  1927.  The  family  home 
is  at  No.  37  Nortli  Main  Street,  Ashley. 


EUGENE  GOLDSTEIN — The  oldest  and  the 
largest  ice  cream  manufacturing  concern  in 
Plymouth,  Pennsylvania,  is  the  Golden  Qual- 
ity Ice  Cream  Company,  which  was  founded 
in  1903  by  its  present  owner,  Simon  Gold- 
stein, father  of  Eugene  Goldstein.  When 
Eugene  Goldstein,  who  was  an  infant  two 
years  of  age  at  the  time  of  the  founding 
of  the  business,  arrived  at  the  age  ot  dis- 
cretion and  had  completed  his  careful  prep- 
aration for  a  successful  active  business 
career,  he,  therefore,  found  a  place  ready- 
made,  waiting  for  him,  and  since  1924  he 
has  been  manager  of  the  concern  founded 
by  his  father.  Mr.  Goldstein  is  a  grad- 
uate of  the  Wharton  School  and  of  the 
Pennsylvania  State  College,  and  during  his 
school  and  college  years  was  actively  inter- 
ested in  athletics.  In  1927  he  served  as 
assistant  graduate  manager  of  the  Plymouth 
High    School    football    team. 

Simon  Goldstein,  father  of  Mr.  Goldstein, 
was  horn  in  Europe,  in  1868,  of  Jewish  ances- 
try. In  1887,  when  he  was  nineteen  years  old, 
he  came  to  this  country  and  settled  in  Plym- 
outh, Pennsylvania,  where  he  engaged  in 
business  as  proprietor  of  a  retail  grocery 
business.  About  1903  he  added  to  his  grocery 
concern  another  department,  by  engaging  in 
the  manufacture  of  ice  cream.  Beginning  in 
a  small  way,  he  increased  his  output  as  his 
market  increased,  continuing  the  grocery 
business  until  the  ice  cream  output  and  sale 
had  reached  proportions  which  warranted  his 
giving  up  the  former  part  of  his  activities 
and  devoting  his  whole  attention  to  the  man- 


I 


^tmon  (t5olti0tem 


507 


ufacture  of  the  Ice  cream  which  had  become 
so  popular,  Kventually,  a  company  was  or- 
g-anlzed  under  the  name  of  the  Golden  Quality 
Ice  Cream  Company,  of  Plymouth,  and  the 
demand  for  the  product  of  the  company  con- 
tinued to  grow  until  at  the  present  time 
(1928)  Golden  Quality  Ice  Cream  is  sold 
throughout  the  entire  Wyoming  Valley.  The 
concern  is  now,  as  has  been  stated,  the  oldest 
and  largest  ice  cream  manufacturing  concern 
in  Plymouth,  and  during  the  summer  season 
it  employs  the  services  of  twenty  people. 
Simon  Goldstein  is  a  Republican  in  his  poli- 
tical sympathies,  and  he  has  for  many  years 
been  active  in  local  affairs,  giving  special 
attention  to  the  Jewish  school  here,  which  he 
served  as  a  member  of  the  board  of  directors 
at  one  time.  His  religious  affiliation  is  with 
the  International  B'nai  B'rith  organization. 
Simon  Goldstein  was  married,  in  1SS6,  to 
Lottie  Silverman,  a  native  of  Poland,  and  they 
became  the  parents  of  eight  children,  of 
whom  four  are  living:  1.  Benjamin  H.  2. 
Reuben.  3.  Helen,  wife  of  Nathan  Hale 
Meyer.     4.   Eugene,  of  further  mention. 

Eugene  Goldstein,  the  son  of  Simon  and 
Lottie  (Silverman)  Goldstein,  was  born  in 
Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania,  February  22, 
1901,  and  attended  the  public  schools  of 
Plymouth,  graduating  from  Plymouth  High 
School  with  the  class  of  1919.  He  then 
entered  the  Pennsylvania  State  College, 
where  he  completed  the  agricultural  course, 
graduating  with  the  class  of  1924.  In  that 
year  he  became  associated  with  his  father's 
business  as  manager  of  the  Golden  Quality 
Ice  Cream  Company,  and  since  that  time  he 
has  been  devoting  his  attention  to  the  de- 
veloping of  the  already  extensive  interests 
of  that  concern.  In  order  to  better  prepare 
himself  for  the  successful  handling  of  the 
growing  manufacturing  interests  he,  while 
attending  to  his  duties  as  manager  of  the 
company,  found  time  to  take  a  course  in  the 
Wharton  School  at  Wilkes-Barre,  where  he 
completed  a  commercial  course  in  1927. 
Politically,  Mr.  Goldstein  supports  the  prin- 
ciples of  the  Republican  party.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  the  Junior 
Order  United  American  Mechanics,  Patriotic 
Order  Sons  of  America,  No.  1,  Fire  Depart- 
ment of  Plymouth,  and  also  of  the  Kiwanis 
Club  and  of  the  Little  Theatre  Club,  and  an 
actively  interested  member  of  all  these  or- 
ganizations. While  in  the  Wharton  School  he 
was  president  of  the  Senior  class,  and  he  has 
been  prominent  in  athletics  in  all  the  schools 
and  colleges  in  which  he  has  studied,  being 
especially  fond  of  baseball,  football,  and 
basketball.  As  assistant  graduate  manager 
of  the  Plymouth  High  School  football  team 
in  1927  he  rendered  most  acceptable  and  suc- 
cessful service,  and  he  still  retains  his  inter- 
est in  all  athletic  sports.  His  religious  mem- 
bership is  with  B'nai  Israel  Synagogue.  Mr. 
Goldstein  is  unmarried.  His  offices  are  located 
at  No.  130  West  Main  Street,  in  Plymouth, 
and  his  home  at  No.   12S  West  Main  Street. 


JOHN  J.  CAFFREY,  M.  D A  physician   of 

wide  experience  and  a  large  general  practice, 
John  J.  Caffrey  has  followed  his  profession  in 
Sugar  Notch,  Pennsylvania,  since  1919.  His 
careful  preparation  for  his  career  was  com- 
pleted a  few  years  before  the  United  States 
entered  the  World  War,  and  when  this  event 
occurred.  Dr.  Caffrey  Immediately  enlisted 
and  remained  in  the  service  until  the  con- 
clusion of  hostilities.  In  Sugar  Notch,  where 
he  has  made  his  home  in  recent  years,  he  has 
a  large  circle  of  friends  "who  welcome  him  as 
much  as  a  trusted  advisor  as  in  his  profes- 
sional capacity.  His  father,  Patrick  J.  Caf- 
frey,  was  born   in   Sugar   Notch,   and   is   now 


retired.  His  mother,  who  before  her  marriage 
was   Mary   Corrlgan,   died    In    1908. 

John  J.  Caffrey  was  born  In  Sugar  Notch 
August  2F;,  1894.  He  attended  the  public 
schools  of  his  birthplace  and  was  graduated 
from  the  Wilkes-Barre  High  School  In  1911. 
Later  he  entered  Jefferson  Medical  College, 
and  the  Medical  School  of  the  University  of 
Pennsylvania,  where  he  was  graduated  In 
1916,  with  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine. 
Soon  afterward,  he  entered  St.  Joseph's  Hos- 
pital in  Philadelphia,  and  also  served  for  a 
time  in  the  Medico-Chirurgical  Hospital 
there,  after  which  for  six  months  he  acted  as 
medical  examiner  for  the  Pennsylvania  Rail- 
road, and  tor  the  Washington  Terminal  Com- 
pany in  Washington.  District  of  Columbia.  He 
is  also  medical  examiner  for  the  United  Life 
and  Accident  Insurance  Company.  Standard 
Life  of  America,  and  International  Insurance 
Company,  and  also  for  the  Pittston  Coal  Com- 
pany. During  the  war  years  he  served  as  cap- 
tain in  the  Medical  Corps  of  the  Army,  sta- 
tioned at  Washington,  and  at  Newport  News, 
Virginia,  and  in  1919,  secured  his  discharge. 
In  that  year  he  returned  to  Sugar  Notch  and 
has   since  practiced   there,   and   in   Nanticoke. 

Dr.  Caffrey  is  a  member  of  Luzerne  County, 
Pennsylvania  State,  and  the  American  Med- 
ical associations.  In  politics  he  is  an  inde- 
pendent voter.  He  is  affiliated  fraternally 
with  the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of 
Elks,  a  member  of  Lodge  No.  109,  and  he  is 
also  a  member  of  the  Fraternal  Order  of 
Eagles.  He  attends  St.  Charles  Borromeo's 
Roman  Catholic  Church. 


WILLIAM  H.  COCKIIVG^When  the  automo- 
bile started  to  come  into  general  use  in  place 
of  the  old-time  horse,  it  did  not  take  William 
H.  Cocking,  of  Luzerne,  very  long  to  change 
his  harness  business  over  to  an  auto  acces- 
sory supply  store,  in  which  line  he  has  made 
much  of  a  success,  employing  five  men  and 
giving  a  service  which  is  known  throughout 
the    county. 

Mr.  Cocking  was  born  in  Kingston  Town- 
ship, December  10,  1889,  the  son  of  James  and 
Elizabeth  (Henderson)  Cocking,  the  former 
of  English  birth,  who  died  here  In  1901.  Mr. 
Cooking's  mother  was  a  native  of  Scotland, 
and  she  resides  with  her  son  in  Luzerne. 
After  receiving  his  early  education  in  the 
public  schools  of  his  native  town.  Mr.  Cock- 
ing took  a  position  as  breaker  boy  in  one  of 
the  local  coal  mines.  When  fifteen  years  of 
age  he  left  this  employment  and  learned  the 
trade  of  harness-making,  at  which  he  con- 
tinued until  he  attained  his  majority,  when 
he  purchased  the  harness  business  of  Alonzo 
Lockard,  in  Shickshinny,  Luzerne  County, 
which  he  operated  for  six  years  with  much 
success.  He  then  returned  to  Luzerne,  where 
he  was  engaged  with  the  Metropolitan  Insur- 
ance Company  for  about  eighteen  months,  at 
the  end  of  which  time  he  purchased  the  har- 
ness business  of  W.  E.  Brodmarkle.  This  he 
turned  almost  at  once  into  an  auto  accessory 
store,  which  he  still  continues  to  operate 
under  his  own  name,  at  No.  125  Main  Street. 
Mr.  Cocking  is  affiliated  with  Sylvania  Lodge, 
No.  354,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons;  with 
Keystone  Consistory,  Ancient  Accepted  Scot- 
tish Rite  Masons,  of  Scranton,  and  Irem  Tem- 
ple, Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the 
Mystic  Shrine.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the 
Junior  Order  of  United  American  Mechanics, 
and  of  the  Luzerne  Fire  Department,  of  which 
organization  he  was  for  some  time  president. 
He  is  a  director  of  the  Kingston  Bank,  at 
Kingston,  Luzerne  County;  his  religious  affil- 
iations are  with  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and 
in   politics   Mr.   Cocking  is  a   Republican. 


5o8 


In  1913,  Mr.  CockinK  married  Purees  Koons, 
of  Shickshlnny,  daughter  of  George  and  Mar- 
garet Koons.  Mrs.  Cocking  passed  away  in 
February,  1920,  leaving  three  sons:  Byron, 
Wayne  and  Hayden. 

JOHN  REPA — Prominent  citizen,  for  many 
years  active  in  the  business  life  of  Wilkes- 
Barre,  John  Repa  was  born  April  4,  1867,  in 
Austria.  His  father,  Joseph  Repa,  was  a 
native  of  that  country,  a  farmer,  born  in 
1831,  died  in  1889.  His  mother,  Mary  (Hoshko) 
Repa,  of  Austrian  nativity,  was  born  in  1843, 
and   died  in   1S73. 

John  Repa  received  little  schooling  in 
Austria,  and  came  to  the  United  States  when 
he  was  seventeen  years  of  age,  here  to  seek 
his  fortune.  He  arrived  at  the  port  of  New 
York,  March  31,  1883.  For  a  time  he  worked 
as  slate  picker,  at  Jeddo,  Pennsylvania,  and 
worked  in  and  around  the  mines  until  1890. 
But  he  was  frugal  in  ways  of  living,  had 
ambition  and  intelligence,  and  in  1890  became 
owner  of  a  hotel,  at  Hudson,  Pennsylvania, 
where  he  engaged  in  the  business  for  five 
years  successfully.  In  isg.'i  he  came  to 
Wilkes-Barre.  For  twenty-five  years,  until 
1920,  he  was  active  in  the  hotel  business  here, 
Repa's  Hotel  having  been  situated  in  Coal 
Street.  In  1920  he  changed  his  line  of  busi- 
ness, now  entering  into  realty  and  fire  insur- 
ance operations  under  the  firm  style  of  his 
own  name.  In  this  he  has  been  markedly 
successful  through  the  years  that  have  fol- 
lowed. He  is  a  director  and  vice-president  of 
the  Heights  Deposit  Bank  of  Wilkes-Barre, 
himself  having  been  an  organizer  of  the  com- 
pany, and  is  treasurer  of  the  Russian  Ortho- 
dox Catholic  Mutual  Aid  Society  of  the 
United  States  of  America.  Of  the  aid  society 
he  has  been  treasurer  since  1907.  He  is  a 
communicant  of  the  Russian  Orthodox  Cath- 
olic Church.  Active  in  diverse  directions,  Mr. 
Repa  is  a  Republican,  consistent  supporter  of 
the  party's  principles.  He  is  affiliated  with 
the   Fraternal   Order   of   Eagles. 

John  Repa  married,  in  1889,  Julia  Wanat, 
of  Austria,  daughter  of  Simon  and  Christina 
Wanat,  and  their  children  are:  1.  Mary,  wife 
of  Rev.  Father  John  Krashkevich.  priest  in 
the  Orthodox  Russian  Catholic  Church.  2. 
John,  Jr.  3.  Michael,  graduate  of  Lehigh 
University,  degree  of  Mechanical  Engineer- 
ing, class  of  1917.  4.  Anna,  wife  of  Robert 
U  Williams,  of  Kingston.  5.  Julia,  unmar- 
ried. 6.  Joseph,  medical  student,  Jefferson 
Medical  College,  Philadelphia.  7.  George, 
student  at  Wyoming  Seminary.  There  are 
five  grandchildren:  George,  Natalie  and  Mar- 
guerite Krashkevich;  and  Elaine  and  Robert 
Williams. 


JOSEPH  MORRIS — One  of  the  principal 
funeral  directors  of  Luzerne  County,  where 
his  establishment  is  accounted  third  largest, 
Joseph  Morris  operates  a  funeral  home  at 
Nos.  625-27  North  Main  Street,  Wilkes-Barre, 
and  in  this  community  is  considered  to  be  a 
substantial  citizen.  He  is  a  veteran  of  the 
World   War. 

Joseph  Morris  was  bom  at  Edwardsville, 
Luzerne  County,  on  March  7,  1894,  a  son  of 
Michael  and  Anna  (Putprush)  Morris,  both 
of  whom  are  deceased.  Michael  Morris  was  a 
coal  miner  during-  many  years,  a  temperate 
man,  and  respected  by  those  who  knew  him. 
By  his  wife,  Anna,  he  was  father  of  four 
children,  all  of  whom  are  now  living  (1929) 
and  occupying  responsible  positions  in  so- 
ciety: 1.  Joseph,  of  whom  here  below.  2. 
Rev.  Michael,  pastor  of  the  Greek  Catholic 
Church  at  Monesson,  Pennsylvania.  3.  Mary, 
wife    of    John    Duda,    of    Larksville,    Luzerne 


County.  4.  John,  who  is  also  a  funeral  direc- 
tor,   at    Exeter,    Luzerne    County. 

After  receiving  his  elementary  academic 
education  in  the  public  schools  of  Edwards- 
ville, Joseph  Morris  entered  high  school  at 
Larlvsville,  whence  he  graduated  in  1913. 
Next  he  entered  Wyoming  Seminary,  at 
Kingston,  Pennsylvania,  and  from  that  insti- 
tution graduated  in  1915.  Since  childhood  he 
has  been  most  interested  in  athletics,  and  at 
high  school  in  Larksville  was  captain  of  the 
football  team  for  two  seasons,  1912  and  1913. 
Also  during  these  years,  as  junior  and  senior 
in  high  school,  he  was  elected  captain  of  the- 
track  team.  In  1912  there  was  an  athletic 
meet  in  the  old  armory,  .Wilkes-Barre,  in 
which  he  won  the  one  hundred-yard  cham- 
pionship for  Luzerne  County.  He  played 
basketball,  and  in  1914,  as  freshman  in  the 
seminary,  was  class  champion  in  the  hundred- 
yard  dash.  When  the  United  States  entered 
the  World  War,  in  April,  1917,  Mr.  Morris  was 
among  the  first  of  patriots  to  volunteer  for 
duty  in  the  Army,  and  was  stationed  at  Kelly 
Field,  where  he  was  in  the  medical  hospital 
of  the  aviation  department.  Here  he  served 
honorably  and  with  distinction,  and  is  now 
an  active  member  of  the  Wilkes-Barre  post 
of  the  American  Legion.  Mr.  Morris  has  mem- 
bership in  a  number  of  fraternal  organiza- 
tions, including  Wilkes-Barre  Lodge,  No.  109, 
of  the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of 
Elks,  Wilkes-Barre  Council,  No.  302,  of  the 
Knights  of  Columbus,  and  the  Tatra  Club. 
He  is  a  supreme  officer  in  the  Greek  Catholic- 
Union,  having  served  for  the  past  nine  years. 
A  Republican  and  staunch  adherent  to  the 
party's  principles  of  government,  Mr.  Morris 
owns  a  considerable  influence  in  local  mat- 
ters of  politics,  which  he  exerts  quietly  and 
to  an  effect  calculated  to  be  for  the  -welfare 
of  the  community.  In  addition  to  his  large 
concern  in  the  mortuary  profession  he  has 
some  commercial  relationships,  among  them 
membership  on  the  board  of  directors  and 
vice-president  of  the  Pennsylvania  Liberty 
Bank  and  Trust  Company  of  Wilkes-Barre, 
and  is  well  and  favorably  known  in  business 
circles  of  the  town  as  possessor  of  sound 
Judgment  in  financial  circles.  He  is  a  com- 
municant of  St.  Mary's  Greek  Catholic  Church, 
devout  in  its  service,  and  generous  in  contri- 
butions to  charitable  appeals  and  other  causes 
of  like  worthy  character,  regardless  of  race 
or  creed  from  whom   emanating. 

Joseph  Morris  married  Mary  V.  Pacovsky, 
of  Wilkes-Barre.  and  they  are  the  parents  of 
three  children:  John,  Dolores  and  Joseph,   Jr. 


LeROY  DIEPBNDERFER — Since  commenc- 
ing his  business  activity.  LeRoy  (Roy)  Dief- 
enderfer  has  been  employed  by  the  Central 
Railroad  of  New  Jersey,  no-w  holding  the 
position  of  station  agent  in  Ashley,  Pennsyl- 
vania, -where  he  has  lived  for  many  years. 
Mr.  Diefenderfer  is  financially  interested  in 
various  local  enterprises,  and  has  always 
been  highly  regarded  in  Ashley  as  a  public- 
spirited  citizen.  He  was  born  in  Ashley  on 
October  10,  1891,  a  son  of  John  S.  Diefen- 
derfer, a  machinist,  who  "was  born  in  1865  in 
Lewisburg,  Union  County,  Pennsylvania,  and 
who  died  in  June,  1927,  and  of  Margaret 
(Breon)  Diefenderfer,  who  was  also  born  in 
Lewisburg  in  1865,  and  who  is  still  living. 

LeRoy  Diefenderfer  -was  educated  in  the 
Ashley  public  schools  and  the  high  school, 
from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1910.  In 
the  same  year  he  began  work  with  the  Cen- 
tral Railroad  of  New  Jersey  as  a  clerk  in 
Ashley,  and  so  satisfactory  was  his  work 
over  a  period  of  years   that  in  October,    1919, 


he  was  appointed  station  ag-ent,  a  position 
which  he  has  held  since  that  time.  Aside 
from  this  worl<,  he  is  a  director  and  was  one 
of  the  original  stockholders  of  the  Peoples' 
State    Bank    of    Newton,    in    Wilkes-Barre. 

Politically,  he  is  a  member  of  the  Repub- 
lican party,  and  he  is  afllliated  fraternally 
with  the  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  in  which 
orgranization  he  is  a  memljer  of  I^odKe  No. 
471.  He  is  also  a  member  of  Lodge  No.  6S9. 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  of  Ashley 
Lodge,  No.  149,  Junior  Order  United  American 
Mechanics,  and  of  Lodge  No.  245,  Patriotic 
Order  Sons  of  America.  He  and  his  family 
attend  the  Ashley  Presbyterian  Church,  where 
Mr.  Diefenderfer  is  secretary  of  the  Church 
Board. 

In  1914,  LeRoy  Diefenderfer  married  Flor- 
ence Ichter,  of  Hanover  Township,  Luzerne 
County,  a  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Mary  Anne 
Ichter.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Diefenderfer  are  the 
parents  of  two  children:  1.  Elizabeth  Ichter, 
born  in  August,  1916.  2.  Ruth  Marion,  born 
in  May,  1920.  The  family  home  is  at  No. 
81,  Ashley  Street,  Ashley. 


PRANK  M.  DALLY— Esteemed  by  every 
good  citizen  of  Ashley,  loved  by  those  with 
whom  he  was  officially  associated  for  many 
years,  Frank  M.  Dally  was  one  of  the  most 
popular  citizens  of  this  district,  as  well  as 
one  of  the  important  factors  of  its  com- 
mercial life.  For  more  than  forty  years  he 
had  been  actively  engaged  in  railroad  work 
here,  during  which  period  he  made  on  envi- 
able name  as  a  man  of  justice,  industry  and 
accomplishment.  Nearly  half  a  century  was 
the  record  of  his  labors  for  one  corporation, 
which  recognized  his  worth  by  promotions  as 
he  made  his  progress  in  life.  Constant  to  his 
trust,  faithful  and  devoted  to  his  friends, 
his  removal  from  life's  activities  left  a  va- 
cancy not  readily  filled,  while  his  army  of 
friends  will  feel  his  loss  to  be  an  irreparable 
calamity  that  must  be  accepted  with  philoso- 
phy. 

He  was  born  in  White  Haven,  Pennsylvania, 
November  30,  1S67,  a  son  of  George  Dally,  a 
pioneer  of  the  district,  and  began  his  active 
career  at  the  age  of  thirteen  years,  when  he 
went  to  work  in  the  Ashley  shops  of  the 
Central  Railroad  of  New  Jersey.  He  rose  to 
be  general  foreman  of  the  shops,  a  position 
from  which  he  was  forced  to  retire,  after 
forty-four  years  of  continuous  service,  be- 
cause of  ill  health,  December,  1926.  He  had 
for  a  short  time  been  assigned  to  "White 
Haven  and  Mauch  Chunk,  but  by  far  the 
greater  length  of  service  was  in  Ashley.  He 
was  a  member  of  the  Ashley  Presbyterian 
Church  and  belonged  to  the  Jersey  Central 
Veterans'  Association  and  to  the  L.  &  S  Divi- 
sion Foremen's  Club  of  that  railroad.  He 
was  aflSliated  with  Coalville  Lodge,  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons;  Caldwell  Consistory  of 
Bloomsburg,  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite; 
and  Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order 
Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  He  also  had 
served  as  a  member  of  the  Ashley  School 
Board.  His  death  occurred  in  Ashley,  in  the 
sixty-first  year  of  his  age. 

Frank  M.  Dally  married,  April  25,  1889, 
Anna  Mcintosh,  of  Ashley,  Pennsylvania, 
daughter  of  Stewart  and  Annetta  (Frederick) 
Mcintosh,  the  father  a  native  of  Scotland,  the 
mother  of.  Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania. 
They  are  the  parents  of  one  son:  Carl  Mc- 
intosh, born  July  4,  1894,  a  machinist  in  the 
Ashley  shops  of  the  Central  Railroad  of  New 
Jersey.  He  married,  November  17,  1920, 
Eleanor  Dugan,  of  Plymouth,  Pennsylvania, 
and  they  are  the  parents  of  one  daughter: 
Gloria  Romaine. 


KMORY  MITES,  D.  V.  M A  representative . 

citizen  of  Wilkes-Barre.  who  is  al.«o  well 
known  in  the  city  and  vicinity  for  his  large 
practice  as  a  doctor  of  veterinary  medicine, 
Emory  Lutes,  D.  V.  M.,  has  Interested  him- 
self in  a  number  of  activities  that  count 
for  community  advance  in  the  city  of  his 
choice. 

Born  in  Benton,  Columbia  County,  Pennsyl- 
vania, February  20,  1886,  Emory  Lutes  is  the 
son  of  Daniel  T.  and  Elizabeth  W.  (Emory) 
Lutes,  his  father,  born  in  Centermoi  eland, 
Pennsylvania,  in  December,  1832,  died  in  1897, 
was  a  farmer,  and  the  mother,  born  in  Town 
Hill,  Pennsylvania,  in  1843,  died  in  1900.  The 
son,  Emory,  received  his  early  and  prepara- 
tory training  in  the  district  schools  of  Colum- 
bia County.  He  then  enrolled  at  Valparaiso 
(Indiana)  University,  and  was  graduated 
from  its  School  of  Pharmacy  in  the  class  of 
1007.  Subsequently  he  studied  for  the  pro- 
fession of  his  choice  at  McKillip  Veterinary 
College,  Chicago,  Illinois,  whence  he  received 
his  degree  of  Doctor  of  Veterinary  Medicine 
(now  known  as  D.  V.  M.)  on  graduation  in 
1911. 

Dr.  Lutes  came  to  Wilkes-Barre  directly 
from  college  and  established  an  office  for  the 
practice  of  veterinary  medicine  in  this  city, 
where  he  has  ever  since  been  thus  engaged. 
From  1916  to  the  present  time  (1929)  he  has 
also  held  the  office  of  city  food  inspector, 
and  in  that  capacity  he  is  rendering  a  fine 
service  to  the  people  in  the  health-conserva- 
tion movement.  In  politics,  he  is  a  Repub- 
lican and  active  in  his  party's  local  organiza- 
tion. He  served  as  Republican  committeeman 
in  Wilkes-Barre's  Tenth  District  for  four 
years.  His  financial  standing  is  indicated  by 
the  fact  of  his  being  a  director  in  the  Wilkes- 
Barre  Mortgage  Company.  In  his  profes- 
sional associations,  he  enjoys  the  esteem  of 
his  fellow-practitioners,  members  of  the 
Northeastern  Veterinary  Association  of  Penn- 
sylvania and  the  Pennsylvania  State  Veteri- 
narians Association. 

Dr.  Lutes  has  an  active  military  career  to 
his  credit,  having  served  as  second  lieutenant 
in  the  3d  Pennsylvania  Field  Artillery  in  the 
Mexican  Border  campaign  in  1916.  His  fra- 
ternal affiliations  are  with  Wilkes-Barre 
Lodge,  No.  442,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons; 
Caldwell  Consistory  of  the  Scottish  Rite,  of 
Blcomburg;  Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic 
Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine;  and  the 
Junior  Order  United  American  Mechanics. 
His  religious  connection  is  Presbyterian  by 
faith. 

Dr.  Emory  Lutes  married,  October  28,  1909, 
Virginia  Allen,  of  Sweet  Valley,  Pennsyl- 
vania, daughter  of  Charles  B.  and  Eleanora 
(Zimmerman)    Allen. 


FRANK  L.  PINOLA— Only  one  year  old 
when  his  parents  moved  from  Scranton,  where 
he  had  been  born  January  27,  1893,  Frank  L. 
Pinola  grew  up  in  West  Pittston.  He  attended 
the  public  schools  through  high  school  and 
was  graduated  at  the  head  of  the  class  of 
1910.  He  continued  to  live  in  West  Pittston 
until  1925,  when  he  moved  to  Kingston.  Louis 
and  Caroline  (Perrotti)  Pinola,  his  father  and 
mother,  have  two  other  sons  and  two  daugh- 
ters: 1.  Joseph  J.,  of  West  Pittston.  2.  Sam- 
uel J.,  of  Pittston.  3.  Theresa,  married  to 
Michael  J.  Clark,  of  Wilkes-Barre.  4.  Lena, 
who  lives  at  home  with  her  parents  in  West 
Pittston.     The   father   is   a  retired   merchant. 

Frank  L.  Pinola  attended  Cornell  Univer- 
sity one  year  and  then  entered  the  Law 
School  of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania, 
from  which  he  received  the  degree  Bachelor 
of  Laws  in  the  class  of  1915.     In  the  autumn. 


.  of  that  year  he  was  admitted  to  the  Luzerne 
County  Bar,  but  on  receiving-  the  Gowen 
Fellowship  for  special  studies  at  the  Univer- 
sity of  Pennsylvania,  he  spent  the  year  1916 
in  research. 

He  enlisted  as  a  private  in  1917  in  the  311th 
Field  Artillery  at  Camp  Meade,  after  which 
he  attended  the  Third  Officers'  Training- 
School  at  Camp  Meade.  He  was  commis- 
sioned a  second  lieutenant  of  field  artillery 
on  June  1,  1918.  He  was  promoted  to  first 
lieutenant  on  October  10  of  the  same  year, 
and  was  made  a  captain  of  field  artillery  on 
November  2,  1918.  He  was  stationed  at  Camp 
Funston,  Kansas,  with  the  30th  Field  Artil- 
lery at  the  time  of  the  Armistice  and  was 
mustered  out  of  the   service  early   in   1919. 

The  United  States  Supreme  Court  admitted 
him  to  practice  in  1919  wlien  he  returned  to 
civil  life.  He  maintains  offices  in  the  Miners' 
Bank  Building  in  the  city  of  Wilkes-Barre, 
and  in  the  Liberty  National  Bank  Building-  in 
the  city  of  Pittston.  From  1919  to  1926  he 
was  United  States  Commissioner  at  Pittston. 

In  addition  to  his  law  practice  he  is  inter- 
ested in  banking,  being  president  of  the  Lib- 
erty National  Bank  of  Pittston  and  a  director 
of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Exeter. 

He  is  a  member  of  the  American  Bar  Asso- 
ciation and  the  Fox  Hill  Country  Club.  He 
has  been  very  active  in  the  American  Legion, 
having  served  as  Commander  of  the  Depart- 
ment of  Pennsylvania  and  for  two  terms  as 
chairman  of  the  National  Americanism  Com- 
mission of  the  American  Legion.  He  was 
also  first  Commander  of  the  West  Pittston 
Post,  No.  542,  which  he  organized  in  1920.  He 
is  a  Republican  in  political  affiliation  and  a 
communicant  of  St.  Mary's  Roman  Catholic 
Church  of  Wilkes-Barre. 

Attorney  Pinola  was  married  on  September 
1,  1917,  to  Helen  Nicholson,  daughter  of  James 
and  Ellen  (Harding)  Nicholson,  of  West  Pitt- 
ston. They  have  a  daughter,  Helen  Gloria. 
The  family  reside  in  a  beautiful  home  at  No. 
85   James   Street,    Kingston. 


LEON  J.  KJVORR,  D.  D.  S. — The  town  of 
Nanticoke  is  proud  to  claim  as  one  of  its 
outstanding  sons,  Dr.  Leon  J.  Knorr,  one  of 
the  youngest  and  most  successful  dentists 
in  the  entire  State  of  Pennsylvania.  The 
profession  of  dentistry  has  made  such  re- 
markable strides  forward  within  the  past 
decade  and  so  many  new  discoveries  have 
been  made,  regarding  the  connection  and 
effect  which  the  teeth  exercise  on  the  human 
system  and  its  various  organs,  that  this 
town  is  fortunate,  indeed,  to  have  the  serv- 
ice of  one  who  has  had  the  benefit  of  the 
most  modern  and  scientific  training,  and  who 
is  ever  alert  to  the  use  of  new  and  improved 
methods  as  they  are  steadily  discovered. 
Although  Dr.  Knorr  has  been  engaged  in  the 
practice  of  his  profession  here  but  a  short 
time,  since  his  graduation  from  college  in 
1926,  he  has  attracted  a  large  and  discrimi- 
nating clientele,  who  appreciate  his  careful 
and  considerate  manner  and  his  expert  skill 
which  he  has  demonstrated  to  the  complete 
satisfaction  of  so  many  patients. 

Dr.  Knorr  was  born  in  Nanticoke,  June  24, 
1904,  son  of  Leo  and  Mary  (Shappart)  Knorr, 
both  of  whom  are  living  in  Nanticoke.  He 
was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  this 
town  and  graduated  from  high  school  with 
the  class  of  1922,  after  which  he  entered  the 
University  of  Pittsburgh,  and  applied  himself 
to  the  difficult  and  exacting  work  of  the 
dental  course  which  he  thoroughly  mastered, 
receiving  his  degree  of  Doctor  of  Dental 
Surgery    with    the    class    of    1926.      He    then 


returned  to  Nanticoke  and  opened  his  pro- 
fessional office  in  Room  2,  Challenger  Build- 
ing, where  he  has  ever  since  continued  to 
receive  the  confidence  and  admiration  of  all 
his  fellow-citizens.  His  success  has  been  due 
greatly  to  his  affable  and  sympathetic  man- 
ner, accomplishing  the  maximum  of  work 
with  the  minimum  of  discomfort  to  his  pa- 
tient. In  the  civic  affairs  of  Nanticoke,  he 
takes  a  prominent  part  and  is  ever  active  in 
promoting  all  projects  which  have  for  their 
purpose  the  advancement  and  improvement 
of  the  welfare  of  the  community.  Dr.  Knorr 
is  a  member  of  the  Luzerne  County  Dental 
Society,  the  State  Dental  Association,  and 
tlie  Nanticoke  Society.  His  religious  affilia- 
tions are  with  St.  Francis'  Roman  Catholic 
Church. 


JOSEPH  P.  MARTI.M — A  native  of  Switzer- 
land. Joseph  P.  Martini  has  been  a  resident  of 
Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania,  since  he  was 
nine  years  of  age  and  has  made  his  own  way 
in  life  by  dint  of  ability  and  hard  work.  As 
a  boy  in  the  mines,  lie  used  every  possible 
moment  in  securing  an  education,  and  later 
when  he  became  associated  with  the  silk 
throwing  business  of  which  he  is  now  super- 
intendent, he  began  at  the  very  bottom  and 
worked  his  way  up  to  his  present  responsible 
position.  In  addition  to  the  responsibilities 
of  his  position  as  superintendent  in  the 
employ  of  the  Nanticoke  Silk  Throwing  Com- 
pany, located  on  Washington  Street,  in  Nan- 
ticoke, Mr.  Martini  is  also  one  of  the  or- 
ganizers and  secretary-treasurer  of  the 
Martini  Throwing  Company,  at  Shlckshinny, 
Pennsylvania. 

Frank  Martini,  father  of  Joseph  P.  Mar- 
tini, was  born  in  Austria  and  came  to  this 
country  in  1893,  locating  near  Freeland, 
Luzerne  County.  During  the  early  years  of 
his  residence  in  this  country  Frank  Martini 
was  a  miner,  but  later  he  entered  the  employ 
of  Peter  F.  Magagna,  Sr.,  proprietor  of  a 
prosperous  silk  throwing  industry  at  White 
Haven,  to  which  place  he  removed.  He  is 
still  in  the  employ  of  Mr.  Magagna,  and  he 
and  his  wife,  Mary  make  their  home  in  White 
Haven.. 

Joseph  P.  Martini,  son  of  Frank  and  Mary 
Martini,  was  born  in  Switzerland,  October  30, 
18S4,  and  was  brought  to  this  country  by  hla 
parents  when  he  was  nine  years  of  age.  The 
hardships  and  responsibilities  of  life  began 
early  for  him,  and  he  was  only  ten  years  of 
age  when  he  went  to  work  as  a  breaker  boy 
in  the  mines.  Though  his  work  was  hard  and 
discouraging,  and  not  very  well  paid,  he  was 
fortunate  enough  to  be  privileged  to  attend 
the  public  schools  "between  times,"  and  he 
was  also  ambitious  and  aspiring  enough  to 
add  to  the  day's  hard  work  in  the  mines, 
hours  of  close,  hard  study  in  the  evening 
schools.  Thus,  working  and  studying,  he 
continued  for  a  period  of  eight  years,  as 
breaker  boy  and  later  as  miner,  and  during 
this  time  he  had  learned  many  more  lessons 
than  those  he  received  in  school.  At  eighteen, 
his  determination  to  make  the  most  of  his 
opportunities,  wherever  he  found  them,  and 
to  prepare  himself  for  the  next  highest  job 
in  sight,  had  not  altered,  and  when  the  op- 
portunity came  he  entered  the  employ  of 
Peter  F.  Magagna,  thus  beginning  his  long 
connection  with  the  silk  throwing  business. 
Beginning  in  the  humblest  position  he  worked 
steadily  and  faithfully,  winning  the  substan- 
tial rewards  of  better  financial  return  and 
of  promotion  to  more  responsible  positions 
until  finally,  in  1917,  he  was  made  superin- 
tendent of  the  plant.  He  knows  the  busi- 
ness "from  the  ground  up,"  and  he  also  knows 


S" 


how  to  secure  the  full  and  willing  coSpera- 
tion  of  his  men. 

The  Nanticoke  Silk  Throwing  Company, 
located  at  Washington  Street,  In  Nanticoke, 
was  established  In  1905,  by  Peter  F.  Magagna, 
Sr.,  who  operated  to  the  time  of  his  death, 
when  the  business  was  continued  by  his 
widow,  with  Peter  F.  Magagna,  Jr.,  as  man- 
ager. The  concern  has  grown  and  now  (1928) 
operates  ten  thousand  spindles  and  employs 
one  hundred  and  twenty-ftve  operatives.  The 
establishment  confines  its  attention  to  silk 
throwing  entirely,  and  holds  an  assured  place 
in  this  department  of  the  silk  manufacturing 
industry. 

While  giving  the  fullest  and  most  satis- 
factory service  as  superintendent  of  the  Nan- 
ticoke Silk  Throwing  Company,  Mr.  Martini 
has  also  found  time  for  independent  con- 
structive work  in  the  same  field.  He  is  one 
of  the  organizers  of  the  Martini  Throwing 
Company  at  Shickshinny,  Pennsylvania,  a 
partnership  concern,  whicli  he  officially  serves 
as  secretary-treasurer.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Silk  Throwsters  Division  of  the  Silk  Asso- 
ciation of  America,  and  is  one  of  the  pro- 
gressive and  able  men  of  the  trade.  Mr. 
Martini  is  a  member  of  tlie  Knights  of  Colum- 
bus and  of  the  Woodmen  of  the  World,  also 
of  the  Holy  Name  Society,  and  his  religious 
affiliation  is  with  St.  Francis  Roman  Catholic 
Church. 

Joseph  P.  Martini  married  Mary  Magagna, 
and  they  have  become  the  parents  of  six 
children:  1.  Mary  Philamina.  2.  Joseph 
Albert.  3.  Aloysius  Victor.  4.  Rita  Frances. 
5.  Arthur.  6.  Dorothy.  The  home  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Martini  and  their  family  is  at  No.  421 
East   Ridge    Street,    in   Nanticoke. 


MICHAEL  J.  MURPHV,  M.  D. — As  a  young 
man  with  a  brilliant  future  before  him,  Dr. 
Michael  J.  Murphy  of  Pittson,  Pennsylvania, 
has  sliown  in  the  short  time  he  lias  been 
in  the  practice  of  medicine  in  this  commun- 
ity an  ability  and  zeal  wliich  have  won  for 
him  the  confidence  of  a  constantly  increas- 
ing practice  and  widening  circle  of  friends 
and  clients  who  are  loyal  in  their  support 
of  this  talented  young  physician.  Dr.  Murphy 
is  the  son  of  Thomas  and  Catherine  (Langan) 
Murphy,  both  of  whom  are  now  deceased. 
Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Murphy  were  natives  of 
Pittston  where  Mr.  Murphy  "was  engaged  in 
the   business   of   mining. 

Michael  J.  Murphy  was  born  at  Pittston, 
Pennsylvania,  December  6,  1899.  His  early 
childhood  and  boyhood  was  spent  here  where 
he  grew  up  with  friends  who  now  form 
the  coterie  of  companions  of  liis  manhood 
and  %vith  wliom  he  is  very  popular.  He  at- 
tended the  public  schools  of  Pittston  and 
after  that  he  attended  the  Wyoming  Sem- 
inary and  finishing  tliat  course  of  prepara- 
tory work,  he  matriculated  at  Georgetown 
University  where  he  graduated  in  the  class 
of  1922  with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of 
Science.  He  then  continued  his  graduate 
work  at  tlie  same  institution  taking  up  the 
study  of  medicine,  and  in  1924  he  was 
awarded  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine. 

After  obtaining  his  degree  as  a  Doctor 
of  Medicine,  Dr.  Murphy  took  his  interneship 
at  the  General  Hospital  of  Wilkes-Barre  and 
after  completing  that  work,  in  1925,  he  began 
his  private  practice  in  his  native  town  of 
Pittston.  Here  his  skill  has  been  recognized, 
although  he  has  been  in  the  practice  for  only 
a  few  years,  and  he  has  his  office  in  the  Dime 
Bank  Building.  He  is  the  secretary  of  the 
staff  as  well  as  the  pathologist  of  the  Pitts- 
ton Hospital  where  he  takes  an  active  inter- 
est in  carrying  on  the  work  of  this  institu- 
tion for   the   benefit   of   the   community.      He 


keeps  abreast  of  all  that  is  progressive  In 
the  medical  profession,  and  with  the  ardour 
of  a  young  man  is  tireless  in  his  efforts 
to  give  this  community  the  very  best  that 
can  be  given  in  the   way  of  hospital  service. 

Dr.  Murphy  is  a  member  of  the  County 
Medical  Society,  the  State  Medical  Society 
and  American  Medical  Association.  Through 
tliese  organizations,  he  keeps  in  close  touch 
with  all  the  highest  thought  in  the  med- 
ical profession  of  tlie  country,  and  through 
the  meetings  of  these  various  societies  he 
comes  into  actual  contact  with  the  men  of 
his  profession  among  whom  he  has  so  ably 
taken  his  place  in  the  world. 

Dr.  Murphy  is  a  member  of  the  Knights 
of  Columbus  and  of  Saint  Mary's  Roman 
Catholic  Church.  He  is  one  of  the  rising 
young  men  in  his  profession  in  Luzerne 
County.  With  his  many  friends  and  his 
ability  he  is  sure  to  make  for  himself  a 
mark    of    distinction. 


HARRY  E.  JONES — The  history  of  com- 
mercial development  gives  an  important 
place  to  merchants  who  have  been  those  to 
supply  the  needs  of  their  fellowmen  and 
create  markets  for  wares  of  different  kinds 
throughout  the  world.  Among  the  merchants 
of  Edwardsville,  Pennsylvania,  is  Harry  E. 
Jones,  proprietor  of  a  men's  furnishing  store 
at  No.  4SS  Main  Street,  Edwardsville,  where 
he  carries  on  this  line  of  business  and  also 
does  a  good  business  in  sign  painting,  a  line 
he  has  been  engaged  in  for  a  number  of 
years.  Mr.  Jones  is  the  son  of  Richard  E. 
and  Anna  (Allen)  Jones,  his  father  who  was 
born  in  Luzerne  County  in  1863,  and  died 
in  1912,  was  a  miner;  his  mother,  who  is 
still  living,  was  born  in  Nanticoke,  Pennsyl- 
vania,   in    1865. 

Harry  E.  Jones  was  born  in  Edwardsville, 
Pennsylvania,  September  21.  1893.  After  ob- 
taining a  public  school  education  he  entered 
a  business  college  and  prepared  himself 
for  the  career  which  he  has  since  followed 
with  such  good  success.  He  began  work  as 
a  miner  and  from  that  he  became  a  sign 
painter  and  his  work  was  in  such  demand 
that  he  opened  his  own  shop  at  No.  4  88  Main 
Street  and  engaged  in  that  line  of  work 
until  1924  when  in  addition  to  the  sign  paint- 
ing business  he  established  a  men's  furnish- 
ings and  haberdashery  shop  also  at  the  same 
address.  Both  this,  and  the  sign  painting 
business  are  in  Mr.  Jones'  own  name  and 
though  he  is  busy  with  carrying  on  this 
extensive  work,  he  still  finds  time  for  civic 
duty  and  service  to  the  community.  In 
politics  Mr.  Jones  is  a  Republican  and  he  is 
now  serving  his  second  term  as  a  burgess 
in  the  town  of  Edwardsville.  He  was  elected 
first,  in  1921.  In  1927,  he  made  the  race 
for  county  treasurer  but  was  defeated.  He 
is  a  member  of  Lodge  No.  109,  Benevolent 
and  Protective  Order  of  Elks;  the  Loyal 
Order  of  Moose;  the  Owls;  the  Junior  Order 
United  American  Mechanics;  and  the  Baptist 
Church.  Mr.  Jones  finds  recreation  in  fishing 
and   athletics. 


BENNET   J.   McGUlRE,   M.  D. — One    of   the 

younger  members  of  the  medical  profession 
of  the  Wyoming  Valley  district  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, who  is  steadily  rising  in  the  impor- 
tance of  his  work,  is  Bennet  J.  McGuire, 
of  Pittston,  of  whom  his  fellow-citizens  hope- 
fully expect  great  achievements  in  the  career 
he  has  chosen.  In  carving  a  name  for  him- 
self in  this  exacting  profession,  in  which  the 
membership  Is  of  the  highest  grade  In  edu- 
cation. Dr.  McGuire  brings  to  his  aid  an 
unusual  experience  for  a  practitioner  of  his 
years  and  a  native  ability  that  assures   him 


a  commanding'  position  as  the  years  pass  on 
their  way.  Associated  with  men  of  erudi- 
tion and  experience,  a  young  and  ambitions 
physician  profits  by  such  professional  com- 
panionship in  direct  ratio  with  his  desires  to 
forge  to  the  front.  Those  who  liave  observed 
Dr.  McGuire's  activities  feel  assured  that  he 
is  such  a  man  and  that  lie  will  ever  be  a 
credit  to  the  medical  profession  and  to  the 
citizenry  of  which  he  is  a  member. 

He  was  born  in  Sebastopol,  Pittston,  Penn- 
sylvania, January  14,  1896,  a  son  of  Martin 
and  Bridget  (McNamara)  McGuire,  both  de- 
ceased. His  father  was  a  native  of  Carbon- 
Oale.  Pennsylvania,  and  represented  in  Pitts- 
ton  the  Metropolitan  Life  Insurance  Company, 
of  New  York.  His  mother  was  a  native  of 
County  Mayo,  Ireland.  Their  son  was  edu- 
cated in  the  public  scliools  here  and  at  the 
Medical  School  of  the  University  of  Pitts- 
burgh, from  wliich  last-named  institution  he 
was  graduated  with  the  degrees  of  Bachelor 
of  Science  and  Doctor  of  Medicine  in  1925. 
He  then  became  an  interne  in  the  Station 
Hospital  at  Fort  Sam  Houston,  San  Antonio, 
Te.xas,  where  he  served  witli  the  rank  of 
first  lieutenant  in  the  Medical  Reserve  Corps 
for  one  year.  Returning  to  Pittston,  he 
located  in  practice,  maintaining  his  residence 
at  No.  2S7  South  Main  Street  with  offices 
also  in  the  Dime  Bank  Building.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  State  and  County  Medical 
societies  and  of  the  American  Medical  Asso- 
ciation and  is  on  the  staff  of  the  Pittston 
State  Hospital.  His  church  is  St.  John's 
Roman    Catholic. 

Bennet  J.  McGuire  married.  June  14,  1924, 
Mary  Bernice  Doverspike,  of  New  Bethle- 
hem, Pennsylvania.  They  are  the  parents  of 
one  child,  John  Martin.  Mrs.  McGuire  is  a 
graduate  of  Carnegie  Institute  of  Technology, 
of  Pittsburgh,  and  is  a  member  of  the 
Women's  Club  of  Pittston.  Dr.  McGuire  still 
holds  the  rank  of  first  lieutenant  in  the 
Medical   Reserve   Corps,   United   States  Army. 


PHILIP  T.  LECHER — The  family  of  the 
surname  Lecher,  and,  of  which  Philip  T. 
Lecher,  Nanticolie,  is  a  member,  is  of  Eng- 
lish origin.  It  was  founded  in  America  by 
John  Lecher,  father  of  Philip  T.  Lecher, 
who  was  born  in  the  British  Isles,  there 
grew  to  manhood,  and  in  1866  came  to  the 
United  States.  He  made  residence  and  estab- 
lished his  family  at  Dover,  Morris  County, 
New  Jersey.  There  for  more  than  eight  years 
he  did  business  as  proprietor  of  a  boolv  store, 
news  dealer,  steamship  ticket  broker,  and 
operator  of  an  exchange  bureau  for  foreign 
money.  In  1875  John  Lecher  came  with  his 
family  to  Luzerne  County,  remained  here  a 
scant  twelve  months,  and  removed  to  the 
West.  For  two  years  he  was  established  in 
business  at  Virginia  City,  Nevada,  then,  in 
1879,  returned  to  Luzerne  County,  taking 
up  residence  and  business  in  Nanticoke, 
where  the  family  has  since  made  its  liead- 
quarters.  Here  John  Lecher  reconstructed 
his  book  store  along  the  lines  of  the  one  at 
Dover,  New  Jersey.  Within  a  short  time 
he  had  attained  to  a  position  of  prestige  in 
this  community.  Then  he  added  to  his  stock 
in  trade  a  variety  of  small  articles.  It  was 
at  this  time  that  he  received  an  offer  from 
S.  H.  Kress,  who  had  meanwliiie  become 
owner  or  controller  of  a  great  chain  of  stores 
in  the  Southeastern  and  Southern  States, 
dealing  in  articles  of  low  price,  from  ten 
cents  upward;  and  Mr.  Lecher  sold  the  store 
to  Mr.  Kress,  who  incorporated  it  within  the 
then  modest  chain  which  he  directed.  John 
Lecher  opened  another  store,  however,  and 
this    he    operated    until    his    death,    in    1890, 


which  occurred  when  he  was  fifty-eight  years 
of  age.  He  was  one  of  the  best  known  citi- 
zens of  the  community,  constantly  active  in 
its  affairs.  He  was  a  trustee  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church  of  Nanticoke,  and 
inspired  those  about  him  to  lead  better  lives. 
John  Lecher  married,  in  England,  before  he 
came  to.  America,  Jane  Tanguay.  They  had 
ten  children;  1.  Isabelle,  deceased,  who  was 
the  wife  of  William  Retallick.  2.  William, 
retired  from  business,  resident  in  Orange, 
New  Jersey.  3.  John  H.,  vice-president  of 
the  First  National  Bank,  Nanticoke,  resident 
of  Wilkes-Barre.  4.  Charles,  deceased.  5. 
Alfred,  of  the  State  of  Oregon.  6.  James, 
of  Morris  County,  New  Jersey.  7.  Philip  T., 
of  wlTom  further.  8.  Frederick,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre.  9.  Ellen,  deceased,  was  the  wife  of 
Isaac  Dieter.  10.  Fannie,  deceased,  was  the 
wife   of  John   Hamilton. 

Philip  T.  Lecher,  seventh  child  and  sixth 
son  of  John  and  Jane  (Tanguay)  Lecher, 
was  born  in  England,  March  30,  1862,  and 
came  with  his  parents  to  the  United  States. 
He  attended  the  public  schools  of  Dover, 
New  Jersey,  and  at  the  age  of  fourteen  years, 
in  Nanticoke,  started  to  work  in  the  mines. 
Later  he  learned  the  trade  of  plastering,  and 
this  he  followed,  as  a  successful  contractor 
and  man  of  means,  until  his  retirement,  in 
1926.  In  the  commercial  circles  of  Nanticoke 
and  centers  nearby  Mr.  Lecher  has  created 
an  excellent  reputation  in  matters  of  busi- 
ness. It  is  said  of  him,  tliat,  when  in  the 
contracting  work  whicli  made  up  his  career, 
he  never  failed  to  execute  an  obligation,  or 
to  execute  it  rightly  and  almost  invariably 
within  the  briefest  possible  period  of  time. 
He  is  today  one  of  the  respected  citizens 
of  his  community,  having  a  hearty  interest 
in  its  welfare,  here  esteemed  sincerely  for 
the  loyalty  of  his  public  spiritedness.  Like 
his  father,  Mr.  Lecher  is  a  communicant  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Nanti- 
coke. and  has  been  active  within  it.  Toward 
charity  he  is  ever  of  large  heart,  giving 
liberally  to  all  worthy  causes,  without  regard 
for  race  or  creed  whence  an  appeal  may 
emanate.  Although  he  found  himself  some- 
what advanced  in  years  for  duty  in  the 
military  during  the  World  War,  Mr.  Lecher 
served  his  country  loyally,  tirelessly,  on  the 
various  boards  and  committees  engaged  in 
war  work,  and  was  of  great  assistance  in 
the    several   campaigns    of   the    Liberty    Loan. 

In  1886,  Philip  T.  Lecher  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Marilla  WoUiver,  of  Stuarts- 
ville.  New  Jersey,  daughter  of  a  Civil  War 
veteran  who  fought  under  Union  colors  and 
descendant  of  Revolutionary  stock.  To  this 
union  were  born  two  children;  1.  Robert 
B.  (q.  v.),  doctor  of  dental  science,  prac- 
ticing in  Nanticoke.  2.  Ruth  Ann,  wife  of 
Andrew  Nicholas,  freight  solicitor  for  the 
Lehigh  Valley  Railroad  Company,  New  York 
City;  they  live  in  Irvington,  New  Jersey,  and 
have    two    children,   Robert   and   Philip. 


ROBERT  B.  LECHER,  D.  D.  S. — Eldest  child 
and  only  son  of  Philip  T.  and  Marilla  (Wol- 
liver)  Lecher,  and  grandson  of  John  Lecher, 
who  came  to  the  United  States  from  Eng- 
land in  1866,  Robert  B.  Lecher  was  born  in 
Nanticoke,  March  31,  1889,  and  is  of  the  third 
generation  of  his  family  to  reside  in  Nanti- 
colve. 

Robert  B.  Lecher  here  secured  his  basic 
and  academic  training  in  the  public  schools, 
then  studied  in  Conway  Hall  Preparatory 
School,  at  Carlisle,  Pennsylvania,  and  matric- 
ulated in  the  University  of  Pittsburgh, 
where  he  was  graduated  in  1916,  with  the 
degree  of  Doctor  of  Dental  Science.  Without 
delay  Dr.  Lecher  opened   offices   in   Scranton, 


.iS:^^^.^^  i^fcG^/ 


SI3 


Pennsylvania,  and  had  his  practice  well  be- 
gun, indeed,  when  early  in  the  spring  of 
1917  the  United  States  declared  existence  of 
a  state  of  warfare  with  Germany.  In  July 
of  that  year,  Dr.  Lecher  enlisted  in  the  serv- 
ice of  his  country,  and  was  commissioned 
a  first  lieutenant  in  the  Dental  Corps,  sta- 
tioned at  Camp  Meade,  Washington,  District 
of  Columbia.  Later  he  was  stationed  at 
other  centers,  and  finally  at  points  along  the 
Atlantic  between  Boston,  Massachusetts,  and 
Newport  News.  After  two  years  of  service 
he  was  mustered  out,  in  July,  1919,  then 
resumed  the  course  of  his  profession  where 
he  had  dropped  it,  though  on  this  occasion 
he  opened  ofllces  in  Wilkes-Barre.  And  in 
Wilkes-Barre  he  practiced  until  1921,  when 
he  returned  to  the  city  of  his  birth,  here 
to  practice.  During  the  years  that  have  fol- 
lowed he  has  had  no  cause  to  regret  this 
move.  His  prestige  in  professional  circles 
has  mounted  steadily;  and  more,  he  is  ac- 
counted among  the  foremost  of  public- 
spirited  citizens  of  the  community,  sincerely 
and  generally  liked  not  alone  tor  profes- 
sional excellence  and  skill,  but  also  for  those 
qualities  of  character  which  he  possesses 
that  tend  naturally  to  enrich  the  holder  in 
friendship.  Dr.  Lecher  is  a  member  of  a 
number  of  dental  organizations.  These  in- 
clude the  Nanticoke,  Luzerne  County  and 
Susquehanna  societies,  and  the  State  and 
national  associations.  He  belongs  to  the 
Military  Dental  Surgeons,  the  American 
Legion,  and  Delta  Sigma  Delta  college  fra- 
ternity. He  is  affiliated  with  Nanticoke 
Lodge,  No.  541,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons, 
and  is  a  member  of  the  Craftsmen's  Club 
and  Kiwanis  Club.  He  is  one  of  the  dental 
staff  in  attendance  at  Mercy  Hospital, 
Wilkes-Barre;  has  been  connected  with  the 
Hospital  Corps,  9th  Regiment,  Pennsylvania 
National  Guard,  as  sergeant,  and  for  a  time 
was  scout  master  of  the  Nanticoke  Boy 
Scouts  of  America.  A  Republican,  Dr.  Lecher 
is  possessed  of  a  considerable  political  in- 
fluence, and  when  he  chooses  to  use  it  is  in 
a  position  to  do  so  with  effect,  through  the 
agency  of  his  friends,  quietly.  He  is  active 
In  all  civic  affairs,  as  is  his  father  and  was 
his  grandfather  before  him  In  Nanticoke 
and,  as  they,  is  a  communicant  of  the  Meth- 
odist   Episcopal    Church. 

Dr.  Lecher  married  (first)  Alice  Finch,  of 
Wilkes-Barre,  member  of  a  family  old  in  the 
history  of  the  Wyoming  Valley.  She  died 
in  1920,  leaving  one  child,  Jean.  Dr.  Lecher 
married  (second)  Estelle  Edwards,  who  was 
a  teacher  in  the  public  schools  of  Nanticoke. 
Mrs.  Lecher  is  active  in  the  Craftsmen's 
Auxiliary,  and  in  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
Church.  The  family  residence  is  at  No.  6S6 
East    Main    Street,    Nanticoke. 


H.^ROLD  KR.\PF — As  proprietor  of  the 
Krapf  Baking,  Confectionery,  and  Ice  Cream 
Establishment,  at  Nos.  61-63  South  Wyoming 
Street,  Harold  Krapf  directs  the  affairs  of 
one  of  the  finest  and  most  successful  con- 
cerns in  Hazleton.  On  his  own  premises 
Mr.  Krapf  does  all  his  baking,  manufactures 
ice  cream,  and  a  fair  share  of  his  candies, 
employing  in  this  work  some  ten  people. 
The  uniform  high  quality  of  his  products  is 
assured  by  the  care  with  which  he  selects 
his  ingredients,  and  the  personal  supervision 
which  he  gives  to  every  department  of  his 
organization.  Mr.  Krapf  caters  only  to  the 
highest  type  of  patronage,  serving  weddings, 
church  fairs,  festivals,  parties  and  similar 
affairs. 

Mr.  Krapf  was  born  June  13,  1S96,  at 
Cranberry,  Pennsylvania,  a  son  of  John 
Krapf,   born   in   Harwood,   Pennsylvania,   and 


of  Barbara  (Hempel)  Krapf,  born  In  Saxony, 
Germany.  His  father,  who  died  in  1906,  at 
the  age  of  thirty-four,  wa.s  a  talented  violin- 
ist, who  gave  instruction  in  playing  this 
instrument  for  many  years  and  played  In 
several  orchestras.  In  the  family  there  were 
five  children:  Harold,  of  whom  further* 
Myrtle,   Edna,   Raymond,  and  Barbara. 

Harold  Krapf  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools  of  West  Hazleton,  Pennsylvania,  and 
at  the  age  of  twelve  first  took  up  the  baker's 
trade.  Before  he  was  sixteen,  he  was  ac- 
counted a  master  of  his  craft,  and  until  the 
period  of  the  World  War  he  worked  as  a 
journeyman  baker.  In  1918  Mr.  Krapf  en- 
listed in  the  United  States  Army,  but  soon 
thereafter  the  Armistice  was  signed,  limit- 
ing his  activities  in  the  service  to  a  period 
in  training  camp  at  Pennsylvania  State  Col- 
lege. The  following  year  Mr.  Krapf  went 
into  business  independently  in  Hazleton,  as 
a  successor  to  E.  D.  Snyder,  whose  bakery 
was  located  at  Broad  and  Locust  streets,  and 
for  four  years  he  devoted  himself  to  this 
enterprise  with  complete  success.  In  1923 
he  was  able  to  purchase  the  business  of  G. 
O.  Praetorius,  at  No.  40  East  Broad  Street, 
Hazleton,  which  had  been  established  at  that 
time  for  thirty-one  years.  Mr.  Krapf's  two 
ventures  were  merged  under  his  direction, 
his  fine  energy  and  executive  ability,  together 
with  his  thorough  knowledge  of  every  detail 
of  the  baking  and  allied  trades,  resulting  in 
a  constantly  increasing  volume  of  business. 
Finally,  on  April  1,  1928,  he  moved  to  new 
quarters  on  South  Wyoming  Street,  where 
he  has  installed  complete  equipment  of  the 
most  modern  type,  and  is  continuing  the 
excellent  service  which  he  has  made  available 
to  the  community. 

Mr.  Krapf  has  always  been  active  in  the 
various  phases  of  Hazleton  life,  and  is  highly 
esteemed  by  his  fellow-townsmen  as  a  pub- 
lic-spirited citizen.  He  is  affiliated  frater- 
nally with  Azalia  Lodge,  No.  687,  of  the 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  and  is  also  a 
member  of  the  executive  committee  of  the 
American  Legion.  Mr.  Krapf  is  a  director 
of  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association, 
and  is  prominent  in  the  "work  of  this  organ- 
ization. He  and  his  family  attend  Christ 
Memorial    Reformed    Church,    of   Hazleton. 

On  September  1,  1917.  Harold  Krapf  mar- 
ried Cora  Zimmerman  of  Nuremberg,  Penn- 
sylvania, and  of  this  marriage  there  are 
four  children:  John  Harold.  William  Henry, 
Jean  Ruth,  and  Robert  James.  Mrs.  Krapf 
is  also  active  in  community  affairs,  and  is 
a  member  of  the  Auxiliary  of  the  American 
Legion. 


■\VA(r.TER     E.     MacXBAt,.     D.     ».     S. — The 

rugged  landscape  of  the  State  of  Pennsyl- 
vania has  attracted  a  very  large  number  of 
Scotch  families,  and  they  and  their  descend- 
ants have  added  an  element  of  strength  and 
of  sturdy  righteousness  to  the  character  of 
the  general  population.  Among  the  many 
descendants  of  Scotch  ancestors  in  Luzerne 
County  is  Dr.  Walter  E.  MacNeal,  who  has 
been  engaged  in  general  dental  practice  in 
Nanticoke  since  1913.  Dr.  MacNeal  takes  care 
of  the  dental  needs  of  a  prosperous  and 
numerous  patronage,  and  his  offices  at  No.  16 
East  Main  Street  are  busy  the  year  round. 
Prominent  and  active  in  the  Masonic  Order, 
he  is  a  Shriner,  and  he  and  his  forebears  are, 
and  have  been,  vital  factors  in  the  develop- 
ment  of   this  part    of   the   county. 

The  MacNeal  family,  as  has  already  been 
stated,  is  an  old  one  in  Luzerne  County. 
Wallace  MacNeal,  grandfather  of  Dr.  Mac- 
Neal, was  for  many  years  an  engineer  on 
the    Lehigh     Valley     Railroad.       He    was     a 


soldier  in  the  Civil  War,  and  was  an  honored 
citizen  of  this  county  to  the  time  of  his 
death.  Among  the  children  of  Wallace  and 
Phoebe  (Sagrer)  MacNeal  was  William  Mac- 
Neal,    father   of  Dr.   Walter  E.   MacNeal. 

William  MacNeal,  son  of  Wallace  and 
Phoebe  (Sager)  MacNeal,  was  born  in  Lu- 
zerne County,  Pennsylvania,  and  spent  his 
life  in  this  county.  For  many  years  he  was 
engaged  in  the  drug  business  in  Hazleton, 
Pennsylvania,  and  while  successfully  con- 
ducting his  business,  he  also  found  time  for 
efficient  civic  service.  As  a  member  of  the 
local  school  board  he  was  interested  and 
zealous  in  securing  the  best  possible  edu- 
cational advantages  for  his  district,  and  in 
general  local  affairs  he  displayed  sound 
judgment  and  genuine  public  spirit.  Fra- 
ternally, he  was  a  member  of  the  Blue  Lodge, 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons;  also  of  the  local 
Chapter,  Royal  Arch  Masons;  and  he  was  a 
man  whom  his  associates  honored  and  re- 
spected.     He   married   Emma  Roth. 

Dr.  Walter  B.  MacNeal,  son  of  William  and 
Emma  (Roth)  MacNeal,  was  born  in  Hazle- 
ton, Pennsylvania,  August  16,  1S90,  and  at- 
tended the  local  public  schools.  When  he 
decided  to  prepare  himself  for  the  dental 
profession,  he  began  study  in  Medico-Chirur- 
gical  College,  at  Philadelphia,  and  completed 
the  course  there,  graduating  in  1912  with  the 
degree  of  Doctor  of  Dental  Surgery.  After 
graduation  he  spent  one  year  in  Forest  City, 
Pennsylvania,  and  then,  in  1913,  came  to 
Nanticoke,  where  he  has  since  been  engaged 
in  general  dental  practice.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  county.  State  and  national  dental 
associations,  and  is  well  known  among  his 
professional  colleagues  in  this  section  of 
the  State.  Fraternally,  he  is  identified  with 
Nanticoke  Lodge,  No.  541,  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons;  also  with  Keystone  Consistory,  at 
Scranton;  and  with  Irem  Temple,  Ancient 
Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine. 
His  religious  affiliation  is  with  the  Methodist 
Episcopal    Church. 

Dr.  Walter  E.  MacNeal  was  married,  in 
1913,  to  Edith  Myers,  of  Hazleton,  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  they  are  the  parents  of  two 
children:  1.  William  M.  2.  Douglas  M.  The 
family  reside  on  Tilbury  Terrace,  West  Nan- 
ticoke. 


Morris  Judkovics  married,  in  June,  1916, 
Kate  Dattner,  daughter  of  Adolph  and  Fanny 
Dattner,  of  Luzerne.  Their  children  are:  1. 
Marvin,  born  in  1917.  2.  Selma,  born  in  1921. 
3.   Harold,    born    in    1927. 


MORRIS  JUDKOVICS — Industry,  ambition 
and  meticulous  attention  to  business  have, 
within  a  comparatively  brief  period,  placed 
Morris  Judkovics,  of  Luzerne,  in  a  high  posi- 
tion in  the  business  and  financial  fields  here. 
Still  a  young  man,  filled  with  energy  and 
devoted  to  his  enterprises,  honorable  in  all 
his  dealings,  the  future  holds  much  for  him 
and  his  advance  will  be  looked  upon  with 
satisfaction  by  the  multitude  of  friends  he 
has  made  during  his  life   and  activities  here. 

He  was  born  in  Austria,  October  12,  1890, 
a  son  of  Xiel  and  Dora  Judkovics,  both 
natives  of  that  country,  and  there  received 
an  elementary  education,  working  on  his 
father's  farm  until  he  was  sixteen  years  of 
age,  when  he  emigrated  to  America  and 
located  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania.  He  ob-: 
tained  work  in  a  store  there  and  remained 
for  five  years,  then  going  to  Exeter  to  work 
in  a  meat  market  for  two  years,  and  finally 
coming  to  Luzerne  in  May,  1914,  and  estab- 
lishing a  meat  and  grocery  business  under 
the  title  of  the  Standard  Cash  Store.  This 
he  conducted  for  seven  years,  when  he  opened 
his  present  store  at  No.  59  Main  Street.  He 
is  a  Republican  in  politics  and  an  attendant 
at  the  Jewish  synagogne.  He  is  a  director 
of  the  West  Side  Mortgage  &  Loan  Com- 
pany of  Kingston,  and  of  the  Merchants'  & 
Miners'    Bank   of   Luzerne. 


JOHN  PHILLIPS  De\VITT — Meat  dealers  in 
the  Wyoming  Valley  of  Pennsylvania  num- 
ber in  the  membership  of  that  occupation  no 
more  enterprising  individual  than  John 
Philips  DeWitt,  who  is  carrying  on  the  busi- 
ness where  his  father  laid  it  down  at  the 
call  of  death  and  who  in  every  detail  is 
maintaining  the  traditions  of  the  elder  in 
guiding  his  commercial  craft  safely  through 
the  waters  of  competition  to  a  successful 
position.  He  is  a  young  merchant  of  high 
ability,  absolute  integrity,  indefatigable  in- 
dustry and  a  pleasing  personality  that  wins 
friends  and  draws  a  prosperous  clientele  to 
his    doors. 

He  was  born  in  Wyoming,  Pennsylvania, 
February  15,  1893,  a  son  of  Ira  DeWitt,  a 
native  of  Luzerne  County,  and  of  Dora 
(Phillips)  DeWitt,  of  Wyoming.  The  elder 
DeWitt  was  president  of  the  Wyoming  Val- 
ley Beet  Company,  an  organizer  of  the  First 
National  Bank  of  Wyoming  and  a  director  of 
that  institution,  who  took  his  son  into  the 
business  and  left  it  to  him  upon  his  death, 
January  10,  1925.  The  mother  of  John  is  still 
living.  The  son  received  his  education  in 
the  public  schools  here  and  was  graduated 
from  high  school,  after  which  he  attended 
Wyoming  Seminary  and  was  graduated  with 
the  class  of  1913.  He  then  entered  business 
with  his  father  in  the  Wyoming  Valley  Beef 
Company,  but  in  a  short  time  established 
himself  independently  in  a  retail  meat  and 
provision  business  under  the  title  of  De- 
Witt's  Market.  Upon  his  father's  death  he 
took  over  that  enterprise.  He  is  a  Repub- 
lican in  politics  and  a  member  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church.  He  is  fraternally  affiliated 
with  the  Order  of  the  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons,  Lodge  No.  468,  of  Wyoming;  Valley 
Chapter,  Royal  Arch  Masons;  Wyoming  Val- 
ley Commandery,  Knights  Templar,  and 
Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles 
of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  He  is  a  director  in  the 
First  National  Bank  of  Wyoming  and  in  the 
Franklin  Thrift  and  Loan  Corporation,  of 
Pittston.   Pennsylvania. 

John  Phillips  DeWitt  married  in  Novem- 
ber, 1916,  Elizabeth  Howell,  daughter  of 
Thomas  W.  and  Elizabeth  Howell,  of  West 
Pittston.  They  have  one  child:  John  Phil- 
lips,   Jr.,    born    May    1,    1919. 


ANTHONY  A.  SINCAVAGE  —  Advancing 
with  certain  strides  to  a  ranking  position 
among  his  fellow  dental  practitioners  in 
Plymouth  is  Anthony  A.  Sincavage,  who  has 
been  professionally  established  here  since 
1925.  In  undertaking  his  career  he  prepared 
carefully  under  instructors  of  tried  merit, 
who  have  given  years  to  their  tasks,  and 
has  brought  into  the  field  a  proportionate 
degree  of  skill  which  should  increase  as 
his  practice  develops.  Aside  from  his  pro- 
fessional labors  he  takes  a  great  interest  in 
the  civic  activities  of  the  community  and  in 
fraternal  and  other  organizations  and  is  held 
in  esteem  by  a  large  circle  of  friends  and 
patients. 

Dr.  Sincavage  was  born  in  Sugar  Notch, 
Pennsylvania,  April  16,  1901,  a  son  of 
Anthony,  a  miner,  and  Rose  (Slaunckas)  Sin- 
cavage, both  natives  of  Lithuania,  and  both 
living  (192S).  He  acquired  his  elementary 
education  in  the  public  schools  of  his  birth- 
place and  was  graduated  from  the  high  school 
of  Hanover  Township  in  the  class  of  1921. 
He  then  took  the  course  in  the  dental  college 


^^^Qna^LeJ 


of  Georgetown  University,  from  wliicli  lie 
was  graduated  with  tlie  degree  of  Doctor  of 
Dental  Surgery  in  1925.  Coming  to  Plym- 
outh at  that  time,  he  established  himself  in 
general  practice  and  has  his  offices  at  No. 
50  East  Main  Street,  his  residence  at  No. 
753  Main  Street,  Sugar  Notch.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  American  Dental  Association  and 
of  the  Pennsylvania  State  and  the  county 
societies.  He  is  a  Democrat  in  politics  and 
belongs  to  the  Roman  Catholic  Church  of 
Sts.  Peter  and  Paul.  His  fraternal  member- 
ships include  the  Xi  Psi  Phi  Fraternity, 
Knights  of  Columbus,  and  Fraternal  Order 
of  Eagles. 


JOHN  MASEIi — Following  the  family  tra- 
dition, John  Masel  became  a  baker  by  pro- 
fession and  is  today  one  of  the  leaders  in 
that  line  in  the  Wyoming  Valley  of  Penn- 
sylvania, where  he  has  conducted  his  own 
establishment  for  upward  of  twenty-five 
years,  at  No.  31  West  Eighth  Street,  Wyo- 
ming. From  early  manhood  here  he  has  taken 
a  deep  interest  in  vital  affairs  of  the  com- 
munity and  has  been  of  great  assistance  in 
organization  and  building  up.  He  has  been 
frequently  called  to  office  of  honor  and  re- 
sponsibility and  has  acquitted  himself  with 
credit  to  the  judgment  of  his  fellow-citizens. 
He  is  a  man  of  great  industry,  of  unimpeach- 
able integrity,  with  a  code  of  business  ethics 
that  places  him  high  in  the  regard  of  all 
with  whom  he  negotiates. 

He  was  born  in  Germany,  November  13 
1869.  a  son  of  George  Masel,  a  baker  by  trade, 
and  Margaret  (Kopp)  Masel,  the  first  named 
deceased  in  April.  1926,  the  second  in  Jun« 
1925.  both  having  been  natives  of  German\ 
He  was  educated  in  the  elementary  schools 
of  his  native  land  and  when  twenty  years  of 
age  came  to  America  and  settled  in  Pittston 
where  he  attended  "V^"ood's  Business  College 
afterward  engaging  in  the  b-jker's  trade  there 
under  the  title  of  Vienna  Baking  Company. 
This  he  conducted  for  five  years,  then  selling 
out  and  removing  to  Scranton,  where  he  be- 
came foreman  for  the  Pennsylvania  Baking 
Company  and  held  that  post  for  seven  years, 
when  he  resigned  and  came  to  Wyoming. 
Here  he  established  his  present  bakery,  which 
he  has  since  conducted  with  success.  In  poli- 
tics a  Republican,  he  has  been  very  active 
in  civic  affairs,  having  been  a  member  of  the 
Borough  Council  for  eleven  years,  and  once 
having  been  appointed  burgess,  after  which, 
in  1926,  he  was  elected  to  the  office  to  serve 
a  four-year  term.  He  is  chairman  of  the 
building  committee  that  erected  the  Wyo- 
ming Hose  House  No.  1  and  has  been  presi- 
dent of  that  company,  having  been  an  active 
fireman  since  1903.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Pennsylvania  State  Firemen's  Association 
and  is  affiliated  with  Lodge,  No.  228,  Improved 
Order  of  Red  Men:  Wyoming  Lodge  No.  SS7, 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows;  Monument 
Lodge,  Fraternal  Order  of  Eagles;  Shannon 
Lodge.  No.  382,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  Benevolent 
and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  and  Owls,  No. 
1871,  of  which  he  has  been  treasurer  for  six 
years,  its  headquarters  being  at  Edwards- 
ville.    His  church   is   the   Presbyterian. 

John  Masel  married,  in  1893.  Lena  Houck, 
of  Wilkes-Barre,  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Mar- 
garet Houck.  They  have  one  child:  Margue- 
retta  A. 


STEPHEN"  S.  KRAJEWSKI,  M.  D. — Varied 
indeed  have  been  the  experiences  of  Stephen 
S.  Krajewski,  physician  and  surgeon,  prac- 
ticing in  Nanticoke.  He  was  born  in  1880, 
Christmas  Day,  December  25.  in  Poland,  a 
son  of  Frank  and  Justina  Krajewski.  When 
Stephen    S.    was    one    year    old    the    parents 


immigrated  with  their  children  to  the  United 
States,  and  established  residence  in  Nanti- 
coke. Frank  Krajewski  .secured  employment, 
as  a  laborer,  with  the  Susquehanna  Coal 
Company,  worked  as  miner  for  several  years, 
and  finally,  in  association  with  his  eldest 
son,  John,  went  into  the  mercantile  business. 
It  was  Frank  Krajewski  who  established 
the  family  name  among  those  most  respected 
in  the  circles  where  known  in  Nanticoke: 
and  his  sons  have  made  it  known  and 
respected  in  Nanticoke  at  large,  in  Luzerne 
County  widely,  and  elsewhere.  Frank  Kra- 
jewski died  at  the  age  of  eighty-seven  years; 
his  wife  at  eighty-four.  They  were  the  par- 
ents of  six  children:  John,  Teofila,  Louis, 
Stephen  S.,  Rosie  and  Michael. 

The  experiences  of  Stephen  S.  Krajewski 
may  be  said  to  have  begun  at  the  age  of 
one  year,  with  his  crossing  the  Atlantic 
Ocean.  In  Nanticoke  he  entered  the  public 
schools,  and  at  the  age  of  eight,  during 
summer  vacation,  went  to  work  as  breaker 
boy  in  the  mines.  This  he  continued  for 
several  summers,  then  became  a  newsboy, 
and  almost  at  once  secured  work  in  the 
offices  of  the  Nanticoke  "News."  when  it  was 
first  established.  Here  he  made  himself  use- 
ful in  all  capacities  peculiar  to  newspapers: 
and  all  of  this  transpired  before  he  had 
completed  the  eighth  grade  in  public  school. 
When  he  had  done  so,  at  the  age  of  fifteen, 
he  abandoned  the  newspaper  offices  to  be- 
come a  salesman  for  the  Raphael  Clothing 
Company.  For  three  years  he  sold  clothing, 
shoes  and  gents'  furnishing,  then  matri- 
culated in  Stanislaus  College,  in  Chicago, 
Illinois,  where  he  pursued  the  arts  courses, 
and  graduated  in  1902,  with  the  degree  of 
Bachelor  of  Arts.  Thus  fortified  in  the  pos- 
session of  the  aeademic  diploma  he  under- 
took further  study  of  philosophy,  which  in- 
terested him  intensely,  and  for  a  year  was  a 
student  in  St.  Barnard  Seminary.  He  was 
then,  in  1905,  twenty-five  years  of  age,  had 
already  enjoyed  a  wealth  of  diversified  ex- 
perience such  as  might  not  accrue  to  a  man 
twice  his  age  under  more  prosaic  circum- 
stances, but  had  not  yet,  apparently,  decided 
upon  any  certain  career.  So  it  happened  that 
he  returned  to  Chicago,  and  secured  a  place 
in  a  shoe  store,  and  for  two  years  was  its 
manager.  During  that  two  years  he  had 
decided  definitely  on  his  career:  it  would  be 
the  medical  profession.  He  entered  the 
Medico-Chirurgical  College  of  Philadelphia 
in  1907,  applied  himself  diligently  to  anat- 
omy and  all  other  courses,  and  received  the 
degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine  in  1911.  The 
year  following  he  spent  as  interne  in  the 
Medico-Chirurgical  Hospital,  of  Philadelphia, 
and  in  1912,  thirty-two  years  of  age,  re- 
turned to  Nanticoke  to  practice  his  profes- 
sion, with  offices  at  No.  60  West  Green  Street, 
where  he  has  since  made  his  headquarters, 
which  have  been  known  to  an  ever  increas- 
ing clientele.  While  his  work  is  of  a  gen- 
eral range,  he  specializes  in  proctology,  and 
for  this  is  recognized  widely  in  the  medical 
fraternity  as  a  man  of  skill.  He  is  on  the 
staff  of  Nanticoke  State  Hospital;  for  two 
years  he  lectured  in  the  hospital  on  diseases 
of  the  eye,  ear,  nose  and  throat,  and  for 
two  years  lectured  on  nervous  diseases.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  county.  State  and  national 
medical  organizations,  of  the  Benevolent  and 
Protective  Order  of  Elks,  the  Maccabees,  the 
Polish  Union,  Z.  M.  P.,  and  the  Polish  Na- 
tional Alliance.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Roman  Catholic  Church,  and  since  the  or- 
ganization of  the  Polish  Orphanage  has 
served  continuously  as  its  health  instructor 
and  physician.  Dr.  Krajewski  is  active  in  all 
charitable    undertakings    of    the    community. 


Si6 


In  the  World  War  he  was  unsparingly  de- 
voted to  the  cause  of  the  country,  and  served 
tirelessly  on  boards  and  committees  of  war 
work,  as  well  as  to  beneflcial  effect  in  the 
Liberty  Loan  campaigns.  Of  him  it  is  said, 
that  he  is  a  patriot,  proud  of  and  loyal  to  his 
country;  that  he  is  high  in  his  profession, 
and  will  rise  still  higher  in  it;  and  that  he 
is  most  honorable  in  liis  practice  and  in  his 
private    dealings    of    all    sorts. 

On  April  29,  1906,  Dr.  Krajewski  was  united 
in  marriage  witli  Kathrin  Smith,  native  of 
Pennsylvania;  and  they  are  the  parents  of 
five  children;  Mary,  Stephen,  Jr.,  John, 
Eugene,  and  Henry.  Mrs.  Krajewski  is 
prominently  identified  with  various  women's 
clubs  and  organizations. 


MICHAEL        LITKAC — JtlARTIN        LUKAC — 

Modern  civilization  daily  makes  greater 
demands  for  experts  in  the  various  fields 
of  inventive  progress,  none  of  which  is  of 
more  importance  to  humanity  than  electrical 
knowledge.  This  demand  has  been  met  in 
the  district  of  Pennsylvania  of  which  Free- 
land  is  the  center  in  the  instance  of  Michael 
Lukac,  whose  training  has  well  fitted  him 
for  the  enterprise  lie  conducts  of  electrical 
contracting  and  distribution  of  electrical  ac- 
cessories. This  education  was  acquired  in 
private  enterprises  and  under  the  efficient 
tutelage  of  instructors  in  the  employ  of  the 
United  States  Army,  a  double  assurance  of 
the  finished  acquaintance  he  has  with  the 
intricacies  of  the  trade  of  electrical  expert. 
Nor  has  Mr.  Lukac  forgotten  the  other  duties 
that  a  good  citizen  owes  his  fellows,  for 
he  has  mingled  with  them  in  fraternal,  civic 
and  social  matters  and  devoted  himself  to 
valuable  religious  work.  These  things  make 
for  sound  citizenship,  a  qnality  which  he 
possesses  in  noteworthy  degree  and  which 
keeps  his  name  high  on  the  rolls  of  those 
who  are  making  the  important  history  of 
the    Wyoming   Valley. 

Mr.  Lukac  was  born  in  Bohemia,  now  a 
province  of  Czecho-Slovakia  and  formerly  of 
the  Austrian  Empire,  January  17,  1889,  a 
son  of  Michael  and  Elizabeth  (Chernak) 
Lukac,  and  was  brought  to  the  United  States 
when  he  was  five  years  of  age  by  his  mother, 
his  father  having  preceded  them  here  and 
located  at  Hazleton,  where  he  was  employed 
as  an  engineer  by  Cox  Brothers  first  and 
the  Freeland  Brewing  Company.  His  death 
occurred  in  1925,  his  wife  having  died  in 
1907.  They  had  a  family  of  seven  children, 
all  residents  of  the  United  States:  1.  Michael, 
of  whom  further.  2.  John  A.  (see  a  follow- 
ing biography).  3.  August,  an  electrician  in 
Freeland.  4.  Christina,  a  graduate  nurse, 
now  employed  at  the  Walter  Reed  Hospital, 
"Washington,  District  of  Columbia.  5.  Mary. 
6.  Martin  associated  with  his  brother,  Michael 
in  business.  7.  Theodora,  assistant  in  the 
establishment  of  her  brothers. 

Michael  Lukac  was  educated  in  the  local 
public  schools  and  in  the  Mining  and  Me- 
chanical Institute  at  Freeland,  also  taking 
courses  in  a  correspondence  school.  When 
he  was  nineteen  years  of  age  he  enlisted  in 
the  American  Army  for  service  in  the  World 
War  and  was  detailed  to  the  electric  division 
and  sent  to  Philadelpliia  for  training.  From 
there  he  was  sent  to  Fort  Leavenworth. 
Kansas,  where  he  was  trained  for  the  Signal 
Corps  and  then  attached  to  the  5th  Battalion, 
which  was  encamped  at  Franklin,  Maryland, 
until  the  close  of  the  war.  On  January  29, 
1919,  he  was  mustered  out  of  the  serv- 
ice with  the  rank  of  master  signal  elec- 
crician,  having  passed  an  examination  with 
highest  marks.  Following  his  military  serv- 
ice   he    was    an    instructor    in    his    profession 


until  he  established  his  business  in  1919,  in 
association  with  his  brother,  Martin.  The 
house  is  located  at  No.  631  Center  Street, 
Freeland,  and,  in  addition  to  general  elec- 
trical contracting,  carries  a  complete  line  of 
all  electric  devices  and  accessories  and  claims 
to  do  the  largest  business  in  this  district  of 
the   State. 

Mr.  Lukac  is  a  member  of  the  American 
Legion;  Freeland  Rotary  Club;  Lodge  No. 
1145,  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of 
Elks;  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.' 
Business  Men's  Organization  and  Young 
Men's  Christian  Association.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  tile  Lutheran  Churcli  and  active  in  its 
Sunday  school.  In  1927  he  was  a  delegate 
to  the  convention  in  Paris  of  the  American 
Legion. 


JOHX  A.  LL'CAS  is  now  assistant  manager 
of  the  Memphis  District  Office  of  the  United 
States  Bureau  of  Foreign  and  Domestic  Com- 
merce. He  was  born  in  Hazleton,  Pennsyl- 
vania, Mary  24,  1896,  the  son  of  Michael 
and  Elizabeth  (Chernak)  Lukac  (notice  the 
different  spelling)  and  he  is  the  brother  of 
Michael  and  Martin  Lukac,  of  Freeland, 
Pennsylvania,  (see  a  preceding  biography). 
He  received  his  education  in  the  local  pub- 
lic schools,  the  Mining  and  Mechanical  In- 
stitute, Freeland,  Pennsylvania,  and  grad- 
uated from  State  Teachers'  College,  East 
Stroudsburg,  in  1917.  He  then  completed 
a  two-year  course  in  foreign  trade  in  1923 
at  Georgetown  University,  School  of  Foreign 
Service,  and  in  1924  received  his  Bachelor  of 
Arts  degree  from  George  Washington  Uni- 
versity. 

In  1919  Mr.  Lucas  became  a  high  school 
teacher,  and  in  1920  he  changed  his  position 
to  that  of  specialty  salesman.  In  1921  he 
entered  the  government  service  as  research 
assistant  in  the  Bureau  of  Plant  Industry, 
Department  of  Agriculture,  Washington, 
District  of  Columbia.  Subsequently  he  re- 
signed this  position  and  on  April  16,  1923,  he 
was  appointed  special  agent  in  the  Bureau 
of  Foreign  and  Domestic  Commerce,  Depart- 
ment of  Commerce,  and  was  assigned  to  the 
Textile  Division.  .  While  in  this  division  he 
prepared  special  reports  for  cotton  export- 
ers, manufacturers,  etc.,  on  the  production, 
consumption  and  distribution  of  raw  cotton 
from  a  world  standpoint;  and  on  July  1, 
1926,  he  was  appointed  assistant  manager  in 
the  new  District  Office  of  the  Bureau  at 
Memphis,  Tennessee,  created  by  Congress  to 
assist  growers,  exporters,  manufacturers  and 
others  to  find  foreign  markets  for  their 
goods;  also  to  assist  in  the  development  of 
domestic  commerce.  This  position  he  suc- 
cessfully   fulfils    at    the    present    time    (1928). 

During  the  World  War  Mr.  Lucas  enlisted 
and  was  a  non-commissioned  officer  in  Com- 
pany D  of  the  145th  Infantry,  37th  Division, 
and  saw  active  service  in  France  and  Belgium 
in  the  following  battles;  Baccarat  Sector, 
St.  Mihiel,  Meuse-Argonne,  and  Ypres-Lys. 
He  was  honorably  discharged  at  Camp  Dix, 
New   Jersey,    May    28,   1919. 


ST.VNLEY  T.  MONAHAX,  M.  D. — Active  at 
all  times  in  the  care  of  the  sick  and  injured 
of  the  community.  Dr.  Stanley  T.  Monahan 
has  achieved  a  position  of  genuine  impor- 
tance in  Hudson,  since  he  began  his  prac- 
tice here  soon  after  1920.  In  carrying  out 
his  professional  duties.  Dr.  Monahan's  per- 
sonal convenience  and  safety  is  regarded  by 
him  as  unworthy  of  consideration,  and  this 
generous  attitude  together  with  his  general 
activity  in  Hudson  affairs,  has  won  him  the 
affection  and  esteem  of  liis  fellow-townsmen 
in   an    unusual   degree. 


SACRED  HEART  ROMAN  CATHOLIC  SLOVAK  CHURCH 

Background  ;     Wireless  Laboratory  and  Aerial  Station 

WILKES-BARRE,  PA. 


SACRED  HEART  SLOVAK  PAROCHIAL  SCHOOL 

WILKES-BARRE,  PA. 


Ur.  Monahan  was  born  in  Wilkes-Barre, 
Pennsylvania,  June  17,  1896,  a  son  of  Joiin 
H.  Monahan,  a  scliool  teacher,  born  in  Ireland 
in  lS-)3,  died  in  1923,  and  of  Anne  (McDon- 
ough)  Monahan,  who  was  born  in  White 
Haven,  Pennsylvania,  and  is  still  living-.  His 
father  was  active  in  educational  worli  in  and 
about  Willies-Barre  for  a  period  of  fifty 
years.  Stanley  T.  Monahan  attended  the  pub- 
lic schools  of  TS'illies-Barre,  and  was  grad- 
uated from  the  high  school  in  1914.  For  two 
years  thereafter,  he  attended  Fordham  Uni- 
versity, in  New  York  City,  after  which  he 
entered  Jefferson  Medical  College,  in  Phila- 
delphia, and  was  there  graduated  in  1920, 
with  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine.  Re- 
turning soon  afterwards  to  Wilkes-Barre,  he 
became  an  interne  in  the  Mercy  Hospital  of 
that  city,  and  when  his  period  of  service 
there  was  completed,  he  began  the  practice 
of  his  profession  in  Hudson,  to  which  he  has 
since  devoted  himself  "with  complete   success. 

Dr.  Monalian  is  a  member  of  the  Luzerne 
County  and  Pennsylvania  State  medical  so- 
cieties, and  a  member  of  the  American  Med- 
ical Association.  Politically  he  supports  the 
principles  and  candidates  of  the  Republican 
part.v.  and  he  is  affiliated  fraternally  with 
the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks, 
in  which  organization  he  is  a  member  of 
Lodge  No.  109.  He  is  a  member  and  now 
secretary,  of  the  board  of  health  of  Plains 
Township.  He  worships  in  the  faith  of  the 
Roman  Catholic  Church,  and  has  been  for 
some  years  a  member  of  the  Church  of  the 
Sacred  Heart,  in  Hudson,  Dr.  Monahan  is 
unmarried.  His  residence  is  at  No.  66  Oak 
Street,    Hudson. 


REV.  M.  F.  STANKIEWICZ — As  the  elev- 
enth pastor  of  the  St.  Casimir's  Polish 
Catholic  Church,  of  Freeland,  Pennsj'lvania, 
Rev.  M.  F.  Stankiewicz  has  for  the  past  four 
years  been  steadily  advancing  the  interests 
of  the  parish.  He  has  greatly  built  up  the 
spiritual  life  of  the  church,  has  re-modelled 
the  rectory,  and  has  given  careful  attention 
to  the  various  societies  of  the  parish.  Father 
Stankiewicz  is  a  graduate  of  St.  Stanislaus 
College,  Chicago:  and  of  St.  Joseph's  Sem- 
inary, in  Dun-woodie.  New  York,  and  had  been 
in  active  ministry  for  a  period  of  four  years 
before  coming  to  Freeland.  He  is  deeply 
revered  by  his  parishioners  and  is  performing 
a    worthy    service    here. 

Rev.  M.  F.  Stankiewicz  was  born  in  Forest 
City,  Pennsylvania,  November  11,  1S92,  son  of 
Caietan  and  Margaret  Stankiewicz,  both 
natives  of  Poland,  the  father  now  deceased 
(1928).  After  completing  the  courses  of  the 
public  schools  of  Forest  City,  including  the 
high  school,  he  entered  St.  Stanislaus  Col- 
lege, in  Chicago,  Illinois,  from  wliich  he  was 
graduated  with  the  class  of  1915.  Before 
this  time  he  had  chosen  the  service  of  the 
church  as  his  life  work,  and  in  order  to 
prepare  for  Holy  Orders  he  entered  St. 
Joseph's  Seminary,  at  Dunwoodie,  New  York, 
where  he  completed  his  preparation  and  took 
orders.  He  was  ordained  July  IS,  1920  by 
the  late  Bishop  M.  J.  Hoban,  and  received  his 
first  appointment  as  assistant  at  St.  Hedwig's 
Church,  at  Kingston,  Pennsylvania.  From 
there  he  was  assigned  to  St.  Mary's  Church, 
at  Dickson  City,  still  serving  as  assistant.  He 
then  was  transferred  to  St.  Mary's  Church, 
at  Blossburg  as  pastor,  and  after  render- 
ing able  service  there  he  came  to  Free- 
land,  taking  chargre  of  St.  Casimir's  Polish 
Catholic   Church    here    November   11,    1924. 

St.  Casimir's  Parish  was  organized  early 
in  1SS6  and  the  present  church  building  was 
erected  that  same  year,  with  a  seating  ca- 
pacity of  four  hundred  and  fifty.     At  the  time 


of  the  founding  of  the  parish  there  were 
only  about  fifty  Polish  Catholic  families  in 
Freeland  and  vicinity,  but  since  that  time 
the  number  of  families  included  In  this  parish 
has  increased  to  three  hundred,  and  the 
activities  and  the  general  prosperity  of  the 
church  have  increased  accordingly.  The  first 
pastor,  Rev.  A.  Warnagiris,  spared  no  effort 
in  the  task  of  laying  firm  foundations  for 
future  growth,  and  when  he  was  transferred 
to  another  field  he  was  succeeded  by  Rev. 
M.  Yodyshop.  Since  the  close  of  the  term 
of  service  of  the  last-mentioned  pastor 
the  following  men  have  aided  in  the  work 
of  bringing  St.  Casimir's  Parish  to  its  pres- 
ent flourishing  condition:  Rev.  P.  Abro- 
maitys.  Rev.  J.  Morsotis,  Rev.  J.  Delinikajtys, 
Rev.  L.  Suckowski,  Rev.  B.  Walter,  Rev.  J. 
Karsakaitis,  Rev.  George  Inczura,  and  Rev. 
C.  Strimaitis.  The  last-named  was  followed 
by  the  present  pastor.  Rev.  M.  F.  Stankie- 
wicz, who  has  now  been  In  charge  here  for 
nearly  four  j'ears.  Since  taking  charge  he 
has  devoted  himself  to  the  advancement  of 
the  spiritual  and  material  interests  of  the 
Parish,  has  remodelled  the  rectory,  and  has 
greatly  stimulated  the  activities  of  the 
various  organizations  and  societies  of  the 
parish.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Benevolent 
and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  of  Elmira, 
New  York,  also  of  the  Polish  Union,  and  of 
numerous  other  organizations,  and  takes  a 
very  active  interest  in  civic  affairs  here  in 
Freeland.  He  is  a  member  of  the  A.  A.  A., 
and  his  many  points  of  contact  with  the 
various  organizations  with  which  he  is  iden- 
tified are  helpful  to  him  in  his  ministry  as 
a  pastor,  bringing  him  better  understanding 
of  the  general  problems  of  his  parishioners, 
and  giving  him  viewpoints  which  are  valu- 
able in  helping  and  advising  his  parishioners. 
Father  Stankiewicz  has  the  respect  of  the 
community  in  general,  as  well  as  of  the  mem- 
bers of  his  parish,  and  is  doing  a  valuable 
work   here   in   Freeland. 


REV.  JOSEPH  MTJRGAS — A  leader  in  the 
religious  life  of  Northeastern  Pennsylvania, 
an  artist  and  scientist  of  distinguished  attain- 
ments, the  Rev.  Joseph  Murgas  is  one  of 
Wilkes-Barre's  outstanding  citizens  and  be- 
loved and  esteemed  as  pastor  of  Sacred  Heart 
Roman  Catholic  Slovak  Church. 

Father  Murgas  came  to  "Wilkes-Barre  in 
1896  and  since  that  time  has  labored  without 
ceasing  in  the  interests  of  his  fellow-country- 
men who  have  sought  their  fortunes  in  this 
land  of  opportunity,  bringing  with  them  the 
contribution  of  their  art,  culture,  love  of 
industry  and  substantial  citizenship,  all  of 
which  are  splendid  assets  to  American  civil- 
ization. Father  Murgas'  entire  career  has 
been  a  visible  proof  that  science  can  advance 
hand  in  hand  with  religion:  many  years  ago 
he  was  one  of  the  pioneers  in  wireless  teleg- 
raphy and  won  the  acclamation  of  the  scien- 
tific world  through  his  invention  of  a  sys- 
tem of  musical  tone  signal  transmission  in 
spark  telegraphy  that  proved  a  revolutioniz- 
ing influence  in  the  field  of  wireless.  In  his 
artistic  work  he  is  an  accomplished  painter 
of  sacred  subjects  and  landscapes,  and  the 
products  of  his  brush  have  received  the  praise 
of  foremost  critics,  examples  of  his  work 
being  found  in  his  church  where  practically 
all   the   pictures   have   been   done   by   him. 

Father  Murgas  was  born  in  Tajov,  Czecho- 
slovakia I  formerly  Austria-Hungary  1.  Feb- 
ruary 17,  1864,  son  of  John  and  Susan  Murgas. 
He  received  his  elementary  education  in  the 
schools  of  Tajov  and  studied  at  institutions 
of  higher  learning  in  Banska-Bystrica,  Brati- 
slava,   Ostrihom,    and    Budapest,    In    Austria- 


Si8 


Hungary,  attending-  the  Academy  of  Art  In 
Munich,  Germany.  On  November  10,  1888,  he 
was  ordained  to  the  priesthood  in  Banska- 
Bystrica,  and  for  some  time  thereafter  served 
as  assistant  pastor  in  various  churches,  devot- 
ing his  spare  time  to  painting.  He  presented 
to  his  Bishop  in  ordinary  a  picture  "Christ 
before  Pilate"  which  so  impressed  His  Grace 
that  he  wished  to  develop  the  young  priest's 
artistic  talents  and,  accordingly,  in  1889,  sent 
him  to  the  school  of  art  in  Budapest,  and  in 
the  following  year  to  the  Academy  of  Art 
at  Munich,  where  he  was  the  first  scholar 
to  acquire  the  distinction  of  receiving  in  his 
first  year  two  certificates,  one  in  drawing  and 
one  in  painting.  Shortly  after  this  he  painted 
for  his  benefactor,  the  Bishop,  a  beautiful 
original  composition  of  St.  Elizabeth  of  Hun- 
gary. His  coming  to  the  United  States  came 
about  as  the  result  of  his  artistic  ability, 
for  he  was  sought  by  powerful  political  fac- 
tors of  Hungary  to  give  his  opinion  on  their 
national  canvas,  "Honfoglalas,"  which  trans- 
lated means  "Occupation  of  Country,"  and 
exhibited  in  the  Parliament  in  Budapest,  the 
work  of  the  famous  painter,  Munkacsi,  de- 
picting the  historic  occupancy  of  Slovakia  in 
the  tenth  century.  An  ardent  patriot  at  all 
times.  Father  Murgas  was  loyal  to  the  cause 
of  his  people's  freedom  and  independence  and 
fearlessly  criticized  the  picture  as  untrue  to 
history  and  art,  for  which  statement  he  was 
persecuted  so  that  in  1896  he  emigrated  from 
his  native  land  to  the  more  friendly  shores  of 
the  United   States. 

Locating  in  Wilkes-Barre.  he  first  built  a 
frame  church  for  the  Catholic  Slovaks  of  this 
vicinity,  and  there  started  the  nucleus  of  the 
parish  which  has  expanded  into  such  a  large, 
progressive  organization,  erecting  the  beauti- 
ful church  edifice  in  1906-08,  and  a  modern 
school  building  which  was  completed  in  1925, 
under  the  care  of  the  teaching  nuns.  He  Is 
a  member  of  the  first  Catholic  Slovak  Union 
of  America,  the  Pennsylvania  Roman  and 
Greek  Catholic  Union  of  the  United  States, 
the  Slovak  League  of  America,  and  the 
Czocho-Slovak  National  Council.  His  activ- 
ities in  art  and  science  have  earned  for  him 
membership  in  the  American  Institute  of 
Electrical  Engineers,  the  Wyoming  Historical 
and  Geological  Society,  the  American  Society 
for  Psychical  Research,  Incorporated,  and  the 
National  Geographic  Society,  and  the  United 
States  Sportsmen  of  Pennsylvania,  while  he 
is  also  active  in  all  leading  civic  organiza- 
tions and  is  connected  with  different  sports- 
men clubs. 

While  Father  Murgas  has  kept  up  with  his 
artistic  talents,  customs  and  conditions  in  the 
United  States  did  not  permit  or  warrant  his 
devoting  as  much  of  his  time  to  his  art  as 
he  would  have  preferred,  so  he  therefore 
turned  his  attention  to  science.  When  he 
was  a  student  at  Ostrihom,  he  was  an  ardent 
experimenter  in  electricity  and  was  allowed 
to  spend  his  free  time  in  experimentation  in 
the  Seminary  Laboratory,  in  addition  to  which 
he  studied  every  treatise  or  publication  con- 
cerning this  mystifying  science.  Here  in 
Wilkes-Barre  he  arranged  a  small  laboratory 
in  his  parish  house  where  he  discovered  an 
essential  improvement  applicable  to  wireless 
telegraphy  and  on  October  2,  1903,  applied  to 
the  United  States  Patent  Office  for  a  patent 
for  his  first  invention,  which  was  granted 
under  date  of  May  10.  1904.  He  devised  a 
aystem  of  sound  transmission  by  means  of 
two  musical  tones  differing  in  pitch,  one  tone 
forming  the  dot,  the  other  the  dash,  in  com- 
mon to  the  Morse  Code.  The  Universal  Aether 
Company  of  Philadelphia  at  first  supported 
Fathej   Murgas  after  witnessing  a  successful 


test,  but  on  becoming  the  sole  owners  of  his 
patent  letters,  neglected  to  promote  the  sys- 
tem for  public  use,  so  that  In  the  meantime, 
the  Marconi  and  Pessenden  organizations 
de%-eloped  more  elaborate  machinery,  but 
limited  to  only  one  tone  for  signaling.  Dur- 
ing the  recent  World  War,  he  greatly  aided 
the  cause  of  the  United  States  and  the  Allies 
by  his  deep  influence  and  enthusiastic  efforts 
among  the  people  under  his  care,  and  after- 
wards, in  aiding  the  cause  for  the  indepen- 
dence of  Czecho-Slovakia,  he  personally 
headed  the  campaign  which  brought  in  more 
than  half  a  million  dollars. 

The  Ozecho-Slovak  Rejiublic  in  commemo- 
rating its  tenth  anniversary  in  1928,  found 
it  fit  according  to  the  decree  of  the  National 
Assembly  to  honor  the  founders  who  had  been 
instrumental  in  laying  the  foundation  of  that 
Republic.  Father  Murgas,  in  recognition  of 
services  rendered  the  Czech  and  Slovak  people 
during  the  ^^'orld  AVar  in  their  struggle  tor 
independence,  was  awarded  a  Revolutionary 
Medal  of  Honor,  which  was  issued  by  the 
Assembly  at  Prague.  The  presentation  was 
made  by  Dr.  Jan  Papanek,  of  tlie  Czecho- 
slovak Legation  at  Washington,  District  of 
Columbia,  on  the  occasion  of  a  testimonial 
dinner  tendered  Rev.  Murgas,  February  13, 
1928,  in  the  school  auditorium  in  Wilkes- 
Barre,  celebrating  his  fortieth  year  in  the 
priesthood,  and  thirty-third  year  as  pastor 
of  the   Sacred   Heart  Slovak   Church. 

Rev.  Murgas  is  not  only  a  leader  of  the 
■  Slovak  peoples,  but  also  a  tried  and  true 
adopted  son  of  the  United  States,  for  whose 
development  and  prosperity  he  is  a  valuable 
worker,  with  his  splendid  foresight  and  great 
ability  as  an  adviser  and  leader  in  the  solu- 
tion  of   construction   problems. 


ALOIS  KNOLI.,,  D.  D.  S.— During  less  than 
four  years  in  active  practice  in  Nanticoke, 
Dr.  Alois  Knoll,  among  the  younger  prac- 
.titloners  of  dental  surgery  in  this  district, 
is  rising  rapidly  in  his  profession  and  gives 
ample  promise  of  reaching  a  position  of 
fame. 

He  was  born  in  Nanticoke,  Pennsylvania, 
November  15,  1900,  a  son  of  C.  J.  and  Appo- 
lonia  (Kitlowski)  Knoll,  both  living  at  No. 
658  East  Main  Street,  Nanticoke,  where  the 
son  also  resides.  C.  J.  Knoll  is  engaged  in 
the  coal  industry. 

Alois  Knoll  acquired  his  early  education 
in  the  public  elementary  and  high  schools 
of  Nanticoke,  graduating  from  the  last-named 
in  1919.  He  then  entered  the  University  of 
Pittsburgh,  at  Pittsburgh,  taking  the  dental 
course,  from  which  he  was  graduated  with 
the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Dental  Surgery  in 
the  class  of  1924.  He  tlien  established  himself 
in  general  practice  in  Nanticoke,  where  he 
has  since  remained.  He  attends  the  Roman 
Catholic  Church  of  St.  Stanislaus  and  holds 
membership  in  the  County,  State  and  National 
Dental  associations. 


ALFRED  M.  KRIEDM.'VIV — A  very  large 
number  of  people  in  Nanticolie  liave  learned 
through  experience  that  they  can  always 
find  a  full  stock,  quality  goods,  and  superior 
service  at  Al's  Square  Deal  Clothes  Shop, 
located  at  No.  48  East  Main  Street.  The 
square  deal  is  always  in  evidence,  and  no 
merchant  knows  better  than  Alfred  M.  Fried- 
man that  honest  service  is  a  paying  proposi- 
tion. Long  association  with  his  father,  who 
is  engaged  in  the  same  business  in  Taylor, 
Pennsylvania,  as  well  as  his  own  experience 
gained  through  several  years  spent  as  man- 
ager of  his  father's  store,  have  taught  him 
that     lesson     most     thoroughly,     and     though 


ST.  NICHOLAS  ROMAN  CATHOLIC  CHURCH 

WILKES-BARRE,  PA. 


Al's  Square  Deal  Clothes  Shop  has  been  in 
operation  only  since  August  1925,  it  is  sup- 
plying- the  needs  of  a  very  large  group  of 
customers.  While  specializing  in  men's  cloth- 
ing, Mr.  Friedman  carries  a  full  line  of  boys' 
clothing,  and  the  accessories  of  male  attire. 

Born  in  Taylor,  Alleghany  County,  Penn- 
sylvania, August  21,  1901,  Alfred  M.  Fried- 
man is  a  son  of  S.  M.  and  Ethel  Friedman, 
resident  of  Taylor,  where  the  father  has 
been  successfully  engaged  in  mercantile  busi- 
ness for  the  past  thirty  years.  Mr.  Fried- 
man attended  the  public  schools  of  Taylor, 
and  early  became  associated  with  his  father 
in  the  conduct  of  the  latter's  prosperous  busi- 
ness in  Taylor.  Under  his  father's  able 
tutelage  he  learned  the  clothing  business,  as 
well  as  the  principles  of  successful  mer- 
cantile practice,  and  for  several  years  he 
served  as  manager  of  his  father's  store.  In 
August,  1925,  he  opened  his  own  establish- 
ment in  Nanticoke,  under  the  name  of  Al's 
Square  Deal  Clothing  Shop,  specializing  in 
men's  clothing.  He  carries  a  full  line  of 
men's  and  boys'  clothing,  and  of  all  the 
various  accessories  of  the  wardrobe  of  the 
well-dressed  man,  and  has  built  up,  during 
the  few  years  which  have  passed  since  the 
establishment  of  his  business,  a  most  satis- 
factory patronage.  His  store,  twenty  by  one 
hundred  feet,  gives  him  a  floor  space  of  two 
thousand  square  feet,  and  his  location  is  a 
good  one.  His  long  association  with  and 
his  thorough  training  in  this  particular  line 
of  business,  as  well  as  his  natural  ability, 
have  enabled  him  to  attain  financial  success 
at  an  early  age,  and  though  he  is  one  of 
the  younger  merchants  of  the  place,  he  is 
numbered  among  the  thoroughly  well  estab- 
lished business  men  of  Nanticoke.  In  fra- 
ternal affairs,  as  in  his  business,  Mr.  Fried- 
man is  one  who  is  constructive  and  faith- 
ful. He  is  a  member  of  Acacia  Lodge,  No. 
579,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons;  of  Scranton 
Forest,  Tall  Cedars  of  Lebanon;  Knights  of 
Pythias;  and  of  the  Junior  Order  of  United 
American  Mechanics.  His  religious  mem- 
bership is  with  the  Jewish  Temple  of  Wilkes- 
Barre. 

Alfred  M.  Friedman  was  married,  January 
19,  1926,  to  Jean  Cross,  of  Glenlyon,  Penn- 
sylvania, and  they  are  the  parents  of  one 
daughter,  Shirley.  The  family  home  is 
located  at  No.  129  East  Broad  Street,  in 
Nanticoke. 


CHARLES  M.  EPSTEIN  —  The  Liberty 
Thro%ving  Company,  Inc.,  of  Nanticoke,  filed 
articles  of  incorporation  in  the  capitol  of 
Pennsylvania  in  1918,  with  a  charter  enti- 
tling it  to  spin  silks  on  commission.  Initial 
capitalization  was  for  $150,000,  but  since  1918 
this  has  been  increased  to  ?375,000.  On  an 
average,  tlie  year  through,  one  year  after 
another,  the  company  gives  employment  to 
some  two  hundred  and  fifty  workers,  and 
represents  one  of  the  important  industrial 
institutions  of  Nanticoke  and  the  Wyoming 
Valley.  He  who  is  at  the  head  of  this  power- 
ful organization  is  Charles  M.  Epstein,  its 
founder.  Under  him  is  the  co-founder,  Mal- 
colm E.  Levi,  who  holds  office  as  vice-presi- 
dent. In  addition  to  his  duties  as  president 
of  the  Liberty  Throwing  Company.  Mr. 
Epstein  is  its  general  manager,  and  is  as- 
sisted by  Mr.  Levi,  as  assistant  manager. 
Conduct  of  all  operations,  however,  Is  under 
the  direct  control  of  the  former.  As  a 
dominant  industrialist  and  man  of  finance, 
Mr.  Epstein  fills  an  important  role  in  the 
commercial  spheres  not  only  in  Nanticoke  but 
in  this  part  of  Pennsylvania;  and  in  Nanti- 
coke is  outstanding  also  as  a  citizen,  of  good 
and  loyal  public   spirit,   constantly   identified 


in  name  and  effort  with  worthy  enterprises 
directed    toward   the   general   welfare. 

Mr.  Epstein  was  born  in  Paducah,  Ken- 
tucky, May  20,  1882,  son  of  Morris  and  Bertha 
(Levy)  Epstein.  He  received  his  school  train- 
ing in  Louisville,  Kentucky,  there  graduated 
from  high  school  with  advanced  distinction 
in  studies,  and  afterward  matriculated  In 
Tale  University,  New  Haven,  Connecticut, 
from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1905,  at  the 
age  of  twenty-three  years,  with  the  degree 
of  Bachelor  of  Arts.  Soon  thereafter  he 
became  interested  in  distilling,  in  which  his 
family  had  for  many  years  been  prominently 
identified;  but  in  1916  he  began  to  cast  about 
him  for  another  connection.  It  followed 
that  in  1917  Mr.  Epstein  decided  after  careful 
deliberation  to  enter  the  silk  industry;  and 
always  a  man  of  method  and  plan,  first  took 
a  training  course  in  textiles,  better  to  under- 
stand them  in  theory  and  in  practical  mak- 
ing, and  supplemented  this  with  experience 
in  the  mills.  In  the  fall  of  1918  he  joined 
in  association  with  Mr.  Levi,  as  recounted. 
They  caused  to  be  built  a  capacious  plant 
in  Nanticoke,  with  a  floor  space  totaling 
30,000  square  feet.  The  Liberty  Throwing 
Company  now  bears  an  enviable  reputation 
and  credit  unimpaired;  it  is  important  to 
the  silk  trade  of  the  United  States,  and  as 
its  head  Mr.  Epstein  is  a  figure  of  importance 
and  dignity.  He  is  chairman  of  the  execu- 
tive committee  of  the  Eastern  District  of  the 
Silk  Association  of  America,  and  elsewhere 
in  the  industry  has  been  accorded  distinc- 
tion. He  is  active  in  all  civic  affairs  of  Nan- 
ticoke, as  well  as  in  philanthropic  endeavor, 
giving  liberally  to  all  appeals  of  merit,  with- 
out thought  of  race  or  creed  benefiting.  Fra- 
ternally Mr.  Epstein  is  affiliated  with  St. 
George  Lodge,  No.  14,  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons,  of  Louisville;  Keystone  Consistory, 
Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite;  and  Irem 
Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the 
Mystic  Shrine.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Fox 
Hill  and  Irem  Country  clubs,  and  active  in 
both. 

On  December  15.  1913.  Mr.  Epstein  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Helen  Levi,  of 
Wilkes-Barre.  daughter  of  Benjamin  and 
Dora  Levi;  and  they  are  the  parents  of  two 
children:  Charles  M.,  Jr.,  and  Dorothy  Betty. 
The  family  residence  is  at  No.  327  South 
River   Street,    Wilkes-Barre. 


ST.  NICHOI/AS  ROMAN  CATHOLIC 
CHURCH  —  St.  Nicholas  Roman  Catholic 
Parish  of  W^ilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania,  was 
organized  about  1856,  the  congregation  con- 
sisting at  that  time  of  only  a  few  German 
families,  being  cared  for  by  priests  from 
Honesdale.  Two  years  later,  In  November, 
1858,  Peter  Conrad  Nagel  who  had  come  from 
Germany  a  year  before,  was  ordained  In 
Philadelphia  by  the  Rt.  Rev.  John  Nepomu- 
cene  Neumann,  Bishop  of  that  diocese.  At 
that  time  the  Philadelphia  Diocese  comprised 
the  whole  State  of  Pennsylvania.  Father 
JvTagel  was  given  charge  of  all  the  German 
Catholic  congregations  in  Northeastern  Penn- 
■sylvania,  with  the  privilege  of  locating  where 
he  pleased.  He  chose  Wilkes-Barre,  at  that 
time  a  town  with  a  population  of  only  four 
thousand.  He  was  the  first  resident  pastor 
of  the  St.  Nicholas  Church,  and  from  here 
attended  also,  churches  at  Pittston,  Scranton, 
Honesdale,  and  Hazleton,  for  a  number  of 
years. 

The  first  church  of  St.  Nicholas  was  built 
at  the  northeast  corner  of  Washington  and 
South  streets,  the  parochial  school  being  con- 
ducted for  some  years  In  the  basement  of  the 
church.     The  school  soon  outgrew  Its  small 


520 


quarters  and  a  frame  schoolhouse  was  erected 
on  South  Street  near  Pennsylvania  Avenue. 
Later,  In  1868,  the  old  building  was  moved 
to  the  rear  and  a  three-story  brick  building 
erected  in  its  place.  In  1881,  the  frame  build- 
ing was  removed  entirely  and  a  three-story 
brick  addition  built,  which  more  than  doubled 
the  capacity  of  the  school.  From  1858  to 
1873,  the  school  was  in  charge  of  lay  teachers. 
In  the  latter  year  the  Sisters  of  Christian 
Charity  took  charge  and  up  to  present  time 
(1929)  have  conducted  the  school,  which  has 
an  enrollment  of  about  six  hundred  and  forty 
pupils. 

The  present  St.  Nicholas  Roman  Catholic 
Church,  having  a  seating  capacity  of  twelve 
hundred  people,  had  its  corner  stone  laid  in 
the  fall  of  1883,  and  was  dedicated  January 
16,  1887,  by  the  Rt.  Rev.  William  O'Hara, 
D.  D.,  the  first  Bishop  of  the  Diocese  of  Scran- 
ton.  It  is  built  of  hard  red  stone,  is  of 
Gothic  type  of  architecture  and  designed  by 
a  Mr.  Schickel,  of  New  York.  The  church 
is  sixty-seven  feet  wide  and  one  hundred 
and  sixty-five  feet  long,  with  a  tower  one 
hundred  and  eighty-six  feet  high,  the  tallest 
tower  In  the  Wyoming  Valley.  It  is  con- 
sidered one  of  the  most  beautiful  and  artistic 
churches  in  Northeastern  Pennsylvania,  the 
tower  being  considered  by  the  architect  him- 
self, to  be  his  masterpiece.  On  October  15. 
1905,  the  church  was  solemnly  consecrated 
by  the  Rt.  Rev.  M.  J.  Hoban,  D.  D.,  the  second 
Bishop  of  Scranton.  The  Papal  Delegate, 
Archbishop  Palconio,  was  present  for  the 
auspicious  occasion.  Father  Nagel  had  been 
raised  during  his  pastorate  of  St.  Nicholas 
Church  to  the  dignity  of  a  Papal  Prelate 
with  the  title  of  Monsignor,  and  he  served 
this  church  until  his  death  on  March  12,  1911. 
He  was  succeeded  in  liis  ciiarge  by  Rev. 
Charles  .1.  Goeckel  (q.  v.),  a  son  of  the  parish, 
whom  he  had  baptized  in  1866,  On  the  30th 
of  December,  1928,  Fatlier  Goeckel  was  in- 
vested as  a  Papal  Chamberlain,  with  the  title 
of  Very  Rev.  Monsignor,  by  the  Rt.  Rev. 
Thomas  Charles  O'Reilly,  D.  D.,  the  present 
Bishop  of  Scranton.  The  congregation  now 
numbers  thirty-five  hundred  people,  and  Mon- 
signor Goeckel  is  being  assisted  in  his  parish 
work  by  Rev.  T.  Otto  Borr  and  Rev.  John 
Neuenhaus.  In  1912,  under  Father  Goeckel's 
pastorate,  ground  was  broken  for  the  pres- 
ent beautirul  high  school  building  of  St. 
Nicholas  Parisli,  it  being  dedicated  January 
2,  1916. 


THE  VERY  REVEREIVD  MOXSIGIVOR 
CHARLES  JOSEPH  GOECKEL,  pastor  in 
charge  of  the  St.  Nicholas  Roman  Catholic 
Church  in  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania,  and 
one  of  the  most  highly  esteemed  men  in  his 
calling,  was  born  July  13,  1866,  at  No.  403 
South  Main  Street.  Wilke.s-Barre.  Monsignor 
Goeckel  is  a  son  of  John  and  Rosina  (Roth) 
Goeckel,  both  of  whom  are  now  deceased. 
They  came  to  this  country  from  Germany, 
settling  in  "Wilkes-Barre  during  the  year 
1853,  and  married  here  the  following  year. 
John  Goeckel,  the  father,  was  an  iron  worker 
by  trade,  and  followed  this  type  of  endeavor 
for  twelve  year?  the  major  portion  of  which 
work  was  performed  at  the  foundry  of  Lan- 
ning  &  Marshall,  of  Wilkes-Barre.  He  later 
conducted  a  hotel  at  No.  403  South  Main 
Street  in  Wilkes-Barre,  and  it  was  here  that 
most  of  his  family  was  born  and  reared.  He 
died  June  22,  1880,  at  the  age  of  fifty-two 
years.  He  was  the  father  of  eight  children: 
1.  Mary  Elizabeth,  who  was  born  February 
14,  1855,  and  who  died  January  4,  1921.  2. 
Sabina,   who   was   born   August   20,    1856,   and 


who  married  Charles  Blaum  of  Wilkes-Barre. 
3.  Emma,  who  was  born  January  21,  1859, 
and  who  died  April  28,  1897.  She  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Sisters  of  Christian  Charity,  and 
was  known  as  Sister  Feliciana,  of  the  Wilkes- 
Barre  Convent.  4.  Rose,  who  was  born  Au- 
gust 11,  1861,  and  who  died  December  3,  1920. 
She  was  also  a  member  of  the  Sisters  of 
Christian  Charity,  and  was  known  as  Sister 
Alexis.  5.  John,  born  October  13,  1863;  died 
in  childhood,  during  the  month  of  August, 
1865.  6.  The  Very  Reverend  Monsignor 
Charles  Joseph,  of  whom  more  follows.  7. 
Mary  Louise,  who  was  born  November  18, 
1868,  and  who  died  March  30,  1914.  She  was 
also  a  member  of  the  Sisters  of  Christian 
Charity,  and  was  known  as  Sister  Frances 
De  Chantal.  8.  William  J.,  who  was  bom 
September  3,  1871,  and  who  died  November 
1,  1922.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Luzerne 
County  Bar,  and  was  spoken  of  as  a  most 
brilliant  lawyer. 

The  Very  Reverend  Monsignor  Charles 
Joseph  Goeckel  received  his  early  education 
in  the  St.  Nicholas  Parochial  School  in 
Wilkes-Barre.  In  the  year  1880  he  went  to 
work  in  the  insurance  office  of  Orr  &  Kunkle, 
of  Wilkes-Barre.  In  the  year  1881  he  entered 
the  St.  Lawrence  College  at  Mount  Calvary, 
Wisconsin,  from  which,  in  the  year  1882,  he 
entered  Canisius  College  at  Buffalo,  New 
York.  He  graduated  from  this  latter  institu- 
tion with  the  class  of  1887,  when  he  received 
the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts.  In  the  fall 
of  that  same  year,  1887,  he  journeyed  to  Balti- 
more, Maryland,  and  there  entered  St.  Mary's 
Seminary,  where  he  studied  theology  over  a 
period  of  three  years,  completing  this  work 
in  the  spring  of  1890.  On  October  17,  1S90, 
he  was  ordained  as  a  priest  at  Scranton, 
Pennsylvania,  by  the  Right  Reverend  Wil- 
liam O'Hara.  He  then  was  made  assistant  to 
the  Reverend  John  Koeper,  then  pastor  of  the 
St.  Boniface  Church  at  Williamsport,  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  served  thus  until  the  month  of 
June,  of  the  year  1897,  when  he  was  ap- 
pointed pastor  of  the  newly  created  Parish 
of  St.  Boniface,  on  Blackman  Street,  Wilkes- 
Barre.  After  some  fourteen  years'  service  at 
tlie  above  church  he  was  appointed  pastor  of 
the  St.  Nicholas  Church  at  No.  226  South 
Washington  Street.  April  1,  1911.  This  church 
is  one  of  the  Isrgest  and  most  beautiful 
edifices  of  its  kind  in  the  Scranton  Diocese. 
The  congregation  has  a  membership  of  more 
tlian  thirty-five  hundred  souls,  and  under  the 
competent  and  loving  care  of  Monsignor  Goe- 
ckel, is  steadily  growing.  Indeed,  Monsignor 
Goeckel  is  spoken  of  as  one  of  the  most  able 
men  in  his  cloth,  beloved  by  those  who  know 
him  well  and  respected  by  all  witli  whom 
he    comes    in    contact. 

His  brother,  William  John  Goeckel,  was 
reared  in  Wilkes-Barre,  and  he  spent  some 
eight  years  as  a  student  in  the  St.  Nicholas 
Parochial  School.  He  then  attended  the 
Canisius  College  at  Buffalo  (1885-92),  grad- 
uating from  tliere  with  the  degree  of  Bachelor 
of  Arts.  He  then  enrolled  as  a  student  in 
the  Law  College  of  the  University  of  Penn- 
sylvania, and  graduated  with  the  class  of 
1896,  when  he  received  his  degree.  Bachelor 
of  Laws.  He  was  also  a  talented  musician 
and  studied  harmony  for  one  year  under 
Professor  Clark  of  the  University  of  Pennsyl- 
vania. He  was  a  member  of  the  Glee  Club 
of  that  university,  and  it  was  he  who  com- 
posed the  ofllcial  song  of  the  university,  "The 
Red  and  the  Blue."  He  was  director  of  the 
St.  Nicholas  choir  from  1911  until  his  death 
in  1922.  This  Mr.  Goeckel  was  also  an  athlete 
of  no  mean  ability,  making  an  especial  mark 


for  himself  in  the  sport  of  baseball,  both  in 
college  and  afterwards.  He  was  a  member 
of  the  Wilkes-Barre  Baseball  Club,  and  for 
one  year  he  was  its  manager.  He  finished 
his  baseball  career  as  a  member  of  the  Phila- 
delphia National  League  team,  in  the  year 
1899,  after  which  he  returned  to  Wilkes- 
Barre  and  there  took  up  the  practice  of  his 
profession  a.s  a  lawyer,  a  type  of  endeavor 
in  which  he  continued  until  the  time  of  his 
death.  Mr.  Goeckel  was  a  member  of  the 
Knights  of  Columbus,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  the 
Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  No. 
109,  and  the  St.  Conrad's  Society  of  St.  Nich- 
olas Parish. 

William  John  Goeckel  had  married,  October 
30,  1901,  at  Wilkes-Barre,  Louise  M.  Schap- 
pert,  a  daughter  of  Peter  and  Sophia 
(Schmitt)  Schappert,  of  that  city.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Goeckel  became  the  parents  of  four  chil- 
dren: 1.  Marion  Louise,  who  was  born  De- 
cember 24,  1902,  and  who  married  Eugene 
Naith  Mulligan,  of  Wilkes-Barre.  2.  William 
Louis,  who  was  born  February  16,  1905,  and 
who  is  now  a  graduate  of  the  Wharton 
School  of  Finance  at  the  University  of  Penn- 
sylvania, 3.  Catherine,  who  was  born  June 
19,  1910.  4.  Louise,  who  was  born  Septem- 
ber 20,  1914.  As  has  been  stated,  William 
John  Goeckel,  the  father  of  the  foregoing 
children,  and  the  brother  of  the  Very  Rever- 
end Monsignor  Charles  Joseph  Goeckel,  died 
November    1,    1922. 


ISAAC  Hl'MPHREY,  M.  D.— Medical  circles 
of  Nanticoke  have  welcomed  to  their  ranks 
another  brilliant  practitioner  in  the  person 
of  Isaac  Humphrey,  who  although  one  of  the 
youngest  of  the  profession  in  active  practice 
in  the  town,  has  already  shown  a  rare  ability 
and  gives  promise  of  unusual  achievement 
in    the    science    which    he    ornaments. 

He  was  born  in  Nanticoke,  Pennsylvania, 
January  25,  1S9S,  a  son  of  Isaac  and  Mary 
A.  (Davies)  Humphrey.  His  father  is  a 
mechanic  and  a  native  of  Luzerne  County; 
his    mother   was    born    in    Wales. 

Issac  Humphrey,  the  son,  was  educated  in 
the  public  schools  of  Nanticoke,  graduating 
from  high  school  in  the  class  of  1916.  For 
a  time  he  continued  his  studies  at  Bucknell 
College,  but  the  World  War  interrupted  this 
and  he  enlisted  in  the  army,  being  assigned 
to  the  Medical  Corps.  He  served  at  Fort 
Slocum,  Fort  Hamilton  and  at  Carlisle,  Penn- 
sylvania, and  was  discharged  from  service 
on  November  4,  1919.  He  returned  to  Buck- 
nell, from  which  he  was  graduated  in  the 
class  of  1922  with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of 
Science.  In  the  fall  of  that  year  he  matric- 
ulated at  Jefferson  Medical  College,  Phila- 
delphia, and  was  graduated  therefrom  in  the 
class  of  1926  with  the  degree  of  Doctor  of 
Medicine.  He  then  served  as  an  interne  in 
the  Wilkes-Barre  General  Hospital  and  in 
1927  established  himself  in  general  practice 
in  Nanticoke.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Ameri- 
can Legion,  the  Kappa  Sigma  Fraternity,  and 
of  the  State,  County  and  American  Medical 
societies. 


JOHN  A.  GROSiTKOVVSKI — Born  in  Plym- 
outh, Pennsylvania,  June  10,  1S97,  son  of 
Michael  and  Anna  Grontkowski,  both  of 
whom  are  deceased,  John  A.  Grontkowski 
has.  in  the  comparatively  few  years  of  his 
active  career,  advanced  to  a  position  of 
prominence  in  the  community  matters  of 
Nanticoke,  as  funeral  director  and  tombstone 
manufacturer,  with  mortuary  parlors  and 
stone  cutting  establishment  located  at  No. 
57  West  Green  Street.  Mr.  Grontkowski's 
enterprises  are  equipped  for  all  sorts  of  work 


in  monuments:  he  maintains  In  them  a  com- 
pletely appointed  morgue,  arrangements  for 
embalming,  and  high  powered  ambulance  cars 
for  services.  Both  in  his  profession  and  as 
a  citizen  he  is  accorded  the  sincere  esteem 
of   associates. 

Michael  and  Anna  Grontkowski  wef'>  born 
in  Poland,  and  soon  after  their  marri::,ee 
came  to  the  United  States,  locating,  in  Lu- 
zerne County.  For  many  years,  in  PIvmouth, 
until  the  time  of  his  death,  Michael  Gront- 
kowski was  engaged  in  the  livery  business. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  Roman  Catholic 
Church,  a  man  exemplary  in  his  private  con- 
duct, kindly,  devoted  to  his  wife  and  family. 
Michael  and  Anna  Grontkowski  were  the 
parents  of  thirteen  children,  of  whom  eight 
are  now  (1928)  living:  Michael  J.,  Catharine, 
Stanley  J.,  Francis  C,  John  A.  (of  whom 
further),    Anna,    Margie,    and    Frank    A. 

John  A.  Grontkowski  received  his  academic 
training  in  the  public  schools  of  his  native 
city,  Plymouth,  and  studied  embalming  in 
the  Eckels  School.  In  1921  he  passed  the 
examinations  of  the  State  Board  of  Enibalm- 
ers.  and  opened  in  business  in  Nanticoke.  In 
1926  he  added  the  monument  works  and  has 
since  continued  the  profession  and  the  stone 
manufactory  jointly.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Luzerne  County  Funeral  Directors'  Associa- 
tion, and  also  of  Ksiaska  Kwitowa  Lodge, 
and  the  Stanislaus  Roman  Catholic  Church. 
While  the  greater  part  of  his  time  is  of 
necessity  devoted  to  the  direction  of  fun- 
erals and  to  management  of  his  business  in 
monuments,  Mr.  Grontkowski  does  not  neg- 
lect the  matters  of  general  significance  to 
Nanticoke,  and  is  known  as  one  of  the  com- 
munity's most  public-spirited  citizens.  He 
is  possessed  of  a  considerable  political  in- 
fluence in  the  organizations  of  which  he 
is  a  inember,  or  with  which  he  has  con- 
tact through  acquaintances,  and  employs  it 
quietly,  always  to  the  welfare  of  the  people 
at  large,  and  especially  to  the  interests  of 
those  of  Polish  extraction,  among  whom  he 
has  numbers  of  friends,  and  is  a  leader. 
Toward  charity  his  heart  is  large.  He  gives 
liberally  to  all  worthy  causes,  both  in  money 
and   in    personal    effort. 

On  June  10,  1923,  Mr.  Grontkowski  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Josephine  Shipo"w- 
ski;  and  they  are  the  parents  of  two  chil- 
dren: John  A.,  Jr.,  and  Dorothy.  The  fam- 
ily residence  is  on  West  Green  Street,  Nanti- 
coke. 


ORION-  LEVI  VAX  AKEX,  assistant  post- 
master of  Freeland,  answered  the  insistent 
call  to  civic  service,  a  response  which  has 
proved  of  benefit  to  the  community.  Busi- 
ness men  concede  that  no  departrhent  of 
public  service  is  of  greater  importance  to 
trade  and  general  commercial  progress  than 
the  post  office,  while  those  enterprises  of 
this  district  that  have  had  the  cooperation  of 
the  local  office  gratefully  acknowledge  the 
beneficial  part  in  the  system  plaj'ed  by  the 
assistant  postmaster.  For  more  than  twenty 
years  he  has  been  associated  with  the  office 
in  Freeland,  filling  the  offices  of  clerk  and 
carrier  and  eventually  rising,  by  virtue  of 
his  qualifications,  to  the  position  as  right 
hand  man  to  the  postmaster.  He  is  a  citizen 
whose  interests  always  have  been  directed 
toward  the  administration  of  sound  govern- 
ment, the  maintenance  of  law  and  the  gen- 
eral progress  of  the  body  politic,  attributes 
that  have  drawn  to  him  the  wholesome 
regard  of  his  fellows  in  governmental  asso- 
ciation and  the  high  esteem  of  the  commun- 
ity. Also,  he  has  found  time  and  taken 
pleasure  to  affiliate  himself  with  religious 
and    recreational    work,    thus    enlarging    his 


S22 


circle  of  admirers  and  friends,  which  em- 
braces a  heavy  majority  of  the  citizenry  of 
this   district. 

Mr.  Van  Alien  was  born  in  Mongaup.  New 
York,  August  15,  18S4,  a  son  of  Albert  C.  and 
Netta  J.  (Stroh)  Van  Aken,  both  deceased. 
His  father  was  a  quarryman  in  New  York 
State,  and  in  1899  removed  with  his  family 
to  Pennsylvania,  settling  in  Freeland,  where 
he  became  engaged  in  the  insurance  busi- 
ness, following  this  for  the  balance  of  his 
life.  He  took  an  active  interest  in  civic 
affairs  here,  served  as  health  ofhcer  and  was 
a  devoted  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.  His  death  occurred  in  Freeland  in 
190S  in  his  fifty-sixth  year,  his  widow  fol- 
lowing him  May  27,  1912,  at  the  age  of  fifty- 
three  years.  They  were  the  parents  of  two 
children,  the  daughter,  Mabel,  who  was  born 
in  1886,  dying  at  the  age  of  fourteen  years. 
The  only  son  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools,  graduating  with  the  first  class  to 
be  graduated  from  Freeland  High  School  in 
1902  and  then  attended  the  Mining  and  Me- 
chanical Institute,  followed  by  a  two-year 
course  in  the  law  scliool  of  the  University 
of  Pennsylvania.  In  the  summer  of  1905  he 
entered  the  service  of  the  Federal  Govern- 
ment as  a  clerk  in  the  Freeland  post  office, 
where  he  worked  in  various  capacities  until 
1916,  when  he  was  appointed  assistant  to  the 
postmaster  and  so  continues.  He  is  president 
of  Boys'  Welfare  Council  of  Freeland,  Penn- 
sylvania: a  director  of  the  Freeland  Build- 
ing and  Loan  Association;  vice-president  of 
the  board  of  directors  of  the  Young  Men's 
Christian  Association;  secretary-treasurer  of 
James  G.  Brookmire  Camp,  No.  188,  Sons  of 
Veterans  of  the  Civil  War;  secretary  of  the 
official  board  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  and  superintendent  of  its  Sunday 
school,  as  well  as  teacher  of  its  young  ladies' 
class. 

Orion  L.  Van  Aken  married,  September  23, 
1913,  Ethel  Phillips,  of  Freeland,  daughter 
of  David  Phillips.  Their  children  are:  Muriel 
and  Charles  Orion.  Mrs.  Van  Aken  is  treas- 
urer of  the  Ladies  Aid  Society  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church  and  a  member  of  the 
Ladies'  Auxiliary  of  the  Young  Men's  Chris- 
tian Association  and  of  the  Civic  Club.  Their 
residence  is  at  No.  609  Main  Street,  Freeland. 


MARIO  PERITZZI — Success  in  the  develop- 
ment of  a  big  business  enterprise  pre-sup- 
poses  ability  and  more  than  average  energy, 
but  to  establish  a  concern  which  manu- 
factures for  a  world-wide  market  also  re- 
quires vision  and  foresight  as  well  as  execu- 
tive and  administrative  ability.  As  secretary 
and  treasurer  of  the  Planters  Nut  and  Choco- 
late Company  Mario  Peruzzi  is  officially  con- 
nected with  a  concern  which,  though  its 
market  is  world-wide,  was  established  only 
twenty-two  years  ago,  a  concern  which  was 
founded  by  Mr.  Peruzzi  and  A.  Obici.  as  part- 
ners, and  which  now  has  large  factories  In 
various  parts  of  the  United  States,  and  In 
Canada;  and  has  branch  plants  and  offices 
in  the  four  largest  cities  in  this  country 
and  in  England.  The  Planters  Nut  and  Choco- 
late Company  manufacturers  peanut  special- 
ties, such  as  peanut  candy,  salted  peanuts, 
and  the  various  chocolate  and  peanut  com- 
binations. Mr.  Peruzzi  is  also  a  director  of 
the  Wyoming  Valley  Trust  Company  at 
Wilkes-Barre. 

Mario  Peruzzi  was  born  in  Italy  In  1875. 
He  received  his  education  in  his  native  land, 
and  then,  in  1894,  when  he  was  nineteen 
years  of  age,  left  his  native  land  and  came 
to  this  country,  locating  in  Hazleton,  Penn- 
sylvania. For  a  few  years  he  was  variously 
employed,  but  he  steadily  looked  forward  to 


the  establishment  of  a  business  of  his  own. 
Opportunity  for  the  realization  of  his  dream 
came  in  1906  with  the  formation  of  a  part- 
nership with  A.  ObicI  for  the  purpose  of 
manufacturing  peanut  specialties.  The  busi- 
ness was  begun  in  a  small  way,  manufactur- 
ing small  quantities  of  peanut  candy,  salted 
peanuts,  chocolate  coated  peanuts,  and  vari- 
ous peanut  and  chocolate  combinations.  The 
company  now  operates  large  plants  and  fac- 
tories, in  addition  to  the  parent  plant  at 
Wilkes-Barre,  in  Suffolk,  Virginia:  San  Fran- 
ciso,  California,  and  in  Toronto,  Canada,  and 
also  has  branch  offices  and  plants  in  New 
York  City,  Chicago,  Illinois;  Boston,  Massa- 
chusetts; Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania;  and  in 
Manchester,  England.  The  concern  employs 
two  thousand  people  and  sends  its  products 
to  all  parts  of  the  civilized  world,  doing  an 
annual  business  in  $12,000,000.  The  present 
personnel  is  as  follows:  President,  A.  ObicI, 
who  conducts  the  large  plant  at  Suffolk, 
Virginia;  vice-president,  D.  A.  Driscoll,  who 
is  in  charge  of  the  San  Francisco  plant;  sec- 
retary and  treasurer,  M.  Peruzzi,  who  is  man- 
ager of  the  Wilkes-Barre  plant.  The  mem- 
bers of  the  board  of  directors,  in  addition  to 
the  officials  named  above,  are  W.  B.  Shaffer, 
who  is  president  of  the  Wyoming  Valley 
Trust  Company,  of  Wilkes-Barre;  and  Edward 
B.  Morgan,  city  solicitor  of  Wilkes-Barre.  Mr. 
Peruzzi  is  well  known  as  one  of  the  most 
able  business  men  of  this  city  and  lie  has  long 
been  one  of  the  public-spirited  citizens  of  the 
community,  giving  his  support  to  all  progres- 
sive movements  for  municipal  welfare.  Poli- 
tically, he  gives  his  support  to  the  principles 
and  candidates  of  the  Republican  party  and 
his  fraternal  affiliation  is  with  Wilkes-Barre 
Lodge,  No.  109,  Benevolent  and  Protective 
Order  of  Elks.  His  club  is  the  Rotary  Club. 
In  addition  to  his  responsibilities  as  secretary 
and  treasurer  of  the  Planters  Nut  and  Choco- 
late Company,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  Mr.  Peruzzi  Is 
also  a  member  of  the  board  of  directors  of 
the  Wyoming  Valley  Trust  Company,  of 
Wilkes-Barre. 

Mario  Peruzzi  is  married  to  Elizabeth  C. 
Obici,  and  has  two  children:  1.  Mario  Peruzzi, 
Jr.,  who  is  a  salesman  in  the  employ  of  the 
Planters  Nut  and  Chocolate  Company.  2. 
Rita,  who  married  Dr.  Earl  Ridgeway,  a 
physician  of  Trenton,  New  Jersey.  They  have 
one  son,  Mario. 


iMORRIS      MARTIN      REAGAN — Few      men 

talve  a  more  lively  interest  in  the  develop- 
ment of  their  community  and  its  institutions 
than_  does  Morris  Martin  Reagan,  who  for 
years  lias  been  a  blacksmith  in  the  shops 
of  the  Temple  Coal  Company,  of  Swoyers- 
ville,  Pennsylvania.  In  the  many  years  in 
which  he  has  lived  and  worked  in  this  region, 
he  has  acquired  a  wide  circle  of  friends  and 
acquaintances,  who  liold  him  in  the  highest 
esteem  and  consider  him  a  valuable  member 
of  the  community,  both  lor  his  services  per- 
formed in  the  course  of  his  daily  work  and 
for  the  public  offices  which  he  fills  in 
Swoyersville. 

He  was  born  in  Pittston,  Pennsylvania, 
May  29,  1873,  a  son  of  Martin  and  Bridgett 
(Hughes)  Reagan,  both  of  whom  were 
natives  of  Ireland.  The  father  came  to  the 
United  States,  and  spent  his  life  as  a  farmer. 
He  died  in  1890.  The  mother,  Bridgett 
(Hughes)  Reagan,  died  September  21,  1926. 
Morris  M.  Reagan  received  very  little  edu- 
cation, and  at  an  early  age  learned  the  black- 
smith's trade.  In  1SS9  he  went  with  the 
Temple  Coal  Company,  which  at  that  time 
was  known  as  the  Swoyer  Coal  Company, 
working  for  this  organization  in   the  capac- 


523 


ity  of  blacksmith.  For  the  last  eighteen 
years,  he  has  been  foreman  in  the  shops  of 
this  company,  and  has  at  all  times  performed 
his  duties  in  a  way  that  has  won  the  praises 
and    admiration    ot    his    fellowmen. 

Busy  as  Mr.  Reagan  has  been  with  his 
own  work,  however,  he  has  never  failed  to 
take  an  active  part  in  the  life  of  Swoyers- 
ville.  In  fact,  he  has  shown  himself  ready 
ever  to  aid  in  any  movements  which  he  has 
believed  designed  to  improve  conditions  here 
and  to  increase  the  prosperity  of  the  com- 
munity. His  political  affiliation  is  with  the 
Democratic  party,  whose  policies  and  can- 
didates he  regularly  supports.  He  has  been 
a  school  director  here  since  1900,  and  always 
has  been  keenly  interested  in  the  develop- 
ment of  educational  facilities  in  the  local 
public  schools.  He  also  is  active  in  the  busi- 
ness life  of  Swoyersville,  being  a  director 
of  the  Merchants'  and  Miners'  Bank,  in  Lu- 
zerne, Pennsylvania.  His  religious  affiliation 
is  with  the  Holy  Name  Church,  his  faith 
being   that   of  the   Roman   Catholic. 

In  1907,  Morris  M.  Reagan  married  Kath- 
erine  Moran,  of  Parsons,  Pennsylvania, 
daughter  of  John  and  Margaret  Moran.  By 
this  marriage  there  were  three  children, 
two  of  whom  are  living:  1.  Maurice,  born 
June  22,  1909.  2.  Mary,  born  December  S, 
1913. 


DEILBSRT  BARNEY,  M.  D. — For  more 
than  forty-two  years  Dr.  Delbert  Barney, 
descendant  of  one  of  the  oldest  families  iri 
the  United  States,  has  practiced  medicine  in 
Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania,  devoting  the 
greater  part  of  his  life  to  the  advancement 
of  his  profession  and  the  leadership  of  med- 
ical   affairs    in    his    part    of    the    State. 

The  Barney  and  Carey  families,  from  which 
Dr.  Barney's  father  was  descended,  go  back 
to  the  days  of  the  "Mayflower"  and  the 
early  Puritan  settlements  of  Massachusetts. 
Wilkes-Barre  today  bears  an  indelible  print 
of  the  early  lives  and  influence  of  these 
families.  Dr.  Barney's  great-great-grand- 
father, John  Carey,  lived  at  Careytown,  now 
a  part  of  Wilkes-Barre;  and  Carey  Ave- 
nue, in  Wilkes-Barre,  was  named  after  him. 
Nathan  Barney,  Dr.  Barney's  paternal  great- 
grandfather, came  from  New  England  and 
settled  in  Plymouth,  but  after  his  marriage 
with  Hannah  Carey,  daughter  of  John  Carey, 
he  remained  in  Wilkes-Barre  for  the  rest 
of  his  life.  Milan  Barney,  oldest  son  of 
Nathan  Barney,  was  a  blacksmith  and  the 
father  of  a  large  family.  From  him  Barney 
Street,  Wilkes-Barre,  received  its  name. 
His  oldest  son,  John  Carey  Barney,  father 
of  Dr.  Delbert  Barney,  also  was  a  black- 
smith, who  married  Sarah  Van  Dermark, 
of  Newport,  Hanover  Township,  Pennsylvania. 
They  had  four  children:  1.  Elberta,  later 
the  wife  of  Harrison  Garinger,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre.  2.  Oren  Wade,  now  a  machinist  em- 
ployed by  the  Hazard  Manufacturing  Com- 
pany of  Wilkes-Barre.  3.  Mary  E.,  who 
married  Niles  Rozelle.  4.  Dr.  Delbert  Barney, 
of    whom    further. 

In  a  house  on  the  Public  Square  of  Wilkes- 
Barre,  Dr.  Barney  was  born,  November  29, 
1S59,  next  to  the  old  building  of  the  Wilkes- 
Barre  Deposit  &  Savings  Bank.  He  went 
to  the  public  schools  and  grew  to  manhood 
in  his  native  city.  He  was  graduated  from 
the  high  school  in  1878  and  taught  two  years 
after  leaving  high  school.  He  then  entered 
Lafayette  College,  graduating  with  the  class 
of  1884  with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts, 
and  three  years  later  received  the  degree 
of  Masters  of  Arts  from  his  alma  mater. 
He  then  matriculated  in  the  University  of 
Pennsylvania,  from  which  he  was  graduated 


with  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine  In  the 
class  of  1S87.  He  returned  to  Wilkes-Barre, 
and  served  as  interne  for  a  year  in  the 
Wilkes-Barre  City  Hospital.  In  the  spring 
of  1S8S  he  began  a  general  practice  of  his 
profession,  which  he  has  continued  ever 
since,  with  unusual  success.  He  is  regarded 
today  as  one  of  the  city's  most  learned 
physicians  and  has  served  on  the  medical 
staff  of  the  City  Hospital,  later  called  the 
Wilkes-Barre  General  Hospital,  for  many 
years,   and   is   still   a   member   of   the   staff. 

He  has  always  taken  an  active  part  in 
the  development  of  his  profession  and  is  a 
former  president,  and  previous  to  being 
president,  was  secretary  for  twelve  years, 
of  the  Luzerne  County  Medical  Society:  he 
is  a  member  of  the  Pennsylvania  Medical 
Society  and  a  Fellow  of  the  American  Med- 
ical Association.  He  has  always  been  deeply 
interested   in    civic   affairs. 

On  November  3.  1909,  Dr.  Barney  married 
Mrs.  Margaret  (Moore)  Enterline,  daughter 
of  Henry  L.  and  Lavinia  (Dickover)  Moore, 
members  of  two  of  the  oldest  and  most 
highly  respected  families  in  Wilkes-Barre. 
Dr.  and  Mrs.  Barney  have  a  son,  Delbert 
Barney,  Jr.,  now  a  student  in  Lafayette  Col- 
lege. Mrs.  Barney,  by  her  former  marriage, 
has  a  son,  Henry  Moore  Enterline,  chemical 
engineer,  with  the  City  Service  Corporation, 
living  at  Elizabeth,  New  Jersey.  The  fam- 
ily home  is  at  No.  5.5  North  "^^ashington 
Street,   Wilkes-Barre,    Pennsylvania. 

HALE  SE\*'ARn  COUGHLI.V— As  a  junior 
member  of  the  insurance  Arm  of  Shaw  and 
Coughlin,  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania,  Hale 
Seward  Coughlin  is  one  of  the  most  capable 
and  active  life  insurance  men  in  this  com- 
munity. He  is  the  fourth  son  of  James 
Martin  Coughlin,  whose  record  as  superin- 
tendent of  schools  in  both  Luzerne  County 
and  the  city  of  Wilkes-Barre  and  whose 
further  fame  as  an  educator  is  identified 
with   the   history   of  Wyoming  Valley. 

The  ancestors  of  Hale  Seward  Coughlin 
occupied  places  of  usefulness  and  influence 
in  their  respective  communities.  His  pater- 
nal grandfather,  John  Coughlin,  son  of  Den- 
nis and  Mary  (O'Brien)  Coughlin,  of  Irish 
lineage,  was  born  in  Kilrich,  County  of  Clare, 
Ireland,  in  ISIO.  He  was  reared  and  educated 
in  his  native  land.  At  the  age  of  nineteen 
years  John  Coughlin  came  to  the  United 
States  and  located  in  the  State  of  Pennsyl- 
vania. For  some  time  he  was  in  the  employ 
of  Titus  Seward,  a  contractor  for  the  Lehigh 
Valley  Railroad,  and  later  married  Diana 
Seward,  daughter  of  Titus  Seward  and 
Clarissa  (Forbes)  Seward,  and  granddaugh- 
ter of  Caroline  (Hale)  Forbes.  He  also  dealt 
in  real  estate,  buying  and  selling  farm  lands. 
John  and  Diana  (Seward)  Coughlin  moved 
to  Huntington  Township  where  he  engaged 
in  agricultural  pursuits  and  worked  as  fire- 
man and  engineer  of  the  various  sawmills 
in  that  part  of  the  State.  They  had  eight 
children:  1.  Mary  Anne.  2.  Caroline.  3. 
Titus,  died  in  infancy.  4.  James  Martin.  5. 
Clarissa.  6.  Dennis  O'Brien.  7.  Henrietta. 
S.   Nan  Silvia. 

During  the  Civil  War  John  Coughlin  served 
under  Captain  Hughes  in  Company  I,  153d 
Regiment  Pennsylvania  Volunteers.  After 
two  years  of  active  military  service  he  was 
honorably  discharged  with  a  sergeant's  certi- 
ficate. 

James  Martin  Coughlin,  eldest  son  of  John 
and  Diana  (Seward)  Coughlin,  and  father 
of  Hale  Seward  Coughlin,  was  born  at  Red 
Rock,  Fairmont  County,  Pennsylvania.  No- 
vember 12,  1848.  Although  his  early  instruc- 
tion was  limited  to  the  public  schools  of  his 


native  village  before  the  days  when  village 
public  schools  were  equipped  as  they  are 
today,  he  qualified  for  a  teacher's  certificate 
at  the  age  of  twenty  years.  He  began  his 
career  as  a  teacher  in  Montgomery  and  Moss- 
ville  schools  of  Fairmont  County.  The  long 
list  of  public  and  private  schools  Mr.  Cough- 
lin  taught  includes  schools  at  Red  Rock, 
McHenry,  Union  Township,  Butler  Township, 
Muhlenbury,  Kingston,  and  Bennett  gram- 
mar school.  He  was  also  principal  of  New 
Columbus   Academy. 

In  1S78  Mr.  Coughlin  was  elected  superin- 
tendent of  the  schools  of  Luzerne  County, 
which  position  he  held  by  reelection  for 
twelve  years.  The  jurisdiction  of  superin- 
tendent of  schools  at  that  time  extended 
over  what  is  now  Luzerne  and  Lackawanna 
counties.  Eight  hundred  schools  came  under 
his  supervision.  During  the  years  1890-91 
Mr.  Coughlin  was  vice-principal  of  the 
Bloomsburg  State  Normal  School  and  pro- 
fessor of  civics  and  history.  He  resigned 
this  position  to  become  superintendent  of  the 
Wilkes-Barre  Public  Schools.  During  the 
following  years  he  delivered  a  course  of 
lectures  at  Lebanon  Valley  College  and  ad- 
dressed educational  assemblages  in  New  Jer- 
sey, Delaware,  Maryland,  North  Carolina 
Ohio,  Nebraska  and  Pennsylvania,  He  served 
as  president  of  the  State  Teachers'  Associa- 
tion of  Pennsylvania  under  the  appointment 
of  Governors  Hastings,  Stone  and  Penny- 
packer.  He  was  also  a  member  of  the  com- 
mission appointed  by  the  Governor  of  Penn- 
sylvania to  revise  and  codify  the  school  laws 
of  that  State.  James  Martin  Coughlin  re- 
ceived the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Pedagogy 
from  Grove  City  College  and  an  honorary 
degree  of  Ph..D.  from  Bucknell  University. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  Order  of  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons  and  of  the  First  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  of  Wilkes-Barre.  On  De- 
cember 26,  1878,  Mr.  Coughlin  married  Mary 
Esther  Welter,  daughter  of  Joseph  Fulkeson 
and  Barbara  (Laurence)  Welter,  They  had 
eight  children:  1.  Ellen  Martin.  2.  Florence 
Rowena,  deceased.  3.  Clarence  D.  4.  James 
Martin,  Jr.  5.  Joseph  Welter,  deceased.  6. 
Mildred  Marion.  7.  Hale  Seward.  8.  Robert 
Lawrence. 

Hale  Seward  Coughlin,  fourth  son  of  James 
Martin  Coughlin,  was  born  at  New  Columbus, 
Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania,  September  5, 
1895.  He  was  reared  in  Wilkes-Barre  and 
was  graduated  from  the  high  school  in  1911. 
He  entered  Pennsylvania  State  College  in 
the  fall  of  1913;  volunteered  in  the  World 
War  in  the  spring  of  1918  and  was  overseas 
thirteen  months,  assigned  to  the  20th  Engi- 
neers. After  receiving  an  honorable  dis- 
charge, Mr.  Coughlin  returned  to  State  Col- 
lege and  graduated  in  1920.  In  1921  he 
entered  the  insurance  business  and  is  now 
one  of  the  leading  men  in  that  line  in  Lu- 
zerne County.  In  1926  he  became  the  sole 
agent  of  the  firm  of  Shaw  and  Coughlin.  His 
territory  covered  twenty-seven  counties  in 
Northeastern  Pennsylvania.  Mr.  Coughlin 
is  also  district  general  agent  of  the  Con- 
necticut General  Life  Insurance  Company. 
He  is  a  member  of  Landmark  Lodge,  No. 
442,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  Dieu  le  Veut 
Commandery,  Knights  Templar,  Irem  Temple 
of  the  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the 
Mystic  Shrine  of  Wilkes-Barre,  and  a  mem- 
ber of  Kingston  Post,  No.  395,  American 
Legion.  He  is  a  Republican  and  a  member 
of  the  First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of 
Wilkes-Barre. 

On  June  5,  1922,  Hale  Seward  Coughlin 
married  Margaret  A.  Hoffa,  daughter  of  John 
Hofta  of  Wilkes-Barre.  They  have  two  chil- 
dren,   Marilyn    Hoffa    and    Hale    Seward,    Jr. 


EMIL  MALIIVOWSKI— No  history  of  this 
section  would  be  complete  without  recording 
something  of  the  achievements  of  Emil  Mali- 
nowski,  who  for  many  years  has  made  his 
home  at  Nanticoke,  and  its  vicinity.  He  is 
a  native  of  Poland.  His  parents,  John  and 
Catherine  Malinowski,  owned  and  operated  a 
farm  in  Poland  where  they  always  made  their 
home. 

Emil  Malinowski  was  born  in  Poland, 
December  6,  1860.  He  attended  the  village 
school  situated  near  his  father's  farm  until 
he  was  about  twelve  years  of  age  when  he 
started  to  work  in  a  machine  shop.  He  served 
his  full  term  as  an  apprentice  and  thus 
learned  the  trade  of  a  machinist.  In  1883, 
at  the  age  of  twenty-three  years,  he  emi- 
grated from  Poland  to  the  United  States  and 
settled  in  Nanticoke,  where  he  took  a  position 
with  the  Susquehanna  Coal  Company.  He 
held  the  position  until  he  became  accustomed 
to  the  new  country  and  its  ways  and  then 
started,  in  a  moderate  way,  a  manufacturing 
enterprise  where  he  made  mining  machinery 
and  wagons.  This  was  in  188S,  five  years 
after  he  had  come  to  this  country.  He  con- 
ducted this  business  until  1902,  when  he  be- 
came interested  in  the  Hanover  Brewing 
Company  at  Danville,  Pennsylvania.  He  was 
made  president  of  this  company  and  retained 
that  office  until  1911  when  he  disposed  of  his 
interests  and  built  the  Franklin  Brewery  in 
Hanover  Township,  near  Wilkes-Barre.  In 
his  operation  of  this  plant  he  was  notably 
successful  and  enjoyed  an  extensive  business. 
He  is  not  only  a  successful  business  man,  but 
is  well  known  for  his  active  interest  in  poli- 
tical, civic  and  charitable  organizations.  He 
served  as  councilman  in  Nanticoke  for  the 
term  of  1901-02.  And  in  all  matters  pertain- 
ing to  civic  improvement  or  public  welfare, 
he  has  taken  a  keen  interest.  His  fame  in 
these  matters  is  not  limited  to  his  residential 
locality,  but  he  is  known  by  his  public  activ- 
ities throughout  the  entire  State.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Press  Club  of  Wilkes-Barre 
and  a  director  of  the  Wilkes-Barre  Deposit 
&  Savings  Bank.  He  is  trustee  of  the  Nanti- 
coke State  Hospital  and  he  is  president  of 
the  Polish  Union  of  America,  a  national 
organization.  He  is  founder  and  president  of 
the  Miners'  Trust  Company  of  Nanticoke,  one 
of  the  powerful  financial  institutions  in  the 
eastern  part  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania. 

In  September,  1882,  before  leaving  Poland, 
Emil  Malinowski  married  Sofia  Zybluvski. 
They  have  seven  children  and  eight  grand- 
children. The  children:  1.  Mary,  at  home. 
2.  Blanche,  married  T.  A.  Krzywicki,  of 
Wilkes-Barre;  children:  Thaddus,  Edward, 
John  and  Emil.  3.  Helen,  married  Edward 
Wasilewski.  4.  Sophia,  married  George 
Klingis,  and  they  have  one  child,  Emil.  B. 
John.  6.  Frank,  married  Mary  Schmidt;  chil- 
dren:    Emil,  Anna  and  John.     7.  Stanley. 


ALLISON     BOWMAN     MILLER,     D.     D.     S. — 

For  over  thirty-five  years  a  resident  of 
Kingston,  Pennsylvania,  Dr.  Allison  B.  Miller 
is  recognized  as  one  of  the  leading  dentists 
of  the  Wyoming  Valley.  Unusually  skillful 
in  his  profession,  he  built  up  a  successful 
practice  soon  after  his  arrival  in  Kingston 
as  a  young  man,  and  to  this  practice  he 
has  since  devoted  all  his  time.  Dr.  Miller 
is  a  valuable  member  of  his  community  in 
many  ways,  and  a  leader  in  local  Masonic 
circles. 

He  was  born  on  October  24,  1870,  in  Dan- 
ville, Montour  County,  Pennsylvania,  a  son 
of  Samuel  N.  and  Sarah  (Bowman)  Miller, 
both  members  of  old  Pennsylvania  families. 
David    Miller,    Dr.    Miller's    grandfather,    was 


ijir'niii 


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t 


5^ 


S2S 


a  farmer,  and  a  father  of  a  family.  His  son, 
Samuel  NT.  Miller,  was  a  merchant  for  many 
years  at  Nescopeck,  Pennsylvania.  He  and 
his   wife   were    the   parents   of   five   children: 

I.  Allison  Bowman,  of  this  sketch.  2.  Robert 
E.,  who  lives  at  Kingston.  3.  Fannie,  who 
married  J.  F.  Wein,  of  Philadelphia.  4. 
Susan,  married  Stanley  W.  Bogart,  of  Cleve- 
land, Ohio.  5.  Estelle,  married  H.  B.  Thur- 
ston,   of   Cleveland,    Ohio. 

When  Allison  B.  Miller  was  still  a  small 
child,  his  parents  moved  to  Nescopeck,  and 
here  he  attended  the  local  public  schools. 
Later  he  entered  the  Bloomsburg  State  Normal 
School  at  Bloomsburg',  Pennsylvania,  and 
then  entered  the  Dental  School  of  the  Uni- 
versity of  Pennsylvania,  at  Philadelphia, 
where  he  was  graduated  in  1S94,  with  the 
degree  of  Doctor  of  Dental  Surgery.  The 
same  year,  he  began  the  practice  of  his  pro- 
fession at  Buffalo.  New  York,  remaining  until 
1896,  at  which  time  he  came  to  Kingston, 
Pennsylvania,  where  he  quickly  reached  a 
position  of  importance  in  the  community, 
and  where   he    has   since   remained. 

Politically,  Dr.  Miller  is  a  member  of  the 
Republican  party.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Luzerne  County  Dental  Association,  serving 
as  president  for  two  years:  the  Pennsyl- 
vania Dental  Association,  which  he  served 
as  treasurer  for  nine  years;  and  of  the 
American  Dental  Association.  He  is  affil- 
iated fraternally  with  the  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons,  in  which  organization  he  is  a  mem- 
ber of  Kingston  Lodge,  No.  395:  Shekinah 
Chapter.  No.  182.  Royal  Arch  Masons;  Dieu 
le  Veut  Commandery,  No.  45,  Knights  Tem- 
plar; and  Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order 
Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  at  AVilkes- 
Barre.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Shrine 
Country  Club  and  the  Franklin  Club.  Dr. 
and  Mrs.  Miller  are  members  of  the  King- 
ston Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  where  the 
doctor  is  a  meml:)er  of  the  official  boa.rd. 

On  October  25,  1S94,  at  Nescopeck,  Penn- 
sylvania, Dr.  Miller  married  Anna  Harter,  a 
daughter  of  John  Harter,  who  died  February 

II,  1927,  aged  eighty-nine  years,  and  of 
Elizabeth  (Bond)  Harter,  who  died  at  Nes- 
copeck, January  6.  1928,  aged  eighty-eight 
years.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Miller  are  the  parents 
of  one  son,  Allison  Harter,  born  September 
23,  1S9S,  now  associated  with  his  father  in 
the  practice  of  dentistry,  at  Kingston,  Penn- 
sylvania. 

Born  in  Kingston,  Allison  Barter  Miller 
attended  the  public  schools  there  and  was 
graduated  from  the  Wyoming  Seminary, 
Cornell  University,  Ithaca,  New  York,  and 
the  Dental  College  of  the  University  of  Penn- 
sylvania, Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania,  from 
which  latter  institution  he  was  graduated  in 
1923,  with  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Dental 
Surgery.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Luzerne 
County,  Pennsylvania  State  and  American 
Dental  societies.  He  is  (1929)  president  of 
the  Luzerne  County  Dental  Society:  a  direc- 
tor of  the  Blind  Association,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre,  and  a  member  of  the  Lions  Club  of 
Wilkes-Barre.  Politically,  he  supports  the 
Republican  party,  and  in  his  fraternal  affil- 
iations is  a  member  of  Kingston  Lodge,  Free 
and  Accepted  Masons:  is  a  "thirty-second 
degree  Mason,  member  of  Bloomsburg  Con- 
sistory, Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order 
Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  and  of  the 
Irem   Country   Club. 

Mrs.  Miller  is  president  of  the  West  Side 
Woman's  Club.  She  has  always  been  active 
in  hospital  work  and  in  all  charitable  insti- 
tutions, having  served  as  president  of  the 
Kingston  Auxiliary  of  the  Memorial  Hos- 
pital   for    nine    years,    and    takes    an    active 


prominent   part   in   the   work    of   her   church, 
the   Kingston   Methodist   Episcopal   Church. 


FREDERICK  C.  SCHUI>TZ — For  many 
years  Frederick  C.  Schultz  has  occupied  an 
important  place  in  the  life  of  Wilkes-Barre, 
of  which  he  has  long  been  a  resident.  In 
addition  to  his  position  with  the  Wilkes- 
Barre  Lace  Manufacturing  Company,  he  Is 
interested  financially  in  several  local  enter- 
prises to  which  his  services  have  proved  of 
great  value,  while  in  the  civic  life  of  the 
community  and  in  church  affairs,  he  has  been 
equally  prominent. 

Mr.  Schultz  was  born  at  Wilkes-Barre, 
on  September  10,  1884,  a  son  of  Moritz  and 
Johanna  (Frick)  Schultz.  His  father,  a  mer- 
chant, was  born  in  Germany  in  1854,  and  died 
in  1892,  while  the  mother,  also  born  in  Ger- 
many,  in   1851,   died   in   April,    1927. 

Frederick  C.  Schultz  was  educated  in  the 
local  public  schools,  attending  Wilkes-Barre 
High  School,  from  which  he  was  graduated 
in  1899.  Later  he  entered  the  Wharton 
School,  at  the  University  of  Pennsylvania, 
and  from  this  Institution  was  graduated  In 
1916.  Meanwhile  his  business  career  was 
well  under  way.  In  1899  he  entered  tha 
employ  of  the  Wilkes-Barre  Lace  Manufac- 
turing Company,  as  a  clerk  in  their  office, 
but  his  obvious  ability  and  strict  attention 
to  the  task  at  hand  soon  won  him  promo- 
tion, and  he  advanced  through  various  posi- 
tions in  several  departments,  to  places  of  con- 
fidence and  trust.  As  head  of  the  production 
department  of  the  company,  he  is  now  In 
responsible  charge  of  the  entire  output  of 
the  plant,  supervising  all  details  in  a  very 
efficient  manner.  In  addition  to  his  work 
with  the  Wilkes-Barre  Lace  Manufacturing 
Company,  Mr.  Schultz  is  a  director  of  the 
North  End  State  Bank,  of  this  city,  in  whose 
organization  he  assisted,  and  also  serves  at 
present  as  secretary  of  the  discount  commit- 
tee of  this  institution.  He  is  a  director  of 
the  Keystone  Building  and  Loan  Association, 
another  important  enterprise  in  the  com- 
munity. 

Politically  Mr.  Schultz  supports  the  prin- 
ciples and  candidates  of  the  Republican  party, 
while  he  is  affiliated  fraternally  with  the 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  in  which  order 
he  is  a  member  of  Landmark  Lodge,  No.  442, 
and  Worshipful  Master  of  the  Lodge;  a  mem- 
ber of  Keystone  Consistory,  Ancient  Accepted 
,  Scottish  Rite,  at  Scranton:  and  also  Irem 
Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the 
Mystic  Shrine.  Mr.  Schultz  is  affiliated  with 
several  movements  for  the  advancement  of 
the  community  welfare,  and  holds  member- 
ship in  the  Craftsman's  Club.  He  and  his 
family  worship  in  the  faith  of  the  Protestant 
Episcopal  Church,  and  Mr.  Schultz  is  treas- 
urer of  Calvary  Church  of  that  denomina- 
tion at  Wilkes-Barre.  He  is  also  president 
of  Wyoming  Valley  Laymen's  Association  of 
the   Episcopal   Church. 

In  1S9S,  Frederick  C.  Schultz  married  Sarah 
Louise  Jones,  of  Wellsboro,  Pennsylvania, 
daughter  of  Eleazer  and  Sarah  Ann  (Estep) 
Jones,  of  that  place.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Schultz 
are  the  parents  of  one  daughter,  Sarah 
Louise. 


SHELDON  JONES — As  efficiency  expert  for 
the  Lehigh  Valley  Coal  Company,  at  Wilkes- 
Bai  re,  Pennsylvania,  Sheldon  Jones  occupies 
a  position  of  economic  importance  in  the 
community  and  contributes  much  to  the  pros- 
perous development  of  the  rich  coal  indus- 
try. He  was  born  in  Columbia  County,  Penn- 
sylvania, October  8,  1886,  son  of  Ashbel  W. 
and    Mary    Elizabeth    (McGuire)    Jones.      The 


526 


father  was  :or  many  years  a  merchant  at 
Jonestown,  Columbia  County,  and  was  the 
son  of  James  and  Matilda  Jones.  The  mater- 
nal grandfather  of  Sheldon  Jones  was  Robert 
McGuire,  who  came  from  Ireland  to  West 
Pittston  when  he  was  only  seventeen  years 
old,  and  who  was  one  of  the  early  coal  miners 
of  the  section.  The  subject  of  this  record 
had  a  brother  and  sister;  Adria  Louise,  wife 
of  Ernest  D.  Kline,  of  Berwick,  Pennsylvania; 
and  Ashbel  "W".  Jones,  of  Wilkes-Barre. 

Sheldon  Jones,  oldest  of  the  children,  grew 
up  in  Columbia  County  and  attended  the 
public  schools,  graduating  from  high  school 
in  1904.  When  he  was  eighteen,  he  took  a 
position  as  a  chain  boy  in  the  Engineering 
Corps  of  the  Lehigh  Valley  Coal  Company  at 
Wilkes-Barre,  and  worked  there  from  1905 
to  1912.  He  was  then  made  assistant  dis- 
trict superintendent  of  the  Prospect  Col- 
liery, at  Plains,  Luzerne  County.  Two  years 
later,  in  1914,  his  ability  won  still  further 
recog-nition  when  he  was  made  district  super- 
intendent of  the  Mineral  Springs,  Franklin, 
and  Warrior  Run  Collieries,  of  Luzerne 
County.  Again  came  a  promotion  in  1918  to 
the  office  of  Division  Superintendent  of  the 
Lackawanna  Division.  It  was  April  15,  1924, 
that  Mr.  Jones  was  made  efficiency  expert 
of  the  Lehigh  Valley  Coal  Company,  with 
offices  at  the  main  building  in  Wilkes-Barre. 
This  outstanding  success  crowns  years  of 
faithful  effort  and  proves  the  community 
worth  of  Mr.  Jones.  He  also  holds  a  direc- 
torship in  the  West  Side  Bank,  West  Pitts- 
ton,   Pennsylvania. 

He  is  a  Republican  in  politics  and  a  com- 
municant of  the  West  Pittston  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  on  the  official  board  of 
which  he  serves.  His  fraternal  affiliations 
are  with  the  Rolling  Mill  Hill  Lodge,  No. 
87,  Kjiights  of  Pythias;  and  Valley  Lodge, 
No.  499,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  of  Pitts- 
ton; Pittston  Chapter,  Royal  Arch  Ma- 
sons; Wyoming  Valley  Commandery,  No.  57, 
Knights  Templar;  Irem  Temple,  Ancient 
Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine  of 
Wilkes-Barre.  He  belongs  to  the  Shrine 
Country  Club,  the  Fox  Hill  Country  Club, 
the  Pittston  Chamber  of  Commerce,  and  the 
Craftsmen's  Club. 

In  March,  1909,  Sheldon  Jones  married 
Emily  Irene  Yost,  of  Columbia  County,  Penn- 
sylvania, daughter  of  Clarence  W.  and  Ida 
May  (DeWitt)  Yost.  Mrs.  Jones  died  May  5, 
1926.  Children:  Harlan  Yost,  Sheldon,  Jr., 
Clarence   Wilson,   Adria  Mary,   and  Marion. 


whom  are  now  deceased.  His  parents,  who 
were  natives  of  Lithuania,  came  to  the  United 
States  early  in  their  lives.  As  a  boy,  Father 
Paukstis  attended  the  public  schools  of  Lu- 
zerne County,  in  Edwardsville,  his  native 
town,  and  was  graduated  from  the  high 
school  in  Edwardsville  in  the  class  of  1905. 
Then  he  spsnt  seven  years  at  St.  Vincent's 
College,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in  the 
class  of  11.112  with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of 
Arts;  and  next  he  became  a  student  at  Mount 
St.  Mary's  College,  in  Emmitsburg,  Maryland, 
where  he  took  work  in  the  theological  depart- 
ment, from  which  institution  he  was  grad- 
uated In  the  class  of  1915  with  the  degree 
of  Master  of  Arts.  In  Edwardsville,  Lu- 
zerne County,  on  May  22,  1915,  he  was  or- 
dained in  St.  Mary's  Roman  Catholic  Church 
by  the  Right  Rev.  M.  J.  Hoben.  His  first 
appointment  was  as  rector  of  St.  Francis' 
Parish,  in  Miners'  Mills,  Luzerne  County, 
Pennsylvania,  where  he  continued  to  serve 
until  July,  1917,  when  he  was  appointed  to  his 
present   charge  in  Wilkes-Barre. 

His  work  in  the  vicinity  of  Pennsylvania 
was  interrupted  for  a  time  by  the  World 
War;  for  in  Aug-ust,  1917,  he  volunteered 
his  services  to  the  United  States  Army,  which 
he  joined  as  a  private,  serving  at  Camp  Tay- 
lor, Kentucky.  There  he  was  commissioned 
as  a  first  lieutenant  in  the  capacity  of  Army 
Chaplain  of  the  116th  Infantry  of  the  29th 
Division;  and  he  sailed  for  France,  where  he 
served  at  the  front  with  the  military  forces 
of  his  country  from  October,  1917,  until  No- 
vember, 1918.  He  returned  to  the  United 
States  in  May,  1919,  and  was  mustered  out 
of  the  service  with  the  rank  of  captain.  He 
is  now  a  member  of  the  American  Legion, 
in  which  he  is  chaplain  of  the  Black  Diamond 
Post,  No.  132;  and  he  also  is  chaplain  in  the 
society  known  as  the  General  John  Pershing 
Post  Veterans  of  Foreign  Wars.  He  is 
unusually  active  in  clubs  and  societies  of 
different  sorts  in  Wilkes-Barre  and  vicinity, 
having  been  the  founder  and  organizer  of  the 
Lithuanian  Doughboys'  Club,  of  Wilkes-Barre; 
and  being  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  Colum- 
bus, in  which  he  is  identified  with  Council 
No.  302,  of  Wilkes-Barre;  and  also  being  an 
active  member  of  the  Pen  and  Pencil  Club 
and  Press  Club.  He  is  one  of  the  foremost 
priests  in  Wilkes-Barre,  and  the  work  that 
he  has  accomplished  in  the  Lithuanian  Holy 
Trinity  Roman  Catholic  Church  has  been 
a  valued  one. 


REV.  P.  B.  PAUKSTIS — One  of  the  active 
men  of  the  church  of  Wilkr  s-Barre,  is  the 
Rev.  P.  B.  Paukstis,  who  is  the  priest  of  the 
Lithuanian  Holy  Trinity  Roman  Catholic 
Church,  of  this  city,  a  parish  which  originally 
was  founded  in  1891,  although  the  present 
large  and  beautiful  church  was  built  in  1909. 
The  congregation  has  shown  a  rapid  growth, 
especially  in  recent  years,  and  now  consists 
of  about  four  thousand  members.  Father 
Paukstis,  who  devotes  his  time  and  energies 
unsparingly  to  the  welfare  of  the  church  and 
Its  people,  is  one  of  the  leading  citizens  of 
this  section  of  Pennsylvania,  taking  an  active 
part  in  all  matters  that  have  to  do  with  the 
promotion  of  public  welfare.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  several  clubs  and  of  organizations  of 
different  types,  and  is  highly  loved  and 
esteemed,  not  only  by  the  members  of  his 
own  parish,  but  by  all  who  have  occasion 
to  come  into  contact  with  him  or  to  see  the 
character   of    his   work. 

He  was  born  in  Edwardsville,  in  Luzerne 
County,  Pennsylvania,  May  10,  1889,  a  son 
of  Sylvester  and  Magdalen  Paukstis,  both  of 


THOMAS    JEFFERSO    GROVER — For    the 

most  satisfactory  degree  of  success  that  has 
come  to  Thomas  Jefferson  Grover  in  the 
course  of  his  professional  career,  he  is 
indebted  to  his  own  personal  efforts  and 
his  thorough  training  during'  the  period  of 
his  preparation  for  his  life  work,  as  well  as 
for  his  well-recognized  gifts  as  a  pleader  in 
the  Luzerne  County  courts,  and  as  a  legal 
advisor  in  the  business  that  he  has  readily 
built  up  in  this  section  of  the  State. 

Thomas  Jefferson  Grover  was  born  July 
30,  1S73,  in  Hollenbeck  Township,  a  son  of 
Joshua  and  Eleanor  (Shortz)  Grover,  both 
parents  now  deceased.  Joshua  Grover,  a 
farmer  throughout  his  life,  was  a  son  of 
Daniel  and  Sally  Ann  (Smith)  Grover,  also 
farming  people,  and  whose  forebears  were 
among  early  settlers  in  the  county.  Joshua 
and  Eleanor  (Shortz)  Grover  were  the  par- 
ents of  eleven  children,  all  of  whom  grew  to 
manhood  and  womanhood:  Marshall  Grover, 
of  Wilkes-Barre;  Jennie  Grover,  who  married 
Frank  Shobert;  Elmer,  who  is  postmaster  at 
Wapwallopen;  Dallas,  a  judge  in  Kansas; 
Mary,    married    Frank    E.    Everard,    of    Wap- 


S27 


wallopen;  Minnie,  married  C.  L.  Baucher,  of 
Wilkes-Barre;  Sallie,  married  Dr.  R.  O.  Davis, 
of  Berwick,  Pennsylvania;  Daniel,  deceased, 
was  a  telegraph  operator;  Thomas  Jefferson, 
of  whom  further;  Lawrence,  who  resides  in 
Berwick,  Pennsylvania;  Jane,  married  Robert 
Morton,  of  Tonkers,  New  York. 

Thomas  Jefferson  Grover  spent  his  early 
life  on  the  farm  at  HoUenbeck.  and  after 
attendijjg  the  public  scliools  in  that  section 
of  the  county,  he  took  a  course  at  Wyoming 
Seminary,  Kingston.  Meantime,  he  was  active 
in  various  occupations  in  order  to  pay  his 
way  through  college,  and  he  was  eventually 
enabled  to  graduate  at  the  Dickinson  Law 
School  at  Carlisle,  with  the  class  of  1910. 
In  political  matters,  Mr.  Grover  is  a  Demo- 
crat, and  he  votes  the  ticket  of  that  party, 
though  he  has  not  sought  public  office.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  Luzerne  County  Bar, 
with  offices  in  the  Lanning  Building,  Wilkes- 
Barre. 

Thomas  Jefferson  Grover  married,  February 
10,  1914,  Coraline  E.  Elliott,  of  Carlisle, 
daughter  of  John  J.  and  Sarah  (Strohm) 
Elliott;  and  they  have  one  son,  Robert  Elliott. 


Mechanics;  and  Wilkes-Barre  Council  of  the 
Royal  Arcanum.  Mr.  Brenner  is  Pennsyl- 
vania division  vice-president  of  the  Del- 
aware and  Hudson  Company  Freight  and 
Ticket  Agents'  Association;  also  of  the  Vet- 
erans' Association.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Wilkes-Barre- Wyoming  Valley  Chamber  of 
Commerce,   and   of   the   Concordia   Society. 


EDWARD  J.  BRENNER — For  almost 
twenty  years,  Edward  J.  Brenner  has  been 
freight  agent  for  the  Delaware  and  Hudson 
Railroad,  at  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania,  dis- 
charging all  the  duties  of  his  position  in  a 
very  efficient  manner  and  to  the  complete 
satisfaction  of  both  his  executive  officers, 
and  the  community  which  he  serves.  Mr. 
Brenner  has  taken  a  prominent  part  in  many 
Wilkes-Barre  activities,  and  is  highly  re- 
garded throughout  the  community  as  a  pub- 
lic-spirited   citizen. 

Born  at  Pottsville,  in  Schuylkill  County, 
Pennsylvania,  on  September  21,  1S81,  Mr. 
Brenner  is  a  son  of  Henry  S.  Brenner,  born 
at  Pottsville  In  1S45,  died  on  January  25, 
1904,  and  of  Annie  (Robinson)  Brenner,  who 
was  also  born  at  Pottsville,  and  who  died  on 
March  31,  1917.  The  father  was  foreman  of 
the  Vulcan  Iron  Works'  Wyoming  Valley 
Shops   for  many   years. 

Edward  J.  Brenner  attended  the  public 
schools  of  Wilkes-Barre  and  following  grad- 
uation from  the  local  high  school,  began  his 
business  career  as  office  boy  for  the  Del- 
aware and  Hudson  Railroad.  From  the  date 
of  his  first  employment  with  this  company 
he  has  remained  associated  with  them  until 
the  present  time,  a  period  of  more  than 
thirty-three  years.  His  strict  attention  to 
the  tasks  which  came  to  him,  and  the  ability 
which  he  displayed  In  his  work  won  him 
gradual  advancement  through  various  cleri- 
cal positions  until  in  January,  1905,  he  was 
made  chief  clerk  of  the  freight  department. 
This  position  he  was  well  qualified  to  fill 
by  previous  training  and  experience  and  for 
five  years  he  rendered  highly  satisfactory 
service  in  his  capacity  as  chief  clerk.  As 
a  reward  for  loyal  efforts  continued  through 
a  long  period,  Mr.  Brenner  received  further 
promotion  in  1910,  becoming  freight  agent 
at  Wilkes-Barre  on  October  17,  of  that  year. 
To  the  work  of  this  office  he  has  since 
devoted  all  his  time  and  attention  and  It  Is 
a  commonplace  among  Delaware  and  Hud- 
son men  that  a  task  assigned  to  Mr.  Bren- 
ner will  be  well  and  speedily  performed. 

In  politics  he  supports  Republican  prin- 
ciples and  candidates,  maintaining  a  constant 
interest  in  civic  affairs  and  the  problems  of 
government,  and  contributing  liberally  to 
many  worthy  movements  for  advance.  He  is 
affiliated  fraternally  with  Wilkes-Barre 
Lodge,  No.  109,  of  the  Benevolent  and  Pro- 
tective Order  of  Elks,  with  Byars  Council 
of    the    Junior    Order    of    United    American 


CHARLES  MINER  AYLESWORTH— A  Suc- 
cessful attorney  and  one  who  had  achieved 
his  position  against  odds  Is  Charles  Miner 
Aylesworth.  After  graduating  from  the  Nan- 
ticoke  High  School  in  1913  he  found  it  neces- 
sary to  work  for  two  years  as  a  fireman  on 
the  Delaware  and  Hudson  Railroad  in  order 
to  secure  funds  to  further  his  education. 
This  hard  and  enervating  labor  failed  to 
crush  his  youthful  ardor  for  self  betterment, 
and  neither  did  the  interruption  in  his  col- 
legiate career  caused  by  service  In  the  World 
War  more  than  temporarily  stop  his  prog- 
ress. 

The  Aylesworths  are  an  old  Rhode  Island 
family,  a  member  of  which  settled  in  Luzerne 
County,  Pennsylvania,  in  the  very  early  days. 
Robert  Aylesworth  of  Ross  Township,  the 
paternal  grandfather  of  Charles  M.  Ayles- 
worth, was  a  farmer.  His  son,  Reuben  N., 
married  Fannie  M.  Lyons,  and  their  only 
child,  Charles  Miner,  was  born  June  18,  1895, 
in  Nanticoke,  where  the  father  was  a  carpen- 
ter contractor.  The  son  grew  to  manhood  In 
his  native  town,  and  in  1915  entered  Dickin- 
son Law  School  at  Carlisle  where  he  remained 
two  years,  enlisting  In  the  autumn  of  1917 
in  the  311th  Field  Artillery.  He  was  as- 
signed to  Camp  Meade,  Maryland,  where  he 
remained  until  July  22,  1918,  when  the  organ- 
ization was  ordered  to  embark  for  France. 
They  landed  in  Liverpool,  England,  August 
3,  1918,  and  August  8  at  Cherbourg,  France, 
where  he  was  transferred  to  the  79th  Divi- 
sion and  stationed  at  La  Couronne,  remain- 
ing at  this  place  until  the  close  of  the  war 
at  which  time  he  went  to  Paris  with  the 
soldier-student  contingent.  July  9,  1919,  he 
returned  to  the  United  States  and  resumed 
his  studies  at  Dickinson  from  which  he  was 
graduated  in  the  class  of  1920  with  the  degree 
of   Bachelor  of  Laws. 

September  7,  1920  he  was  admitted  to  the 
Luzerne  County  Bar  and  opened  an  office  at 
502  Miners'  Bank  Building  in  Wilkes-Barre. 
He  Is  a  member  of  the  Luzerne  County  Bar 
Association;  the  Delta  Theta  Phi  law  frater- 
nity; Nanticoke  Lodge,  No.  541,  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons;  Keystone  Consistory,  of 
Scranton:  thirty-second  degree  Ancient  Ac- 
cepted Scottish  Rite  Masonry;  Nanticoke 
Lodge,  No.  137,  Knights  of  Pythias  (Past 
Chancellor,  Commander  and  treasurer);  and 
Nanticoke  Post  No.  350,  American  Legion  of 
which  he  Is  Past  Post  Commander.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Commercial  Law  League  of 
America,  the  Craftsmen's  Club,  and  the  Young 
Men's  Christian  Association  Chess  Club.  He 
is  affiliated  with  the  First  Presbyterian 
Church  of  Nanticoke  and  In  politics  is  a 
Republican. 

Charles  Miner  Aylesworth  married  August 
29,  1923,  Elizabeth  Luft,  daughter  of  William 
H.  and  Elizabeth  (Dilg)  Luft  of  Wilkes-Barre. 
They   reside   in   Nanticoke. 


JOHN  B.  RICKARD — -As  a  member  of  the 
firm  known  as  the  North  Branch  Lumber 
Company,  John  B.  Rickard  is  one  of  the 
outstanding  business  men  of  W^ilkes-Barre 
and  vicinity.  He  has  spent  all  of  his  life  in 
Luzerne  County,  so  that  he  is  well  known 
in  this   part   of  Pennsylvania. 

He  was  born  in  Plymouth,  Luzerne  County, 
Pennsylvania,  on  September  7,  1867,  a  son  of 


528 


Dr.  A.  G.  and  Liva  Albertina  (Smith)  Rick- 
ard.  Dr.  Rickard,  the  father,  was  a  phy- 
sician in  Plymouth  for  many  years,  and  was 
a  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Gould)  Rick- 
ard, whose  ancesters  were  among  the  early 
families  of  Luzerne  County.  Liva  Albertina 
(Smith)  Rickard  is  a  daughter  of  the  late 
Hon.  John  B.  Smith,  who  was  a  member  of 
Congress  from  the  Luzerne  County  district 
more  than  fifty  years  ago  and  was  one  of 
the  leading  citizens  of  this  community  in 
his  day.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  A.  G.  Rickard  were 
the  parents  of  five  children:  1.  John  B., 
of  further  mention  in  this  article.  2.  Stella, 
who  is  the  wife  of  H.  A.  Hurshburger,  of 
Kingston,  Pennsylvania.  3.  Daisy  R.,  who 
is  the  wife  of  Allen  B.  Dungan,  of  Kingston. 
4.  Emma,  the  wife  of  Harry  W.  Ruggles,  a 
Kingston  lumber  merchant.  5.  May  Virginia, 
who  is  unmarried. 

John  B.  Rickard  grew  to  manhood  in  the 
town  of  his  birth.  Plymouth.  He  attended 
as  a  boy  the  public  schools,  went  later  to 
the  Harry  Hillman  Academy,  and  Bucknell 
University.  When  he  completed  his  academic 
education,  he  engaged  in  the  drug  business 
in  Plymouth,  and  for  eighteen  years  con- 
tinued in  this  line  of  work.  Then,  in  1907, 
he  sold  out  the  drug  enterprise,  and  entered 
the  wholesale  lumber  business,  which  since 
that  time  has  occupied  the  greater  part  of 
his  attentions.  This  company,  one  of  the 
leading  firms  of  its  kind  in  Luzerne  County, 
handles  all  kinds  of  lumber,  specializing  in 
Idaho  white  pine,  yellow  pine,  Pacific  coast 
lumber  products  and  hard  woods.  Mr.  Rick- 
ard has  worked  hard  to  build  up  this  com- 
pany into  what  it  is  today;  and,  because  of 
his  diligence  and  natural  business  talents, 
is  today  enjoying  the  fruits  of  his  labors. 
He  maintans  offices  at  the  company's  head- 
quarters, No.  37  Bennett  Building,  Wilkes- 
Barre. 

Although  he  is  very  busy  with  his  own 
business  interests,  Mr.  Rickard  takes  time 
to  be  active  in  the  public  and  civic  affairs 
of  his  community,  and  is  always  ready  to  sup- 
port wholeheartedly  any  movement  which  he 
believes  will  bring  about  in  some  way  or 
other  the  betterment  of  Wilkes-Barre  or 
Luzerne  County.  In  his  political  outlook, 
he  is  a  Republican,  and  supports  the  prin- 
ciples and  candidates  of  that  party.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  Free  and  Accepted  Masons, 
in  which  order  he  is  affiliated  with  the  Plym- 
outh Lodge,  No.  332;  Chapter,  No.  214  of  the 
Royal  Arch  Masons;  the  Dieu  le  Veut  Com- 
mandery,  No.  45,  Knights  Templar;  Irem 
Temple  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of 
the  Mystic  Shrine;  and  the  Irem  Temple 
Country  Club.  His  religious  affiliation  is 
with  the  Presbyterian  Church,  of  Kingston. 
In  1888  John  B.  Rickard  was  married  to 
Edith  L.  Major,  a  daughter  of  Abram  G. 
Major,  of  Plymouth.  By  this  marriage  there 
are  two  children:  1.  Helen,  who  married 
Harradon  H.  Smith,  of  Kingston,  by  which 
marriage  there  are  two  children,  May  Virginia 
and  Edith  Rickard  Smith.  2.  Albertina,  who 
married  Harry  Melvin  Vivian,  of  Kingston, 
by  which  marriage  there  are  two  children, 
John  Rickard  and  Harry  Melvin.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Rickard  reside  at  No.  201  Pierce  Street, 
in   Kingston. 


MICHAEL  JOHN  TORLINSKI — Poles  and 
descendants  of  natives  of  Poland,  emulating 
the  example  of  their  gallant  Kosciuszko,  have 
always  fought  for  liberty  wherever  they  have 
gone  throughout  the  world,  and  for  the  pres- 
ervation of  democratic  institutions  from 
spoliation  by  selfish,  designing  men.  As  a 
descendant  of  representative  Polish  gentry 
Michael    John    Torlinski,    lawyer,    at    822-26 


Miners'  Bank  Building,  Wilkes-Barre,  has 
imbibed  the  spirit  of  freedom,  and  on  two 
occasions  has  embarked  on  crusades  to  glorify 
the  American  flag — as  an  officer  of  the  United 
States  Navy  in  the  world-cruise  of  the  battle- 
ship fleet  in  190S,  and  again  with  the  sea 
forces  in  the  World  War  struggle  to  conquer 
the  German  military  machine.  Mr.  Torlinski 
is  a  graduate  of  the  United  States  Naval 
Academy  at  Annapolis,  Maryland,  and  of  the 
Law  School  of  the  University  of  Pennsyl- 
vania at  Philadelphia.  After  having  spent 
eight  years  in  the  naval  service,  during  which 
time  he  was  promoted  several  times,  he  re- 
signed to  study  law,  and  practiced  several 
years  prior  to  the  outbreak  of  the  World 
War,  in  which  he  reentered  the  naval  service 
as  an  officer.  He  rose  to  the  rank  of  lieuten- 
ant-commander, and  for  his  exceptional  ac- 
complishments received  special  letters  of  ap- 
preciation from  his  immediate  superiors  in 
rank,  and  was  awarded  the  Victory  medal. 
At  the  conclusion  of  the  war  he  again 
sheathed  his  sword  and  returned  to  the  prac- 
tice of  the  law  at  Wilkes-Barre,  where  he 
had  won  for  himself  an  enviable  place  among 
his    associates    and    contemporaries. 

Michael  John  Torlinski  was  born  August 
31,  1885,  at  Wanamie,  Luzerne  County, 
Pennsylvania,  son  of  John  A.  Torlinski, 
a  well-known  merchant  of  Nantlcoke,  Lu- 
zerne County,  and  Mary  Torlinski,  who  is 
deceased.  From  1891  to  1903  he  attended  the 
public  schools  of  Nantlcoke,  after  which,  in 
1903,  he  matriculated  at  the  naval  school, 
from  which  institution  he  was  graduated  with 
his  class  in  1907.  From  1903  to  1907  he  was  of 
the  rank  of  Midshipman  of  the  United  States 
Naval  Academy,  but  on  going  to  sea  was 
advanced  to  Passed  Midshipman,  United 
States  Navy.  In  1907  he  began  his  career 
as  a  naval  officer  when  he  was  assigned  to 
duty  aboard  a  battleship  of  the  Atlantic 
Fleet,  which  was  then  preparing  for  its 
notable  cruise  around  the  world  under  orders 
from  the  Commander-in-Chief  of  the  Army 
and  Navy,  Theodore  Roosevelt.  On  board  the 
battleship  "New  Jersey"  he  completed  the 
cruise  around  the  world,  an  experience  no 
one  who  went  will  ever  forget.  In  1909, 
having  completed  the  required  theoretical 
and  practical  course  afloat,  he  was  commis- 
sioned an  ensign  by  President  Taft,  who  had 
succeeded  Mr.  Roosevelt  in  the  Presidency. 
In  1911,  feeling  that  his  opportunities  lay  in 
the  law  ashore,  he  resigned  his  commission 
and  it  was  accepted  by  the  Bureau  of  Navi- 
gation; this  action  was  not  taken,  however, 
until  after  he  had  taken  part  in  a  revolution 
in  Honduras  in  conjunction  with  his  ship- 
mates stationed  in  that  section.  In  1911  he 
entered  the  Law  School  of  the  University  of 
Pennsylvania,  and  graduated  three  years 
later  with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Daws. 
In  1914  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  including 
the  right  to  practice  before  the  Supreme 
Court  of  Pennsylvania  and  the  various  sub- 
ordinate courts  and  in  June,  1919,  he  was 
admitted  to  practice  before  the  Supreme 
Court  of  the  United  States.  After  he  resigned 
from  the  Navy  he  took  an  active  interest  in 
the  work  of  the  National  Guard  of  Penn- 
sylvania, which  he  served  during  1912-13,  and 
in  which  he  attained  the  rank  of  lieutenant, 
when  he  resigned  his  commission  to  devote 
more  attention  to  the  practice  of  the  law. 
When  the  World  "tt'ar  involved  the  United 
States  in  1917  he  was  commissioned  a  lieu- 
tenant (junior  grade)  in  the  Navy  as  a 
volunteer,  and  was  assigned  to  duty  under 
Admiral  Leigh  C.  Palmer,  chief  of  the  Bureau 
of  Navigation,  Navy  Department,  at  Wash- 
ington, District  of  Columbia,  in  connection 
with  the  organization  and  administration,  of 


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the  personnel  of  the  United  States  Naval 
Reserve  Force,  particularly  in  formulating 
and  executing-  policies  involving  the  entry 
of  commissioned  officers  and  their  promotion. 
In  191S  he  received  from  Admiral  Palmer 
(who  later  became  president  of  the  Emer- 
gency Fleet  Corporation  of  the  Shipping 
Board)  special  letters  of  appreciation  for  his 
valuable  work  in  the  Bureau  of  Navigation  in 
training  officers  and  men;  a  special  letter  in 
1919  from  the  Chief  of  the  Bureau  of  Navi- 
gation for  his  service  in  the  Bureau  involving 
his  acti\'e  and  directing  part  in  the  organiza- 
tion and  administration  of  the  Naval  Reserve 
Force  during  the  World  War;  other  letters 
of  appreciation  on  various  phases  of  his  serv- 
ice in  World  War  duty.  From  lieutenant 
(junior  grade)  he  was  advanced  to  senior 
grade  lieutenant,  and  thence  to  the  rank  of 
lieutenant-Commander,  which  he  bears  at 
this  time  as  a  member  of  the  United  States 
Naval   Reserve  Force. 

In  1916  IVlr.  Torlinski  became  general  coun- 
sel and  member  of  the  Supreme  Board  of  the 
Polish  Union  of  the  United  States  of  North 
America,  a  fraternal  benefit  society  with 
principal  offices  at  Wlllves-Earre;  and  he  con- 
tinues to  hold  these  offices  to  the  present 
time.  From  1920  to  1924  he  served  capably 
as  assistant  district  attorney  of  Luzerne 
County,  and  since  1923  has  been  solicitor  of 
the  Miners'  Trust  Company.  From  1924  to 
1925  he  was  solicitor  of  the  School  Board  of 
the  City  of  Nanticoke,  and  from  1926  has 
been  solicitor  of  the  city  of  Nanticoke,  a  city 
of   26,000   persons. 

Mr.  Torlinski  enjoys  a  deserved  popularity 
and  prominence  as  a  member  of  the  following 
clubs  and  other  organizations;  the  Polish 
Union  of  the  United  States  of  North  America, 
Wilkes-Barre;  the  Polish  National  Alliance 
of  the  United  States  of  North  America,  of 
Chicago,  Illinois;  the  Army  and  Navy  Club, 
Washington,  District  of  Columbia;  the  United 
States  Naval  Institute,  Annapolis,  Maryland; 
the  Wyoming  Valley  Country  Club,  Wilkes- 
Barre;  the  American  Legion,  Nanticoke;  the 
Veterans  of  Foreign  Wars,  Wilkes-Barre; 
the  Navy  Athletic  Association,  Annapolis; 
the  Association  of  the  Class  of  1907  of  the 
United  States  Naval  Academy;  the  Wilkes- 
Barre  Law  and  Library  Association;  the 
Miller  Law  Club,  University  of  Pennsylvania; 
the  Delta  Theta  Phi  legal  fraternity;  the 
Pennsylvania  Bar  Association;  the  United 
States  Naval  Academy  Alumni  Association; 
the  Wyoming  Valley  Motor  Club,  Wilkes- 
Barre. 

Mr.  Torlinski  married,  November  24,  1919, 
Nancy  Reynolds,  native  of  the  State  of 
Georgia,  and  a  daugliter  of  Fletcher  and  Isa- 
bella (Hillyer)  Reynolds.  Mrs.  Torlinski  on 
her  maternal  side  is  a  direct  descendant  of 
Oliver  Wolcott,  former  Colonial  Governor  of 
Connecticut  and  one  of  the  signers  of  the 
Declaration  of  Independence,  and  on  her 
paternal  side,  also  of  old  American  stock,  she 
is  descended  from  Purmedus  Reynolds,  her 
grandfather,  judge  of  the  Supreme  Court  of 
Georgia.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Torlinski  are  the  par- 
ents of  two  children:  Nancy  Reynolds,  born 
in  1922,  and  Eunice  Ames,  born  in  1927. 


GEORGE!  J.  L,r,EWEL,L.YN — A  Story  well 
worthy  of  record  is  that  of  George  J.  Llewel- 
lyn, who  since  1902  has  been  successfully 
engaged  in  legal  practice  in  Wilkes-Barre, 
Pennsylvania,  with  offices  at  No.  21  South 
Franklin  Street.  Mr.  Llewellyn  is  an  excep- 
tional man  in  many  respects,  especially  so  in 
the  fact  that  from  the  time  he  was  fourteen 
years  of  age  he  has  made  his  own  way  in 
life,  and  that  after  more  than  thirty  years 
of   active    business    life   he    began    the   study 


of  law  and  not  only  passed  the  examina- 
tions for  admission  to  the  bar,  but  has 
achieved   success   in   his   profession. 

George  J.  Llewellyn  was  born  in  Wales, 
British  Isles,  September  24,  1856,  and  when 
he  was  fourteen  years  of  age  came  to  this 
country  and  located  at  Pittston,  Luzerne 
County,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  secured 
employment  in  the  coal  mines.  For  six  years 
he  continued  steadfastly  at  that  laborious 
and  heavy  work,  and  then  secured  a  position 
as  printer's  "devil"  on  one  of  the  Pittston 
papers.  Later  he  learned  the  stone  cutter's 
trade,  which  he  followed  for  twenty  years. 
At  the  end  of  that  time  he  made  another 
change,  this  time  engaging  In  the  plumbing 
and  heating  and  general  merchandise  busi- 
ness, in  which  line  he  continued  for  seven 
years.  In  1S94  Mr.  Llewellyn  was  elected,  on 
the  Republican  ticket,  prothonotary  of  Lu- 
zerne (bounty,  in  "which  office  he  served  for 
three  years.  From  1900  to  1903  he  was  war- 
den tor  the  Luzerne  County  prison.  In  the 
meantime,  however,  he  had  been  studying 
law  in  the  office  of  John  T.  Lenahan,  and  in 
1902  had  been  admitted  to  the  Luzerne  County 
Bar.  Since  that  time  he  has  been  success- 
fully engaged  in  practice  in  Wilkes-Barre, 
where  he  has  built  up  a  very  satisfactory 
clientele.  Though  he  was  forty-six  years 
of  age  when  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  he 
has  brought  to  his  professional  work  all 
the  enthusiasm  and  interest  that  are  some- 
times ascribed  only  to  the  earlier  years  of 
life,  and  the  success  which  he  has  achieved 
is  conclusive  evidence  of  the  fact  that  ability, 
hard  work,  determination,  and  persistence 
are  winning  factors  in  the  game  of  life,  both 
during  the  early  years  and  when  the  sup- 
posedly more  difficult  years  of  middle  life 
have  been  reached.  Mr.  Llewellyn  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Luzerne  County  Bar  Association, 
and  keeps  well  in  touch  with  the  develop- 
ments of  his  profession  throughout  the  State 
and  Nation.  It  is  a  long  way  from  the  newly 
arrived  immigrant  boy  working  in  the  mines 
at  Pittston  to  the  law  office  of  George  J. 
Llewellyn,  in  Wilkes-Barre,  but  Llewellyn 
traveled  that  long  road  without  the  aid  of 
influence  or  money  other  than  that  which  he 
won  by  his  own  effort,  and  the  record  of 
his  achievement  is  one  of  Inspiration  for 
those  who  find  that  the  "way  to  their  "heart's 
desire"  in  blocked  by  difficulties.  Fraternally 
Mr.  Llewellyn  is  affiliated  with  Pittston 
Lodge,  No.  332,  Benevolent  and  Protective 
Order  of  Elks,  and  he  is  a  life  member  of 
the  Pittston  Lodge,  Fraternal  Order  of 
Eagles.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Pittston 
Hose  Company,  and  at  one  time  was  chief  of 
the  Pittston  Fire  Department.  He  is  also 
a  member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias.  Mr. 
Llewellyn  was  secretary  of  the  State  League 
of  Republican  Club  of  Pennsylvania  for  fif- 
teen years,  and  during  that  period  attended 
as  a  delegate  the  National  League,  held  in 
other   States. 

George  J.  Llewellyn  was  married,  in  1879, 
to  Mary  A.  Williams,  and  they  are  the  par- 
ents of  two  children:  1.  Mary,  who  married 
E.  G.  Hollister,  of  Chicago.  2.  Samuel  G.,  of 
Chicago. 


REESE  D.  HUGHES^Auditor  of  Pennsyl- 
vania Millers  Mutual  Fire  Insurance  Com- 
pany. His  residence  is  at  No.  52  Pierce 
Street,  Kingston,  Pennsylvania.  He  was  born 
in  Wilkes-Barre,  April  25,  1894,  son  of  John 
and  Mary  Jane  (Davis)  Hughes.  He  was 
educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Wilkes- 
Barre  and  the  Wharton  School  of  Commerce 
and  Finance  of  the  University  of  Pennsyl- 
vania. He  was  associated  with  Hazard  Manu- 
facturing   Company    from    1910    to    1917.      He 


530 


moved  to  Bluefleld,  West  Virginia,  in  1917, 
where  he  was  connected  with  Superior  Sup- 
ply Company;  returning  to  Willies-Barre  in 
1920  to  become  auditor  of  Pennsylvania  Mil- 
lers Mutual  Fire  Insurance  Company.  Dur- 
ing the  World  War  he  served  as  a  sergeant  in 
the  Camp  Adjutant's  Detachment,  Camp 
Headquarters,   Camp  Lee.   Virginia. 

Mr.  Hughes  was  married  on  December  25, 
1917,  to  Helen  R.  George,  daughter  of  John 
R.  and  Margaret  (Roberts)  George.  They 
have  two  children:  Helen  Elizabeth  and 
Rutli    Jane. 


JOSEPH  JAMES  KOCYAX,  M.  D. — A  mem- 
ber of  the  medical  staff  of  the  Wilkes-Barre 
General  Hospital  and  president  of  the  Liberty 
State  Bank  and  Trust  Company,  Dr.  Joseph 
James  Kocyan.  specialist  in  gynecology  and 
an  outstanding  citizen  in  affairs  of  the  com- 
munity and  county,  maintains  two  offices  in 
the  exercise  of  his  profession,  one  at  No.  123 
South  Franklin  Street,  Wilkes-Barre,  and  the 
other  at  Plains,  Luzerne  County. 

Joseph  James  Kocyan  was  born  at  Balti- 
more, Maryland.  February  16,  1884,  a  son  of 
John  and  Mary  (Cott)  Kocyan,  who  were  the 
parents  of  eight  children:  Joseph  James,  of 
whom  further;  Antoinette,  wife  of  J.  T.  Leyko, 
of  Baltimore,  Maryland:  Frank,  of  Baltimore; 
Anna,  married,  of  Baltimore;  Catherine,  un- 
married, a  trained  nurse  in  the  United  States 
Army;  George,  of  Kingston,  Pennsylvania; 
Louise;     and   Andrew,   who   died   in   childhood. 

Joseph  James  Kocyan,  while  a  boy,  worked 
on  a  farm  in  Baltimore  County,  Maryland,  and 
received  his  early  education  in  the  public  and 
parochial  schools  and  at  Loyola  College  at 
Baltimore,  later  matriculating  in  the  College 
of  Physicians  and  Surgeons,  which  institution 
is  now  (1929)  incorporated  in  the  University 
of  Maryland,  and  took  his  degree  as  Doctor 
of  Medicine  with  the  class  of  1911.  The  latter 
part  of  1911  he  spent  in  the  soft  coal  regions 
near  DuBois,  Pennsylvania,  and  in  tile  year 
1912  took  up  past-graduate  work  in  New 
York  City.  He  then  came  to  Luzerne  County 
(1913)  and  opened  an  office  at  Plains,  where 
he  has  continued  during  the  years  since  spe- 
cializing in  diseases  of  women  and  in  obstet- 
rics; and  in  this  field  has  established  a  high 
reputation.  Dr.  Kocyan  was  •  commissioned 
first  lieutenant  in  the  Medical  Corps,  United 
States  Army,  in  June,  1917;  he  attended  the 
Medical  School  at  Washington,  District  of 
Columbia,  later  transferred  to  Fort  Ogle- 
thorpe Training  Camp.  In  July,  191S,  he  was 
advanced  to  rank  of  major  and  sailed  over- 
seas with  the  Base  Hospital  Unit,  located  at 
Juit  and  Paris.  Shortly  after,  he  was  as- 
signed to  Evacuation  Hospital  No.  5,  at  the 
Argonne  Drive,  as  surgeon,  and  also  in  Bel- 
gium. After  the  Armistice  he  returned  to 
Paris  and  joined  Base  Hospital,  No.  57,  as 
chief  surgeon,  and  sailed  for  the  United 
States    in   March,    1919. 

Dr.  Kocyan  is  a  member  of  the  Luzerne 
County  Medical  Society,  the  Lehigh  Medical 
Society,  and  the  American  Medical  Associa- 
tion. He  is  a  member  of  SS.  Peter  and  Paul's 
Roman  Catholic  Church  at  Plains,  and  in 
political  disposition  a  Democrat.  Among  his 
affiliations  are  the  Wyoming  Vallej'  Club  and 
the  Municipal  Golf  Club.  Although  Dr.  Koc- 
yan devotes  the  greater  portion  of  his  time  to 
gynecological  practice  and  is  an  earnest 
devotee  to  various  other  aspects  of  medicine 
and  surgery,  which  he  studies  assiduously,  he 
is  always  in  the  forefront  of  new  develop- 
ments relating  even  remotely  to  his  own  spe- 
cialty;    and    at    the    same    time,    through    his 


circle  of  acquaintances,  including  as  his 
friends  the  most  prominent  men  in  Wilkes- 
Barre  and  Plains,  he  has  developed  extra 
professional  contacts  taking  him  into  the 
business  life  of  both  communities.  Perhaps 
the  principal  financial  office  for  which  he  is 
known  is  the  directorship  in  the  Liberty  State 
Bank  and  Trust  Company  of  Wilkes-Barre, 
where  he  served  as  secretary  of  the  director- 
ate, and  in  1929  was  elected  president  of  that 
institution. 

Dr.  Joseph  James  Kocyan  married,  on  Au- 
gust 5,  1912,  Marie  S.  de  Nesterowicz,  of 
Toledo,  Ohio,  daughter  of  Stephen  and  Melania 
Habdank-Bialohrzeska  Nesterowicz.  Dr.  and 
Mrs.  Kocyan  have  three  children:  Marie  M., 
Josephine    Barbara,    and    Jeanne     Halina. 


GEOKGE  E.  GV^'ILLIAM — One  of  the  most 
popular  and  efficient  of  the  officials  of  Lu- 
zerne County,  Pennsylvania,  is  George  E. 
Gwilliam,  county  recorder  of  deeds,  who  has 
taken  a  conspicuous  part  in  the  civic  and 
fraternal  developments  of  the  community. 

Born  in  Plymouth,  Luzerne  County,  October 
15,  1883,  he  was  the  son  of  George  Evans 
and  Annie  (Lewis)  Gwilliam,  now  deceased. 
Both  were  natives  of  Wales  and  the  elder 
Gwilliam.  who  had  been  a  coal  miner  in  the 
old  country,  was  engaged  in  the  mines  of 
Pennsylvania  for  man.v  years,  but  late  in  life 
went  into  the  insurance  business.  Mrs. 
Gwilliam  died  at  the  age  of  sixty-four,  but 
her  husband  lived  until  he  was  seventy-three. 
There  were  nine  children  in  the  family,  of 
whom  five  readied  maturity:  Thomas  F.,  a 
member  of  the  Luzerne  County  Bar,  now 
deceased;  John,  also  now  deceased;  May,  who 
married  A.  J.  Young,  of  Plymouth;  Carolyn, 
who  married  Dr.  W.  C.  Stiff,  of  Plymouth; 
and  George  E.,  the  youngest  of  the  nine, 
of  whom  further. 

Educated  in  the  public  schools,  and  at 
Wyoming'  Academy,  George  B.  Gwilliam 
joined  his  father  in  the  insurance  business 
at  Plymouth,  Pennsylvania,  upon  leaving 
school.  Mr.  Gwilliam  was  appointed  a  jus- 
tice of  the  peace  in  Plymouth  Borough,  on 
July  14,  1916,  during  Governor  Brumbaugh's 
administration.  Instead  of  coming  out  for 
reelection  to  this  office  in  1918,  he  ran  for 
burgess  of  Plymouth,  and  won  the  latter 
office  with  both  major  party  nominations, 
something  which  had  never  been  precedented. 
Mr.  Gwilliam  also  had  the  honor  of  being 
the  youngest  burgess  in  the  history  of  the 
borough.  Some  time  later  Mr.  Gwilliam  was 
appointed  a  county  detective  in  the  office  of 
the  Hon.  Arthur  H.  Jaroes.  While  in  this 
position  he  was  nominated  and  reelected  to 
the  burgess  office  for  the  second  term.  In 
1923  he  was  a  candidate  for  the  office  of 
Recorder  of  Deeds  of  Luzerne  County,  was 
nominated  and  elected,  and  in  1927,  was  a 
candidate  to  succeed  himself  and  was 
reelected,  winning  both  major  party  nomina- 
tions.   Republican   and    Democratic. 

Mr.  Gwilliam  is  a  member  of  Fidelity 
Lodge,  No.  655,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons  of 
Wilkes-Barre,  of  Keystone  Consistory  at 
Scranton,  and  has  attained  the  thirty-second 
degree  in  the  Ancient  and  Accepted  Scottish 
Rite,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Wilkes-Barre 
Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of 
the  Mystic  Shrine,  and  Shrine  Country  Club; 
Patriotic  Order  Sons  of  America;  Junior 
Order  United  American  Mechanics;  Loyal 
Order  of  Moose:  Fraternal  Order  of  Eagles, 
and    Knights    of    Pythias    lodges. 

On  May  5,  1920,  Mr.  Gwilliam  married  Laura 
Hughes,  daughter  of  Evan  and  Laura  (Jones) 
Hughes,  of  Plymouth.  They  have  one  son, 
George   E.   Gwilliam,   III. 


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531 


WILLIAM   H.  FRBY — QI!I1VT1S  G.  FREY — 

Thougrh  natives  of  Northampton  County,  both 
William  H.  and  Quintus  G.  Frey  have  been 
residents  of  Wilkes-Barre  the  greater  part  of 
their  lives,  having  come  there  in  their  early 
youth.  Having  entered  within  a  year  of 
each  other  the  employ  of  the  late  A.  G.  Hull, 
they  learned  in  a  very  thorough  manner  all 
branches  of  the  shoe  finding  and  leather 
business.  Later  they  acquired  ownership  of 
the  business,  which  has  since  then  been 
known  as  Frey  Brothers  and  Avhich  has  be- 
come one  of  the  leading  firms  of  its  kind  in 
that  part  of  Pennsylvania.  During  their 
long  association  in  one  and  the  same  busi- 
ness, covering  a  period  of  more  than  four 
decades,  the  two  brothers  have  built  up  not 
only  a  very  large  and  prosperous  trade,  but 
have  also  made  for  themselves  an  enviable 
reputation  for  fair  dealing,  keen  judgment 
and  progressiveness.  Both  are  rated  amongst 
the  substantial  and  influential  business  men 
of  the  city  and  take  an  active  part  in  its 
fraternal  and  religious  life. 

William  H.  Frey  was  born  in  Northampton 
County,  Pennsylvania,  July  11,  1S69,  the  older 
son  of  William  H.  and  Elizabeth  (Roth) 
Frey.  His  father,  who  was  born  in  North- 
ampton County,  in  1837,  and  who  died  in 
Wilkes-Barre.  Luzerne  County,  in  March, 
1918,  came  to  Wilkes-Barre  in  1887,  and  for 
many  years  was  connected  with  the  Hazard 
Rope  Works  of  Wilkes-Barre.  His  mother 
likewise  was  born  in  Northampton  County, 
in  1839,  and  died  in  Wilkes-Barre  in  October, 
1918.  Mr.  Frey  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools  of  Northampton  County  and  came  to 
Wilkes-Barre  in  ISSC,  entering  at  that  time 
the  employ  of  the  late  A.  G.  Hull,  who  con- 
ducted then  a  shoe  finding  and  leather  busi- 
ness on  North  Main  Street.  He  continued 
with  him  and  with  his  successor,  H.  A. 
Jacoby,  until  1894,  when,  together  with  his 
younger  brother,  Quintus  G.  Frey,  of  whom 
further,  he  purchased  the  business,  which 
the  tw^o  brothers  have  since  then  conducted 
under  the  firm  name  of  Frey  Brothers.  Under 
their  able  manageinent  the  business  has  been 
greatly  expanded  and  today  is  not  only  one 
of  the  oldest,  but  also  one  of  the  most  sub- 
stantial of  its  type  in  Luzerne  County.  For 
many  years  active  in  Masonic  affairs,  he  is 
a  member  of  Lodge  No.  61,  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons,  and  of  several  other  Masonic  bodies, 
up  to  and  including  Caldwell  Consistory,  of 
Bloomsburg,  thirty-second  degree.  Ancient 
Accepted  Scottish  P^ite,  as  well  as  of  Irem 
Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the 
Mystic  Shrine.  His  religious  affiliations  are 
with  the  Lutheran  Church  and  more  particu- 
larly with  St.  John's  Lutheran  Church  of 
Wilkes-Barre,  of  the  official  board  of  which 
he   was    a    member    for    several    years. 

Mr.  Frey  married  in  April,  1895,  Henrietta 
Brenner  of  Wilkes-Barre.  a  daughter  of 
Henry  and  Mary  (Besteder)  Brenner.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Frey  were  the  parents  of  one  son, 
Robert  H.  Frey,  who  was  born  in  1896  and 
who  died  in  1909.  The  family  home  is  located 
at  No.  31  Terrace  Street,   Wilkes-Barre. 

Quintus  G.  Frey  was  born  in  Northamp- 
ton County,  Pennsylvania,  December  11,  1S71, 
the  younger  son  of  William  H.  and  Elizabeth 
(Roth)  Frey,  a  short  record  of  whose  lives 
has  already  been  given  in  the  previous  ac- 
count of  their  older  son.  He  was  educated 
in  the  public  schools  of  his  native  county 
and  of  Wilkes-Barre,  to  which  city  he  came 
with  his  parents  in  1887.  In  the  same  year 
he  accepted  employment  with  the  late  A.  G. 
Hull,  engaged  in  the  shoe  finding  and  leather 
business,  with  whom  his  older  brother  had 
begun  work  the  year  before.  Since  that  time 
Quintus  G.   Frey  has  always  been  associated 


in  business  with  his  brother,  flr.st  for  several 
years  in  the  employ  of  Mr.  Hull  and  of  the 
latter's  successor,  H.  A.  Jacoby,  and  Later, 
since  1S94,  as  a  partner  with  his  brother  in 
the  firm  of  Frey  Brothers.  In  the  building 
up  of  this  concern  to  its  present  state  of 
influence  and  prosperity  he  has  fully  shared 
with  his  older  brother,  and  like  him  he  is 
considered  one  of  the  substantial  business 
men  of  "U^'ilkes-Barre  and  Luzerne  County. 
He  is  a  member  of  Lodge  No.  61,  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons:  Shekinah  Chapter,  Royal 
.•\rch  Masons;  Dieu  le  Veut  Commandery, 
Knights  Templar:  Irem  Temple.  Ancient 
Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine; 
Lodge  No.  109,  Benevolent  and  Protective 
Order  of  Elks,  of  which  he  was  the  presid- 
ing officer  in  1928;  Fraternal  Order  of  Eagles; 
Wilkes-Barre  Rotary  Club;  Craftsmen's  Club; 
and  Junior  Order  United  American  Mechanics 
of  the  United  States  of  North  America.  His 
religious  affiliations  are  with  the  Lutheran 
Church  and  more  particularly  with  St.  John's 
Lutheran  Church  of  Wilkes-Barre,  of  the 
official  board  and  the  board  of  trustees  of 
which   he    is   a   member. 

Mr.  Frey  married,  in  February,  1896,  Jose- 
phine Brenner,  a  daughter  of  Henry  and  Mary 
(Besteder)  Brenner,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  and  a 
sister  of  his  brother's  wife.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Frey  are  the  parents  of  two  sons:  Earl 
DeWitt,  born  in  Wilkes-Barre  in  June,  1898, 
and  Willard  Allen  Frey,  born  in  Wilkes- 
Barre,  November  16,  1900.  The  family  resi- 
dence is  located  at  No.  41  North  Franklin 
Street,    Wilkes-Barre. 

The  firm  of  Frey  Brothers,  consisting  of 
William  H.  and  Quintus  G.  Frey,  was  founded 
in  1S94,  though  its  history  dates  back  to  1876. 
In  that  year  the  late  A.  G.  Hull  established 
a  shoe  finding  business  on  North  Main  Street, 
AVilkes-Barre,  which  he  continued  to  carry 
on  until  18S7.  In  that  year  he  was  succeeded 
by  his  son-in-law,  H.  A.  Jacoby,  who  con- 
tinued in  its  ownership  until  1891,  when  its 
present  owners,  William  H.  and  Quintus  G. 
Frey,  bought  out  Mr.  Jacoby,  after  having 
been  in  the  employ  of  both  Mr.  Hull  and 
Mr.  Jacoby  for  a  number  of  years.  In  1894 
the  firm  name  was  changed  to  its  present 
form.  Since  April  1,  1927,  the  business  has 
been  located  in  its  present  fine  and  modern 
headquarters  at  No.  41  East  Northampton 
Street,  Wilkes-Barre.  The  firm  carries  on  a 
very  extensive  business  in  shoe  findings, 
saddlery  goods,  all  kinds  of  leather  and 
leatlier  goods  and  employs  some  twenty-two 
people.  It  has  the  distinction  of  being  the 
oldest  business  of  its  kind  carried  on  con- 
tinuously  in  Luzerne   County. 


CHARLES  ALBERT  MALPASS — Although 
a  native  of  England  and  a  resident  of  that 
country  until  he  was  twenty-five  years  of 
age,  Charles  Albert  Malpass  came  to  America 
about  seventeen  years  ago  and,  following  the 
trade  he  had  learned  in  his  native  land,  has 
prospered  steadily  until  now  (1928)  he  is 
sole  proprietor  of  one  of  the  best  known 
contracting  firms  in  Luzerne  County,  special- 
izing in  the  erection  of  brick  and  stone 
buildings.  Mr.  Malpass  first  learned  brick- 
laying, later  familiarized  himself  with  other 
mason  work,  and  thus  attained  to  his  present 
standing  thoroughly  qualified.  His  experience 
includes  a  period  of  employment  in  New  York 
City  and  other  large  centers  of  pOT^ulation, 
where  he  was  able  to  learn  the  most  modern 
methods  of  masonry.  Since  locating  in  this 
section,  he  has  entered  wholeheartedly  into 
many  other  circles,  including  finance,  frater- 
nal organizations,  social  clubs,  and  political 
affairs. 

Mr.  Malpass  was  born  at  Stourbridge,  Eng- 


532 


land,  April  9,  1SS6,  son  of  James  and  Annie 
(Roddy)  Malpass,  both  natives  of  England, 
the  mother  having  passed  away  in  1901. 
James  Malpass,  who  was  born  in  1860,  is  a 
contracting  mason   in  the   land  of  his  birth. 

After  completing-  the  studies  required  in 
the  public  schools  of  England,  Charles  Albert 
Malpass  took  up  the  vocation  of  his  father, 
and  apprenticed  himself  to  the  brick-layers' 
trade  in  1899.  He  was  so  engaged  in  England 
until  1911,  when  he  came  to  the  United  States. 
For  a  year  after  arriving  in  this  country  Mr. 
Malpass  worked  as  a  mason  in  New  York 
City,  and  then  removed  to  Wilkes-Barre,  go- 
ing to  work  there  in  1913  as  a  mason  in  the 
contracting  firm  of  Saba  &  Malpass.  This 
association  continued  for  a  period  of  five 
years,  at  the  end  of  which  Mr.  Malpass 
formed  a  partnership  with  Ernest  E.  Wat- 
kins,  with  the  title  of  Watkins  &  Malpass, 
and  they  functioned  as  contracting  masons 
until  1923.  In  the  last-named  year  Mr.  Mp,!- 
pass  became  sole  owner  of  the  enterprise, 
and  since  has  conducted  it  under  his  own 
name,  with  offices  in  Kingston,  since  1922. 
He  has  had  a  part  in  the  industrial  develop- 
ment of  this  county,  and  many  structures  of 
the  first  class  were  erected  by  this  firm, 
which  employs  about  twenty-flve  men. 

As  his  business  expanded,  Mr.  Malpass 
naturally  was  drawn  into  further  commercial 
enterprises  of  this  section  and  is  a  member 
of  the  board  of  directors  of  the  West  Side 
Trust  Building  &  Loan  Association.  He  is  a 
Democrat  and  usually  is  found  supporting 
the  tenets  and  candidates  of  that  party, 
wherein  he  exercises  considerable  influence, 
although  he  has  refused  to  accept  public 
office.  Among  social  organizations  with  which 
he  affiliates  may  be  mentioned  Lodge  No.  109, 
Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks; 
the  Knights  of  Columbus,  and  the  Exchange 
Club.  Mr.  Malpass  is  a  Catholic  in  religious 
belief  and  has  contributed  materially — physi- 
cally, morally,  and  financially  to  this  denomi- 
nation, being  a  member  of  the  Holy  Name 
Church. 

Charles  Albert  Malpass  married,  in  June, 
1913,  Eliza  Dallimore,  native  of  Forest  City, 
Susquehanna  County,  Pennsylvania,  and  a 
daughter  of  Harry  and  Jane  Dallimore.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Malpass  have  six  children:  Evelyn, 
Charles,  Harry,  Donald,  Thomas  and  Robert. 
The  Malpass  family  resides  at  No.  1041  Wyo- 
ming Avenue,  Forty  Fort,  while  Mr.  Malpass 
has  his  offices  in  the  Kingston  Corner  Build- 
ing, Kingston. 


WESLEY  ADAMS  STEEIiMAN — Succeeding 
to  a  well-established  business  founded  by  his 
father,  Mr.  Steelman  has  carried  it  on  ably, 
developing  its  contacts  and  widening  its  field 
and  scope,  until  it  may  be  counted  as  one 
of  the  outstanding  industries  of  the  State. 
Wesley  A.  Steelman  was  born  in  Philadelphia 
on  March  25,  1897,  a  son  of  Walter  E.  and 
Mary  E.  (Duxbury)  Steelman,  the  latter  born 
in  Philadelphia  in  1869  and  died  in  Wilkes- 
Barre  in  February,  1928.  The  elder  Steelman 
was  born  at  Ocean  View,  Cape  May  County, 
New  Jersey,  in  1871,  and  came  to  Wilkes-Barre 
in  1903  and  was,  at  one  time,  president  of 
the  Board  of  Trade  here.  In  1917,  he  estab- 
lished the  W.  E.  Steelman  Company,  which 
sold  insulations,  pipe  coverings  and  asbestos 
shingles.  He  was  a  man  of  spirited  force  of 
character,  undeviating  ideals  of  probity  and 
business  energy,  and  his  business  was  a  most 
successful  one.  He  was  president  of  the 
Franklin  Club  and  an  ardent  disciple  of  the 
out-of-door  life,  particularly  keen  about 
hunting  and  fishing.  He  died  on  April  17, 
1922,  and  his  son  has  carried  on  his  busi- 
ness. 


Wesley  A.  Steelman  was  educated  in  the 
public  schools  of  Wilkes-Barre,  graduating 
from  the  high  school  and  then  taking  two 
years  at  the  Pennsylvania  State  College. 
After  these  collegiate  years,  he  went  into 
his  father's  business  as  a  salesman,  con- 
tinuing in  this  capacity  until  his  father's 
demise,  when  he  assumed  the  reins  of  control 
and  took  his  father's  place  at  the  head  of 
the  firm,  retaining,  however,  the  same  name. 
Responding  to  an  industrial  demand,  the 
business  was  changed  more  specifically  into 
a  roofing  contracting  and  roofing  material 
sales  organization,  and  the  name  changed  to 
the  Steelman  Roofing  Company,  with  Wesley 
Steelman  as  sole  owner.  It  employs  on  an 
average  eighteen  or  twenty  workers  and 
has  been  an  eminently  prosperous  concern. 
Mr.  Steelman  holds  membership  in  Lodge 
No.  61,  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons;  the 
Chapter  of  Royal  Arch  Masons;  Dieu  le 
Veut  Commandery  of  Knights  Templar;  and 
Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles 
of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  He  is  an  active  mem- 
ber of  the  Kiwanis  and  of  the  Franklin  clubs 
and  president  of  the  Pennsylvania  State  Col- 
lege  Alumni    of   Wilkes-Barre. 

On  February  23,  1921,  Wesley  Steelman 
married  Anna  Jean  Van  Loon,  daughter  of 
Charles  and  Gussie  (Zimmerman)  Van  Loon, 
of  this  city.  They  have  one  daughter,  Martha 
Jean.  Mr.  Steelman  and  family  reside  in  a 
very  pleasant  home  in  Trucksville,  a  few 
miles    outside    of    Wilkes-Barre. 


CH.\Rl,ES  DUNC.^iX  BRO^V?^ — The  entire 
active  career  of  Charles  Duncan  Brown,  to 
the  present  time  (1929)  has  been  associated 
with  the  American  Railway  Express  Com- 
pany, first  in  Rutland,  Vermont,  then  Albany, 
New  York,  later  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania, 
and  during  the  World  War  at  Plattsburgh, 
New  York.  Since  1919  he  has  been  located 
in  Wilkes-Barre  as  agent  for  the  Wilkes- 
Barre   district,    which    includes    Kingston. 

Lewis  F.  Brown,  father  of  Mr.  Brown,  Is 
a  son  of  Charles  Brown,  descendant  of  an 
old  American  family  dating  back  to  Colonial 
times.  He  married  Harriett  Perkins,  and 
they  became  the  parents  of  three  children: 
Lewis,  who  died  in  infancy;  Clarence  Alvin, 
of  Rutland,  Rutland  County,  Vermont;  and 
Charles  Duncan,   of  further  mention. 

Charles  Duncan  Brown,  son  of  Lewis  F. 
and  Harriett  (Perkins)  Brown,  was  born  in 
Rutland,  Vermont,  November  15,  ISSl,  and 
received  his  education  in  the  public  schools 
of  his  birthplace,  graduating  from  Rutland 
High  School  with  the  class  of  1898.  After 
graduation  from  high  school  he  took  a  course 
in  the  Rutland  Business  College,  and  then 
entered  the  employ  of  the  American  Rail- 
way Express  Company  as  clerk,  at  Rutland. 
Here  he  remained  for  a  period  of  three  years, 
after  which  he  was  transferred  to  Albany, 
New  Y'ork,  where  he  remained  until  1914.  In 
that  year  he  was  promoted  to  the  position  of 
money  clerk  and  again  transferred,  this  time 
to  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  was 
located  until  the  entrance  of  the  United 
States  into  the  World  War  in  1917.  At  that 
time  he  -was  transferred  to  the  Officers'  Train- 
ing Camp,  at  Plattsburg,  New  York,  and 
there  he  remained  until  after  the  close  of 
the  war.  On  January  1,  1919,  he  was  trans- 
ferred to  Wilkes-Barre  as  agent  for  the 
Wilkes-Barre  district,  which  includes  King- 
ston, and  here  he  has  continued  to  give 
expert  service  to  the  present  time  (1929). 
Mr.  Brown  is  thoroughly  familiar  with  all 
the  phases  of  the  work  in  which  he  is  em- 
ployed, and  gives  his  careful  and  undivided 
attention  to  the  faithful  discharge  of  his 
duties   in   this   connection.     He   is   a   member 


533 


of  the  Wilkes-Barre-Wyoming  Valley  Cham- 
ber of  Commerce,  and  is  well  known  among 
the  business  men  of  the  city.  Politically, 
he  supports  the  principles  and  the  candidates 
of  the  Republican  party,  and  his  club  is  the 
Rotary  Club.  His  religious  membership  is 
with  the  Congregational  Church,  and  his 
fraternal  affiliation  is  with  the  Modern  Wood- 
men  of  America. 

Charles  Duncan  Brown  was  married,  April 
26,  1905,  to  Belle  Keenholts,  of  Albany,  New 
York,  daughter  of  J.  V.  O.  and  Mary  (Winne) 
Keenholts.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Brown  have  two 
children;     Harold  and  Duncan. 


ANDREW  J.  ZAWOISKI  has  since  Septem- 
ber, 1920,  been  engaged  in  general  legal  prac- 
tice in  Wilkes-Barre,  wiiere  he  has  his  offices 
at  No.  715  in  the  Miners  Bank  Building.  Mr. 
Zawoiski  is  a  graduate  of  Dickinson  Law 
School,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in 
September,  1920,  but  he  is  also  a  veteran  of 
the  World  War,  which  service  interrupted  his 
college  course,  taking  him  away  in  the 
spring  of  his  second  year.  Mr.  Zawoiski  is 
solicitor  of  the  Borough  of  Plains,  where  he 
resides,  and  is  also  a  member  of  the  Plains 
School  Board  and  its  secretary,  and  attorney 
for  the  Plains   State  Bank. 

John  Zawoiski,  father  of  Mr.  Zawoiski,  is 
a  retired  coal  miner  who  resides  at  Plains, 
Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania,  and  he  and 
his  wife,  Anna,  are  the  parents  of  eight  chil- 
dren: Andrew  J.,  of  further  mention;  John 
and  Michael,  who  died  in  childhood;  Mary, 
who  is  unmarried;  Frank,  who  was  killed  by 
a  railroad  train  at  the  age  of  ten  years; 
Catherine;  Paul;   and  Stephen. 

Andrew  J.  Zawoiski,  son  of  John  and  Anna 
Zawoiski,  was  born  at  Plymouth,  Luzerne 
County,  Pennsylvania,  November  23,  1893,  but 
while  he  was  still  an  infant  he  was  taken 
to  Plains,  Luzerne  County,  by  his  parents. 
There  he  grew  up,  attending  the  public 
schools  and  graduating  from  Plains  High 
School  with  the  class  of  1910.  He  then  became 
a  student  in  the  State  Normal  School  at  East 
Stroudsburg,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  gradu- 
ated with  the  class  of  1913.  For  two  years 
after  the  completion  of  his  normal  course  he 
worked  in  a  grocery  store  at  Plains,  and  in 
the  fall  of  1915  entered  Dickinson  Law 
School,  at  Carlisle,  Pennsylvania.  Upon  the 
entrance  of  the  United  States  into  the  World 
War,  he  enlisted  for  service,  being  mustered 
into  the  61st  Infantry  at  Gettysburg,  Penn- 
sylvania, in  May,  1917,  and  was  sent  to  Fort 
Oglethorpe,  Georgia,  where  he  was  assigned 
to  the  Officers'  Training  Camp.  On  November 
23,  1,917,  he  was  commissioned  a  second  lieu- 
tenant of  Field  Artillery  and  was  sent  to 
Camp  Jackson  with  the  81st  Division.  On 
July  1,  1918,  he  was  ordered  overseas  with  his 
division,  which  landed  at  Liverpool,  England, 
and  then  went  to  France.  Upon  arriving  In 
France  Mr.  Zawoiski  was  transferred  to  the 
15th  Balloon  Company,  as  an  artillery  ob- 
server in  the  St.  Mihiel  Sector,  and  here  he 
remained  until  the  signing  of  the  Armistice, 
in  November,  191S.  While  serving  with  the 
Field  Artillery  he  was  commissioned  a  first 
lieutenant.  He  arrived  in  this  country  April 
19,  1919,  and  returned  to  Dickinson  Law 
School,  where  he  was  graduated  with  the 
class  of  1920,  receiving  the  degree  of  Bache- 
lor of  Laws.  He  was  admitted  to  the  Luzerne 
County  bar,  September  20,  1920,  and  since 
that  time  has  been  successfully  engaged  in 
general  legal  practice  here.  In  addition  to 
the  care  of  his  large  private  practice,  Mr, 
Zawoiski  is  attorney  for  the  Plains  State 
Bank,  at  Plains,  and  a  director  of  Liberty 
State  Bank  and  Trust  Company  of  Wilkes- 
Barre.     Politically,    he    gives    his    support    to 


the  principles  and  the  candidates  of  the  Re- 
publican party,  and  he  is  active  In  local  public 
affairs,  giving  freely  of  his  time  and  his 
ability,  also  of  his  professional  knowledge 
for  the  advancement  of  the  general  welfare. 
He  is  secretary  of  the  Plains  Township  School 
Board,  and  solicitor  for  the  township  of 
Plains,  and  he  is  one  of  the  generous  and 
earnest  supporters  of  all  civic  welfare  work. 
His  religious  affiliation  is  with  the  Greek 
Catholic  Church. 

Andrew  J.  Zawoiski  was  married,  June  10, 
1924,  to  Florence  M.  Wallace,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre,  and  they  have  two  sons;  Andrew  J.. 
Jr.,  and  Eugene  J. 


GEORGE  S.  BRAY — Raised  on  a  Pennsyl- 
vania farm,  where  he  worked  hard  all  sum- 
mer after  attending  school  all  winter,  leav- 
ing that  occupation  to  learn  the  plumbing 
trade,  which  he  followed  for  twenty-six  years, 
George  S.  Bray  finally  found  himself  and 
today  is  a  leader  of  the  commercial,  social 
and  fraternal  life  of  Kingston.  Here  is  a 
case  of  a  poor  boy,  whose  father  had  been 
a  miner  in  his  native  Cornwall,  England,  and 
who  took  up  farming  in  this  country  as  an 
easier  occupation,  starting  life  without  a 
penny  and  rising  by  his  own  efforts  to  a 
commanding  eminence  within  a  compara- 
tively short  time.  He  possessed  in  large 
measure  a  pleasing  personality,  coupled  with 
an  inherited  and  cultivated  industry,  a  per- 
severance not  to  be  diverted  and  a  faith  in 
himself  that  could  not  fail  to  bring  its 
reward.  He  has  made  a  host  of  friends  and 
won  a  reputation  for  integrity,  sincerity, 
loyalty  and  earnestness  in  his  business  and 
civic   duties. 

George  S.  Bray  was  born  near  Honesdale, 
March  25,  1875.  His  father  was  Walter 
Bray,  and  his  mother,  Mary  (Bryant)  Bray, 
deceased.  Both  were  natives  of  Cornwall  and 
came  to  the  United  States  about  1852.  They 
settled  near  Honesdale  and  Walter  Bray 
undertook  to  rear  his  family  by  farming. 
The  couple  became  the  parents  of  fourteen 
children,  seven  of  whom  grew  to  maturity: 
Thomas,  of  Jermyn,  Lackawanna  County; 
William  P.,  of  Honesdale;  John  E.,  of  Lacka- 
wanna County,  who  died  in  1926;  Sarah,  who 
became  the  wife  of  Theodore  Spettigue,  both 
now  deceased;  Ella,  who  married  Walter 
Pryor,  of  Lackawanna  County;  Walter  A., 
who  died  in  Hazleton,  Pennsylvania,  in  1922, 
and  George   S.  Bray,  of  whom   further. 

George  S.  Bray  was  educated  in  the  pub- 
lic schools  in  Wayne  and  Lackawanna  coun- 
ties, and  helped  his  father  on  the  farm  until 
he  was  sixteen  years  of  age,  when  he  decided 
to  learn  the  plumbing  trade  and-  went  to 
Bell  and  Prudy,  at  Courtdale.  In  1895  he 
came  first  to  Wilkes-Barre,  where  he  engaged 
in  the  plumbing  trade  and  business,  con- 
tinuing it  for  ten  years,  when  he  gave  it  up 
and  transferred  his  business  interests  to  the 
automobile  and  associate  enterprises.  For 
ten  year  he  was  located  at  No.  172  South 
Washington  Street,  Wilkes-Barre,  but  in  1926 
built  his  present  handsome  building  in  King- 
ston, of  which  he  is  sole  owner.  Located 
at  the  corner  of  Gates  Avenue  and  Market 
Street,  it  houses  the  Keystone  Motor  Car 
Company,  dealing  principally  in  Oldsmobile 
passenger  cars.  It  is  one  of  the  finest  and 
most  completely  equipped  buildings  devoted 
to  automobile  service  in  the  entire  State  of 
Pennsylvania.  It  has  a  frontage  of  ninety- 
four  feet  and  a  depth  of  two  hundred  feet, 
is  constructed  of  white  enamelled  brick  and 
terra  cotta  over  a  steel  skeleton,  and  is 
ornamented  with  one  of  the  handsomest  of 
great  clocks,  its  dial  being  eleven  feet  in 
diameter.     An   ornate   gas  and  oil   station   In 


front  adds  to  its  architectural  attractive- 
ness. Mr.  Bray  is  a  Republican  in  politics 
and  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.  His  fraternal  affiliations  include 
membership  in  the  George  M.  Dallas  Lodge, 
No.  531,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons:  Shekinah 
Chapter,  Royal  Arch  Masons:  Dieu  le  Veut 
Commandery,  No.  45,  Knights  Templar,  of 
Wilkes-Barre:  Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic 
Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  He  also 
is  a  member  of  the  Irem  Temple  Country 
Club.  He  has  served  as  president  of  the 
Master  Plumbers'  Local  and  was  for  one 
term  State  president  of  the  Master  Plumbers' 
Association.  He  also  belongs  to  the  Penn- 
sylvania Automobile  Association,  of  which 
he   was  president  in   1926. 

Mr.  Bray  married,  in  February,  1S9S,  Bessie 
Kemp,  of  Kingston  Township,  a  daughter 
of  Harry  and  Elizabeth  (Wellington)  Kemp. 
Their  children  are:  1.  Myrtle  Mary,  now  the 
wife  of  Marcus  Slade,  of  Bay  Shore,  New 
York.  2.  George  Thomas,  associated  with 
his  father  in  the  automobile  business.  3. 
Harry,  also  with  his  father.  4.  Elizabeth, 
at   home. 

CHARLES  L.  ALBERT — His  native  in- 
stincts for  business  organization,  combined 
with  a  valued  scholastic  training  and  experi- 
ence, have  made  for  the  pronounced  success 
that  has  made  itself  evident  in  Charles  L, 
Albert's  career  in  the  insurance  world,  par- 
ticularly in  the  constructive  results  obtained 
in  his  large  field  at  Wilkes-Barre.  In  the 
important  duties  of  his  district  management, 
Mr.  Albert  has  proven  a  most  useful  servant 
to  the  company  he  represents:  while  his 
interest  in  civic  expansion  and  improvement 
is  seen  in  his  association  with  many  of  the 
leading  organizations  of  township  and  county. 

Charles  L,  Albert  was  born  October  25, 
1S85,  in  Waynesboro,  Franklin  County,  son 
of  Charles  H.  and  Anna  (Bell)  Albert,  resid- 
ing at  Bloomsburg,  Charles  H.  Albert  having 
been  for  thirty-five  years  a  teacher  in  the 
Bloomsburg  State  Normal  School;  both  Mr. 
Albert  and  Mrs.  Albert  are  members  of  long- 
established  Pennsylvania  and  Maryland  fam- 
ilies, and  they  are  the  parents  of  five  chil- 
dren: Keller  Albert,  of  Reading,  Pennsyl- 
vania; Mary  Ellen  Albert,  who  married  Jesse 
Glenn,  of  New  York  City;  Charles  L.  Albert, 
of  whom  further;  R.  Bruce  Albert,  of  Blooms- 
burg; and  Ruth  M.  Albert,  who  married  Rev. 
Dallas  Bair,  a  clergyman  of  the  Lutheran 
Church. 

Charles  L.  Albert  attended  Bloomsburg 
State  Normal  School  and  was  graduated  with 
the  class  of  1903.  Matriculating  at  Lafayette 
College,  at  Easton,  he  was  graduated  there 
in  1908  with  the  degree  Bachelor  of  Arts; 
and  returning  to  Bloomsburg,  he  taught  his- 
story  and  civics  for  three  years.  Removing 
to  Wilkes-Barre,  he  taught  for  three  years 
in  the  City  High  School;  and  then  relinquish- 
ing his  educational  work,  he  entered  upon 
the  activities  of  life  insurance,  as  district 
manager  of  the  North  Western  Mutual  Life 
Insurance  Company,  of  Milwaukee,  Wiscon- 
sin, with  local  offices  at  No.  615  Miners  Build- 
ing, Wilkes-Barre,  and  is  known  as  one  of 
the  most  hustling  men  in  the  country  in  his 
line. 

A  Republican  in  the  political  field,  Mr. 
Albert  with  his  vote  and  influence  supports 
the  principles  of  that  party.  Fraternally,  he 
is  affiliated  with  Bloomsburg  Lodge,  No.  265, 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons;  Caldwell  Consis- 
tory, of  Bloomsburg,  Ancient  Accepted  Scot- 
tish Rite,  in  the  thirty-second  degree;  and 
Irem  Temple,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  Ancient 
Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine. 
He   is   also   a   member   of   the   Franklin   Club 


and  Craftsmen's  Club;  member  of  the  board 
of  directors'  of  the  Y's  Men's  Club,  of  the 
Young  Men's  Christian  Association;  was  sec- 
retary of  the  Nuangola  Lake  Association,  a 
summer  cottage  resort  in  the  Pocono  Moun- 
tains; member  of  the  board  of  directors  of 
the  Wilkes-Barre  Life  Underwriters'  Asso- 
ciation; secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  La- 
fayette Alumni  Association  of  Northeastern 
Pennsylvania:  and  member  of  the  Wilkes- 
Barre  Chamber  of  Commerce.  He  is  affiliated 
with    the    Kingston    Presbyterian    Church. 

Charles  L.  Albert  married,  in  April,  1917, 
Jannette  Davis,  of  Scranton,  daughter  of 
John  and  Annie  (Leyshon)  Davis,  and  they 
have  two  children:  Charles  U,  Jr.,  and  Mary 
Elizabeth.  The  family  residence  is  at  Over- 
brook,    Dallas    Township,    Pennsylvania. 

STANLEY  WALTER  BLAZEJEWSKI,  M.  D. 

— One  of  the  skillful  doctors  of  medicine  in 
Wilkes-Barre  and  vicinity,  is  Dr.  Stanley  Wal- 
ter Blazejewski,  who  specializes  in  the  dis- 
eases of  the  eye,  ear,  nose,  and  throat. 
Although  originally  he  intended  to  study 
theology,  he  is  now  a  careful  and  successful 
practicing  physician,  with  offices  at  No.  46 
South  Washington  Street.  Dr.  Blazejewski, 
who  comes  of  Polish  ancestry,  enjoys  a  lucra- 
tive and  enviable  practice  in  Wilkes-Barre, 
where  he  counts  among  his  patients  and  those 
who  come  to  him  for  advice  an  especially 
large  number  of  members  of  the  city's  Polish 
population. 

He  was  born  in  Poland  on  April  6,  1880,  the 
son  of  George  and  Catherine  Blazejewski,  the 
former  of  wliom  is  a  retired  merchant  of 
Plains,  Luzerne  County.  Mrs.  Blazejewski 
died  January  8.  1929.  He  and  his  wife  became 
the  parents  of  five  children;  1.  Dr.  Stanley 
W.,  of  whom  further.  2.  Frances,  now  de- 
ceased; she  married  Stanley  Cihocki.  3.  John 
A.,  who  conducted  the  grocery  store  at  his 
father's  old  stand  at  Plains,  Pennsylvania, 
and  now  employed  by  Eureka  Vacuum  Cleaner 
Company.  4.  Michael,  who  is  traveling  sales- 
man, of  Kingston.  5.  Mary,  who  is  the  wife 
of  Louis  Witczak,  of  Cleveland,  Ohio. 

Stanley  W.  Blazejewski  was  only  four  years 
old  when  his  parents  came  to  Luzerne  County, 
settling  in  the  town  of  Wilkes-Barre.  Here 
he  attended  both  the  public  and  the  parochial 
schools,  and  later  became  a  student  at  the 
Polish  Seminary,  in  Detroit,  Michigan,  where 
he  was  preparing  for  the  study  of  theology. 
Then  he  changed  his  plans,  and,  in  1903,  he 
entered  the  Baltimore  Medical  College,  from 
which  he  was  graduated  in  the  class  of  1907 
with  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine,  after 
which  he  served  as  interne  in  the  Maryland 
General  Hospital  six  month.  He  first  prac- 
ticed his  profession  in  Shenandoah,  Pennsyl- 
vania, where  he  remained  for  eight  years, 
and  was  a  Board  of  Health  physician  in  1911. 
In  1915,  he  went  to  Philadelphia,  where  he 
took  a  post-graduate  course  at  the  Philadel- 
phia Polyclinic,  making  a  special  study  of 
the  eye,  ear,  nose,  and  throat.  He  also  took 
a  special  course  at  the  Wills  Eye  Hospital, 
in  Philadelphia,  then  went  to  New  York  City, 
where  he  took  post-graduate  work  at  the 
Manhattan  Eye,  Ear,  Nose  and  Throat  Hos- 
pital, and  also  in  the  New  York  Post-Graduate 
Hospital.  In  1916  he  returned  to  Luzerne 
County,  settling  in  Wilkes-Barre,  where  he 
has  practiced  his  profession  since  that  time. 
Active  in  the  organizations  of  his  colleagues 
in  the  medical  profession.  Dr.  Blazejewski  is 
a  member  of  the  American  Medical  Associa- 
tion, the  Pennsylvania  Medical  Society,  the 
Luzerne  County  Medical  Society,  and  the 
Wilkes-Barre   Ophthalmological   Society;   also 


ilpiii!iiiiili[i]jpiiijii]i]ijipipiraT§p^il^^^^ 


535 


the  Polish  Medical  and  Dental  Association,  a 
National  organization.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  surgical  staff  of  the  Hudson  Coal  Com- 
pany, and  also  of  the  staff  of  the  Wilkes- 
Barre  General  Hospital.  During  the  World 
War  he  "was  medical  examiner  in  the  draft 
exemption  service  for  District  No.  3,  which 
constituted  Luzerne  County.  Taking  a  promi- 
nent part  in  the  fraternal  life  of  his  com- 
munity and  in  the  organizations  of  Polish- 
American  citizens,  Dr.  Blazejewski  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of 
Elks,  in  which  he  is  affiliated  with  Lodge  No. 
109,  of  Wilkes-Barre;  the  Polish  National 
Alliance  of  America;  the  Tatra  Club,  of 
Wilkes-Barre;  and  is  afliliated  with  St. 
Mary's   Polish   Catholic   Church. 

On  October  4,  1910,  Dr.  Blazejewski  mar- 
ried Anna  N.  Radziewicz,  of  Shenandoah, 
Pennsylvania,  daughter  of  Charles  and  Doro- 
thy (Karczewski)  Radziewicz.  They  have 
two  children:  Anna  Helen  A.  and  Stanley 
Walter,   Jr. 

AVILLIAIW  ASTON — A  member  of  the  Aston 
Brothers  Construction  Company,  at  Wilkes- 
Barre,  William  Aston  occupies  an  executive 
position  in  one  of  the  most  successful  enter- 
prises of  its  kind  in  the  State.  The  com- 
pany has  built  the  Poll  and  Majestic  theaters, 
at  Wilkes-Barre,  the  recent  addition  to  St. 
Stephen's  Church,  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  in  Forty  Fort,  and  are  now  general 
contractors  for  the  Elmer  L.  Meyers  High 
School,  in  Wilkes-Barre,  the  largest  high 
school  in  the  State  with  the  exception  of 
those  in  Philadelphia  and  Pittsburgh.  This 
work  is  distinguished,  in  general,  by  the 
excellence  of  its  design  and  the  honesty  of 
its  materials,  and  is  a  distinct  credit  to  its 
builders  as  well  as  an  asset  to  the  commun- 
ities  in   which    it    stands. 

William  Aston  was  born  in  Wilkes-Barre, 
Pennsylvania,  on  February  6,  1884,  a  son  of 
Job  B.  Aston,  a  brick  layer  by  trade,  who 
was  born  in  England  in  1S45  and  died  in 
1903,  and  of  Jamimma  (Titley)  Aston,  also 
born  in   England,   in   1S49,  and  died  in   1911. 

As  a  boy  William  Aston  attended  the 
Wilkes-Barre  public  schools,  and  was  grad- 
uated from  the  Harry  Hillman  Academy. 
Later  he  entered  Lafayette  College,  at  Easton, 
Pennsylvania,  and  from  this  institution  was 
graduated  in  1911  with  the  degree  of  Bach- 
elor of  Arts.  Mr.  Aston  decided  to  adopt 
the  profession  of  educator,  and  in  1916  re- 
ceived the  degree  of  Master  of  Arts  from 
Lafayette  College.  In  all,  he  taught  for  a 
period  of  eight  years,  dividing  this  time 
between  the  Wilkes-Barre  High  School,  and 
Lafayette  College,  discharging  the  duties  of 
each  position  in  a  very  successful  way.  In 
1919,  however,  he  became  a  partner  in  the 
firm  of  W.  and  E.  Aston,  mason  contractors, 
at  Wilkes-Barre,  this  arrangement  continuing 
until  1927,  when  the  business  was  consol- 
idated with  the  Aston  Brothers  Construction 
Company,  established  in  1906  by  Richard  and 
Albert  Aston,  the  former  of  whom  died  in 
April,  1927.  The  new  venture  was  imme- 
diately successful,  and  has  gained  wide  repu- 
tation for  its  work  throughout  the  Wilkes- 
Barre  section,  employing  at  present  sixty  to 
seventy  men.  They  have  done  work  on  many 
important  buildings,  and  their  engagement 
in  the  construction  of  the  Elmer  L.  Myers 
High  School,  which  will  cost  approximately 
$2,500,00(^  was  thoroughly  well  merited  by 
the  consistently  high  quality  which  they  have 
previously  shown.  As  secretary  and  treas- 
urer of  the  company,  the  other  officers  of 
which  are  Albert  Aston,  president,  and  Ernest 
Aston,    vice-president     (see    following     biog- 


raphy). William  Aston  has  contributed  In  no 
small  degree  to  its  sound  tinancial  condition 
and  continued  prosperity,  and  he  is  regarded 
as  one  of  Wilkes-Barre's  most  able  business 
men. 

Mr.  Aston  makes  his  home  at  Kingston, 
and  both  here  and  in  Wilkes-Barre,  he  has 
been  active  in  the  community  life.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  Wilkes-Barre  Rotary  Club, 
and  his  hearty  support  can  always  be  counted 
on  for  worthy  civic  and  benevolent  enter- 
prises. Mr.  Aston  is  affiliated  fraternally 
with  the  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  and  in 
this  order  is  a  member  of  Lodge  No.  61, 
Shekinah  Chapter  of  the  Royal  Arch  Masons, 
Dieu  le  Veut  Commandery,  No.  45,  of  the 
Knights  Templar,  and  Irem  Temple  of  the 
Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic 
Shrine.  He  also  belongs  to  Irem  Temple 
Country  Club.  Mr.  Aston  is  president  of  the 
local  chapter.  Associated  General  Contractors. 
In  political  affairs,  Mr.  Aston  supports  the 
principles  and  candidates  of  the  Republican 
party.  He  with  his  family  worship  in  the 
faith  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  is  a 
member  of  the  Westminster  Church  of 
AA'ilkes-Barre,  of  which  he  is  one  of  the 
trustees. 

In  1913,  William  Aston  married  Blanche 
Dodson,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  daughter  of  Wil- 
liam E.  and  Alice  (Chapin)  Dodson,  of  this 
city.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Aston  are  the  parents  of 
one  son,  William,  Jr.,  who  was  born  on  Feb- 
ruary 16,  1924.  The  family  residence  at 
Kingston  is  situated  on  Westmoreland  Ave- 
nue. 

ERNEST  ASTON" — A  resident  of  Wilkes- 
Barre,  Pennsylvania,  for  many  years,  Ernest 
Aston  is  widely  known  as  a  mason  and 
contractor,  a  member  of  the  Aston  Brothers 
Construction  Company,  and  a  progressive 
business  man.  He  has  devoted  himself 
entirely  to  work  in  the  building  and  con- 
struction field,  and  his  long  experience  and 
genuine  ability  have  proved  of  the  greatest 
value  to  his  company,  of  which  he  is  the 
vice-president. 

Mr.  Aston  was  born  on  September  23,  1886, 
at  Wilkes-Barre.  His  father.  Job  B.  Aston, 
born  in  England  in  1845,  died  in  1903,  was 
also  engaged  in  building  work,  being  a  brick 
layer  by  trade.  The  mother  before  her  mar- 
riage was  Jamimma  Titley,  born  in  England 
in    1849,    and    died   in    1911. 

Ernest  Aston  attended  the  Wilkes-Barre 
public  schools,  and  when  he  completed  his 
education,  learned  the  mason's  trade  in  w^hich 
he  has  since  been  engaged.  In  1921,  in 
association  with  his  brother,  William  Aston, 
(see  preceding  biography),  he  established  the 
firm  of  W.  and  E.  Aston,  mason  contractors, 
who  did  a  very  successful  business  under  this 
name  in  Wilkes-Barre  for  a  period  of  six 
years.  At  the  end  of  this  time,  in  1927,  this 
company  merged  with  the  Aston  Brothers 
Construction  Company,  established  by  Rich- 
ard and  Albert  Aston  in  1906,  and  of  the 
new  firm  Ernest  Aston  became  vice-president, 
in  which  position  he  has  since  remained.  As 
a  man  of  long  experience  in  the  work,  his 
advice  on  matters  of  policy  and  on  specific 
problems  which  arise,  carries  extreme  weight 
in  the  company's  council,  in  which  he  plays 
a  prominent   part. 

Politically,  Mr.  Aston  is  a  member  of  the 
Republican  party,  while  he  and  his  family 
attend  Firwood  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
at  Wilkes-Barre.  Among  his  fellow-towns- 
men he  is  highly  esteemed  as  a  public- 
spirited  citizen,  who  may  be  counted  upon  to 
support  movements  in  the  best  interest  of  the 
community. 

In  1910,  Ernest  Aston  married  Myrtle  Barn- 


536 


hardt,  of  Ashley,  Pennsylvania,  daughter  of 
William  and  Ida  Earnhardt,  of  that  place. 
Of  this  marriage  two  children  have  been 
born:  1.  Marie,  born  in  1911.  2.  Catherine, 
who  was  born  in  1914.  The  Aston  home  is 
situated  at  No.  71  New  Alexander  Street. 
Wilkes-Barre 


JOSEPH  B.  GABRIO — In  the  educational 
field  of  Luzerne  County  the  name  of  Joseph 
B.  Gabrio  Is  well  and  favorably  known,  for 
Mr.  Gabrio  has  secured  for  himself  the  high- 
est degree  of  respect  and  esteem,  not  only 
for  his  attributes  as  a  scholar  but  also  for 
the  fact  that  he  has  attained  his  present 
high  position  by  his  own  unaided  efforts. 

Mr.  Gabrio  was  born  In  Avondale,  Luzerne 
County.  March  7,  1870,  the  &cn  of  Joseph  E. 
and  Charity  A.  (Sites)  Gabrio.  both  natives 
of  Luzerne  County.  The  founder  of  the  fam- 
ily in  this  country  was  Francis  Gabrio,  the 
grandfather  of  Joseph  B.  Gabrio  of  this  rec- 
ord, who  came  to  this  country  from  Canada 
in  the  early  years  of  the  last  century.  He 
located  at  Bckley,  Luzerne  County,  where  he 
operated  a  blacksmith  shop.  He  served  in  the 
Mexican  War  and  in  the  Civil  War,  in  which 
latter  sti-uggle  he  was  wounded.  He  held  a 
commission  as  captain,  and  his  three  sons 
served  with  him  throughout  the  campaign. 
Upon  his  return  to  Luzerne  County  after  the 
war  he  was  appointed  a  justice  of  the  peace. 
His  son,  Joseph  E.  Gabrio,  the  father  of  Jos- 
eph B.,  of  this  record,  spent  his  life  in  Lu- 
zerne County,  working  at  his  trade  of  black- 
smith, and  becoming  one  of  the  solid  men 
of  his  community.  He  had  a  family  of  six 
children,  as  follows:  1.  William  P.  2.  Hattle 
M.  3.  George  L.  4.  Joseph  B.  5.  Prank  P. 
6.  Rhoda  L.  He  died  at  the  age  of  forty- 
eight  years  as  a  result  of  heart  trouble  due 
to  his  exertions  in  the  Civil  War.  He  had 
served  continuously  for  three  years  and  three 
months. 

Joseph  B.  Gabrio  was  obliged  to  give  up 
Ms  educational  aims  in  his  early  life,  owing 
to  the  death  of  his  father,  and  at  the  age 
of  eleven  years  he  started  out  as  a  "breaker 
boy."  When  he  was  fourteen  years  of  age 
he  was  admitted  into  the  Soldiers'  Orphanage, 
where  he  remained  for  two  years,  eagerly 
absorbing  all  the  knowledge  he  could  acquire. 
On  leaving  the  orphanage  he  worked  at  vari- 
ous occupations,  spending  all  his  leisure  time 
in  study  and  at  night  school.  When  but 
seventeen  years  of  ase  he  went  before  the 
school  board  and  applied  for  a  license  as  a 
teacher.  This  was  granted  to  him  and  he 
began  to  teach  in  the  district  schools  of 
Luzerne  County  and  in  the  adjoining  county 
of  Carbon.  He  served  for  six  years  as  a 
teacher  in  the  schools  of  Hazle  Township, 
and  previously  in  other  schools  until  on 
June  1,  1S95,  he  took  over  the  superinten- 
dency  of  the  school  of  Foster  Township,  to 
which  office  he  had  been  elected.  In  June, 
1893  he  was  elected  superintendent  of  Hazle 
Township  schools  and  this  position  of  re- 
sponsibility and  trust  he  now  holds,  having 
been  elected  to  the  office  eight  times  and  is 
now  serving  his  thirty-fourth  year  as  a  com- 
missional  superintendent  by  the  State  of 
Pennsylvania,  and  his  commission  extends 
until  July,  1930.  He  is  without  doubt  the 
dean  of  all  school  superintendents  in  the 
State  of  Pennsylvania,  and  has  ever  had  the 
fullest  support  and  encouragement  from  his 
school  board.  He  is  a  member  of  the  National 
Education  Association,  as  well  as  of  the 
Pennsylvania  State  Educational  Association. 

Mr.  Gabrio  is  a  Past  Exalted  Ruler  of  the 
Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks, 
being  affiliated  with  Hazleton  Lodge,  No.  200; 


is  a  Past  Chancellor  of  the  Knights  of 
Pythias:  and  a  member  of  Aerie,  No.  193,  of 
the  Fraternal  Order  of  Eagles.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Travel  Club  of  New  York,  and  a 
trustee  and  member  of  the  board  of  the 
Hazleton  Public  Library,  of  which  he  was 
one  of  the  organizers.  He  served  as  a  member 
of  the  Hazleton  City  Council  as  well  as  on 
the  State  Board  of  Examiners  of  several  of 
the  State  Normal  Schools  of  Pennsylvania. 
His  religious  affiliations  are  with  St.  Peter's 
Episcopal  Church,   of  Hazleton. 


REUBEN  H.  HOFFMAN,  partner  In  the 
realty  firm  of  Goeringer  and  Hoffman,  devel- 
opers of  the  Hillcrest  View  subdivision  at 
Shavertown,  is  one  of  the  public-spirited 
citizens  about  Wilkes-Barre,  who  has  had 
much  to  do  with  the  development  and  prog- 
ress of  Luzerne  County  in  recent  years. 
Intensely  interested  in  civic  progress,  Mr. 
Hoffman  does  not  hesitate  to  expend  his  time 
and  talents  freely  upon  projects  looking 
toward  community  betterment.  He  has  a 
wide  acquaintance  throughout  the  county, 
especially  among  members  of  fraternal  orders 
in  which  he  has  held  office  and  occupied  a 
significant  place   for  many   years. 

Born  in  Gowen,  Luzerne  County,  April  26, 
1882,  Mr.  Hoffman  is  the  son  of  Reuben  and 
Grace  (McGlinn)  Hoffman,  the  latter  born 
at  Hazleton,  Pennsylvania,  in  1858.  The 
father  was  born  in  Blackcreek  Township, 
Luzerne  County,  in  1857,  and  was  engaged 
in  business  as  a  rock  contractor  in  Glen 
Lyon,  Pennsylvania,  until  his  death  in  1916. 
Their  son,  Reuben  H.  Hoffman,  attended  the 
public  grade  and  high  schools  of  Newport 
Township,  graduating  from  the  latter  with 
the  class  of  1902.  He  was  employed  in  the 
coal  breaker  and  in  the  mines  until  he  was 
twenty-one  years  of  age,  meanwhile  pursuing 
further  studies  in  the  Wilkes-Barre  Exten- 
sion School  of  the  Wharton  School  of  Ac- 
counting and  Finance.  A  member  of  the  first 
class  to  be  graduated  by  the  school  in  1916, 
Mr.  Hoffman  did  clerical  work  for  several 
Wilkes-Barre  concerns  until  1922,  when  he 
and  Harry  Goeringer  formed  a  partnership 
to  conduct  a  real  estate  and  insurance  busi- 
ness with  offices  in  the  Liberty  Bank  Build- 
ing. They  have  handled  numerous  transac- 
tions, with  the  Hillcrest  View  development 
as  their  outstanding  accomplishment.  Re- 
publican in  politics,  Mr.  Hoffman  is  frater- 
nally affiliated  with  Nanticoke  Lodge,  No. 
541.  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  of  which  he 
is  Past  Master;  also  Justice  Council,  No. 
307,  at  Glen  Lyon,  Junior  Order  United  Amer- 
ican Mechanics,  of  which  he  is  a  Past  Coun- 
cillor, and  the  Benevolent  and  Protective 
Order  of  the  Elks.  Mr.  Hoffman  is  an  active 
and  interested  member  of  St.  Clements  Epis- 
copal Church,  in  which  he  is  president  of  the 
Laymen's    Association. 

In  February,  1907,  Mr.  Hoffman  married 
Mary  G.  Lohman,  daughter  of  Whitney  and 
Elizabeth  (Mellon)  Lohman.  They  became 
the  parents  of  two  children:  1.  Leonard  P., 
born  in  February,  1908.  who  is  now  associated 
with  the  Pennsylvania  Tobacco  Company.  2. 
Robert  J.,  born  in  September,  1910;  is  in  the 
City  Engineering  Department  of  the  city  of 
Wilkes-Barre. 


HARRY  WXLLIAM  MONTZ — Member  of  a 
family  having  Its  antecedents  in  Switzerland 
and  for  somewhat  more  than  two  hundred 
years  established  in  Pennsylvania,  Harry  W. 
Montz  is  now  (1929)  mining  engineer  for  the 
Lehigh  Valley  Coal  Company,  with  offices  in 
Wilkes-Barre. 

Harry    W.   Montz   was   born    at   Lehlghton, 


f^,  Ik-aJt^ 


S37 


Carbon  County,  Pennsylvania,  on  January  12, 
1885,  a  son  of  William  H.  and  Susan  (Dilcher) 
Montz,  the  father  living  aged  eighty-five, 
the  mother  deceased.  The  Montz  family  is 
one  of  the  old  families  of  Pennsylvania,  hav- 
ing come  from  Switzerland  to  Pennsylvania 
in  1726,  settling  in  Northampton  County. 
William  H.  Montz  was  general  foreman  of 
railroad  shops  at  Lehighton  for  mariy  years, 
and  was  the  father  of  five  children:  An- 
zionette,  married  George  E.  Gray,  of  Lehigh- 
ton; Carolina  and  Mary,  who  died  in  infancy; 
Harry  William,  of  whom  further;  and  Cleo- 
phas  A.,  who  resides  in  Lancaster,  Pennsyl- 
vania. 

Harry  W.  Montz  attended  the  public  schools 
of  Lehighton,  and  afterwards  entered  Penn- 
sylvania State  College,  where  he  graduated 
in  1907  with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of 
Science.  Soon  after  his  graduation  from  col- 
lege he  entered  the  employ  of  the  H.  C. 
Frick  Coke  and  Coal  Company,  at  Scottdale, 
Pennsylvania,  and  later  became  associated 
with  the  same  company  located  at  Union- 
town,  Fayette  County,  Pennsylvania.  He 
left  the  Frick  company  to  join  the  engineer- 
ing corps  of  the  Kingston  Coal  Company,  at 
Wilkes-Barre.  On  April  1,  1909,  he  left  the 
Kingston  company  and  entered  the  engineer- 
ing corps  of  the  Lehigh  Valley  Coal  Com- 
pany, and  in  1912  became  division  engineer 
of  the  Wyoming  Division  of  that  organiza- 
tion. He  was  division  engineer  until  1916, 
when  he  was  made  mining  engineer;  and  in 
.1917  became  division  superintendent  of  the 
company's  Hazleton  unit,  Luzerne  County. 
In  1921  he  was  transferred  to  Wilkes-Barre 
as  assistant  general  manager,  which  ofiice 
he  occupied  until  1923,  when  he  became  the 
company's  chief  mining  engineer.  Mr.  Montz's 
interests  are  in  the  main  scientific,  and  he 
is  a  very  active  member  of  the  American 
Institute  of  Mining  and  Metallurgical  Engi- 
neers; he  was  a  director  of  the  Freeland 
Mining  and  Mechanical  Institute  from  1918 
to  192S,  when  he  resigned;  he  also  has  great 
attachment  for  Wilkes-Barre,  and  is  a  mem- 
ber and  director  of  the  Wilkes-Barre-Wyo- 
ming  Valley  Chamber  of  Commerce,  and  the 
Wilkes-Barre  Rotary  Club,  of  which  he  was 
president  1928-29.  During  1916  and  1917  he 
was  a  member  of  the  City  Planning  Com- 
mission. Fraternally,  he  is  afHliated  with 
Lehighton  Lodge,  No.  621.  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons,  Hazle  Chapter,  No.  277.  Royal  Arch 
Masons,  Mount  Vernon  Commandery,  No.  73, 
Knights  Templar  at  Hazleton,  and  Irem  Tem- 
ple, Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic 
Shrine  of  Wilkes-Barre:  he  is  a  member  of 
the  Irem  Temple  Country  Club,  the  Frank- 
lin Club,  the  Hazleton  Country  Club,  Wilkes- 
Barre  Craftsmen's  Club,  and  from  1924  until 
1926  was  president  of  the  Alumni  Association 
of  Pennsylvania  State  College.  In  1916  and 
1917,  while  living  in  Luzerne  Borough,  he 
was  a  member  of  the  school  board,  which 
membership  was  terminated  by  his  transfer 
to  Hazleton,  and  while  at  Hazleton  in  the 
employ  of  the  Lehigh  Valley  Coal  Company 
he  became  3.  charter  member  of  the  Hazle- 
ton Rotary  Club,  which  membership  also  was 
terminated  when  he  returned  to  Wilkes- 
Barre   in   1921. 

Harry  W.  Montz  married,  on  June  23,  1909, 
Laura  M.  Honeywell,  of  Luzerne  County, 
Pennsylvania,  daughter  of  Nelson  and 
Frances  (Nafus)  Honeywell.  Mrs.  Montz  is 
a  descendant  of  an  old  family  who  settled 
in  Pennsylvania  in  the  1700's.  She  is  a 
member  of  the  West  Side  Woman's  Club  and 
was  secretary  at  its  inception:  a  member  of 
the  Wilkes-Barre  Woman's  Club:  and  is  an 
active  member  and  treasurer  of  the  West 
Side  Visiting  Nurse  Association.    Mr.  and  Mrs. 


Montz  are  the  parents  of  two  children,  Wil- 
liam Curtis  and  Robert  Wayne.  Both  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Montz  are  affiliated  with  the  Pres- 
byterian  Church   of   Kingston. 


PRANK  L.  SCOTT — Introduced  to  the  busi- 
ness life  of  Wilkes-Barre  at  the  age  of  six- 
teen, when  he  was  office  boy  in  the  employ 
of  the  Lehigh  Valley  Coal  Company,  Frank  L. 
Scott  in  191S  became  purchasing  agent  for 
that  organization,  and  at  the  present  (1929) 
has  served  it  for  thirty-nine  years,  being  in 
point  of  period  of  service  one  of  the  oldest 
men    in    the    company. 

Frank  L.  Scott  was  born  at  Plains,  Luzerne 
County,  on  January  17,  1875,  a  son  of  John 
W.  and  Alice  (McNeil)  Scott,  deceased,  both 
born  in  Luzerne  County.  John  W.  and  Alice 
(McNeil)  Scott  were  the  parents  of  nine  chil- 
dren: Luella;  Frank  L.,  of  whom  later;  Bessie, 
deceased;  William,  deceased;  Burton;  H.  Lee; 
John    AV. ;   Harry;   and   Helen. 

Frank  L.  Scott  received  his  education  in 
the  public  schools  of  Plains,  employing  his 
time  between  terms  and  many  of  his  hours 
before  and  after  classes  morning  and  night 
in  working  on  the  farm.  On  December  13, 
1S91,  he  secured  a  place  as  office  boy  with 
the  Lehigh  Valley  Coal  Company,  and  during 
the  years  that  have  since  passed  has  served 
in  various  capacities,  through  the  merit  of 
ability  advancing  to  the  post  of  purchasing 
agent.  In  Wilkes-Barre  and  in  Forty  Fort, 
Luzerne  County,  where  he  resides  with  his 
wife,  Mr.  Scott  has  many  friends  who  esteem 
him  for  his  record  in  business,  for  his  success 
with  the  Lehigh  Valley  Coal  Company,  and 
for  the  principles  underlying  his  character 
that  have  made  possible  this  success.  In 
politics  he  is  a  Republican;  he  is  a  Prot- 
estant; a  member  of  the  Franklin  Club  and 
of    the    Fox    Hill    Country    Club. 

Frank  L.  Scott  married,  on  September  14, 
1907,  Jean  F.  Menzies,  a  native  of  Scotland, 
and  they  are  the  parents  of  two  children: 
Isabelle  Menzies,  unmarried,  a  graduate  of 
the  Wyoming  Seminary  at  Kingston,  Penn- 
sylvania; and  Margaret  Menzies,  a  graduate 
of  Wyoming  Seminary,  and  now  a  student 
at   Middleburg   College. 


■WILLIAM  SWAN  McLEAIV — As  a  typical 
product  of  the  old  school  of  successful  busi- 
ness gentlemen,  William  Swan  McLean,  of 
Wilkes-Barre,  stands  out  prominently.  Mr. 
McLean  has  served  as  president  of  the  First 
National  Bank  of  Wilkes-Barre  since  1S89. 
during  which  time  he  has  greatly  enriched 
the  annals  of  finance;  and  since  1910  he  has 
served  with  distinction  as  the  president  of 
the  Wilkes-Barre  Clearing  House  Association, 
a  sort  of  post-graduate  honor  supplementing 
liis  other  achievements  in  banking  circles. 
Mr.  McLean  has  long  been  noted  as  a  long- 
headed business  man  on  whose  judgment  de- 
pended the  fate  of  vast  enterprises  and  hun- 
dreds of  individuals  with  investments  at 
stake  under  his  personal,  or  official  care,  and 
that  he  has  guided  his  affairs  so  as  to  pro- 
duce a  maximum  of  contentment  and  a  mini- 
mum of  loss  has  constituted  a  fine  tribute  to 
his  creative  and  conserving  genius.  But  one 
must  look  beyond  such  achievements  to  prop- 
erly appraise  the  man,  for  it  was  in  the 
realm  of  the  law  that  he  first  launched  his 
bark  and  entered  upon  a  period  of  founda- 
tion building  fit  for  his  superstructure  of 
later  years.  For  more  than  half  a  century 
he  has  practiced  his  profession  at  Wilkes- 
Barre,  always  with  great  dignity,  learning 
and  success,  during  twenty-four  years  of 
which    he    was    solicitor    of    the    City    Court 


538 


while  attending  to  a  large  private  practice  at 
the  same  time.  He  has  found  time  to  engage 
in  political  struggles  as  a  staunch  Democrat, 
and  his  neighbors  and  associates  at  the  bar 
and  in  the  field  of  finance  have  brought  him 
signal  honors.  It  is  by  such  close  estimates 
of  liim  that  his  character  and  ability  niust  be 
judged,  and  it  assays  well  from  any  angle. 

William  Swan  McLean  "was  born  at  Sumniit 
Hill,  Carbon  County,  Pennsylvania,  May  27, 
1841,  the  son  of  Alexander  McLean,  a  Scotch- 
Irishman  born  at  Fernlaestra,  on  the  banks 
of  the  River  Bann,  in  Londonderry,  Ireland. 
Alexander  McLean,  head  of  this  branch  of  the 
McLean  family  in  the  United  States,  came 
to  this  country  in  1S20  and  settled  at  Mauch 
Chunk.  Pennsylvania,  where  he  engaged  in 
coal  mining  ventures.  His  capital  consisted 
of  one  hundred  pounds  sterling,  in  this  day 
the  equivalent  of  perhaps  $2,500  by  depre- 
ciated purchasing"  power  values.  He  was  a 
progressive  man,  and  shortly  after  he  ar- 
rived on  the  scene  he  entered  into  a  contract 
with  the  Lehigh  Coal  and  Navigation  Com- 
pany to  transport  coal  mined  at  Summit  Hill 
to  Mauch  Chunk,  delivering  coal  by  teams 
and  wagons  to  the  boats  that  were  accus- 
tomed to  float  it  downstream  to  Philadelphia. 
He  made  good  time  while  this  contract  lasted, 
until  someone  else  invented  the  "gravity 
road"  that  made  his  process  useless,  at  which 
time  he  made  another  contract  with  the  same 
company  to  mine  its  coal,  and  it  happened 
that  he  was  the  first  man  to  thus  enter  into 
such  an  agreement  with  the  Lehigh  Coal  and 
Navigation  Company.  Until  1848  he  con- 
tinued his  mining  contracts,  then  removed 
with  his  family  to  a  farm  he  had  bought  in 
1839  on  the  old  Careytown  Road.  There  he 
built  a  fine  Colonial  mansion,  and  there 
resided  until  his  death  in  1868  at  the  age  of 
sixty-eight,  the  date  of  his  birth  having 
been  ISOO.  The  corporate  limits  of  the  city  of 
Wilkes-Barre  now  include  this  famous  farm. 
Alexander  McLean  was  a  rugged  pioneer  in 
a  rough  country,  and  he  took  up  liis  abode 
in  a  sort  of  wilderness  before  the  last  red- 
skin's moccasin  had  faded  from  the  sand  to 
be  transplanted  on  the  prairies  of  the  West. 
He  became  a  man  of  wisdom  and  judgment 
to  whom  his  neighbors  looked  for  wise  coun- 
sel, and  took  great  interest  in  planting  those 
milestones  of  civilization  and  hanging  out 
those  beacon  lights  to  guide  the  steps  of 
those  who  came  after  him.  For  many  years 
he  served  as  president  of  the  Central  Poor 
District  of  Luzerne  County,  and  was  one  of 
the  moving  spirits  in  the  organization  of  the 
First  National  Bank  of  Wilkes-Barre  and  be- 
came one  of  its  first  directors,  while  his  son, 
James,  was  made  the  first  president,  and  his 
son,  William  S.,  haying  stood  in  the  line  of 
succession,  this  bank  having  become  the  thir- 
tieth national  bank  organized  in  the  United 
States.  Other  leaders  in  the  foundation  were 
Thomas  Long,  son-in-law  of  Alexander  Mc- 
Lean, and  Joseph  Brown.  On  June  1.  1863, 
the  stockholders  elected  as  directors.  Alexan- 
der McLean,  Janies  McLean,  Joseph  Brown, 
Alexander  Gray  and  Thomas  Long.  On  the 
same  day  James  McLean,  then  extensively 
engaged  in  the  coal  mining  business  at  Sum- 
mit Hill,  and  thirty-eight  years  of  age,  was 
named  president  of  the  board;  he  died  Jan- 
uary 29,  1864,  as  the  result  of  a  railroad 
accident.  Alexander  Gray  was  the  second 
president,  having  been  elected  February  10. 
1864,  and  having  resigned  September  22,  of 
the  same  year;  he  had  been  superintendent 
of  the  old  Baltimore  Coal  Company  for  many 


j'ears,  and  on  his  own  account  interested  ex- 
tensively in  the  coal  business.  Charles  Par- 
rish,  prominently  identified  with  activities  in 
"Wyoming  Valley,  succeeded  him,  having  been 
elected  president  September  22,  1864;  he  re- 
signed July  27,  1885,  and  was  succeeded  by 
Former  State  Senator  E.  C.  Wadhams,  who 
enjoyed  the  confidence  of  the  entire  com- 
munity; Mr.  Wadhams  was  elected  president 
July  27,  1885,  and  served  until  his  death 
January  19,  1889;  and  thereupon  William  S. 
McLean,  member  of  the  Luzerne  County  Bar, 
took  over  the  duties  of  president,  a  fitting 
sequel  to  the  work  of  his  honored  father, 
Alexander  McLean,  and  his  brilliant  brother, 
James  McLean;  the  date  of  his  accession  was 
on  January  20. 

Mr.  McLean  began  his  education  in  the 
public  schools,  after  which  he  prepared  for 
college  at  Dana's  Academy,  at  Wilkes-Barre. 
where  he  made  a  most  creditable  record. 
Then  he  matriculated  at  LaFayette  College 
at  Easton.  from  which  institution  he  was 
graduated  with  honors  in  1865  and  delivered 
the  class  oration  at  commencement  as  vale- 
dictorian; three  years  later,  on  receipt  of  his 
Master's  degree,  he  delivered  the  Master's 
oration  by  election  of  the  faculty.  Deciding 
to  take  up  the  pursuit  of  the  law,  he  studied 
under  the  preceptorship  of  B.  G.  Nicholson, 
of  "naikes-Barre.  and  in  1867,  on  passing  the 
requisite  examinations,  was  admitted  to  prac- 
tice before  the  Luzerne  County  Bar.  He  im- 
mediately entered  upon  the  practice  of  his 
profession,  and  was  eventually  admitted  to 
all  the  courts.  For  many  years  he  carried  on 
his  practice,  which  became  more  important 
and  lucrative  as  the  years  went  by.  and  grad- 
ually developed  extensive  banking  and  busi- 
ness interests,  but  never  let  commercial  pur- 
suits interfere  with  his  professional  status. 
On  the  death  of  George  S.  Bennett  in  1910 
Mr.  McLean  was  chosen  president  of  the 
Wilkes-Barre  Clearing  House  Association,  a 
fitting  tribute  to  his  ability  and  integrity  by 
his  fellow  members  of  the  financial  circle, 
whose  cordial  cooperation  with  him  in  the 
work  of  this  office  and  in  his  collateral  activi- 
ties has  always  been  a  source  of  the  greatest 
inspiration. 

Mr.  McLean  yielded  to  the  importunities  of 
friends  in  1879  and  again  in  1895  to  become 
a  candidate  for  judge  of  Luzerne  County  on 
the  Democratic  ticket;  although  eminently 
fitted  for  the  position  and  backed  strongly, 
factional  complications  in  his  own  party  en- 
compassed his  defeat,  yet  he  led  his  ticket 
by  some  2,000  votes,  this  fact  carrying  its 
own  testimonial  of  his  personal  popularity. 
During  the  Civil  War  while  still  quite  young 
and  in  school,  he  served  with  Pennsylvania 
troops,  ranking  as  corporal.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Landmark  Lodge.  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons;  Shekinah  Chapter,  Royal  Arch  Ma- 
sons: and  Dieu  le  Veut  Commandery,  Knights 
Templar.  In  club  circles  he  is  a  member  of 
the  Westmoreland  Club  of  Wilkes-Barre.  and 
in  religious  affairs  an  attendant  upon  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  and  has  been  a  trustee 
for  many  years. 

Mr.  McLean  married,  November  21,  1871, 
Anne  S.  Roberts,  daughter  of  George  H.  and 
Margaret  B.  Roberts,  of  Philadelphia,  rep- 
resentatives of  old  families,  and  she  died 
June  7,  1906.  Their  children  were:  1.  George 
R.  McLean,  a  leading  member  of  the  Luzerne 
County  Bar.  2.  Elizabeth  Swan  McLean,  died 
in  childhood.  3.  Margaret  Swan  McLean, 
single,  and  living  at  home  with  her  father, 
who    is    now    eighty-seven    years    of    age.     4. 


539 


William  Swan  McLean,  Jr.,  associate  justice 
of  the  Eleventh  Pennsylvania  Judicial  Dis- 
trict, comprising  Luzerne  County.  5.  Percy 
Craig  McLean. 


GEORGE:  R.  McLEAK — A  distinguished 
member  of  the  Luzerne  County  bar,  and  an 
important  figure  in  the  financial  and  civic 
life  of  the  city  of  Wilkes-Barre,  George  R. 
McLean  has  built  up  an  excellent  practice  as 
a  corporation  lawyer  and  consultant.  He  is 
a  man  of  versatile  talents  who  has  given 
much  time  to  various  movements  in  the  pub- 
lic interest  in  Wilkes-Barre.  and  served  in 
his  country's  cause  during  the  Spanish- 
American  War  and  the  more  recent  World 
War,   in   which   lie   played   an   important  part. 

Mr.  McLean  was  born  at  Wilkes-Barre, 
Pennsylvania,  on  January  24,  1873.  a  son  of 
William  Swan  and  Anne  S.  (Roberts)  McLean, 
and  grandson  of  Alexander  McLean,  a  pioneer 
anthracite  coal  operator,  for  some  account  of 
whom  and  other  ancestral  references  the  ac- 
companying biography  of  William  Swan  Mc- 
Lean should  be  consulted. 

George  R.  McLean  attended  the  public 
schools  of  his  birthplace,  the  Wilkes-Barre 
Academy,  and  finished  his  preparatory  educa- 
tion at  Cheltenham  Military  Academy.  He 
thereupon  attended  Lafayette  College,  at 
Easton,  Pennsylvania,  his  father's  university, 
and  graduated  with  the  degree  of  Bachelor 
of  Arts  in  1S95.  With  the  completion  of  his 
academic  training,  he  returned  to  Wilkes- 
Barre  and  took  up  the  study  of  law  in  the 
offices  of  his  father,  then  one  of  the  leading 
members  of  the  bar  and  president  of  the  First 
National  Bank.  In  the  following  year  he  was 
admitted  to  the  Luzerne  County  Bar  and  be- 
gan the  practice  of  his  profession.  At  the 
outbreak  of  the  Spanish-American  War,  Mr. 
McLean  immediately  enlisted  as  a  member  of 
Company  P.  Ninth  Pennsylvania  Regiment  of 
Volunteer  Infantry,  saw  considerable  service 
before  the  end  of  the  conflict,  and  was  honor- 
ably discharged  with  the  rank  of  first  lieu- 
tenant. 

This  experience  was  very  valuable  to  him 
in  quite  another  field,  when  in  1905  he  ex- 
plored the  Alaskan  wilderness  for  many 
months  as  a  member  of  the  McKenzie  Expe- 
dition. During  this  period  much  territory  was 
covered  in  Northern  and  Central  Alaska 
which  had  never  previously  been  explored  by 
any  white  man,  and  much  information  was 
obtained  of  great  scientific  value.  Again  at 
the  outbreak  of  the  World  War  Jlr.  McLean 
had  occasion  to  visit  the  far  places  of  the 
earth.  Although  considerably  above  the  mili- 
tary age  at  this  time,  he  volunteered  in  the 
Army,  was  commissioned  major,  and  served 
for  several  months  at  certain  of  the  con- 
centration camps.  He  was  then  ordered  to 
join  the  American  Expeditionary  Forces  in 
Siberia  after  the  overthrow  of  the  Czarist 
Government,  and  was  appointed  and  served 
for  some  months  as  Judge  Advocate  General 
of  the  American  Expeditionary  Forces  in 
Russia  and  Siberia.  These  experiences,  aside 
from  their  immediate  practical  importance, 
were  beneficial  in  contributing  to  the  vari&d 
background  of  knowledge  which  is  necessary 
in  the  formation  of  a  sound  and  catholic 
judgment. 

Meanwhile,  at  Wilkes-Barre,  he  had  ad- 
vanced to  the  front  rank  of  his  profession 
as  the  demands  on  his  services  constantly 
increased,  and  to  the  various  duties  of  his 
practice  he  gave  most  of  his  time  and  atten- 
tion.   His  advice  was  frequently  sought,  how- 


ever, and  highly  regarded  by  the  largest 
financial  interests,  and  in  addition  to  his 
legal  work,  he  is  a  stockholder,  officer  and 
director  in  a  number  of  important  financial 
and  industrial  institutions.  Among  these  may 
be  mentioned  the  Lehigh  and  Wilkes-Barre 
Coal  Company  and  the  First  National  Bank, 
in  both  of  which  he  is  a  director.  His  profes- 
sional activities  and  business  connections 
were  never  permitted  to  interfere  with  his 
devotion  to  the  tasks  of  ameliorating  the 
condition  of  the  poor  and  needy,  the  aged 
and  children,  fo  Mr.  McLean  has  been  a  con- 
sistent supporter  of  and  leader  in  all  char- 
itable, social  and  welfare  movements  in  his 
community.  In  politics  Mr.  McLean  has 
usually  allied  himself  with  the  Democratic 
party  in  his  State,  but  has  been  consistently 
independent.  He  was  elected  controller  of 
Luzerne  County  in  1901,  while  in  1917  he  was 
chairman  of  the  State  Democratic  Committee, 
resigning  to  enter  the  World  War.  In  1911 
he  was  the  Democratic  candidate  for  Con- 
gress, and  successfully  contested  the  election 
of  his  Republican  opponent  before  the  House 
of  Representatives  of  the  United  States.  Since 
coming  to  the  bar.  Mr.  McLean  has  taken  a 
great  interest  in  many  of  the  charitable  insti- 
tutions and  welfare  movements  of  tlie  com- 
munity, and  to  these  various  causes  he  has 
contributed  generously  of  his  effort,  time  and 
substance.  For  a  number  of  years  he  was 
president  of  the  Community  Welfare  Federa- 
tion, while  he  is  now  president  of  the  Wyo- 
ming Valley  Homeopathic  Hospital,  trustee 
of  the  Home  for  Friendless  Children,  and  of 
many  other  benevolent  organizations.  He  is 
also  a  trustee  of  Wyoming  Seminary. 

Fraternally  Mr.  McLean  is  affiliated  with 
Landmark  Lodge,  No.  442,  of  the  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons,  and  in  this  order  he  is 
also  a  member  of  Shekinah  Chapter,  No.  1S2, 
of  the  Royal  Arch  Masons.  Dieu  le  Veut  Com- 
mandery.  No.  45,  of  the  Knights  Templar,  a 
member  of  all  bodies  of  the  Ancient  Accepted 
Scottish  Rite,  including  the  thirty-second 
degree  of  the  Consistory,  and  a  member  of 
Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles 
of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  In  a  professional  way 
Mr.  McLean  is  identified  with  the  Pennsyl- 
vania State  Bar  and  the  American  Bar  asso- 
ciations, while  his  clubs  include  the  West- 
moreland Club  and  the  Wyoming  Valley 
Country  Club.  He  is  a  Presbyterian  and  at- 
tends the  First  Church  of  this  denomination 
at  Wilkes-Barre.  where  he  is  a  member,  and 
officially  connected  with  the  church  boards. 

Through  his  ancestors  on  both  sides  of  the 
family,  Mr.  McLean  is  qualified  for  member- 
ship in  various  Colonial  and  Revolutionary 
societies,  and  in  this  connection  it  is  especi- 
ally interesting  to  note  that  his  mother,  Anne 
S.  (Roberts)  McLean,  is  a  lineal  descendant  of 
Captain  John  Roberts,  close  friend  and  ad- 
viser of  William  Penn  and  a  companion  when 
the  Quaker  Colony  in  Pennsylvania  was 
founded. 

On  April  2,  1902,  George  R.  McLean  married 
Mary  Barber,  daughter  of  Colonel  Albert  P. 
and  Helen  (Jenkins)  Barber,  and  a  direct 
descendant  of  Colonel  John  Jenkins  of  Lu- 
zerne County  fame.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McLean 
became  the  parents  of  five  children:  1.  W^il- 
liam  Swan  McLean,  III,  a  graduate  of  Lifay- 
ette  College  and  the  Law  School  of  Harvard 
University,  and  a  member  of  the  bar  of  Lu- 
zerne County.  2.  Theodore  Barber,  who  was 
fatally  injured  in  an  accident  in  1923  while 
a  student  at  Choate  School,  Wallingford,  Con- 
necticut.    3.    Roberts,    who    died    in    childhool. 


540 


4.  Alexander,  a  student  at  Wyoming-  Semi- 
nary, Kingston,  Pennsylvania,  5.  George 
Boberts,  Jr.,  a  student  at  Phillips  Academy, 
Andover,  Massachusetts, 


JUDGE   WILLIAM    SWAN   MoLEAN,  JR. — It 

is  the  privilege  of  some  sons  to  break  away 
from  the  trail  of  the  father  in  life's  journey, 
the  pleasure  of  others  to  walk  in  it.  Family 
independence  may  be  dictated  by  contrary 
courses  in  certain  cases,  and  family  solidarity 
may  demand  that  the  members  of  a  flock  who 
are  temperamentally  alike  should  religiously 
follow  the  leader.  The  leader  of  the  unified 
family  of  McLean  of  Wilkes-Barre,  Luzerne 
County,  Alexander  McLean,  a  native  of  Ire- 
land, was  a  trail  blazer  of  rare  energy  and 
ability:  and  his  descendants,  while  capable 
of  barking  their  own  trees,  have  found  his 
leadership  so  wise  that  their  preference  has 
been  to  follow  his  general  course;  the  same 
may  be  said  of  the  present  generations  with 
respect  to  the  activities  of  William  Swan 
McLean,  Sr.,  father  of  the  William  Swan  Mc- 
Lean, who  Is  described  herein.  Alexander 
McLean,  in  the  first  place,  was  a  man  of 
originality,  imagination  and  courage,  quali- 
ties which  have  passed  on  down  in  generous 
measure;  he  was  an  excellent  business  man, 
and  this  quality  has  shown  no  lack  of  propa- 
gation. He  was  a  director  and  one  of  the 
organizers  of  the  First  National  Bank  of 
Wilkes-Earre  his  son  James  became  the 
first  president  of  this  bank;  his  son,  William 
Swan  (q,  v.)  was  the  fifth  president  of  it,  and 
still  serves  it;  while  his  grandson,  George 
R,  McLean  (q,  v.),  is  a  director  of  it.  William 
Swan  McLean,  Sr.,  was  a  member  of  the 
Democratic  party  and  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  and  a  graduate  of  Lafayette  College 
at  Easton.  and  his  sons,  George  R.  and  Wil- 
liam Swan  McLean,  Jr,,  have  followed  him 
through  these  three  steps.  Furthermore,  both 
sons  have  come  after  him  in  the  law  and  he 
has  been  the  worthy  tutor  of  both  as  they 
studied  in  his  law  office  in  preference  to  tak- 
ing a  law  school  course,  William  S.  McLean, 
Sr.,  received  his  law  schooling  under  a  pre- 
ceptor, and  he  always  thought  this  was  the 
best  way;  in  the  case  of  his  sons,  to  say  the 
least,  his  judgment  has  been  amply  vindi- 
cated. In  general,  the  club  and  secret  order 
afflliations  of  father  and  sons  have  been  the 
same.  In  wars  the  father  served  during  the 
Civil  War,  while  George  R,  McLean  served 
in  the  Spanisli-American  and  World  wars,  and 
William  S.  McLean,  Jr,,  in  the  World  War. 
There  is  finally  another  parallel  which  com- 
pletes this  interesting  picture;  the  parallel 
being  broken  into  perpendicular  form,  to 
make  use  of  such  a  figure  of  speech,  to  the 
extent  that  the  son  succeeded  in  an  ambition 
the  father  never  attained:  the  father  aspired 
to  become  Judge  of  the  Eleventh  Judicial 
District  of  Pennsylvania,  embracing  Luzerne 
County,  and  was  twice  defeated,  whereas 
William  Swan  McLean,  Jr.,  coming  along  a 
good  many  years  later,  retrieved  his  father's 
lost  laurels  in  a  race  for  the  associate  judge- 
ship of  the  enlarged  court,  a  place  he  has 
held  several  years  and  with  great  credit  to 
himself  and  his  contemporaries.  It  is  small 
wonder,  therefore,  that  at  eighty-five  years 
of  age  William  Swan  McLean,  Sr,,  can  with- 
draw in  retirement  into  that  inner  shrine  of 
contentment  and  contemplation  of  a  well- 
spent  life  and  a  glorious  future  for  the  family 
name, 

William    Swan   McLean,   Jr.,   was   born   De- 
cember   17,    1877,    at    Wilkes-Barre.     (For    a 


more  extensive  account  of  his  genesis,  the 
reader  should  consult  the  accompanying 
sketches  of  "William  S.  McLean,  Sr.,  and 
George  R.  McLean).  He  attended  the  public 
schools  of  Wilkes-Barre,  where  he  proved  his 
right  to  the  name  of  diligent  pupil,  and  the 
Harry  Hillman  Academy  of  the  same  city, 
where  he  gained  the  reputation  of  being  a 
rare  young  scholar.  Entering  Lafayette  Col- 
lege at  Easton  in  1S94,  he  was  graduated  with 
the  class  of  1S9S  with  the  degree  of  Bachelor 
of  Arts,  and  continuing  his  studies  in  a 
search  after  the  deeper  springs  of  knowledge, 
he  graduated  with  the  degree  of  Master  of 
Arts.  Repairing  to  Wilkes-Barre,  he  studied 
law  in  the  office  of  his  father  and  his  older 
brother,  George  R,  McLean,  and  on  success- 
fully standing  the  bar  examinations  in  1901 
he  was  admitted  to  practice  at  the  Luzerne 
County  Bar.  He  straightway  entered  upon 
the  practice  of  the  law  from  his  father's 
office,  and  succeeded  beyond  his  fondest  ex- 
pectations until  President  Wilson  called  upon 
Congress  in  April,  1917,  for  a  declai-ation  of 
war  against  Germany,  when  he  offered  his 
S'word  to  his  country's  cause.  He  had  previ- 
ously had  military  experience,  including 
service  in  1900  with  the  old  Pennsylvania 
National  Guard,  and  then  in  1916  as  captain 
of  one  of  the  companies  which  "went  to  the 
Mexican  Border  to  quell  disturbances  there. 
He  was  quickly  accepted  to  join  one  of  the 
American  Expeditionary  Force  Regiments, 
and  was  made  captain  and  adjutant  of  the 
command.  After  a  sufficient  period  of  train- 
ing he  sailed  in  April,  191S,  for  France,  and 
was  soon  afterward  sent  to  the  French  front 
for  active  service,  and  underwent  an  experi- 
ence "Which  was  highly  meritorious  but  neces- 
sarily similar  to  that  of  thousands  of  his  fel- 
low countrymen.  He  returned  to  the  United 
States  on  a  transport  and  arrived  in  the 
United  States  in  May,  1919.  and  was  soon 
afterward  mustered  out.  Going  home,  he 
picked  up  the  broken  ends  of  his  law  prac- 
tice and  soon  had  his  pre-war  clientele  well 
reconstituted  and  adding  to  his  fame  and 
purse.  In  1922  he  was  elected  as  a  Democratic 
candidate  to  the  associate  judgeship  of 
Luzerne  County,  now  as  presiding  judge,  a 
position  he  holds  with  dignity,  ability  and 
grace.  He  is  a  member  of  the  First  Presby- 
terian Church  of  Wilkes-Barre  in  religious 
affairs.  In  secret  order  circles  he  is  a  mem- 
ber of  Landmark  Lodge,  No.  442,  of  the  Free 
and  Accepted  Masons,  in  which  he  was  pre- 
ceded by  his  father  and  his  brother,  George; 
and  he  maintains  an  alumni  connection  with 
the  Zeta  Psi  Fraternity,  one  of  the  oldest 
Greek  letter  societies  in  the  country,  having 
been  founded  in  1846  at  Tale  University,  and 
the  local  chapter  of  which  he  joined  as  a 
student  at  Lafayette  College. 

Judge  McLean  married,  January  27,  1921, 
Frances  Leigh  Rickotts,  a  daughter  of  Colo- 
nel R.  Bruce  Ricketts  and  Elizabeth  (Rey- 
nolds) Ricketts,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  representa- 
tives of  an  old  family  of  culture  and  achieve- 
ment; and  their  union  has  been  blessed  with 
a  daughter,  Elizabeth  Swan  McLean.  The 
wedding  was  solemnized,  it  may  be  remarked, 
a  little  more  than  a  year  before  Judge  Mc- 
Lean was  elevated  to   the  bench. 

Two  qualities  may  be  said  to  have  obtruded 
themselves  in  the  career  of  Judge  McLean: 
first,  an  innate  ability  which  to  a  large  extent 
was  inherited  from  conquering  ancestors,  and 
second,  the  determination  to  succeed  over  all 
obstacles,  by  the  exercise  of  patience,  tact 
and     progressiveness.      Judge     McLean     was 


Lewis  HssloricalPub.  Co 


541 


above  the  service  age  in  the  World  M'ar.  so 
that  his  enlistment  was  entirely  voluntary: 
but  he  is  still  in  the  prime  of  life,  and  his 
friends  are  predicting  that  higher  political 
preferment  is  resen-ed  for  him  in  the  near 
future. 


PKRCY  C.  McI.EAM — A  review  of  the  life 
history  and  accomplishments  of  the  late 
Percy  C.  McLean  touches  a  business  and  so- 
cial leadership  in  the  thriving  city  of  Wilkes- 
Barre,  toward  whose  advancement  he  so 
greatly  contributed.  A  widely  known  and 
universally  respected  representative  of  va- 
rious leading  insurance  companies,  he  had 
qualities  of  mind  and  character  and  ideals 
which  fitted  him  for  his  great  profession. 
Rank  among  the  wealthiest  and  most  pro- 
gressive fields  of  modern  American  business 
enterprise  belongs  by  right  to  general  in- 
surance. The  man  to  promote  it  is  the  man 
of  vision,  of  broad  humanitarian  interests, 
of  keen  business  ability,  the  believer  in  the 
great  virtues  of  thrift  and  a  sense  of  re- 
sponsibility. Such  a  man  in  every  sense  of 
the  word  was  Percy  C.  McLean. 

The  family  was  founded  by  Alexander  Mc- 
Lean, of  Scotch-Irish  lineage,  born  in  Ireland, 
and  a  trail  blazer  of  rare  energy  and  ability. 
He  handed  down  to  his  descendants  not  only 
his  prominent  place  in  the  community,  but 
also  his  originality,  imagination  and  courage, 
and  his  business  ability.  He  was  a  director 
and  organizer  of  the  First  National  Bank  of 
Wilkes-Barre;  his  son,  James  McLean,  became 
the  first  president  of  the  bank;  and  his  son, 
William  Swan  McLean,  Sr.,  the  fifth  president 
of  the  institution,  still  serves  it.  A  grandson. 
George  R.  McLean  (q.  v.),  is  its  vice-president 
and  served  on  its  board  of  directors.  "William 
Swan  McLean,  Sr.,  served  his  country  during 
the  Civil  War,  after  graduating  from  Lafay- 
ette College,  at  Easton,  Pennsylvania.  He 
was  an  influential  member  of  the  Democratic 
party  and  supporter  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church.  A  lawyer  of  note,  he  aspired  for  a 
place  on  the  bench  and  lived  to  see  the  goal 
attained  by  his  son,  William  Swan  McLean, 
Jr.  (q.  v.),  president  judge  of  the  Luzerne 
County  courts.  William  Swan  McLean,  Sr., 
married  Anne  Stevens  Roberts,  of  Philadel- 
phia, and  the  following  children  born  to 
them  reached  manhood  and  womanhood: 
George  R.  McLean,  Margaret  S.  McLean,  Wil- 
liam Swan  McLean,  Jr.,  and  Percy  C.  McLean, 
of  further  mention. 

Percy  C.  McLean  was  born  in  Wilkes-Barre, 
Pennsylvania,  September  16,  1885,  son  of  Wil- 
liam Swan  and  Anne  S.  (Roberts)  McLean.  The 
father  is  now  in  his  eighty-ninth  year,  and 
the  mother  deceased.  The  son  gre%v  up  in  his 
native  city  and  was  educated  in  the  Harry 
Hillman  Academy  of  Wilkes-Barre.  and  the 
Chestnut  Hill  Academy  of  Philadelphia.  His 
entire  business  career  was  concerned  with  the 
general  insurance  business.  As  a  representa- 
tive of  the  leading  companies  In  England  and 
America,  he  maintained  imposing  offices  in 
the  Coal  Exchange  Building  of  Wilkes-Barre. 
He  "was  president  of  McLean  and  Quick,  In- 
corporated, general  insurance  brokers  of 
Philadelphia. 

In  political  and  religious  affiliations,  Mr. 
McLean  followed  the  family  tradition  in  sup- 
porting the  Democratic  party  and  the  Pres- 
byterian Church.  He  also  belonged  to  the 
Wilkes-Barre  Lodge,  No.  109.  Benevolent  and 
Protective  Order  of  Elks. 

September  21,  1917,  Percy  C.  McLean  mar- 
ried   Emily    D.    McCoy,    of    New    York    City. 


daughter  of  Charles  E.  McCoy,  and  they  be- 
came the  parents  of  three  children:  William 
Swan  McLean,  4th;  Craig  McLean;  and  Anne 
Roberts  McLean. 

When  he  was  at  the  height  of  his  success 
and  powers,  Mr.  McLean  died,  February  29, 
1928,  at  the  age  of  forty-two.  Words  seem 
cold  and  lifeless  when  set  over  against  the 
abounding  life  and  warmth  of  Mr.  McLean's 
personality.  He  was  a  man  of  great  heart, 
fine  mind,  and  much  personal  charm.  His  un- 
selfish devotion  to  the  welfare  of  others,  his 
cordiality,  and  his  capacity  for  affection  were 
noteworthy.  Not  only  his  family  and  friends 
but  an  entire  community  mourns  his  death. 


WILBl'R      HENRY      FLECK — One      of      the 

active  figures  in  the  educational  circles  in 
this  State  is  Wilbur  Henry  Fleck,  Dean  of 
Wyoming  Seminary.  During  his  teaching 
career  Dean  Fleck  has  held  a  number  of 
responsible  positions.  He  came  to  Wyoming 
Seminary  in  1911  as  instructor  in  the  Depart- 
ment of  Latin,  and  because  of  the  acceptable 
manner  with  which  he  filled  the  require- 
ments of  this  position,  he  was  elected  to  the 
office    of    Dean    in    1917. 

Dean  Fleck  was  born  in  Tyrone,  Blair 
County,  the  son  of  Abram  L.  and  Martha 
(Cryder)  Fleck,  both  of  whom  were  natives 
of  ijlair  County  and  who  are  now  deceased. 
Abram  L.  Fleck  was  the  son  of  Jacob  and 
Susan  (Hostler)  Fleck.  Jacob  Fleck  was  the 
grandson  of  Conrad  Fleck  who  was  a  sol- 
dier in  the  Revolutionary  War  under  Gen- 
era! Washington.  The  Fleck  family  is  one 
of  the  oldest  and  most  influential  families 
in  Blair  County,  the  original  ancestral  home 
being  at  the  present  time  (1929)  in  the  pos- 
session of  the  fifth  generation,  having  been 
continuously  the  property  of  the  family  for 
one  hundred  and  thirty-five  years.  Abram 
L.  Fleck  was  engaged  all  his  life  in  agricul- 
ture, and  he  and  Mrs.  Fleck  were  the  parents 
of  seven  children:  1.  Margaret,  married  A, 
C.  Sorrick,  of  Hollidaysburg.  2.  Anna,  mar- 
ried Hudson  Irwin,  of  Bellwood.  3.  Frances, 
married  the  Rev.  U  H.  Waring,  Ph.  D.,  of 
Washington,  District  of  Columbia.  4.  Ada, 
unmarried,  deceased.  5.  Wilbur  Henry,  of 
whom  further.  6.  Forrest  R.,  a  merchant  at 
Juniata,  now  deceased.  7.  A.  Ross,  who  owns 
and  occupies  the  original  Fleck  homestead  in 
Tyrone  Township,   Blair   County. 

"wilbur  Henry  Fleck  spent  the  early  years 
of  his  life  on  his  father's  farm,  during  which 
time  he  assisted  with  the  farm  work  and 
attended  the  local  public  schools.  At  the 
age  of  seventeen  he  became  a  teacher  in  one 
of  the  nearby  schools,  remaining  in  this 
position  for  three  years.  He  then  entered 
Grove  City  Academy  where  he  prepared  for 
Gettysburg  College,  from  which  latter  insti- 
tution he  was  graduated  with  the  class  of 
1902,  receiving  his  degree  of  Bachelor  of 
Arts.  Renewing  his  career  as  an  educator, 
he  accepted  the  appointment  as  vice-princi- 
pal of  the  high  school  at  Hazleton,  where  he 
was  a  popular  figure  for  several  years.  Re- 
moving to  Philadelphia  in  1907,  he  taught 
in  private  schools  in  that,  city,  and  in  the 
meantime  took  a  post-graduate  course  at  the 
University  of  Pennsylvania,  from  which  he 
received  the  degree  of  Master  of  Arts  in 
1909.  Two  years  later  he  became  a  member 
of  the  faculty  in  the  school  of  which  he  is 
now  Dean,  and  his  executive  ability  being 
recognized  and  appreciated,  he  was  chosen 
to  fill  his  present  responsible  and  important 
position. 

Dean  Fleck  has  always  received  the  esteem 
and  respect  of  his  entire  student  body  and  the 


543 


earnest  cooperation  of  all  the  faculty.  In 
politics,  he  is  an  Independent,  preferring 
to  judge  the  merits  of  each  particular  can- 
didate rather  than  align  himself  with  any 
definite  political  party.  In  civic  affairs  he 
takes  an  active  part  and  is  ever  deeply 
concerned  with  the  welfare  and  advancement 
of  his  fellow-citizens.  Fraternally,  he  is 
identified  "with  Hazle  Lodge,  No.  327,  Free 
and  Accepted  Masons,  of  Hazleton;  he  is  a 
member  of  the  Royal  Arch  Masons  and  of 
Pi  Gamma  Mu  honorary  scholastic  fraternity. 
He  is  a  leading  member  of  the  Kiwanis 
Club  of  Wilkes-Barre  and  in  his  religious 
affiliations  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  of  Kingston,  serving  on  the 
ofRcial  church  board,  and  for  several  years 
has  also  been  teacher  of  the  Men's  Bible 
Class.  For  three  years  he  served  as  a  mem- 
ber of  Sheridan  Troop,  Pennsylvania  Cav- 
alry of  the  National  Guard. 

Wilbur  Henry  Fleck  married,  on  June  14, 
1905,  Evelyn  Heine,  of  Montoursville,  daugh- 
ter  of   J.    R.    and   Vinetta    (Hartranft)    Heine. 


ALBERT  MEREDITH  THOMAS,  M.  D. — 

Service  to  people  in  a  large  area  of  the 
anthracite  coal-mining  region  continues  to 
be  rendered  in  an  efficient  manner  and  with 
the  touch  of  sympathy  by  Dr.  Albert  M. 
Thomas,  a  skilful  practitioner  of  the  younger 
group  of  physicians  and  surgeons,  who  is 
well  known  throughout  Luzerne  County.  To 
his  practice  in  Wanamie  he  gives  close  atten- 
tion, while  also  serving  in  a  professional 
capacity  in  hospital,  at  coal  collieries  and 
in  the  public  schools.  An  overseas  medical 
officer  of  both  American  and  British  forces, 
he  achieved  a  praiseworthy  record  for  duty 
in  action  near  the  front  lines,  and  returned 
with  a  commission  as  captain.  He  enjoys 
good  standing  with  the  organized  bodies  of 
his  profession. 

Born  in  Newport  Township,  Luzerne 
County,  January  21,  1893,  Dr.  Albert  Meredith 
Thomas  is  the  son  of  John  J.  and  Hannah 
(Meredith)  Thomas,  his  father  a  native  of 
South  Wales,  later  a  mine  foreman  at  the 
Susquehanna  Collieries,  Wanamie,  died  in 
November,  1925;  his  mother,  born  in  South 
Whales  also,  survived  her  husband  at  his 
death.  The  son,  Albert  Meredith,  received  his 
early  education  in  the  public  schools  of  New- 
port Township,  and  was  graduated  from  the 
high  school  there  in  1911.  For  some  time 
he  had  been  conscious  of  a  compelling  desire 
to  be  a  physician  and  surgeon,  since  he  saw 
in  that  profession  aims  and  purposes  that 
fitted  in  with  his  ideas  of  service  to  the 
greatest  number  possible.  He  entered  Jeffer- 
son Medical  College,  from  which  he  was 
graduated  in  the  class  of  1915  with  the  degree 
of  Doctor  of  Medicine.  His  interneship  ot 
sixteen  months  was  served  in  the  Wilkes- 
Barre    General   Hospital. 

Dr.  Thomas  began  practice  in  his  own 
name  at  Glen  Lyon  and  later  at  Wanamie, 
where  he  has  ever  since  ministered  to  an 
increasing  number  of  patients  with  the 
exception  of  his  period  of  enlistment  in  the 
World  War.  The  British  armies  and  the 
American  Expeditionary  Forces  were  for- 
tunate in  being  enabled  to  command  Dr. 
Thomas'  services  during  the  World  War. 
With  the  commission  of  captain  he  per- 
formed heroic  and  efficient  work  on  several 
fronts  with  the  troops  in  heavy  action.  All 
told,  he  was  overseas  for  twenty-two  months, 
and  received  his  honorable  discharge,  June 
16,  1919.  Resuming  his  general  practice 
where  the  war  interrupted  it,  he  has  risen 
to  a  place  of  high  esteem  and  in  the  pro- 
fessional  regard   of   his   contemporaries.     He 


holds  the  post  of  surgeon  to  the  Lehigh  & 
Wilkes-Barre  coal  collieries  Nos.  IS  and  19. 
As  medical  inspector  of  the  schools  of 
Wanamie  he  renders  a  fine  service  in  the 
cause  of  education,  and  he  is  also  a  mem- 
ber of  the  staff  of  Nanticoke  Hospital.  He 
served  as  deputy  coroner  of  Luzerne  County 
for  eight  years.  His  affiliation  with  profes- 
sional organizations  includes  the  American 
Medical  Association,  the  Luzerne  County 
Medical  Society  and  the  Pennsylvania  State 
Medical    Society. 

He  is  a  director  of  the  Glen  Lyon  National 
Bank.  In  politics  he  votes  with  the  Re- 
publicans, and  is  accounted  a  strong  member 
of  his  party  organization.  His  fraternal 
alliances  are  with  Cauldwell  Consistory 
Scottish  Rite  Freemasonry,  of  Bloomsburg; 
Nanticoke  Lodge,  No.  541,  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons;  Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order 
Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine;  Glen  Lyon  Lodge, 
Knights  of  Pythias;  and  the  Junior  Order 
United  American  Mechanics.  His  religious 
fellowship  is  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church. 

Dr.  Albert  M.  Thomas  married,  June,  1924, 
Eunice  Evelyn  Hilgert,  of  Scranton,  daughter 
of  Charles  and  Electa  Hilgert,  a  well-known 
and   highly   esteemed   family   of   that   city. 


SPENCER    E.    ARNOLD — One    of    the    most 

prominent  and  alert  business  men  of  Wilkes- 
Barre,  Mr.  Arnold  may  be  said  to  be  a  con- 
structive force  in  the  interests  of  the  gro'wth 
and  prosperity  of  the  city.  His  real  estate 
operations  have  added  greatly  to  the  beauty 
of  the  environs  of  the  city  and  have  been 
carried  out  with  unusual  breadth  of  vision 
and  judgment.  Mr.  Arnold  was  born  in 
Wilkes-Barre  on  November  3,  1SS9,  a  son 
of  Clayton  T.  and  Caroline  (Hand)  Arnold. 
The  family  on  both  sides  dates  back  to 
early  pioneer  days  of  Wyoming  Valley. 
Caroline  (Hand)  Arnold  was  born  in  Lan- 
caster, in  England,  in  1S"0  and  was  brought 
over  here  as  a  child.  Her  father,  Alfred 
Hand,  had  a  large  share  in  developing  the 
county  and  was  city  engineer  for  many 
years  and  the  name  of  Alfred  Hand  is  still 
spoken  of  in  civic  memorials.  Clayton  T. 
Arnold  was  born  in  White  Haven,  Luzerne 
County,  in  1863  and  died  in  1923.  He  was  a 
carpenter  and  diamond  driller  by  trade  and 
was  also  of  the  old  settler  stock  that  founded 
and  developed  the  county.  Mary  Arnold, 
mother  of  Clayton  T.  Arnold,  was  postmis- 
tress at  Forty  Fort,  Pennsylvania,  at  one 
time. 

Spencer  E.  Arnold  was  educated  in  the 
public  schools  of  the  city  and  supplemented 
this  education  with  courses  at  the  Wilkes- 
Barre  Business  College,  entering  the  office  of 
the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  on  completion  of 
his  studies.  He  held  a  clerical  position  with 
that  company  for  three  years  and  a  steno- 
graphic position  with  the  Lehigh  Valley  Coal 
Company  in  the  real  estate  department,  for 
four  years;  following  this  with  a  connection 
in  the  sales  department  with  the  Hazard 
Manufacturing  Company  and  later  was  asso- 
ciated with  the  real  estate  firm  of  Freed- 
man  and  Dattner.  as  salesman.  Always 
gathering  valuable  sales  experience,  and 
knowledge  of  the  real  estate  potentialities 
of  the  city  and  its  surroundings  has  been 
the  basis  ot  his  present  widely  disseminated 
operations.  Mr.  Arnold  when  he  first  went 
into  business  for  himself,  entered  into  part- 
nership with  Leslie  A.  Steele,  and  as  Arnold 
and  Steele  were  active  realtors  for  two 
years,  when  Mr.  Arnold  sold  his  interest 
in  the  company  and  formed  the  organization 
of  Spencer  E.  Arnold,  Incorporated,   with  Mr. 


"2^^  (/ J>  Y^^^ci'Uj^^^ 


543 


Arnold  as  president.  This  company,  formed 
in  1925,  deals  almost  exclusively  with  the 
development  of  sub-divisions  and  is  respon- 
sible for  some  of  the  lovely  suburbs  that 
are  being  formed  around  the  outskirts,  and 
the  officers  are  experienced  realtors  whose 
integrity  and  sound  judgment  has  gained 
for  them  in  a  distinct  measure,  the  public's 
confidence,  without  which  no  exploitation  can 
survive.  With  the  highest  civic  ideals  and 
with  a  personal  reputation  of  honorable 
dealing  throughout  his  business  career,  Mr. 
Arnold's  company  promises  to  become  even- 
tually one  of  the  sound  financial  props  of 
the  economic  structure  of  the  city.  Mr. 
Arnold  outside  of  his  own  wide  business 
interests,  is  one  of  the  directors  and  one  of 
the  organizers  of  the  Anthracite  Mutual 
Building  and  Loan  Association;  one  of  the 
founders  of  the  Holy  Trinity  Lutheran 
Church  at  Kingston,  and  a  member  of  the 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  the  Shekinah 
Chapter  of  the  Royal  Arch  Masons;  and  of 
the  Dieu  le  Veut  Commandery,  Knights 
Templar.  For  some  time  he  belonged  to  the 
drum  corps  and  was  president  of  the  group. 
In  1912,  Spencer  E.  Arnold  married  Florence 
Walters,  a  daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Albert 
Walters,  of  Wilkes-Barre.  They  have  had 
two  children,  Luther  D„  born  in  June,  1915, 
and  Spencer  W.  who  was  born  in  June,   1917. 


BD'WARD  STANLEY  SHEPHERD — A  de- 
scendant of  Matthew  Shepherd  who  came  to 
this  country  from  England,  before  the 
American  Revolution,  Edward  Stanley  Shep- 
herd of  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania,  stands 
today  as  a  notable  representative  of  that 
family  whose  history  is  so  interwoven  with 
the  history  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania. 
When  Matthew  Shepherd  first  came  to  this 
country,  he  settled  in  Philadelphia  and  estab- 
lished himself  in  trade  there.  His  descend- 
ants were  noted  for  good  fighting  in  the  cause 
of  liberty  and  for  good  trading  in  the  com- 
mercial side  of  the  building  of  the  country. 
The  records  of  individuals  of  this  family  are 
worthy  of  note  for  in  all  things  they  have 
proved  themselves  thorough,  painstaking, 
persevering  and  successful  men.  Matthew 
Shepherd  was  a  linen  weaver  and  in  1773, 
on  March  13,  he  married  Jane  Johnson.  They 
had  eight  children,  from  whom  come  the 
various   branches   of  the   family. 

Matthew  Shepherd,  the  third  child  of  Mat- 
thew and  Jane  (Johnson)  Shepherd,  married 
Anna  Teager,  a  member  of  one  of  the  oldest 
and  most  highly  respected  German  families 
in  the  State  of  Pennsylvania.  They  had  four 
children,  the  youngest,  William  Henry  Shep- 
herd, of  whom  further,  was  the  father  of 
Edward   Stanley   Shepherd. 

William  Henry  Shepherd  founded  the  Shep- 
herd Construction  Company  which,  since  1870, 
has  been  well  known  throughout  all  North- 
eastern Pennsylvania.  He  was  noted  as  a 
remarkably  versatile  man  who  disproved  the 
old  saying  that  a  Jack  of  all  trades  is  good  at 
none,  for  he  was  successful  at  his  many 
trades.  He  was  a  school  teacher,  an  account- 
ant and  a  mechanic.  Among  his  accomplish- 
ments was  the  knowledge  of  gas-fitting  and  it 
is  said  that  he  was  probably  the  first  one 
versed  in  this  craft  in  Wilkes-Barre,  where 
he  came  to  live  in  1S55.  His  contracting 
business  was  first  established  under  the  name 
of  Shepherd  and  Dalley,  but  after  a  year, 
he  became  sole  owner  and  later  took  into 
partnership  his  two  sons,  William  C.  and 
Harry  C.  Shepherd,  and  the  business  was 
known  as  W.  H.  Shepherd  and  Sons.  He  was 
a  Republican  in  politics  and  a  Past  Master 
of   the   Landmark   Lodge,   No.    442,    Free   and 


Accepted  Masons;  a  thirty-second  degree 
member  of  the  Caldwell  Consistory  of  Blooms- 
burg,  Pennsylvania;  and  of  the  Irem  Temple, 
Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic 
Shrine;  and  a  member  of  the  Wilkes-Barro 
Board  of  Trade.  During  the  Civil  War,  Mr. 
Shepherd  was  active  in  military  service  in 
Company  E,  1st  Regiment,  Gray  Reserves, 
of  Philadelphia.  His  example  of  citizenship, 
loyalty,  and  business  acumen  have  ever  been 
an  Inspiration  to  his  sons  who  are  diligent 
in  carrying  on  the  business  their  father 
founded.  In  January,  1859,  William  Henry 
Shepherd  married  Lydia  A.  Ziegler,  daughter 
of  Amos  Ziegler,  of  Zieglerville,  Pennsyl- 
ania.      They   had    seven    children. 

Edward  Stanley  Shepherd,  fifth  child  of 
William  Henry  and  Lydia  A.  (Ziegler)  Shep- 
herd, was  born  in  Wilkes-Barre,  June  19, 
1871.  Both  parents  are  now  deceased.  His 
early  education  was  in  the  Franklin  Gram- 
mar School  of  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania, 
until  the  age  ot  fifteen  years,  when  he 
entered  the  Harry  Hillman  Academy  and 
graduated  from  there  in  1S89.  After  finish- 
ing his  school  education,  he  learned  the  trade 
of  a  carpenter  in  his  father's  establishment 
and  followed  this  line  of  work  for  three  and 
one  half  years.  At  the  end  of  this  time,  he 
was  taken  into  the  oflice  in  a  confidential 
capacity  and  has  continued  in  the  executive 
end  of  the  business  ever  since.  For  thirty- 
five  years  he  has  been  paymaster  and  sec- 
retary of  the  business  and  has  cooperated 
with  his  brothers  in  keeping  it  up  to  the 
standard  which  his  father  set  in  all  work 
done  by  his  company.  He  is  an  earnest  and 
zealous  Republican  and  votes  a  straight  ticket 
in  favor  of  all  nominees  ot  his  party.  For 
many  years  he  was  very  active  in  the  organ- 
ization of  Patriotic  Order  Sons  of  America. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
and  is  one  of  the  most  highly  respected  and 
esteemed    citizens    of    Wilkes-Barre. 

In  Montrose,  Pennsylvania,  Edward  Stanley 
Shepherd  married  Helen  Newton  Aitken, 
daughter  of  James  and  Fanny  (Stark)  Aitken, 
the  marriage  occurring  on  May  19,  1897. 
Mrs.  Shepherd's  father,  James  Aitken,  de- 
scended from  one  of  the  earliest  Scotch  fam- 
ilies to  settle  in  Susquehanna  County.  They 
had  four  children,  two  of  whom  are  living: 
1.  Ruth  Aitken.  wife  of  James  Malcolm 
Hutchison,  of  Wilkes-Barre.  2.  Stanley  Ait- 
ken, educated  in  the  public  and  high  schools 
of  Wilkes-Barre.  followed  by  a  commercial 
course  in  the  Wyoming  Seminary  at  King- 
ston, Pennsylvania,  and  later  he  had  one 
year  at  Syracuse  University  of  New  Tork 
State.  He  served  in  the  United  States  Army 
during  the  World  War  and  now  holds  a 
responsible  position  with  the  Wilkes-Barre 
Deposits  and  Savings  Bank  of  Wilkes-Barre, 
Pennsylvania.  He  married  Myrtle  Keiser, 
daughter  of  R.  M.  Keiser  of  Wilkes-Barre, 
and  they  have  two  children,  Louise  and 
Roberta. 


JOHN  BENNETT  VAUGHN — A  prominent 
member  of  a  distinguished  family,  his  ances- 
tors having  come  to  Kingston,  Pennsylvania, 
from  New  England  in  1828,  John  Bennett 
Vaughn  is  also  one  of  the  leading  citizens 
of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  holding  a 
heritage  of  New  England  high  Christian 
ideals.  His  father,  Stephen  Buckingham 
Vaughn,  was  a  descendant  of  distinguished 
Connecticut  and  Rhode  Island  ancestors, 
notable  in  Revolutionary,  civic,  church  and 
educational  affairs.  The  first  of  the  family, 
Jonathan  Vaughan,  came  from  England  in 
1638  and  was  granted  land  and  built  his  home 
at  Newport,  Rhode  Island. 


Stephen  Buckingham  Vaughn  was  the  only 
child  of  Stephen  and  Fanny  (Buckingham) 
Vaughn,  born  in  Kingston,  Pennsylvania, 
September  15,  1S33.  He  died  in  Kingston, 
June  26,  1905.  He  married.  December  5.  1866. 
Marion  Wallace  Preston,  daughter  of  Colonel 
Joseph  Tyson  Preston  and  Sarah  Ann  (Espy) 
Preston,  of  Philadelphia  and  Kingston. 
Stephen  Buckingham  Vaughn  lost  his  mother 
when  he  was  four  months  old  and  was  reared 
by  his  aunt,  Matilda  (Buckingham)  Bennett, 
wife  of  John  Bennett.  He  received  his  educa- 
tion at  Presbyterian  Institute,  Luzerne  Acad- 
emy at  Troy  also  at  Wyoming  Seminary.  For 
more  than  thirty  years  he  was  a  director  of 
the  Central  Poor  District  of  Luzerne  County, 
receiving  no  compensation  for  the  work  dur- 
ing all  the  years  in  which  he  administered  it. 
For  more  than  twenty  years  he  was  a  direc- 
tor of  the  Forty  Fort  Cemetery  Association. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  Dorranceton  Council 
from  its  organization.  He  was  a  director  of 
the  Wilkes-Barre  and  Kingston  Bridge  Com- 
pany, and  director  and  vice-president  of  the 
Wilkes-Barre  and  West  Side  Railway  Com- 
pany until  it  was  merged  with  the  Traction 
Company.  He  was  a  member  of  Kingston 
Lodge  of  Masons;  was  Past  Eminent  Com- 
mander, Dieu  le  Veut  Comniandery,  of 
Knights  Templar,  and  had  attained  a  Masonic 
thirty-second  degree.  He  was  for  years  one 
of  the  managers  of  the  Luzerne  County 
Humane  Association  and  belonged  to  the 
Malt  and  Westmoreland  clubs.  He  was  a  man 
of  great  heart,  an  unfailing  friend  of  rich  or 
poor,  with  an  ever  open  hand  for  the  needy  or 
suffering,  a  Christian  gentleman  of  unfalter- 
ing rectitude,  and  courtesy  of  demeanor. 
John  Bennett,  the  uncle  of  Stephen  Bucking- 
ham Vaughn,  for  whom  John  Bennett  Vaughn 
is  named,  was  born  April  25.  1790,  a  son  of 
Andrew,  and  grandson  of  Thomas  Bennett, 
who  came  with  his  family  to  Kingston  in 
1769,  as  one  of  the  forty  settlers  who  founded 
and  built  Forty  Fort.  Thomas  Bennett  with 
his  son,  Andrew,  and  Lebbus  Hammond,  was 
captured  by  the  Indians  after  the  battle  July 
3,  1778,  and  was  carried  away.  The  three 
arose  one  night,  killed  their  captors  and 
took  away  with  them  arms  of  the  savages. 
John  Bennett  was  of  splendid  physique,  tall 
and  commanding  presence,  with  great  vitality 
and  endurance.  He  owned  an  extensive  farm 
and  was  a  practical  surveyor,  a  fine  mathe- 
matician and  a  member  of  the  Masons.  He 
was  a  canal  commissioner  of  Pennsylvania 
and  built  the  North  Branch  Canal  from  Sun- 
bury  to  Wilkes-Barre.  His  death  occurred 
February   10,    1863. 

John  Bennett  Vaughn  born  in  Kingston, 
Pennsylvania,  March  7,  1873,  is  the  son  of 
Stephen  Buckingham  and  Marion  Wallace 
(Preston)  Vaughn.  He  received  his  education 
at  Miss  Widnall's  School  in  Kingston,  Wilkes- 
Barre  Academy  in  Wilkes-Barre,  the  Pennsyl- 
vania Military  College,  in  Chester,  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  Princeton  University,  Princeton, 
New  Jersey,  class  of  1895.  Since  college  he 
has  been  engaged  in  various  enterprises  here. 
In  1901  he  opened  the  first  New  York  Stock 
Exchange  brokerage  office  in  Wilkes-Barre, 
disposing  of  same  in  1906  and  has  since  been 
active  in  the  conduct  of  Vaughn  Lumber 
Company,  with  headquarters  at  No.  700  Wyo- 
ming Avenue,  Kingston,  also  conducting  a 
hardware  business  at  the  same  place  and 
under  the  same  name.  He  is  a  director,  and 
secretary  of  the  board  of  the  Second  National 
Bank  of  Wilkes-Barre,  a  director  of  the  Vul- 
can   Iron    Works,    manufacturers    of    locomo- 


tives and  mine  machinery,  a  director  of  the 
United  Charities  and  Luzerne  County  Humane 
Association,  a  trustee  and  secretary  and 
treasurer  of  the  Forty  Fort  Cemetery  Asso- 
ciation, a  director  of  the  Wilkes-Barre 
Branch  of  the  Pennsylvania  Association  for 
the  Blind,  a  trustee  and  a  vice-president  of 
the  Nesbitt  Memorial  Hospital.  He  is  a  dea- 
con and  a  member  of  the  First  Presbyterian 
Church  of  Wilkes-Barre.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Westmoreland  Club  and  the  North  Moun- 
tain Club  of  Wilkes-Barre,  and  the  Princeton 
Club,  of  New  York.  His  real  estate  and  in- 
surance business  in  which  he  is  now  engaged 
is  one  of  the  most  important  in  the  city.  His 
home  is  in  the  old  Vaughn  homestead  at  No. 
834   Wyoming  Avenue,   Kingston. 


■W.  H.  SPANGLER — While  he  has  been  a 
resident  of  Wilkes-Barre  for  only  a  few 
years,  W.  H.  Spangler,  treasurer  of  the 
Wyoming  Valley  Trust  Company,  is  a  native 
Pennsylvanian  and  comes  of  an  old  Amer- 
ican family.  Probably  few  men  in  the  State 
have  the  wide  personal  acquaintance  among 
bankers  that  he  enjoys;  and  his  experience 
as  Federal  and  State  examiner  has  given 
him  a  broad  insight  into  banking  theory, 
methods  and  practice  that  few  men  can  hope 
to  attain.  Sucli  knowledge  is  of  great  value 
to  any  community,  and  Mr.  Spangler's  com- 
ing to  Wilkes-Barre  was  hailed  as  a  most 
important  acquisition  to  its  group  of  able 
financiers. 

W.  H.  Spangler  was  born  on  a  farm  on 
the  Gettysburg  battlefield,  near  the  town  of 
that  name,  June  17,  1892.  son  of  John  C. 
and  Sarah  Alice  (Slaybough)  Spangler.  Any- 
one who  looks  up  the  early  lives  of  those 
men  who  are  entitled  to  representation  in 
"Who's  Who"  is  struck  at  once  with  the 
large  proportion  of  them  who  began  their 
lives  on  farms.  At  a  very  early  age  the 
farmer's  boy  is  taught  to  depend  upon  his 
own  initiative;  by  precept  and  example  he 
is  taught  the  lessons  of  industry;  his  mind 
is  not  distracted  by  the  many  frivolities  that 
clamor  for  the  city  lad's  attention,  and  he 
learns  to  think,  to  meditate  and  consider — • 
all  a  valuable  preparation  for  those  condi- 
tions of  mature  life  to  which  the  term 
"battle"  is  not  misapplied.  Mr.  Spangler  was 
the  second  in  a  family  of  three  children,  his 
sisters  being  Wilda  M.,  wife  of  J.  H.  Bow- 
man, Jr.,  a  contractor  of  Harrisburg,  and  B. 
Belle,  who  is  unmarried  and  resides  on  the 
homestead  with   her  parents. 

Young  Spangler  grew  up  on  the  home  farm, 
doing,  when  not  attending  school,  his  share 
of  the  work  according  to  his  years  and 
strength.  After  completing  the  courses  in 
the  public  schools  of  Adams  County  he  got 
his  elementary  business  training  in  a  com- 
mercial college.  Thus  prepared  he  secured  a 
position  with  the  Pembroke  National  Bank, 
at  Pembroke.  That  was  on  October  31,  1910. 
He  remained  there  until  January  5,  1914,  and 
during  those  years  filled  the  positions  of 
clerk  and  bookkeeper.  On  the  date  last 
mentioned  he  accepted  a  position  as  teller 
with  the  Merchant's  National  Bank  in  Har- 
risburg and  continued  in  that  capacity  until 
March  1,  1917,  when  he  received  an  appoint- 
ment as  an  assistant  National  bank  exam- 
iner for  the  Third  Federal  Reserve  District 
with  headquarters  at  Philadelphia.  It  was  not 
long  after  that  that  the  United  States  entered 
the  world  War,  and  on  September  20,  1917, 
Mr.  Spangler  joined  the  316th  Infantry  of  the 
79th  Division  and  was  located  at  Camp  Mead 
until  July  7  of  the  following  year.  He  was 
then  sent  overseas  and  served  on  the  front  at 


545 


the  Meuse-Argonne  offensive  and  in  the  St. 
Mihiel  sector.  On  November  1  Mr.  Spangler 
was  sent  to  the  hospital,  where  he  remained 
until  December  18,  1918,  when  he  sailed  for 
home  and  was  mustered  out  at  Camp  Dix 
on  January  30,  1919.  He  then  returned  to 
Philadelphia  to  take  up  again  the  duties  of 
his  old  position  as  assistant  National  bank 
examiner.  His  excellent  work  and  courteous 
methods  in  this  position  earned  for  him  a 
wide  and  favorable  reputation,  and  brought 
from  his  old  employer,  the  Merchant's  Na- 
tional Bank  in  Harrisburg,  an  invitation  to 
become  its  cashier.  The  offer  was  accepted 
and  Mr.  Spangler  assumed  his  duties  on 
November  15,  1919.  He  remained  in  that  posi- 
tion just  over  four  years,  resigning  on 
December  1,  1923  to  become  State  examiner 
for  the  Pennsylvania  Banking  Department. 
Later  he  was  advanced  to  the  position  of 
chief  examiner  for  the  then  new  Wilkes- 
Barre  District.  Mr.  Spangler  continued  in 
that  ofhce  until  July  1,  1927  when  he  became 
treasurer  of  the  Wyoming  Valley  Trust  Com- 
pany  in   Wilkes-Barre. 

Mr.  Spangler  is  a  Scottish  Rite  Mason  of 
the  thirty-second  degree,  holding  member- 
ship in  Robert  Burns  Lodge,  No.  464,  Free 
and  Accepted  Masons  of  Harrisburg  and  Har- 
risburg Consistory.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Lions'  Club  of  Wilkes-Barre.  He  is  identified 
with  the  Republican  party. 

On  November  15,  1919,  Mr.  Spangler  mar- 
ried Helen  Donecker,  daughter  of  W.  K. 
Donecker  of  Downingtown.  This  union  has 
been  blessed  with  a  daughter,  Beatrice  Helen. 


J.  B.  TAMBIiYIV — For  twenty-seven  years 
J.  B.  Tamblyn  has  been  identified  with  the 
Lehigh  and  Wilkes-Barre  Coal  Company,  of 
Wilkes-Barre,  and  during  that  time  he  has 
held  numerous  responsible  positions.  Since 
January,  1928,  he  has  been  assistant  general 
manager  of  the  concern,  and  in  that  place  of 
trust  he  is  proving  that  he  is  well  able  to 
meet  the  demands  of  his  special  province. 
Mr.  Tamblyn  is  well  known  in  the  Masonic 
Order  and  is  a  member  of  the  American  In.sti- 
tute   of  Mining  and  Metallurgical   Engineers. 

Thomas  Tamblyn,  father  of  Mr.  Tamblyn, 
was  for  many  years  a  postman  in  Wilkes- 
Barre.  He  and  his  wife,  Jane,  now  deceased, 
were  the  parents  of  two  sons:  1.  J.  B.,  of 
further  mention;  and  Ronald  W.,  who  is  in 
the  employ  of  the  Lehigh  and  Wilkes-Barre 
Coal   Company,   of   Wilkes-Barre. 

J.  B.  Tamblyn  was  born  in  Wilkes-Barre, 
Pennsylvania,  July  26,  18S2.  He  attended  the 
public  schools  of  Wilkes-Barre,  graduating 
from  the  high  school  with  the  class  of  1S9S, 
and  then  secured  a  position  as  bookkeeper 
in  the  employ  of  Gannon  and  Millett,  of 
Wilkes-Barre.  Meantime,  he  was  studying 
engineering  under  the  direction  of  Interna- 
tional Correspondence  Night  Schools,  at 
Wilkes-Barre,  and  in  1901  he  began  his  long 
connection  with  the  Lehigh  and  Wilkes-Barre 
Coal  Company,  with  whom  he  has  remained 
continuously.  His  first  position  was  as  sur- 
veyor. Later,  he  was  made  division  engineer, 
then  superintendent  of  the  colliery,  and 
finally,  in  January,  1928,  he  was  appointed 
assistant  general  manager  of  the  plant.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  American  Institute  of 
Mining  and  Metallurgical  Engineers,  and  Is 
known  as  a  man  of  more  than  average  ability 
in  his  field.  His  long  connection  of  more  than 
twenty-seven  years  of  continuous  service 
with  this  company  has  made  him  skilled  in 
many  departments  of  its  work,  and  his  loy- 
alty   to    the    company    and    its    interests    has 


been  much  appreciated.  Fraternally,  he  is 
identified  with  Lodge  No.  61,  Free  and  Ac- 
cepted Masons,  of  Wilkes-Barre;  Shekinah 
Chapter,  No.  1S2,  Royal  Arch  Masons;  Dleu 
le  Veut  Commandery,  No.  45,  Knights  Temp- 
lar; Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order 
Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine;  and  with  Irem 
Country  Club.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the 
Craftsmen's  Club.  A  good  citizen  and  a  loyal 
friend,  Mr.  Tamblyn  has  won  the  respect  and 
esteem  of  all  with  whom  he  has  been  associ- 
ated, and  he  is  one  of  the  many  successful 
men  of  this  city  who  have  begun  at  the  low- 
est round  of  the  ladder  of  success  and  made 
his  own  way  in  life. 

J.  B.  Tamblyn  was  married,  November  4, 
1903,  to  Blanche  Palmer,  who  died  January 
16,  1925.  Mrs.  Tamblyn  was  a  woman  of 
devout  Christian  character,  much  loved  by 
her  many  friends,  and  greatly  devoted  to  her 
family.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Tamblyn  became  the 
parents  of  three  children:  Ralph,  Leonard, 
and  Jack.  Mr.  Tamblyn  lives  with  his  family 
at  No.  179  South  Grant  Street,  in  Wilkes- 
Barre.  His  place  of  business  is  at  No.  16 
South   River   Street. 


AVILLIAM  JOSEPH  PECK— One  of  the  most 
influential  men  of  the  Wyoming  Valley  is 
William  Joseph  Peck,  publisher,  owner  and 
editor  of  the  Pittston  "Daily  Gazette."  As 
controller  of  this  worthy  publication  he  is 
in  a  position  to  accomplish  great  good  to  the 
community:  he  owns  to  broad  influence,  and 
exercises  it  judicially,  honestly,  and  effec- 
tively, for  the  general  welfare.  To  write  of 
his  record  is  inspiring,  and  to  reflect  upon  it 
is  to  realize  an  admiration  for  the  man  whom 
it  concerns. 

William  Joseph  Peck  was  born  in  Scranton, 
Pennsylvania,  January  24,  1874,  eldest  son  of 
William  H.  and  Arminda  (Kyte)  Peck.  He 
attended  the  public  schools  of  his  native  city, 
prepared  for  college  in  the  School  of  the 
Lackawanna,  and  matriculated  in  Syracuse 
University,  whence  he  was  graduated  in  1896, 
at  the  age  of  twenty-two  years,  with  the 
classical  degree,  Bachelor  of  Arts.  While  a 
student  in  the  university  he  acquired  his  first 
experience  in  journalistic  work,  as  business 
manager  of  the  college  newspaper,  although 
preparing  for  banking  as  his  life's  occupa- 
tion and  working  in  a  bank  during  his  va- 
cation. From  the  time  of  his  graduation 
until  1898,  however,  his  experience  was  of 
another  sort;  as  junior  member  of  the  firm 
of  Millar  &  Peck,  in  the  conduct  of  China 
Hall,  selling  china,  glass  and  crockery  at 
wholesale  and  retail,  in  Scranton.  In  this 
connection  he  learned  much  of  business 
methods  that  has  since  been  of  practical  use. 
and,  incidentally,  became  expert  in  the  mer- 
chandising and  packing  of  chinaware.  It  was 
in  August,  1S9S,  that  Mr.  Peck  came  to  Pitts- 
ton,  and  here  joined  the  staff  of  the  "Gazette," 
his  father-in-law,  the  Hon.  Theodorus  Hart, 
having  at  that  time  been  the  paper's  pub- 
lisher and  owner.  In  December  of  the  same 
year  he  was  appointed  deputy  postmaster  of 
Pittston,  under  Mr.  Hart,  and  upon  Mr.  Hart's 
death  became  acting  postmaster,  in  April, 
1901.  That  same  year  he  was  commissioned 
postmaster  in  his  own  right,  by  President 
McKinley;  in  1902  was  appointed  for  a  full 
term,  by  President  Roosevelt,  and  in  1906  was 
re-appointed  by  Mr.  Roosevelt.  Also,  follow- 
ing the  death  of  Mr.  Hart,  Mr.  Peck  became 
owner  of  the  "Gazette,"  Jlay  7,  1901.  Here 
his  natural  taste  for  machinery  came  of  real 
use,    for    it    was    necessary    immediately    to 


546 


overhaul  the  printing  plant,  and  to  equip  it 
with  needed  modern  appliances.  Ne'w  ma- 
chines were  installed,  including  linotypes 
and  perfecting  press.  In  1909  he  built"  the 
Gazette  Building  on  Broad  Street.  This  build- 
ing, for  the  exclusive  use  of  the  newspaper, 
is  thoroughly  modern  and  up-to-date  in  every 
respect.  Prom  the  four-page  paper  of  1901 
the  "Gazette"  increased  in  size  and  circula- 
tion, and  the  number  of  pages  now  (1930) 
varies  between  eiglit  and  sixteen  daily.  In 
publishing  what  is  acknowledged  to  be  one 
of  tlie  best  newspapers  in  Northeastern  Penn- 
sylvania, Mr.  Peck  takes  a  justified  pride.  Its 
typographical  improvement  is  his  constant 
study  and  determination,  and  a  clean,  whole- 
some newspaper  upliolding  the  best  in 
American  citizenship.  The  "Gazette's"  edi- 
torial policy  has  been  Republican  since  the 
founding  of  the  party,  and  Mr.  Peck,  being  a 
staunch  Republican  and  loyal  to  the  party's 
principles  of  government,  gives  through  its 
columns  a  hearty  support  and  guiding  hand, 
quick  to  condemn  wrongdoing  within  the 
ranks  of  Republicans  as  within  tliose  of 
Democrats.  A  large  and  completely  outfitted 
commercial  printing  plant  is  conducted  in 
conjunction  with  the  paper. 

Having  inherited  a  strong  love  of  nature, 
Mr.  Peck  at  an  early  age  displayed  a  great 
fondness  for  flowers,  and  when  but  a  boy 
grew  pansy  plants  for  the  market.  His  liking 
for  floriculture  has  been  manifest  in  recent 
years,  at  one  time  in  the  fine  collection  of 
pond  lilies  of  varied  sort  and  hue  grown  in 
a  cement  pool  at  his  home  at  West  Pittston. 
He  is  an  enthusiastic  amateur  color  photog- 
rapher and  a  member  of  the  Garden  Club  of 
Wyoming  Valley.  He  is  an  oflScial  member 
of  the  First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of 
West  Pittston.  In  his  fraternal  affiliations 
Mr.  Peck  is  a  member  of  St.  John's  Lodge,  No. 
233,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  of  Pittston; 
Keystone  Consistory  of  Scranton,  having  at- 
tained the  thirty-second  degree;  a  member 
of  Irem  Temple,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  Ancient 
Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine. 
He  is  affiliated  with  Washington  Camp.  No. 
577,  Patriotic  Order  Sons  of  America,  of 
Pittston.  He  is  a  life  member  of  the  college 
fraternity  Delta  Upsilon,  and  a  member  of 
the  New  Tork  Delta  Upsilon  Club,  a  member 
of  the  Wyoming  Valley  Historical  Society,  a 
member  and  past  president  of  the  New  Eng- 
land Society  of  Northeastern  Pennsylvania, 
the  National  Editorial  Association,  the  Penn- 
sylvania Newspaper  Publishers'  Association, 
the  American  Newspaper  Publishers'  Associa- 
tion, and  one  of  the  incorporators  and  a 
president  of  the  Fox  Hill  Country  Club.  Mr. 
Peck  served  as  a  delegate  to  the  1904  con- 
vention of  the  National  Editorial  Association, 
held  in  St.  Louis,  Missouri.  He  organized  the 
Pittston  Chapter  of  the  American  Red  Cross, 
was  its  first  president,  and  served  for  six 
years  in  this  capacity.  During  his  term  of 
office  the  membership  reached  ten  thousand. 
Mr.  Peck  takes  a  helpful  and  constructive 
interest  in  civic  affairs;  has  headed  various 
civic  campaigns  and  is  always  ready  to  co- 
operate in  every  endeavor  for  tlie  good  of 
the  city.  He  serves  on  the  board  of  directors 
of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce,  the  American 
Red  Cross,  the  United  Charities.  Salvation 
Army,  and  the  Toung  Men's  Christian  Asso- 
ciation, having  been  on  the  board  of  the  last 
named  organization  for  thirty  years,  and 
being  head  of  the  "Y"  Boys  Camp  Committee 
and  having  a  large  part  in  the  development 
of  the  splendid   camp   at  Vosburg,   along  the 


Susquehanna  River.    He  is  also  a  member  of 
the  Pittston  Rotary  Club. 

William  Joseph  Peck  married  (first),  Octo- 
ber 6,  1S97,  Lawson  Dymond  Hart,  only  child 
of  tlie  late  Hon.  Theodorus  Hart,  above  men- 
tioned. To  this  union  were  born  the  follow- 
ing children:  1.  Angela,  born  December  31, 
189S,  died  January  3,  1899.  2.  Mary  Hart,  born 
February  17,  1903,  died  August  3,  1905.  3. 
Theodorus  Hart,  born  May  16,  1906;  educated 
in  Syracuse  University  and  the  University  of 
Michigan,  Ann  Arbor,  Michigan,  a  graduate 
of  the  latter  university  with  the  degree  of 
Bachelor  of  Arts,  and  a  certificate  in  Journal- 
ism, class  of  1928,  and  now  (1930)  editor  of 
the  Monroe  (Michigan)  "Evening  News."  He 
married  Helen  Cleary,  of  Wyandotte,  Michi- 
gan. Mr.  Peck  married  (second),  Mrs.  Lottie 
Dennison  Protheroe.  of  West  Pittston,  Penn- 
sylvania, the  twelfth  child  of  Richard  Denni- 
son. Mrs.  Peck  has  a  son,  Willard  Dennison 
Protheroe,  a  graduate  of  Syracuse  University. 
Mr.  Peck  maintains  a  town  home  at  No.  220 
Wasliington  Street,  West  Pittston,  while  his 
summer  home  is  at  Peck's  Orchards,  in  Mos- 
co'W',    Pennsylvania. 


COIiONEL,  PRANCK  G.  DARTEl — As  a  Coun- 
sellor at  law  Franck  G.  Darte,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre  has  achieved  a  worthy  place  among 
his  fellow-members  of  the  bar,  while  in  mil- 
itary affairs  he  has  patriotically  served  his 
State  and  Nation,  notably  during  the  Span- 
ish-American War,  and  in  essential  home 
service  during  the  recent  World  War.  But  in 
financial  and  social  affairs  as  well  has  he 
taken  an  outstanding  part,  and  in  every  way 
he  has  gained  the  name  of  a  good  citizen. 

Mr.  Darte  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  April 
12,  1873.  He  is  the  son  of  Professor  George 
Leonard  Franck  and  Alwlna  (Eckert) 
Franck,  the  former  being  at  the  time  of  his 
death  Professor  of  Civil  and  Dynamic  En- 
gineering in  the  University  of  Pennsylvania. 
After  the  sudden  death  of  his  parents  he  was 
adopted  at  the  age  of  three  by  Alfred  Darte 
and  Caroline  (Seely)  Darte.  His  father,  Al- 
fred Darte,  was  born  in  Dundaff,  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  was  for  many  years  a  leading 
attorney  in  this  State,  and  served  as  judge 
of  the  Orphans'  Court  of  Luzerne  County; 
during  the  Civil  War  he  fought  for  the 
Union  with  the  Fourth  Regiment,  Pennsyl- 
vania Volunteer  Cavalry,  and  was  severely 
wounded  at  Trevilian  Station,  Virginia;  his 
mother,  also  the  representative  of  ancestors 
of  culture  and  accomplishment,  was  a  native 
of  Kingston,   Pennsylvania,  and  died   in  1892. 

The  education  of  Mr.  Darte  started  in  the 
Kingston  Public  Schools,  and  he  made  rapid 
progress  as  a  student.  He  later  attended 
Wyoming  Seminary,  at  Kingston,  where  he 
continued  this  record,  and  entered  Tale  Uni- 
versity at  New  Haven,  Connecticut,  from 
which  institution  he  was  graduated  with  the 
class  of  1896,  with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of 
Arts.  Instead  of  taking  a  law  course  at  col- 
lege, he  followed  the  plan  of  several  others 
before  and  since  this  time  of  entering  the 
law  office  of  Honorable  Henry  A.  Fuller  of 
Wilkes-Barre,  which  he  found  to  be  a  most 
excellent  school,  with  Judge  Fuller  himself 
as  preceptor;  Judge  Fuller  later  became  a 
judge  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas.  Under 
the  tutelage  and  friendly  ministrations  of 
this  distinguished  man  Mr.  Darte  made  rapid 
strides,  getting  a  foundation  that  it  would 
have  been  difficult  to  duplicate  in  any  law 
school,  and  passed  the  bar  examinations  in 
1899,   whereupon  he   soon   left  Judge   Fuller's 


^^..^c/^  ^  ,^^^.:^d_ 


S47 


office  and  struck  out  for  himself  on  an  Inde- 
pendent schedule,  and  has  been  prospered  In 
a  gratlfylnicr  degree.  He  practices  before  all 
the  courts  and  Is  a  member  of  the  State  and 
County  Bar  associations.  He  Is  vice-president 
of  the  Wllkcs-Barre  Can  Company,  president 
of  the  Title  Guarantee  Mortgage  Company  of 
Wllkes-Barro.  His  other  principal  financial 
associations  are  with  the  Miners'  Bank,  the 
Founders  Investment  Corporation  both  of 
Wllkes-Barre.  the  Hanover  Fire  Insurance 
Company  and  the  Fulton  Fire  Insurance 
Company  both  of  New  York  City,  holding  a 
directorship  In  the  four  concerns.  In  political 
affairs  he  Is  a  Republican.  He  enlisted  In  the 
National  Guard  of  Pennsylvania  in  1S96,  and  In 
the  Spanish-American  War  in  189S  he  served 
■with  the  9th  Regiment  of  Infantry,  Pennsyl- 
vania Volunteers.  In  1899,  after  the  war,  he 
became  a  member  of  Company  B,  of  the  Na- 
tional Guard,  with  the  commission  of  first 
lieutenant,  then  was  made  commissary  officer 
with  the  9th  Regiment,  ranking  as  captain. 
He  was  later  promoted  to  the  post  of  ord- 
nance officer  of  the  3d  Brigade,  with  the 
rank  of  major,  and  then  division  inspector 
of  rifle  practice  with  the  rank  of  lieutenant- 
colonel.  He  served  as  secretary  of  Draft 
Board  No.  1  and  as  a  member  of  the  Legal 
Advisory  Board  of  Luzerne  County  during 
the  World  War,  and  at  the  conclusion  re- 
ceived a  certificate  of  thanks  from  the  Gov- 
ernment for  this  faithful  service. 

Mr.  Darte  is  an  alumnus  of  the  Omicron 
Chapter  of  the  Delta  Phi  Fraternity.  His 
fraternal  orders  Include  Landmark  Lodge, 
No.  442,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons;  Shekinah 
Chapter,  No.  182,  Royal  Arch  Masons;  Dieu 
le  Veut  Commandery,  No.  45,  Knights  Tem- 
plar; Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order 
Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  of  Wllkes- 
Barre;  and  Caldwell  Consistory,  Sublime 
Princes  of  the  Royal  Secret,  thirty-second 
degree,  of  Bloomsburg.  His  religious  affilia- 
tion Is  with  St.  Stephen's  Episcopal  Church, 
where  he  serves  as  a  vestryman.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  and  Is 
active  In  all  civic  matters,  being  president  of 
the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Wyoming  Semi- 
nary. He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Board  of 
Trustees  of  the  Wilkes-Barre  Institute,  Home 
for  Friendless  Children.  Wilkes-Barre  Gen- 
eral Hospital,  ITnlted  Charities  and  other  or- 
ganizations. He  is  and  has  been  since  Its 
organization  in  1913  a  member  of  the  Wilkes- 
Barre  City  Planning  Commission  having 
acted  as  chairman  of  the  commission  for 
many  years.  His  clubs  include  the  West- 
moreland, Irem  Temple  Country,  the  Wyo- 
ming Valley  Country,  the  North  Mountain 
Club  of  Wilkes-Barre,  the  Racquet  and  Ten- 
nis and  the  Yale  clubs  of  New  York,  the  St. 
Regis  River  Golf  Club,  the  St.  Regis  Yacht 
Club,  Paul  Smith'.s,  New  York,  and  the  Lake 
Arthur  Club  of  Louisiana. 

Mr.  Darte  married,  February  27,  190fi,  Dor- 
othy E.  Dickson,  of  Wllkes-Barre,  daughter 
of  Allan  H.  and  Kate  (Pettebone)  Dickson, 
members  of  a  family  of  ancestors  of  promi- 
nence and  achievement  In  their  day.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Darte  are  the  parents  of  one  daughter, 
Katharine  Dickson  Darte,  born  January  18, 
1914;  a  son,  Allan  Dickson  Darte,  died  in  In- 
fancy. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Darte  reside  at  No.  37 
North  River  Street.  His  business  address  Is 
Miners  Bank  Building,  Wilkes-Barre,  Penn- 
sylvania. 


GEORGE    O.   MOTTER — The   Motter    family 
to  which  George  O.  Motter  belongs,  is  one  of 


the  old  Huguenot  French  families  that  came 
to  this  country  In  the  early  Colonial  days 
and  settled  In  Western  Maryland.  lie  Is  the 
.ion  of  Kmanucl  and  .losephlno  (Workman) 
Motter.  They  had  two  children :  1.  Carrie  L. 
the  wife  of  .John  Dyer  of  Wllllamstown, 
Pennsylvania.    2.  George  O.,  of  whom  further. 

George  O.  Motter  was  horn  at  Wllllams- 
town, Dauphin  County,  Pennsylvania,  Feb- 
ruary 13,  1879.  After  he  completed  the  work 
In  the  grammar  school,  he  entered  the  Wll- 
llamstown High  School  from  which  he  gradu- 
ated In  the  class  of  1894.  ITe  then  entered 
the  Wyoming  Seminary  at  Kingston,  Penn- 
sylvania, graduating  from  there  In  1898.  He 
then  took  a  position  with  the  Williams  Valley 
Rank  at  Wllllamstown,  beginning  as  a  book- 
keeper. Later,  he  went  with  the  Commercial 
Bank  at  Harrisburg,  Pennsylvania,  following 
this  by  a  position  as  cashier  of  the  People's 
Bank  at  IJuncannon,  Pennsylvania.  He  re- 
mained with  the  bank  at  Duncannon  for 
some  time  and  was  then  made  cashier  of  the 
Hanover  Bank  and  Trust  Company  where  he 
remained  for  fifteen  years,  serving  as  cashier 
and  trust  officer.  In  January,  192.'),  he  was 
called  to  be  the  cashier  of  the  Lincoln  De- 
posit and  Savings  Bank  and  Trust  Company 
at  Wllkes-Barre.  Through  Mr.  Motter's  ef- 
forts and  his  thorough  knowledge  of  the 
business  of  banking,  the  deposits  of  the  Insti- 
tution have  steadily  Increased  and  the  busi- 
ness of  this  new  bank  Is  showing  a  healthy 
condition  and  Indicates  a  growth  that  Is  most 
satisfactory.  Mr.  Motter  is  the  member  of  a 
number  of  fraternal  and  social  organizations 
among  which  are  the  Masonic  Order,  In  which 
he  Is  a  member  of  Ashler  Lodge,  No,  750, 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  of  Lykens,  Penn- 
sylvania; the  Caldwell  Consistory  at  Blooms- 
burg, Pennsylvania;  Ancient  Accepted  Scot- 
tish Rite  Masons  of  the  thirty-second  degree; 
Irem  Temple,  of  the  Ancient  Arabic  Order 
Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine  of  Wllkes-Barre; 
Irem  Country  Club  the  Franklin  Club  the 
Craftsmen's  Club;  and  the  Greater  Wilkes- 
Barre  Chamber  of  Commerce.  In  politics,  Mr. 
Motter  is  a  staunch  Republican,  and  he  is  a 
member  of  the  Westminster  Presbyterian 
Church  of  Wllkes-Barre. 

In  June,  1908,  George  O.  Motter  married 
Emma  Berry  of  Wllllamstown,  Dauphin 
County.  Pennsylvania,  daughter  of  Thomas 
Berry,  deceased.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Motter  have 
two  children:  Helen  Louise  and  George  O.,  Jr. 

JOHN  MALCOLM  COBB — For  the  past 
thirty-two  years,  John  Malcolm  Col)b  hag 
been  Identified  with  the  National  Casii  Regis- 
ter Company,  representing  them  in  various 
cities  in  the  Middle  West  until  1911,  when  he 
came  to  Wllkes-Barre,  in  which  city  he  has 
been  located  for  the  past  seventeen  years.  His 
offices  are  at  No.  49  South  Washington  Street, 
where  he  also  has  his  sales  room.  Mr.  Cobb 
is  a  member  of  the  Greater  Wilkes-Barre 
Chamber  of  Commerce  and  Is  one  of  the  well- 
known  business  men  of  the  Wyoming  Valley. 

The  Cobb  family  is  one  of  the  old  families 
which  settled  in  Virginia  in  early  Colonial 
days.  David  Cobb,  grandfather  of  Mr.  Cobb, 
was  one  of  the  enterprising  men  who  went 
westward  into  the  newly  settled  regions  and 
located  in  Indiana,  where  he  was  a  leading 
citizen  and  a  member  of  the  State  IjCgisla- 
ture.  He  was  Speaker  of  the  House  for  many 
years  and  during  the  Civil  War  was  a  mem- 
ber of  President  Lincoln's  secret  service  staff. 
Samuel  H.  Cobb,  son  of  David  Cobb,  Joined  his 
father-in-law,    David    Branham,    In    building 


547 


office  and  struck  out  for  himself  on  an  Inde- 
pendent schedule,  and  has  been  prospered  In 
a  gratifying  degree.  He  practices  before  all 
the  courts  and  is  a  member  of  the  State  and 
County  Bar  associations.  He  is  vice-president 
of  the  Willtes-Barre  Can  Company,  president 
of  the  Title  Guarantee  Mortgage  Company  of 
Wilkes-Barre.  His  other  principal  financial 
associations  are  with  the  Miners'  Bank,  the 
Pounders  Investment  Corporation  both  of 
Wilkes-Barre,  the  Hanover  Fire  Insurance 
Company  and  the  Fulton  Fire  Insurance 
Company  both  of  New  York  City,  holding  a 
directorship  in  the  four  concerns.  In  political 
affairs  he  is  a  Republican.  He  enlisted  in  the 
National  Guard  of  Pennsylvania  In  1S96,  and  in 
the  Spanish-American  War  in  189S  he  served 
with  the  9th  Regiment  of  Infantry,  Pennsyl- 
vania Volunteers.  In  1899,  after  the  war,  he 
became  a  member  of  Company  B,  of  the  Na- 
tional Guard,  with  the  commission  of  first 
lieutenant,  then  was  made  commissary  officer 
with  the  9th  Regiment,  ranking  as  captain. 
He  was  later  promoted  to  the  post  of  ord- 
nance oflicer  of  the  3d  Brigade,  with  the 
rank  of  major,  and  then  division  inspector 
of  rifle  practice  with  the  rank  of  lieutenant- 
colonel.  He  served  as  secretary  of  Draft 
Board  No.  1  and  as  a  member  of  the  Legal 
Advisory  Board  of  Luzerne  County  during 
the  World  War,  and  at  the  conclusion  re- 
ceived a  certificate  of  thanks  from  the  Gov- 
ernment for  this  faithful  service. 

Mr.  Darte  is  an  alumnus  of  the  Omicron 
Chapter  of  the  Delta  Phi  Fraternity.  His 
fraternal  orders  include  Landmark  Lodge, 
No.  442,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons;  Shekinah 
Chapter,  No.  182,  Royal  Arch  Masons;  Dieu 
le  Veut  Commandery,  No.  45,  Knights  Tem- 
plar; Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order 
Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre;  and  Caldwell  Consistory,  Sublime 
Princes  of  the  Royal  Secret,  thirty-second 
degree,  of  Bloomsburg.  His  religious  affilia- 
tion is  with  St.  Stephen's  Episcopal  Church, 
where  he  serves  as  a  vestryman.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  and  is 
active  in  all  civic  matters,  being  president  of 
the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Wyoming  Semi- 
nary. He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Board  of 
Trustees  of  the  Wilkes-Barre  Institute,  Home 
for  Friendless  Children,  Wilkes-Barre  Gen- 
eral Hospital,  United  Charities  and  other  or- 
ganizations. He  is  and  has  been  since  its 
organization  in  1913  a  member  of  the  Wilkes- 
Barre  City  Planning  Commission  having 
acted  as  chairman  of  the  commission  for 
many  years.  His  clubs  include  the  West- 
moreland, Irem  Temple  Country,  the  Wyo- 
ming Valley  Country,  the  North  Mountain 
Club  of  Wilkes-Barre,  the  Racquet  and  Ten- 
nis and  the  Tale  clubs  of  New  .York,  the  St. 
Regis  River  Golf  Club,  the  St.  Regis  Yacht 
Club,  Paul  Smith's,  New  York,  and  the  Lake 
Arthur  Club  of  Louisiana. 

Mr.  Darte  married,  February  27,  1906,  Dor- 
othy E.  Dickson,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  daughter 
of  Allan  H.  and  Kate  (Pettebone)  Dickson, 
members  of  a  family  of  ancestors  of  promi- 
nence and  achievement  in  their  day.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Darte  are  the  parents  of  one  daughter, 
Katharine  Dickson  Darte,  born  January  18, 
1914;  a  son,  Allan  Dickson  Darte,  died  in  in- 
fancy. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Darte  reside  at  No.  37 
North  River  Street.  His  business  address  is 
Miners  Bank  Building,  Wilkes-Barre,  Penn- 
sylvania. 


the  old  Huguenot  French  families  that  came 
to  this  country  in  the  early  Colonial  days 
and  settled  in  Western  Maryland.  He  is  the 
son  of  Emanuel  and  Josephine  (Workman) 
Motter.  They  had  two  children:  1.  Carrie  L. 
the  wife  of  John  Dyer  of  Williamstown, 
Pennsylvania.    2.  George  O.,  of  whom  further. 

George  O.  Motter  was  born  at  Williams- 
town,  Dauphin  County.  Pennsylvania,  Feb- 
ruary 13,  1879.  After  he  completed  the  work 
in  the  grammar  school,  he  entered  the  Wil- 
liamstown High  School  from  which  he  gradu- 
ated in  the  class  of  1894.  He  then  entered 
the  Wyoming  Seminary  at  Kingston,  Penn- 
sylvania, graduating  from  there  in  1898.  He 
then  took  a  position  with  the  Williams  Valley 
Bank  at  Williamstown,  beginning  as  a  book- 
keeper. Later,  he  went  with  the  Commercial 
Bank  at  Harrisburg,  Pennsylvania,  following 
this  by  a  position  as  cashier  of  the  People's 
Bank  at  Duncannon,  Pennsylvania.  He  re- 
mained "with  the  bank  at  Duncannon  for 
some  time  and  was  then  made  cashier  of  the 
Hanover  Bank  and  Trust  Company  where  he 
remained  for  fifteen  years,  serving  as  cashier 
and  trust  officer.  In  January,  192.5,  he  was 
called  to  be  the  cashier  of  the  Lincoln  De- 
posit and  Savings  Bank  and  Trust  Company 
at  Wilkes-Barre.  Through  Mr.  Motter's  ef- 
forts and  his  thorough  knowledge  of  the 
business  of  banking,  the  deposits  of  the  insti- 
tution have  steadily  increased  and  the  busi- 
ness of  this  new  bank  is  showing  a  healthy 
condition  and  indicates  a  growth  that  is  most 
satisfactory.  Mr.  Motter  is  the  member  of  a 
number  of  fraternal  and  social  organizations 
among  which  are  the  Masonic  Order,  in  which 
he  is  a  member  of  Ashler  Lodge,  No,  750, 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  of  Lykens,  Penn- 
sylvania; the  Caldwell  Consistory  at  Blooms- 
burg, Pennsylvania;  Ancient  Accepted  Scot- 
tish Rite  Masons  of  the  thirty-second  degree; 
Irem  Temple,  of  the  Ancient  Arabic  Order 
Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine  of  Wilkes-Barre; 
Irem  Country  Club  the  Franklin  Club  the 
Craftsmen's  Club;  and  the  Greater  Wilkes- 
Barre  Chamber  of  Commerce.  In  politics,  Mr. 
Motter  is  a  staunch  Republican,  and  he  is  a 
member  of  the  'Westminster  Presbyterian 
Church  of  Wilkes-Barre. 

In  June,  1908,  George  O.  Motter  married 
Emma  Berry  of  Williamstown,  Dauphin 
County.  Pennsylvania,  daughter  of  Thomas 
Berry,  deceased.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Motter  have 
two  children:  Helen  Louise  and  George  O.,  Jr. 


GEORGK   O.   MOTTER — The   Motter    family 
to  which  George  O.  Motter  belongs,  is  one  of 


JOHJV      MALCOLM      COBB — For      the      past 

thirty-two  years,  John  Malcolm  Cobb  has 
been  identified  witli  the  National  Cash  Regis- 
ter Company,  representing  them  in  various 
cities  in  the  Middle  West  until  1911,  when  he 
came  to  Wilkes-Barre,  in  which  city  he  has 
been  located  for  the  past  seventeen  years.  His 
offices  are  at  No.  49  South  Washington  Street, 
where  he  also  has  his  sales  room.  Mr.  Cobb 
is  a  member  of  the  Greater  Wilkes-Barre 
Chamber  of  Commerce  and  is  one  of  the  well- 
known  business  men  of  the  Wyoming  Valley. 
The  Cobb  family  is  one  of  the  old  families 
which  settled  in  Virginia  in  early  Colonial 
days.  David  Cobb,  grandfather  of  Mr.  Cobb, 
was  one  of  the  enterprising  men  who  went 
westward  into  the  newly  settled  regions  and 
located  in  Indiana,  "where  he  was  a  leading 
citizen  and  a  member  of  the  State  Legisla- 
ture. He  was  Speaker  of  the  House  for  many 
years  and  during  the  Civil  War  was  a  mem- 
ber of  President  Lincoln's  secret  service  staff. 
Samuel  H.  Cobb,  son  of  David  Cobb,  joined  his 
father-in-law,    David    Branham,    in    building 


548 


the  first  railroads  in  the  State  of  Indiana. 
He  married  Mary  Branham,  now  deceased, 
and  they  were  tlie  parents  of  five  children; 
Cynthia,  deceased;  George,  a  resident  of  Mat- 
toon,  Coles  County,  Illinois;  John  M.,  of  fur- 
ther mention;  and  Samuel  H.,  of  San  An- 
tonio, Texas. 

John  M.  Cobb,  son  of  Samuel  H.  and  Mary 
(Branham)  Cobb,  was  born  in  Indianapolis, 
Indiana,  and  received  his  education  in  the 
public  schools  of  that  place.  After  leaving 
high  school,  he  entered  the  employ  of  the 
National  Cash  Register  Company  at  Indian- 
apolis, in  1895,  and  his  connection  with  that 
concern  has  been  continuous  ever  since  that 
time,  a  period  of  thirty-two  years.  During 
that  period  he  has  represented  the  company 
in  various  cities  of  the  Middle  West,  includ- 
ing, Grand  Rapids,  Michigan;  St.  Louis  and 
Kansas  City,  in  Missouri;  Fort  Wayne,  in 
Indiana;  and  Cleveland,  in  Ohio.  In  1911,  he 
came  to  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania,  from 
which  center  he  has  represented  the  Wilkes- 
Barre  district  for  the  past  seventeen  years. 
His  district  covers  Northeastern  Pennsylvania 
and  his  office  and  sales  room,  as  previously 
stated,  are  at  No.  49  South  Washington  Street, 
Wilkes-Barre.  In  his  political  affiliations,  Mr. 
Cobb  is  a  Republican  and  he  is  a  Protestant 
in  religious  faith.  He  is  well  known  in  club 
circles  here,  being  a  member  of  the  Wilkes- 
Barre  Rotary  Club,  Westmoreland  Club,  Wyo- 
ming Valley  Country  Club  and  the  Wilkes- 
Barre  Motor  Club.  As  a  member  of  the 
Greater  Wilkes-Barre  Chamber  of  Commerce, 
he  is  active  and  Interested  in  tlie  advance- 
ment of  the  civic  and  economic  welfare  of 
the  city  and  contributes  freely  of  his  business 
experience  and  of  his  general  ability. 

John  Malcolm  Cobb  was  married  to  Jane 
Gotten,  of  Indianapolis,  Indiana,  daughter  of 
Perry  Gotten.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cobb  are  the  par- 
ents of  two  children:  1.  John  Malcolm,  Jr., 
who  married  Margaret  Hoffman,  of  Scranton, 
Pennsylvania,  and  has  two  children,  Jane  and 
John  M.  Cobb,  3d.  2.  Elizabeth,  who  is  un- 
married. It  is  interesting  to  the  historian  to 
record  the  fact  that  the  estate  on  which  the 
Cobb  house  was  built  came  into  the  pos- 
session of  the  Cobb  family  some  time  during 
the  middle  of  the  fourteenth  century,  by  the 
marriage  of  one  of  the  Cobb  daughters  to  an 
heir  of  one,  John  Riviet.  This  house  was  built 
by  William  Cobb,  of  New  Church  in  1542  and 
was  repaired  about  twen-tjf  years  ago  by  the 
present  owner,  the  "Prince  of  Wales,"  with 
very  little  alteration  of  its  original  state. 
This  information  is  found  in  the  Cobb  records 
from  1324  to  16S6. 


ELMER    L,.    MEYEHS,    A.    B.,    A.    M.,    M.    D., 

F.  A.  C.  S.,  a  practicing  physician  in  Wilkes- 
Barre,  Pennsylvania,  was  born  near  Bangor, 
Northampton  County,  Pennsylvania,  on  Oc- 
tober 29,  1864.  He  was  the  third  child  of 
Peter  G.  and  Margaret  (Stocker)  Meyers,  to 
whom  eight  children  were  born,  four  boys 
and  four  girls,  all  of  whom  are  living  at  this 
date,  1930.  Both  of  his  parents  were  de- 
scended from  Moravian  stock,  his  paternal 
ancestors  having  settled  near  Easton,  Penn- 
sylvania, early  in  the  eighteenth  century. 
His  maternal  ancestors  came  from  Switzer- 
land in  about  1730  and  settled  at  Stocker- 
town,  Northampton  County,  Pennsylvania, 
which  town  was  named  after  the  Stocker 
family. 

Dr.  Meyers  spent  his  boyhood  days  on  his 
father's  farm  near  Bangor,  Pennsylvania,  and 
for  a  few  winter  months  each   year   in  early 


youth  attended  the  community  school.  After 
reaching  young  manhood,  he  prepared  himself 
for  a  business  career  by  taking  a  commer- 
cial course  in  a  private  business  school  at 
Easton,  Pennsylvania.  During  the  year  1886 
he  held  a  position  in  his  home  town  as  a 
clerk  and  bookkeeper  in  a  general  store. 
During  the  school  session  of  1887-88  he 
taught  a  grammar  school  at  South  Easton, 
now  a  part  of  the  city  of  Easton,  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  while  thus  engaged  in  the  teach- 
ing profession,  he  prepared  himself  for  col- 
lege, with  the  aid  of  a  private  tutor.  In  Sep- 
tember, 1888,  he  matriculated  as  a  student 
at  Lafayette  College,  Easton,  Pennsylvania, 
where  he  became  a  member  of  the  Theta 
Delta  Chi  Greek  letter  fraternity.  He  spent 
two  years  at  this  institution,  and  in  Sep- 
tember, 1890,  he  transferred  to  Princeton 
University  where  he  pursued  a  course  pre- 
paratory to  studying  law.  He  was  graduated 
from  Princeton  in  June,  1892,  with  the  de- 
gree of  Bachelor  of  Arts.  The  same  Institu- 
tion conferred  upon  him  the  Master  of  Arts 
degree  in  1895. 

During  the  two  years  after  graduating 
from  Princeton,  Dr.  Meyers  held  the  position 
of  supervising  principal  of  the  public  schools 
in  the  Borough  of  White  Haven,  Luzerne 
County,  Pennsylvania.  While  thus  engaged 
he  registered  as  a  student  at  law  in  1893  in 
the  office  of  Edwin  Shortz,  Sr.,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre,  Pennsylvania.  In  order  that  he  might 
have  better  advantages  in  the  prosecution 
of  his  law  studies,  he  accepted  the  position 
as  head  of  the  College  Preparatory  Depart- 
ment in  the  Wilkes-Barre  High  School  in 
1894,  where  he  spent  three  years. 

The  legal  profession  not  appealing  to  him 
as  he  had  anticipated,  in  1897,  he  resigned 
his  teaching  position,  and  in  September  of 
that  same  year,  he  registered  as  a  medical 
student  in  the  Jefferson  Medical  College, 
Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania.  While  in  medical 
school  Dr.  Meyers  held  many  positions  of 
honor  and  trust.  He  was  chairman  of  the 
Student  Advisory  Committee  in  his  senior 
year,  was  the  editor-in-chief  of  the  annual 
year  book  of  his  class,  and  was  voted  by  his 
classmates  the  best  all  round  man  among 
them.  He  was  a  charter  member  of  Phi 
Alpha  Sigma  Fraternity,  the  first  Greek  letter 
society  established  at  Jefferson  in  1898.  The 
most  distinguishing  feature  of  his  medical 
course  was  the  fact  that  he  completed  his 
course  in  three  years,  finishing  in  1900. 
Directly  after  completing  his  medical  studies 
at  Jefferson,  he  entered  the  office  of  Dr.  D. 
Braden  Kyle  as  his  private  assistant.  Dr. 
Kyle  was  at  that  time  the  professor  of  dis- 
eases of  the  nose  and  throat  at  Jefferson. 
During  the  time  of  his  association  with  Dr. 
Kyle,  Dr.  Meyers  did  research  work  in  tlie 
cause  and  treatment  of  hay  fever.  In  1901 
he  was  made  assistant  demonstrator  of  anat- 
omy and  at  the  same  time  was  associated  in 
the  department  of  surgery  under  Dr.  W.  W. 
Keen  and  the  department  of  obstetrics  under 
Dr.  Edward  P.  Davis.  Both  of  these  men  were 
professors  in  Jefferson  Medical  College  at 
that  time.  These  positions  Dr.  Meyers  held  un- 
til the  spring  of  1902,  when  he  resigned  these 
several  different  appointments  and  located  in 
Wilkes-Barre,  where  he  opened  an  office  on 
April  15,  engaging  in  the  practice  of  general 
medicine,  but  gradually  devoting  most  of  his 
time  to  obstetrics  and  the  diseases  of  chil- 
dren. In  1908  he  was  appointed  a  member  of 
the  Wilkes-Barre  General  Hospital  Staff 
where    lie   organized   the   Department   of   Ob- 


I,f. 


y^yu^ 


('^L.iU 


Ji' 


549 


stetrics.  He  was  the  chief  of  this  department 
until  1925  when  he  resigned  from  his  active 
duties  on  the  Staff,  and  was  made  an  honor- 
ary attending  physician.  He  is  now,  1930,  a 
member  of  the  Board  of  Directors  with  the 
title  of  consulting  physician  on  the  staff. 

He  has  held  many  positions  of  honor  and 
responsibility  both  in  his  profession  and  In 
civic  life.  He  has  been  secretary  and  is  now, 
1930,  president  of  the  Staff  of  the  Wilkes- 
Barre  General  Hospital,  and  a  member  of  the 
Board  of  Directors  of  the  Kirby  Health  Cen- 
ter, now  in  course  of  construction.  Dr. 
Meyers  has  served  continuously  since  1908 
as  a  member  of  the  United  States  Pension 
Board  in  Luzerne  County,  and  has  been  the 
president  of  this  board  from  the  beginning 
of  his  appointment.  He  has  for  a  long  period 
of  years  been  a  surgeon  for  the  Lehigh  Val- 
ley Railroad  Company  and  surgeon  for  the 
Bell  Telephone  Company.  He  was  president 
of  the  Luzerne  County  Medical  Society  dur- 
ing the  World  War,  1917,  and  its  secretary 
for  three  years,  1919-23.  In  addition  to  the 
local  County  Medical  Society,  he  holds  mem- 
bership in  many  other  medical  organizations, 
among  them:  The  Lehigh  Valley  Medical  As- 
sociation, the  New  England  and  New  York 
Association  of  Railway  Surgeons,  the  Ameri- 
can Medical  Association,  the  Philadelphia  Ob- 
stetric Society,  the  Philadelphia  Pediatric 
Society,  the  Philadelphia  Medical  Club,  and 
the  Medical  Society  of  the  State  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  he  is  a  Fellow  of  the  American 
College  of  Surgeons.  He  is  now,  1930,  the 
president  of  his  medical  class  1900,  and  presi- 
dent of  the  general  Alumni  Association  of 
Jefferson  Medical  College. 

In  civic  life  he  was  formerly  a  director  of 
the  Wilkes-Barre  Chamber  of  Commerce,  and 
has  been  a  member  of  the  Wilkes-Barre 
City  School  Board  since  1911  to  this  date 
1930.  On  this  board  he  has  served  at  different 
times  as  its  president.  A  new  high  school  in 
Wilkes-Barre  in  course  of  construction, 
which  is  to  cost  upwards  of  two  million  dol- 
lars, has  been  named  by  his  fellow  directors, 
"The  Elmer  L.  Meyers  High  School." 

Dr.  Meyers  has  contributed  numerous  arti- 
cles to  medical  literature  and  is  the  inventor 
of  the  "Meyers"  obstetrical  forceps,  which 
instrument  is  extensively  used  by  the  medi- 
cal profession. 

Dr.  Elmer  L.  Meyers  married,  April  22,  1903, 
at  Wilkes-Barre,  Grace  H.  Morgan,  who  was 
native-born  to  Luzerne  County,  a  daughter 
of  Edward  S.  Morgan  of  Wilkes-Barre.  Dr. 
and  Mrs.  Meyers  are  now  the  parents  of  two 
children,  both  of  whom  are  daughters:  1. 
Margaret  Foulke,  who  was  graduated  from 
Vassar  College  with  the  class  of  1926.  2. 
Helen  Wells,  who  was  graduated  from  the 
Baldwin  School,  Bryn  Mawr,  Pennsylvania, 
in  1927,  and  is  now,  1930,  a  student  at  New 
York  University.  Dr.  Meyers  maintains  his 
principal  residence  in  Wilkes-Barre,  and  is  a 
member  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  of 
that  city. 


FRANK  B.tRRY  BROWN — To  his  steadily 
increasing  practice  of  law  in  Wilkes-Barre 
and  throughout  Luzerne  County,  Frank  Barry 
Brown  has  brought  a  decided  inclination  for 
the  profession  for  which  he  obtained  through 
his  own  incentive  and  effort  a  thorough 
training.  Politically  active,  he  has  for  a 
quarter  of  a  century  moved  in  the  executive 
front  rank  of  the  Democratic  interests  of  the 
county,   with  an   influence   that   has   made   it- 


self evident  In  all   matters  for  public  better- 
ment and  general  progress. 

Frank  Barry  Brown  was  born  August  23. 
1876.  in  Plymouth,  Luzerne  County,  a  son  of 
Daniel  and  Susan  (Barry)  Brown,  both  par- 
ents now  deceased.  Daniel  Brown,  a  native 
of  Ireland,  and  a  son  of  George  and  Ellen 
(Maloney)  Brown,  came  to  the  United  States 
when  he  was  only  fifteen  years  old,  and  for 
three  years  he  was  employed  on  the  Shaker 
Farms  at  Ayer,  Massachusetts.  When  he  was 
about  eighteen  years  old,  he  joined  the  8th 
Massachusetts  Battery,  and  he  was  among  the 
early  troops  in  the  field  of  active  service  at 
the  beginning  of  the  Civil  War,  and  took 
part  in  the  Battles  of  Second  Bull  Run,  Cedar 
Creek,  and  South  Mountain,  and  the  engage- 
ment at  Antietam  that  was  fought  at 
Sharpsburg,  Maryland,  September  16-17,  1862. 
After  his  service  of  a  year  in  the  Army,  Mr! 
Brown  returned  to  Massachusetts  for  a  while, 
and  in  1863  he  came  to  Luzerne  County  in 
the  employ  of  the  Boston  Coal  Company  that 
operated  the  Grand  Tunnel  Mines  at  Plym- 
outh. Afterwards  he  engaged  in  contracting 
conducted  a  livery  stable,  and  managed  a 
grocery  business.  He  died  in  1917,  at  the 
age  of  seventy-one  years;  his  wife  died  at  the 
age  of  seventy  years.  They  were  the  parents 
of  eight  children,  only  three  of  whom  grew 
to  maturity:  George  K.  Brown,  a  member  of 
the  Board  of  Overseers  of  the  Poor  for  Lu- 
zerne County;  Frank  Barry  Brown,  of  whom 
further:  and  Annie  C.  Brown,  who  married 
James  H.  Kennej-.  of  Wilkes-Barre. 

Prank  Barry  Brown  attended  the  public 
schools  at  Plymouth,  and  was  graduated  from 
^  yoming  Seminary,  at  Kingston,  in  the  class 
of  1887.  He  then  joined  the  clerical  force  of 
the  Delaware  and  Hudson  Railroad  at 
«  ilkes-Barre,  and  was  afterwards  a  clerk  in 
the  office  of  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  at 
Pittsburgh.  Returning  to  Wilkes-Barre  Mr 
Brown  entered  upon  his  law  studies  iri  the 
office  of  Edward  C.  Hoyt,  and  he  was  admitted 
to  the  Luzerne  County  Bar  in  1901.  He  is 
one  of  the  most  active  men  in  his  profession 
in  this  part  of  the  State. 

.\  staunch  Democrat  in  his  political  views. 
-Mr.  Brown  was  elected  on  the  ticket  of  that 
party  as  an  alierman  from  the  Eighth  Ward 
of  Wilkes-Barre,  and  he  has  held  that  office 
for  twenty-flve  years:  and,  continuing  therein 
from  the  same  ward  his  present  term  will 
expire  in  1930.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Luzerne 
County  Bar  Association,  Wyoming  Valley 
Country  Club,  and  Fox  Hill  Country  Club. 
He  is  a  communicant  of  St.  Mary's  Roman 
Catholic  Church,   of  Wilkes-Barre. 

Frank  Barry  Brown  married  Agnes  Lena- 
han,  daughter  of  Patrick  and  Elizabeth 
(Duffy)  Lenahan,  both  parents  now  deceased, 
and  sister  of  John  T.  and  James  L.  Lenahan! 
both  of  whom  were  for  twenty-flve  years 
leading  attorneys  of  the  Luzerne  County 
Bar.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Brown  are  the  parents  of 
three  children:  Mary  Elizabeth,  educated  at 
Mount  St.  Vincent  Academy  on  The  Hudson. 
New  York:  James  Lenahan  Brown:  and 
George   Barry   Brown. 


JULI.VX  M.  SHOEM.\KER— From  the  time 
he  was  sixteen  years  of  age  Julian  M.  Shoe- 
maker has  been  engaged  in  the  insurance 
business,  and  in  January,  1924.  became  super- 
intendent of  claims  for  the  Wilkes-Barre 
district  of  the  Ocean  Accident  and  Guarantee 
Corporation  of  London,  England,  and  New 
York   City. 

The  paternal  grandfather  of  Mr.  Shoemaker 


549 


stetrics.  He  was  the  chief  of  this  department 
until  1925  when  he  resigned  from  his  active 
duties  on  the  Staff,  and  was  made  an  honor- 
ary attending  physician.  He  is  now,  1930,  a 
member  of  tine  Board  of  Directors  with  the 
title  of  consulting:  physician  on  the  staff. 

He  has  lield  many  positions  of  honor  and 
responsibility  both  in  his  profession  and  in 
civic  life.  He  has  been  secretary  and  is  now, 
1930,  president  of  the  Staff  of  the  Wilkes- 
Barre  General  Hospital,  and  a  member  of  the 
Board  of  Directors  of  the  Kirby  Health  Cen- 
ter, now  in  course  of  construction.  Dr. 
Meyers  has  served  continuously  since  1908 
as  a  member  of  the  United  States  Pension 
Board  in  Luzerne  County,  and  has  been  the 
president  of  this  board  from  the  beginning 
of  his  appointment.  He  has  for  a  long  period 
of  years  been  a  surgeon  for  the  Lehigh  Val- 
ley Railroad  Company  and  surgeon  for  the 
Bell  Telephone  Company.  He  was  president 
of  the  Luzerne  County  Medical  Society  dur- 
ing the  World  War,  1917,  and  its  secretary 
for  three  years,  1919-23.  In  addition  to  the 
local  County  Medical  Society,  he  holds  mem- 
bership in  many  other  medical  organizations, 
among  them:  The  Lehigh  Valley  Medical  As- 
sociation, the  New  England  and  New  York 
Association  of  Railway  Surgeons,  the  Ameri- 
can Medical  Association,  the  Philadelphia  Ob- 
stetric Society,  the  Philadelphia  Pediatric 
Society,  the  Philadelphia  Medical  Club,  and 
the  Medical  Society  of  the  State  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  he  is  a  Fello"n^  of  the  American 
College  of  Surgeons.  He  is  now,  1930,  the 
president  of  his  medical  class  1900,  and  presi- 
dent of  the  general  Alumni  Association  of 
Jefferson  Medical  College. 

In  civic  life  he  was  formerly  a  director  of 
the  Wilkes-Barre  Chamber  of  Commerce,  and 
has  been  a  member  of  the  Wilkes-Barre 
City  School  Board  since  1911  to  this  date 
1930.  On  this  board  he  has  served  at  different 
times  as  its  president.  A  new  high  school  in 
Wilkes-Barre  in  course  of  construction, 
which  is  to  cost  upwards  of  two  million  dol- 
lars, has  been  named  by  his  fellow  directors, 
"The  Elmer  L.  Meyers  High  School." 

Dr.  Meyers  has  contributed  numerous  arti- 
cles to  medical  literature  and  is  the  inventor 
of  the  "Meyers"  obstetrical  forceps,  which 
instrument  is  extensively  used  by  the  medi- 
cal profession. 

Dr.  Elmer  L.  Meyers  married,  April  22,  1903, 
at  Wilkes-Barre,  Grace  H.  Morgan,  who  was 
native-born  to  Luzerne  County,  a  daughter 
of  Edward  S.  Morgan  of  Wilkes-Barre.  Dr. 
and  Mrs.  Meyers  are  now  the  parents  of  two 
children,  both  of  whom  are  daughters:  1. 
Margaret  Poulke,  who  was  graduated  from 
Vassar  College  with  the  class  of  1926.  2. 
Helen  Wells,  who  was  graduated  from  the 
Baldwin  School,  Bryn  Mawr,  Pennsylvania, 
in  1927,  and  is  now,  1930,  a  student  at  New 
York  University.  Dr.  Meyers  maintains  his 
principal  residence  in  Wilkes-Barre,  and  is  a 
member  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  of 
that  city. 


FRANK  BARRY  BROWIV — To  his  steadily 
increasing  practice  of  law  in  Wilkes-Barre 
and  throughout  Luzerne  County,  Frank  Barry 
Brown  has  brought  a  decided  inclination  for 
the  profession  for  which  he  obtained  through 
his  own  incentive  and  effort  a  tliorough 
training.  Politically  active,  he  has  for  a 
quarter  of  a  century  moved  in  the  executive 
front  rank  of  the  Democratic  interests  of  the 
county,   with  an   influence   that   has   made   it- 


self evident  in  all   matters  for  public  better- 
ment and  general  progress. 

Frank  Barry  Brown  was  born  August  23. 
1876,  in  Plymouth,  Luzerne  County,  a  son  of 
Daniel  and  Susan  (Barry)  Brown,  both  par- 
ents now  deceased.  Daniel  Brown,  a  native 
of  Ireland,  and  a  son  of  George  and  Ellen 
(Maloney)  Brown,  came  to  the  United  States 
when  he  was  only  flfteen  years  old,  and  for 
three  years  he  was  employed  on  the  Shaker 
Farms  at  Ayer,  Massachusetts.  When  he  was 
about  eighteen  years  old,  he  joined  the  8th 
Massachusetts  Battery,  and  he  was  among  the 
early  troops  in  the  field  of  active  service  at 
the  beginning  of  the  Civil  War,  and  took 
part  in  the  Battles  of  Second  Bull  Run,  Cedar 
Creek,  and  South  Mountain,  and  the  engage- 
ment at  Antietam  that  was  fought  at 
Sharpsburg,  Maryland,  September  16-17,  1862. 
After  his  service  of  a  year  in  the  Army,  Mr! 
Brown  returned  to  Massachusetts  for  a  while, 
and  in  1863  he  came  to  Luzerne  County  in 
the  employ  of  the  Boston  Coal  Company  that 
operated  the  Grand  Tunnel  Mines  at  Plym- 
outh. Afterwards  he  engaged  in  contracting 
conducted  a  livery  stable,  and  managed  a 
grocery  business.  He  died  in  1917,  at  the 
age  of  seventy-one  years;  his  wife  died  at  the 
age  of  seventy  years.  They  were  the  parents 
of  eight  children,  only  three  of  whom  grew 
to  maturity;  George  K.  Brown,  a  member  of 
the  Board  of  Overseers  of  the  Poor  for  Lu- 
zerne County;  Frank  Barry  Brown,  of  whom 
further;  and  Annie  C.  Brown,  who  married 
James  H.  Kenney,  of  Wilkes-Barre. 

Frank  Barry  Brown  attended  the  public 
schools  at  Plymouth,  and  was  graduated  from 
Wyoming  Seminary,  at  Kingston,  in  the  class 
of  188,.  He  then  joined  the  clerical  force  of 
the  Delaware  and  Hudson  Railroad  at 
Wilkes-Barre,  and  was  afterwards  a  clerk  in 
the  office  of  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  at 
Pittsburgh.  Returning  to  Wilkes-Barre  Mr 
Brown  entered  upon  his  law  studies  in  the 
office  of  Edward  C.  Hoyt,  and  he  was  admitted 
to  the  Luzerne  County  Bar  in  1901.  He  is 
one  of  the  most  active  men  in  his  profession 
in  this  part  of  the  State. 

A  staunch  Democrat  in  his  political  views 
Jlr.  Brown  was  elected  on  the  ticket  of  that 
party  as  an  alderman  from  the  Eighth  Ward 
of  Wilkes-Barre,  and  he  has  held  that  office 
for  twenty-flve  years;  and,  continuing  therein 
from  the  same  ward  his  present  term  will 
e.xpire  in  1930,  He  is  a  member  of  the  Luzerne 
County  Bar  Association,  Wyoming  Valley 
Country  Club,  and  Fox  Hill  Country  Club 
He  is  a  communicant  of  St.  Mary's  Roman 
Catholic  Church,   of  Wilkes-Barre.  • 

Frank  Barry  Brown  married  Agnes  Lena- 
han,  daughter  of  Patrick  and  Elizabeth 
(Duffy)  Lenahan,  both  parents  now  deceased 
and  sister  of  John  T.  and  James  L.  Lenahan! 
both  of  whom  were  for  twenty-five  years 
leading  attorneys  of  the  Luzerne  County 
Bar.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Brown  are  the  parents  of 
three  children:  Mary  Elizabeth,  educated  at 
Mount  St.  Vincent  Academy  on  The  Hudson. 
New  York;  James  Lenahan  Brown;  and 
George   Barry   Brown. 


JULI.\N  M.  SHOEMAKER— From  the  time 
he  was  sixteen  years  of  age  Julian  M.  Shoe- 
maker has  been  engaged  in  the  insurance 
business,  and  in  January,  1924,  became  super- 
intendent of  claims  for  the  Wilkes-Barre 
district  of  the  Ocean  Accident  and  Guarantee 
Corporation  of  London,  England,  and  New 
York   City. 

The  paternal  grandfather  of  Mr.  Shoemaker 


SSO 


was  George  Shoemaker  of  Luzerne  County, 
and  his  maternal  grandfather  was  Henry 
Boyed,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  both  old  families 
in  this  region. 

George  M.  Shoemaker,  father  of  Mr.  Shoe- 
maker, died  in  1916,  and  his  wife,  Edith 
(Boyed)  Shoemaker,  resides  with  her  son, 
Julian  M.  Shoemaker,  at  No.  2S  West  Pittston 
Street,  Forty  Port,  Luzerne  County,  Pennsyl- 
vania. They  were  the  parents  of  five  chil- 
dren: Ethel,  married  George  Ingraham,  of 
Cleveland,  Ohio:  Jesse,  married  David  M. 
Titus,  of  East  Orange,  New  Jersey;  Grace  M., 
married  Arthur  M.  Clark,  of  New  Jersey; 
Henry  B..  who  makes  his  home  at  Strouds- 
burg,  Pennsylvania;  Millard  A.,  of  New  York 
City:  and  Julian  M.,  of  further  mention. 

Julian  M.  Shoemaker  was  born  in  Scran- 
ton,  Pennsylvania.  July  27.  1900,  and  received 
his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  that 
city  and  in  the  schools  of  New  York  City. 
When  he  was  sixteen  years  of  age  he  began 
his  long  connection  with  the  insurance  busi- 
ness, and  eight  years  later  was  made  super- 
intendent of  the  claims  department  of  the 
Wilkes-Barre  District,  in  the  employ  of  the 
Ocean  Accident  and  Guarantee  Corporation 
of  London,  England,  and  New  York  City.  Mr. 
Shoemaker  is  a  member  of  Scranton  Lodge, 
No.  291,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons;  and  of 
all  the  York  Rite  bodies  of  that  Order;  also 
of  Keystone  Consistory,  of  Scranton;  also 
holds  the  thirty-second  degree.  Ancient  Ac- 
cepted Scottish  Rite  Masons;  and  is  a  member 
of  Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles 
of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  of  Wilkes-Barre.  He  is 
a  member  of  Irem  Country  Club,  of  the 
Craftsmen's  Club,  and  his  religious  affiliation 
is  with  the  Presbyterian  Church.  Politically, 
he  gives  his  support  to  the  Republican  party. 
Mr  Shoemaker  has  many  friends  in  Wilkes- 
Barre,  and  is  well  liked  by  his  business 
associates. 


FRANCIS  J.  MURRAY,  one  of  the  most 
promising  members  of  the  Luzerne  County 
Bar  Association  since  his  admission  to  prac- 
tice in  1922,  with  offices  at  No.  550  Miners 
Bank  Building,  Wilkes-Barre,  was  born  in 
this  city  December  20,  1S98,  the  son  of  P.  W. 
and  Catherine  (Loftus)  Murray.  The  strides 
he  has  made  in  such  a  short  space  of  time 
indicate  that  the  future  years  hold  for  him 
the  highest  honors  and  the  most  generous 
measure   of   prosperity. 

P.  W.  Murray  has  been  one  of  the  best 
known  and  most  popular  shoe  merchants  of 
Wilkes-Barre  for  nearly  fifty  years  and  is 
one  of  the  oldest  and  best  established  mer- 
chants in  the  Wyoming  Valley.  He  is  a  son 
of  Martin  and  Catherine  (McLaughlin)  Mur- 
ray, both  of  whom  were  representatives  of 
families  of  culture  and  accomplishment, 
whose  members  represented  the  best  tradi- 
tions of  the  lite  of  America  and  the  European 
countries,  whence  the  original  settlers  pro- 
ceeded. On  the  maternal  side  Francis  J. 
Murray  is  the  grandson  of  Thomas  J.  and 
Cecelia  (McRone)  Loftus.  The  parents  of  his 
father  and  of  his  mother,  the  grandparents  of 
Mr.  Murray,  were  buried  from  the  same 
house  in  Wilkes-Barre.  P.  W.  Murray,  the 
father,  is  a  loyal  member  of  the  Democratic 
party.  In  religious  matters  he  adheres  to 
the  faith  of  the  St.  Mary's  Roman  Catholic 
Church.  He  is  the  father  of  two  children, 
M.  Irene,  married  to  Joseph  P.  O'Brien,  of 
Wilkes-Barre,  and  Francis  J.,  of  whom  fur- 
ther mention.  In  the  early  eighties  Mr.  Mur- 
ray  was   the   owner  and   the   proprietor   of   a 


sporting  newspaper  which  he  published  at 
Wilkes-Barre  under  the  name  and  style  of 
"The  Merry  World."  He  added  much  to  the 
enjoyment  of  the  citizenship,  and  his  publica- 
tion possessed  real  literary  merit. 

Francis  J.  Murray  began  his  education  at 
the  splendid  Wilkes-Barre  public  schools;  he 
was  graduated  with  a  fine  record  from  the 
local  high  school  in  the  class  of  1916,  and 
then  matriculated  at  Villa  Nova  College  at 
Villa  Nova,  a  suburb  of  Philadelphia.  He 
applied  himself  diligently  at  this  institution, 
and  was  graduated  with  the  class  of  1920 
with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts.  Desiring 
to  further  equip  himself  for  the  battle  of  life, 
he  took  up  the  study  of  law  at  the  Law 
School  of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania  at 
Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  was 
graduated  with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of 
Laws  in  the  class  of  1922.  In  this  same  year 
he  was  admitted  to  the  Luzerne  County  Bar, 
and  ever  since  has  engaged  in  the  general 
practice  of  law.  At  the  outbreak  of  the 
World  War,  Mr.  Murray  enlisted  in  the 
United  States  Navy,  and  saw  active  service 
for  a  period  of  eighteen  months. 

Mr.  Murray  is  a  consistent  member  of  the 
Republican  party,  whose  candidates  he  loy- 
ally supports  in  consonance  with  the  wishes 
of  the  organization.  His  religious  affiliation 
is  "With  the  St.  Mary's  Roman  Catholic  Church, 
of  Wilkes-Barre.  He  belongs  to  the  Knights 
of  Columbus  and  the  Fraternal  Order  of 
Eagles.  His  military  organization  is  the 
Black  Diamond  Post  of  the  American  Legion, 
of  Philadelphia.  He  is  a  leading  and  enthusi- 
astic member  of  the  Luzerne  County  Bar 
Association;  is  secretary  to  the  Luzerne 
County  Law  Examining  Board;  president  of 
the  Lawyer's  Club  of  Luzerne  County;  and  is 
eligible  to  the  various  legal  societies  whose 
advantage  and  facilities  are  at  the  disposal 
of  the  members  of  the  profession.  Mr.  Murray 
was  the  organizer  and  prime  mover  in  the 
Pennsylvania  Lawyers  Title  Company,  and  is 
the  author  of  "Brief  of  Title  to  Luzerne  and 
Lackawanna  Counties." 

Francis  J.  Murray  married  Sadie  C.  Kelly, 
of  Hughstown,  Luzerne  County,  a  daughter 
of  Edward  L.  and  Catherine  (Carey)  Kelly, 
and  they  are  the  parents  of  a  daughter, 
Frances  E.   Murray. 


J.  ROBERT  HOMER — A  reliable  and  suc- 
cessful business  man  and  native  of  Wilkes- 
Barre  is  J.  Robert  Homer,  senior  member  of 
the  Duncan-Homer  Company,  one  of  the  lead- 
ing department  stores  in  the  city,  known  as 
"The  Globe."  Starting  with  slight  financial 
backing  he  had  served  a  long  apprenticeship 
as  store  clerk  and  at  last  got  control  of  a 
business  accorded  the  distinction  of  being 
one  of  the  most  profitable  in  Wilkes-Barre. 
His  biography  is  an  inspiration  to  many 
young  men. 

J.  Robert  Homer  was  born  in  Wilkes-Barre, 
December  9,  1882,  the  son  of  Robert  J.  and 
Mary  M.  (Boughner)  Homer,  his  father,  now 
deceased,  having  been  a  boilermaker  by 
trade.  J.  Robert  Homer  was  one  of  four  chil- 
dren, the  others  being:  Myrtle  E.,  wife  of  J. 
J.  Newberry  of  New  York  City;  Ruth  C,  un- 
married;   and   Helen  L.,   also   unmarried. 

J.  Robert  Homer  graduated  from  the 
Wilkes-Barre  High  School  with  the  class  of 
1898,  and  immediately  entered  the  employ  of 
Fowler,  Dick  and  Walker,  operating  the 
"Boston  Store."  Here  he  remained  for  fifteen 
years,  withdrawing  in  1912,  owning  stock 
in     the     company    and    its     treasurer.       That 


SSI 


same  year  he  organized  the  Duncan-Homer 
Company,  outfitting  the  new  store  with  stocli 
purchased  from  Langfeld  Brothers.  He  lo- 
cated at  Nos.  53  to  57,  on  the  south  side  of 
the  Public  Square,  which  site  the  store  has 
occupied  ever  since,  though  meanwhile  it  has 
doubled  in  size  and  business  has  increased 
five-fold.  On  January  1,  1927.  Mr.  Duncan 
disposed  of  his  interest  to  Mr.  Homer,  who 
did  not,  nevertheless,  change  the  firm  name. 
It  is  said  of  Mn  Homer  by  his  mercantile 
associates  that  "he  started  life  without  a 
dollar,  and  made  good."  They  say  further 
that  he  is  a  flrst-class  competitor  and  one 
of  the  public-spirited  citizens  of  Wilkes- 
Barre.  He  is  a  Republican,  member  of  the 
Memorial  Presbyterian  Church,  and  has  a 
number  of  fraternal  connections,  including 
membership  in  Landmark  Lodge,  No.  442,  of 
the  Free  and  Accepted  Masons;  Shekinah 
Chapter,  No.  82,  Royal  Arch  Masons;  Dieu  le 
Veut  Commandery,  No.  45,  Knights  Templar; 
Keystone  Consistory  of  Scranton,  Pennsyl- 
vania, the  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite 
Masons  of  the  thirty-second  degree;  Irem 
Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the 
Mystic  Shrine;  the  Shrine  County  Club,  the 
Craftsmen's  Club,  and  the  Franklin  Club. 

J  Robert  Homer  married,  on  April  17, 
1907,  Nellie  McClay,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  daugh- 
ter of  Edward  McClay.  The  marriage  has 
resulted  in  four  children:  Virginia  Edith.  J. 
Robert,  Jr.,  Elizabeth  Ivy,  and  Edward  Dun- 
can. 

MICHAEL.  J.  McLATJGHilN— A  business 
man  of  long  standing  in  Wilkes-Barre, 
Michael  J.  McLaughlin  is  descended  from  a 
family  well  known  throughout  Luzerne 
County,  and  has  served  as  a  member  of  the 
Board    of    County    Commissioners    for    some 

Michael  J.  McLaughlin  was  born  at  Wilkes- 
Barre  on  May  14,  1872,  son  of  Patrick  Mc- 
laughlin of  Glen  Daoun,  Ireland,  and  Cathe- 
rine (O'Toole)  McLaughlin  of  Belena,  Ireland, 
his  father  having  been  a  mining  contractor, 
and  later  engaging  in  the  grocery  and  livery 
business.  He  died  at  the  age  of  fifty-two 
years,  leaving  Mrs.  McLaughlin,  who  died  at 
the  age  of  ninety-two.  Patrick  McLauglin 
was  a  lifelong  adherent  to  the  Democratic 
party,  and  a  member  of  St.  Mary's  Catholic 
Church.  He  was  the  father  of  six  children: 
1.  Edward  A.,  who  conducts  a  grocery  store 
In  Wilkes-Barre.  2.  William  P.,  deceased,  who 
was  in  the  grocery  business  with  his  brother 
Edward.  3.  Charles  F.,  deceased,  a  lieutenant 
on  the  Wilkes-Barre  police  force,  drowned 
at  Glen  Summit  Lake  while  fishing.  4.  Patrick 
A.,  an  eve,  ear,  nose  and  throat  specialist,  of 
Wilkes-Barre.  5.  Thomas  V.,  well  known 
practicing  physician  of  Wilkes-Barre.  6. 
Michael  J.,  of  whom  further. 

Michael  J.  McLaughlin  attended  the  public 
schools  of  Wilkes-Barre.  At  an  early  age  he 
began  working  in  the  grocery  store  owned 
by  his  brothers,  remaining  there  until  twenty- 
one  years  old,  when  he  engaged  in  the  milk 
and  confectionery  business  for  three  years. 
Tiring  of  this  he  enrolled  as  a  student  of  un- 
dertaking, at  Baltimore,  then  returned  to 
Wilkes-Barre,  where  he  went  into  that  busi- 
ness for  himself,  at  No.  124  South  Washington 
Street.  He  continued  at  that  address  for  the 
next  thirty  years,  until  now,  1929,  the  firm 
name  is  M.  J.  McLaughlin  Company,  Inc.  Like 
his  father,  Michael  McLaughlin  is  a  Demo- 
crat and  member  of  St.  Mary's  Roman  Catho- 
lic   Church.     He    is    also    affiliated    with    the 


Knights  of  Columbus  (fourth  degree); 
Wilkes-Barre  Lodge  No.  109,  Benevolent  and 
Protective  Order  of  Elks,  and  the  Ancient 
Order  of  Hibernians.  Mr.  McLaughlin's  in- 
terests are  now  extensive,  including  the  fra- 
ternal societies  listed,  the  directorship  of  the 
Pennsylvania  Bank  and  Trust  Company  of 
Wilkes-Barre,  the  Liberty  Market  Company, 
and  various  other  posts  of  importance.  He 
was  one  of  the  first  men  in  Wyoming  Valley 
to  be  appointed  by  President  Woodrow  Wil- 
son to  serve  on  the  Draft  Board  until  the 
close  of  the  World  War.  Mr.  McLaughlin  was 
elected  to  the  Wilkes-Barre  Common  Council 
In  1912,  and  was  elected  county  commissioner 
of  Luzerne  County  in  1915,  serving  four 
years;  but  in  1920  he  met  defeat  together 
with  all  of  his  party's  ticket,  but  was  again 
elected  in  November,  1923.  He  was  a  dele- 
gate to  the  National  Democratic  Convention 
which  met  in  San  Francisco  and  nominated 
Governor  Cox  of  Ohio  for  President  of  the 
United  States.  Through  his  commercial,  fra- 
ternal and  political  connections,  Mr.  Mc- 
Laughlin has  made  himself  one  of  the  best- 
known  and  most  highly  esteemed  figures  in 
Wilkes-Barre. 

Michael  J.  McLaughlin  married,  on  October 
3,  1900,  Alice  M.  O'Neill,  of  Richmond,  Vir- 
ginia, daughter  of  William  Moore  and  Mary 
(Healey)  O'Neill,  who  were  natives  of  Pitt- 
ston,  Luzerne  County.  The  union  has  resulted 
in  six  children:  1.  Michael  J.,  Jr.,  who  is  a 
graduate  of  Lafayette  College,  and  now  man- 
aging the  undertaking  business  established 
by  his  father.  2.  Mary,  the  wife  of  Paul 
Conlon,  of  Kingston,  Luzerne  County,  and 
mother  of  one  son,  Paul,  Jr.  3.  Alice,  a  stu- 
dent in  Georgian  Court  College,  at  Lake- 
wood,  New  Jersey.  4.  Catherine,  a  student 
in  the  University  of  Paris,  at  Paris,  France. 
5.  Ruth,  a  student  at  the  Wilkes-Barre  Insti- 
tute. 6.  Robert  J.,  a  student  in  the  Wyoming 
Seminary. 


REV.  EDWARD  J.  GAFF!VEY— Resident 
pastor  of  St.  Patrick's  Roman  Catholic  Church 
at  White  Haven  since  1922,  Father  Edward 
J.  Gaffney  has  devoted  himself  to  the  works 
of  his  church  throughout  his  pastorate  in  a 
manner  that  has  brought  him  commendation, 
both  from  his  superiors  and  from  members 
of  his  parish.  This  church,  which  at  first  had 
about  one  hundred  and  thirty-five  families, 
now  has  more  than  two  hundred  and  fifty, 
much  of  this  growth  being  due  to  Father 
Gaffney. 

Father  Edward  J.  Gaffney  was  born  May 
30.  1874,  at  Freeland,  Pennsylvania,  son  of 
Thomas  and  Mary  (Boyle)  Gaffney.  Thomas 
Gaffney,  a  native  of  Ireland,  born  in  1S43,  was 
a  miner  throughout  his  life,  but  is  now  living 
retired.  Mary  (Boyle)  Gaffney,  also  a  native 
of  Ireland,   was   born   in    1845. 

The  first  resident  pastor  of  St.  Patrick's 
Roman  Catholic  Church  was  M.  J.  Bergrath, 
and  a  cornerstone  to  the  present  church  was 
laid  in  1869.  with  a  pastor  at  Eckling.  Penn- 
sylvania. Rev.  Father  Bergrath  erected  the 
parochial  school  in  1879,  and  also  the  pastor's 
residence.  He  served  this  parish  as  pastor  for 
thirty-three  years  and  was  succeeded  by 
Father  Driscoll,  now  deceased.  Other  pastors 
in  the  order  of  their  service  here  "were: 
Father  J.  F.  Holmes,  Father  J.  E.  Lynott,  and 
beginning  in  February.  1922,  the  present  oc- 
cupant. Rev.  Edward  J.  Gaffney.  This  church, 
with  a  seating  capacity  of  about  seven  hun- 
dred, maintains  a  most  successful  school, 
with     about     one     hundred     and     twenty-five 


pupils  enrolled  therein.  As  heretofore  noted, 
the  parish  growth  has  been  quite  remarkable, 
increasing  from  one  hundred  and  thirty-five 
families  to  two  hundred  and  fifty. 

Rev.  Edward  J.  Gaftney  obtained  his  pre- 
liminary education  in  the  public  schools  of 
Preeland,  and  at  the  completion  of  his  studies 
there,  matriculated  at  Holy  Cross  College, 
Worcester,  Massachusetts.  Holy  Cross  gradu- 
ated him  in  1899,  with  the  degree  of  Bachelor 
of  Arts,  and  he  then  entered  St.  Mary's  Semi- 
nary of  Baltimore,  Maryland,  being  gradu- 
ated therefrom  in  1903.  Ordained  July  4, 
1903,  bv  the  Rt.  Rev.  M.  J.  Hoban,  at  St. 
Mary's  Church,  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania, 
Rev.  Gaffnev,  for  the  ensuing  two  years  was 
assistant  pastor  at  Blossburg.  Then  followed 
a  period  of  ten  years  during  which  he  served 
in  a  similar  capacity  at  Minooka,  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  this  was  followed  by  four  years  as 
assistant  at  Freeland,  Pennsylvania.  Father 
Gaffney's  appointment  to  St.  Patricks  at 
White  Haven,  was  preceded  immediately  by 
four  years  as  pastor  at  Elkland,  Pennsyl- 
vania Since  coming  to  White  Haven,  Father 
Gaffney  has  not  only  labored  zealously  for 
his  parish,  but  has  been  identified  wdth  other 
spheres  of  activity  in  this  town.  During  the 
World  War  he  was  duite  active  in  aiding  his 
government  in  bringing  this  conflict  to  a 
Successful  conclusion,  at  that  time  being 
located  at  Elkland.  He  is  a  Democrat  and  a 
member  of  the  Knights  of  Columbus,  his  ad- 
vice and  counsel  being  ^'i^hly  appreciated  in 
this  last-named  organization.  Father  GaHney 
resides  at  No.  580  Elmira  Street,  \Vh.te 
Haven. 

HENRY  W.  EIDAM  is  among  the  business 
men  of  Hazleton  who  have  built  up  an  enter- 
prise which  promises  continued  growth.  Me 
fs  the  son  of  Henry  and  Martha  (Mast)  Eidam, 
both  natives  of  Germany  who  came  to  his 
country  when  very  young  and  for  a  time 
settled  in  Batavia,  New  York,  and  later  came 
to  Hazleton,  where  Mr.  Eidam  engaged  n 
the  carpenter's  trade.  He  was  <""Pl°/\^  '" 
this  line  for  many  years  and,  being  %  ery 
fond  of  music,  he  taught  himself  to  play 
both  string  and  brass  instruments.  He  also 
took  an  interest  in  taxidermy  as  a  side- 
line and  in  that  he  became  very  proficient, 
doing  quite  a  lucrative  business  in  addition 
to  cIriJentry.  At  the  age  of  forty  years, 
he  took  a  position  with  the  city  as  a  fire- 
man helping  to  install  the  electric  fire-alarm 
system  of  which  he  was  placed  in  charge 
also  being  janitor  at  the  C'^'  Ha"-  He 
continued  in  this  service  until  the  time  of 
his  death,  at  about  sixty-five  years  He  was 
a  member  of  the  Reformed  Church  and  foi 
many  years  active  in  Sunday  school  work. 
His  wife  died  several  years  prior  to  his 
death. 

Henry  W  Eidam  was  born  in  Hazleton, 
Pennsylvania,  July  19,  1882.  After  finish- 
ing his  education  in  the  public  schools,  he 
worked  for  the  Lehigh  Traction  Company, 
where  he  learned  the  trade  of  coach  painter 
and  for  eight  years  was  in  charge  of  the 
Lehigh  and  Wilkes-Barre  Railway  paint 
shops,  as  well  as  the  painting  and  upkeep 
of  the  properties  of  this  company.  In  1908, 
he  resigned  from  this  position  and  with  his 
brother  opened  a  garage,  but  did  not  give 
all  of  his  time  to  the  new  business  until 
1922.  In  that  year,  he  began  to  devote  his 
entire  attention  to  the  garage,  which  has 
the  agency  for  Willys-Knight  and  Whippet 
motor  cars.  Salesroom  and  service  station 
are  at  the  corner  of  Broad  and  Vine  streets, 


with  space  for  forty  cars  In  a  public  gaia^e. 
Mr.  Eidam  is  a  member  of  the  Pennsylvania 
Automoliile  Association:  the  Hazleton  Motor 
Club:  the  Patriotic  Order  Sons  of  America  and 
the  Presbyterian  Church. 

Henry  W.  Eidam  married,  in  1908,  Carrie 
A.  Yeager,  of  Hazleton.  She  died  in  1925, 
leaving  a  daughter,  Frances  Louise,  who  is 
now  a  student  at  Teachers'  College,  West- 
chester, Pennsylvania.  Mr.  Eidam  resides  in 
the  Bacham  Apartments,  West  Maple  Street, 
Hazleton,  Pennsylvania. 


FERDINAND    SYLVESTER    FOWLER    was 

born  February  25,  1857,  at  Catawissa,  Colum- 
bia County,  Pennsylvania,  son  of  Elijah  Ab- 
bott Fowler,  a  highly  respected  farmer,  who 
died  in  1869.  and  Maria  (Hoffman)  Fowler,  a 
woman  of  great  strength  of  character  and 
personality,  who  passed  away  in  the  same 
year  as  her  husband.  Mr.  Fowler  first  at- 
tended the  public  schools  of  Shamokin.  He 
then  entered  an  apprenticeship  in  printing 
with  his  brother,  who  was  publishing  the 
"Shamokin  Herald";  but  Mr.  Fowler  soon  saw 
that  the  best  business  possibilities  lay  in 
job  printing  and  binding,  and  before  long  he 
formed  a  connection  with  E.  B.  Yordy,  who 
in  1870  had  established  a  small  plant  on  West 
Market  Street.  The  business  was  acquired  in 
1900  by  Mr.  Fowler  and  George  F.  Coddington, 
and  they  continued  in  partnership  until  1922, 
when  tlie  firm  was  incorporated.  Mr.  Yordy, 
meantime,  had  died,  in  1901.  In  1916  William 
N.  Schang  was  admitted  to  the  partnership. 
The  officers  are  now  Mr.  Fowler,  president; 
Mrs.  George  P.  Coddington,  vice-president; 
and  Mr.  Schang,  secretary  and  treasurer.  Mr. 
Fowler's  grandfather,  Daniel  Fowler,  was  one 
of  the  early  settlers  of  Columbia  County, 
along  with  his  father,  Elijah  Abbott  Fowler, 
a  tanner  by  trade  and  later  a  farmer.  Elijah 
A.  Fowler  and  his  wife  became  the  parents 
of:  Clark,  deceased,  a  veteran  of  the  Civil 
War  on  the  Union  side;  Alice,  deceased; 
Owen,  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  War  and  a 
printer  by  trade;  Ferdinand  S.,  of  whom 
further  mention  is  made;  May,  deceased; 
William;  Abraham  Lincoln,  of  Williamsport; 
Elijah   A.,   Jr.,   of  Berwick,   Pennsylvania. 

Mr.  Fowler  is  a  member  of  Wilkes-Barre 
Lodge,  No.  61,  of  the  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons:  Shekinah  Chapter,  No.  182,  Royal 
Arch  Masons;  Mount  Horeb  Council,  Royal 
and  Select  Masters;  Dieu  le  Veut  Commandery 
No.  45.  Knights  Templar;  Caldwell  Consistory 
of  the  Scottish  Rite  Masons,  thirty-second 
degree,  of  Bloomsburg;  and  Irem  Temple,  of 
the  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the 
Mystic  Shrine;  also  Wilkes-Barre  Lodge  No. 
147,  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias.  He  is  Past 
Master  by  service  of  Lodge  No.  61,  of  Masons. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Greater  Wilkes-Barre 
Chamber  of  Commerce,  the  Press  Club  and 
the   Craftsman's   Club. 

Mr.  Fowler  is  the  proud  owner  of  a  fine 
country  place  at  Pine  View,  ten  miles  from 
Wilkes-Barre,  and  here  he  recreates  himself 
and  friends  in  season,  where  he  has  a  fine 
garden  and  beautiful  vistas  of  the  surround- 
ing country. 

Mr.  Fowler  married,  in  1879,  Emma  L. 
Shipp,  of  Shamokin.  daughter  of  John  and 
Mary  (Zerne)  Shipp,  and  they  have  become 
the  parents  of  five  children;  1.  Charlotte  M., 
married  P.  F.  Best.  2.  Nellie  A.,  married  L.  C. 
Searfoss.  3.  Robert  H.,  married  Myrtle  E. 
Johns.  4.  Horace  Shipp,  a  graduate  of  Lehigh 
University,  South  Bethlehem,  with  the  degree 
of   Mechanical   Engineer;   served   in   the   Ord- 


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nance  Department  of  the  United  States  Army 
at  Washington  during  the  World  War,  and 
married  Olga  Groschke.  5.  Minnie  R.,  at  home. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fowler  have  fourteen  grand- 
children and  one  great-grandchild. 


t;rY  \V.  .MOORE  is  a  native  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  since  he  was  about  a  year  old  has 
lived  in  Luzerne  County.  Born  in  Carbon 
County,  March  30,  1S6S,  his  father,  deceased, 
was  Mason  C  Moore,  member  of  a  family 
old  in  the  history  of  the  Commonwealth,  a 
farmer,  and  man  of  some  prominence  in  the 
communities  of  his  residence.  His  mother, 
Margaret  (Tinklepaugh)  Moore,  is  also  de- 
ceased. Both  parents  were  natives  of  Lu- 
zerne, and  in  1S70  returned  to  this  county, 
where   they   spent   the   balance    of   their   days. 

It  was  in  Kingston  that  Mr.  Moore  secured 
his  instruction,  in  the  public  schools.  For 
four  years,  the  time  always  required  since 
the  printing  craft  has  become  well  organized 
in  America,  he  served  as  an  apprentice  in 
the  composing  room  of  the  "Record,"  learn- 
ing the  cases,  how  to  stick  type  and  justify 
forms,  et  cetera,  throughout  the  long  list 
of  things  that  are  to  be  learned  by  members 
of  the  guild;  and  at  eighteen  years  of  age' 
found  himself  established  on  the  rolls  of  his 
paper's  compositors.  Eventually  he  became 
foreman  of  composition.  It  is  of  interest  to 
note  at  this  point  that  the  linotype  machine 
— typesetting  machine  operated  from  a  key- 
board similar  to  that  of  a  typewriter — had 
not  come  into  general  usage,  due  to  the 
impracticability  of  early  models  together 
with  reluctance  of  newspaper  proprietors  to 
spend  the  money  involved.  When  Mr.  Moore 
was  fourteen,  and  for  some  years  after,  all 
type  matter  was  set  up  by  hand,  in  a  stick, 
from  the  cases.  It  was  many  years  before 
typesetting  machines  were  so  fully  developed 
as  materially  to  reduce  the  number  of  hand 
compositors  regularly  employed.  Improve- 
ments in  composition,  improvements  in  press 
mechanisms,  improvements  in  newspaper 
direction  and  evolution  of  editorial  methods 
— Mr.  Moore  has  seen  them  all,  as  an  active 
participant. 

Had  Mr.  Moore  not  possessed  executive 
ability  he  could  not  have  become  foreman 
of  the  composing  room,  and  from  that  posi- 
tion was  promoted  to  the  office  of  business 
manager.  He  was  named  the  paper's  busi- 
ness chief  in  1903,  at  the  age  of  thirty-five 
years.  From  that  point  onward  his  progress, 
or  rather  his  position,  was  guaranteed  through 
proven  ability  along  managerial  lines.  It 
was  in  1915,  twelve  years  after  having  as- 
sumed the  business  managership  of  the 
"Record,"  that  he  was  given  the  post  of  gen- 
eral manager,  carrying  with  it  the  greatest 
authority  owned  by  any  man  in  the  publica- 
tion's employ.  Long  association  with  the 
"Record"  and  with  the  people  of  the  Wilkes- 
Barre  area  have  given  Mr.  Moore  a  thorough 
comprehension  of  all  fundamentals  in  the 
district's  progress,  and  he  has  constantly 
served  as  an  active  agent  toward  this  prog- 
ress, rendering  valued  service  to  the  people 
at  large.  The  paper  is  one  of  the  largest  in 
all  Northeastern  Pennsylvania,  having,  ac- 
cordingly, a  broad  influence,  its  circulation, 
influence  and  service  being  retroactive  one 
upon  the  other,  strengthened  in  each  sep- 
arate aspect  as  the  complementary  aspects 
become  stronger.  The  reward  to  the  paper  is 
seen  in  part  in  the  new  building  and  equip- 
ment, the  plant  being  one  of  the  finest  in 
the  State,  and  one  of  the  largest  when  the 
size  of  the  city  seat  is  taken  into  con- 
sideration. 

Aside   from   his   career   as   newspaper   man, 


Mr.  Moore  has  wide  financial,  fraternal  and 
political  interests.  He  is  vice-president  and 
secretary  of  the  Wyoming  Valley  Trust  Com- 
pany of  Wilkes-Barre;  a  director  of  the 
Luzerne  National  Bank  of  Luzerne  and  direc- 
tor of  the  Jackson  Telephone  Company,  of 
Jackson,  Tennessee.  He  gives  his  support  to 
the  principles  and  candidates  of  the  Repub- 
lican party,  and  is  of  prominence  in  its  ranks 
locally.  In  1916  he  was  a  delegate  at  large 
from  Pennsylvania  to  the  Republican  National 
Convention  that  met  in  Chicago.  Mr.  Moore 
was  appointed  by  Governor  Pinchot  a  member 
of  the  Committee  of  Seventy-Six  to  study  and 
recommend  revision  of  the  election  laws  of 
Pennsylvania  and  was  made  a  member  of  the 
executive  organization  of  the  committee  and 
also  chairman  of  its  fact-finding  branch.  He 
was  appointed  by  Governor  Fisher  in  1927 
a  member  of  the  Pennsylvania  election  law 
commission  consisting  of  nine  inembers  from 
the  .State  at  large.  He  is  a  director  of  the 
Wyoming  Valley  Homeopathic  Hospital. 
Fraternally,  he  is  identified  with  Kingston 
Lodge,  No.  395,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons; 
Shekinah  Chapter,  No.  182,  Royal  Arch  Ma- 
sons, of  Wilkes-Barre;  Dieu  le  Veut  Com- 
mandery.  Knights  Templar,  No.  45,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre;  also  a  member  of  Irem  Temple, 
Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic 
Shrine,  Wilkes-Barre,  and  one  of  the  board 
of  governors  of  its  country  club.  He  belongs 
to  the  Westmoreland  Club  and  Franklin 
Club,  to  the  Scranton  Club  of  Scranton,  and 
to    others. 

Mr.  Moore  married,  July  30,  1897,  Esther 
Parry,  daughter  of  John  and  Mary  (Jones) 
Parry,  of  Kingston.  They  have  a  son,  John 
Mason,  graduate  of  Harvard  University,  class 
of  1925. 

It  can  readily  be  seen  from  the  account 
that  has  gone  before  that  Mr.  Moore  is 
termed  a  "self-made"  man.  This  is  the  case, 
and  today  he  is  one  of  the  dominant  figures 
of  his  community  and  the  Wyoming  Valley. 
The  new  and  beautiful  newspaper  plant  hous- 
ing the  "Record"  and  belonging  to  its  pub- 
lishing organization,  the  Record  Publishing 
Company,  is  testimony  of  his  devotion  to  the 
newspaper,  the  community  and  that  portion 
of  the  State  which  he  has  served  so  well,  and 
which  he  continues  to  serve  with  ever- 
increasing  good.  A  fitting  monument,  indeed, 
for  one  of  the  newspaper  business. 


ROBERT    LAWRENCE    SEITZINGER — One 

of  the  best  pharmacies  in  Luzerne  County 
is  the  one  owned  and  operated  by  Robert 
Lawrence  Seitzinger,  in  Freeland.  Mr.  Seit- 
zinger  established  this  business  soon  after 
his  discharge  from  service  in  the  World  War, 
locating  first  at  No.  623  Center  Street,  in 
1919,  but  later  he  removed  to  Nos.  608-10 
Center  Street,  where  he  is  now  conducting 
a  thoroughly  modern  pharmacy,  carrying  a 
full  line  of  drugs  and  all  the  specialties 
usually  found  in  an  up-to-date  drug  store. 
His  place  has  become  very  popular  in  Free- 
land,  and  Mr.  Seitzinger  is  one  who  knows 
how  to  hold  his  trade.  Quality  goods,  expert 
and  interested  service,  together  with  sound 
business  principles  and  methods,  have 
brought  him  a  rapidly  growing  patronage, 
and  his  progressiveness  and  initiative  have 
kept  him  well  in  the  front  ranks  of  those 
who  handle  pharmaceutical  wares.  Mr.  Seit- 
zinger is  a  graduate  of  the  Philadelphia 
College  of  Pharmacy,  and  has  been  operating 
his    drug    store    since    May,    1919. 

Robert  Lawrence  Seitzinger  was  born  In 
Gordon,  Schuylkill  County,  Pennsylvania, 
November  23,  1890.  son  of  William  O.  and 
Margaret      Elizabeth      (Koppenhover)      Seit- 


SS4 


zingrer.  The  family,  on  the  paternal  side, 
were  located  here  before  the  Revolution  and 
Mr.  Seitzinger's  paternal  great-great-grand- 
father was  a  soldier  in  that  conflict.  The 
family  has  produced  many  members  of  the 
various  professions,  successful  men  in  vari- 
ous lines  of  business  activity,  and  some 
statesmen.  In  the  communities  in  which 
they  have  lived  they  have  been  among  the 
progressive  and  public-spirited  citizens,  and 
men  of  force  of  character.  Mr.  Seitzinger 
received  his  early  and  preparatory  education 
in  the  public  schools  and  after  graduating 
from  Gordon  High  School  with  the  class  of 
1908  taught  in  the  public  schools  for  one 
year.  When  the  school  year  was  over  he 
became  a  clerk  in  the  drug  store  owned  and 
operated  by  his  sister,  Mrs.  G.  G.  Hubler,  of 
Gordon,  Pennsylvania,  and  in  this  connection 
he  became  interested  in  the  drug  business. 
After  two  years  of  experience  in  his  sister's 
store,  he  decided  to  fully  prepare  himself 
for  the  pharmaceutical  profession,  and 
entered  the  Philadelphia  College  of  Phar- 
macy, from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1916 
with  the  degree  of  Graduate  Pharmacist. 
After  graduation  he  came  to  Freeland  as 
manager  of  C.  A.  Welsh's  pharmacy.  Later 
he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Hazle  Drug 
Company,  of  Hazleton,  with  whom  he  re- 
mained until  his  enlistment  for  service  in 
the  World  War  in  1918,  as  a  member  of 
the  54th  Infantry.  Later  he  was  a  member 
of  the  58th  and  still  later  of  the  39th  In- 
fantry, and  eventually  he  was  transferred  to 
the  Medical  Department,  and  stationed  at 
Camp  Stewart,  Hampton,  Virginia,  where  he 
remained  until  he  was  mustered  out  of  serv- 
ice in  March,  1919.  On  May  30,  1919,  he 
opened  his  own  pharmacy  in  Freeland,  at 
No.  623  Center  Street,  but  later  he  removed 
to  his  present  location  on  the  same  street. 
His  establishment  is  a  thoroughly  up-to-date 
one,  and  he  sees  to  it  that  his  stock  ia 
always  kept  full  and  so  selected  as  to  meet 
the  special  demands  of  his  public.  Full 
lines  of  the  usual  pharmaceutical  products 
and  also  of  the  specialties  usually  found  in 
modem  drug  stores,  attractive  displays,  and 
excellent  service  have  made  his  store  a 
popular  one,  and  Mr.  Seitzinger  is  well  able 
to  hold  his  large  patronage.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Luzerne  County  Pharmaceutical 
Association,  of  the  Pennsylvania  State  Phar- 
maceutical Association,  and  of  the  American 
Pharmaceutical  Association,  and  is  well 
known  among  his  colleagues  of  the  pharma- 
ceutical profession.  In  addition  to  the  suc- 
cessful management  of  his  prosperous  busi- 
ness Mr.  Seitzinger  finds  time  tor  numerous 
fraternal  and  other  affiliations.  He  is  ac- 
tively interested  in  civic  affairs,  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Business  Men's  Association.  He 
is  a  Past  Commander  of  the  American 
Legion,  and  active  in  its  affairs.  His  numer- 
ous fraternal  affiliations  include  member- 
ship in  Arbutus  Lodge,  No.  611,  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons,  in  which  order  he  is  also 
a  member  of  Caldwell  Consistory,  at  Blooms- 
burg;  and  of  Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic 
Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  He  is 
also  a  member  of  the  Benevolent  and  Pro- 
tective Order  of  Elks,  the  Independent  Order 
of  Odd  Fellows,  and  the  Patriotic  Order  Sons 
of  America:  also  of  the  "40  and  8."  His  reli- 
gious membership  is  with  the  Lutheran 
Church,  of  Freeland,  which  he  serves  as  a 
member  of  its  council. 

Robert  Lawrence  Seitzinger  was  married, 
June  3,  1918,  to  Hilda  H.  Fox,  of  Freeland, 
Penpsylvania,  and  they  have  four  children: 
Esther  Fox;  Robert  Lawrence,  Jr.;  Jean 
Louise;    and    William    O.      Mrs.    Seitzinger    is 


a  member  and  was  the  first  president  of  the 
local  lodge  of  the  Woman's  Auxiliary  of  the 
American  Legion,  and  she  is  interested  in 
civic  and  philanthropic  affairs  in  Freeland. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Seitzinger  make  their  home 
at  No.  608-10  Center  Street,  in  Freeland, 
where   Mr.    Seitzinger's   pharmacy   Is   located. 


JOHN  OONLOIV — In  the  life  of  Hudson, 
Pennsylvania,  and  the  surrounding  regions  of 
the  Wyoming  Valley,  John  Conlon  has  taken 
an  important  part  in  the  coal  industry  and 
in  business  affairs  generally,  now  holding 
the  position  of  a  coal  operator  and  producer. 
From  small  beginnings  he  has  worked  his 
way  upward  to  this  place,  having  started  his 
association  with  the  mines  here  in  the  capac- 
ity of  breaker  boy  and  having  risen  through 
the  various  stages  in  the  mining  industry 
to  a  superintendency,  and  then  to  actual 
ownership.  Keenly  interested  in  the  develop- 
ment of  his  community's  best  civic  inter- 
ests, Mr.  Conlon  takes  an  active  part  in 
public  affairs  and  lends  his  support  to  what- 
ever movements  he  believes  designed  to 
increase  the  prosperity  of  Hudson  and  Lu- 
zerne County. 

A  son  of  Myles  and  Bridget  (Riley)  Con- 
lon, he  is  descended  from  an  old  Irish  fam- 
ily, his  parents  having  been  natives  of 
County  Roscommon,  Ireland,  having  come 
to  the  United  States  and  settled  in  New 
York  City,  only  to  remove  a  little  later  to 
Ashland,  Schuylkill  County,  Pennsylvania, 
where  Myles  Conlon  was  employed  in  the 
coal  mines,  and  having  gone  in  the  early 
fifties  to  live  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania. 
There  he  remained  until  the  period  of  the 
Civil  War,  when  he  removed  to  Hudson, 
Luzerne  County,  which  was  his  home  there- 
after. He  continued  as  a  mine  worker 
throughout  his  life,  and  died  in  1887.  He 
is  buried  in  Parsons  Cemetery,  Hudson, 
Pennsylvania.  Both  he  and  his  wife  were 
members  of  the  Roman  Catholic  Church. 
They  were  the  parents  of  ten  children: 
James,  Thomas,  Winifred,  Myles,  Cornelius, 
Mary  Ann,  John,  of  whom  this  is  a  record; 
William,  Peter,  who  for  twenty  years  was 
principal  of  schools  at  Plains,  Pennsylvania; 
and  Annie,  who  became  the  wife  of  Edward 
J    Cochran,   of  Plains,   Pennsylvania. 

Of  these,  John  Conlon  was  born  m  Scran- 
ton, Pennsylvania,  on  May  5,  1862.  For  a 
time  he  attended  school  in  the  log  school- 
house  at  Plains,  but  the  financial  condition 
of  his  family  made  it  necessary  for  him  and 
his  brothers  to  become  wage  earners  at  an 
early  age-  and  so  it  was  that  John  Conlon 
started  work  as  a  breaker  boy  at  the  Mill 
Creek  Mine,  and  a  little  later  obtained  work 
in  the  mine.  As  he  became  an  expert  miner 
he  won  promotions  from  time  to  time  until 
he  became  assistant  superintendent  of  the 
Pine  Ridge  Mine,  which  was  owned  and  oper- 
ated bv  the  Delaware  and  Hudson  Company. 
Prom  that  time,  1880,  he  held  the  position 
of  assistant  superintendent  for  twelve  years, 
until  at  length,  in  1892,  he  was  made  super- 
intendent. In  this  new  capacity  he  showed 
excellent  ability,  and  fulfilled  his  duties  to 
the  satisfaction  of  the  mine  owners.  He 
resigned  in  1913,  however,  and  bought  a 
tract  of  one  hundred  and  sixty-five  acres  of 
coal-bearing  land  from  the  Fairmount  Land 
Company.  It  was  then  that  he  opened  up 
a  slope  and  became  a  producing  coal  operator. 
The  work  at  his  own  mine  met  with  success 
from  the  outset,  so  that  today,  situated  in 
Hudson  in  the  heart  of  this  State's  anthracite 
region,  it  is  one  of  the  leading  mines  of 
the  vicinity,  and  John  Conlon,  its  owner,  one 
of  the  substantial  operators  of  his  time. 


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sss 


In  addition  to  his  work  in  all  phases  of 
the  mining-  industry,  Mr.  Conlon  has  taken 
part  extensively  in  the  life  ot  his  community 
and  Luzerne  County.  Highly  respected  and 
popular  in  Hudson,  he  served  for  more  than 
two  decades  as  a  member  of  the  local  school 
board,  and  was  at  different  periods  its  presi- 
dent and  treasurer.  He  is  also  a  member  of 
the  board  of  directors  of  the  Dime  Deposit 
Bank,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania.  A 
close  observer  of  political  developments  and 
State  affairs,  he  is,  in  his  own  views,  iden- 
tified with  the  Democratic  party,  whose  poli- 
cies and  candidates  he  regularly  supports. 
His  religious  faith  is  that  of  the  Roman 
Catholic  Church,  and  he  is  a  member  of  the 
Sacred  Heart   Parish. 

On  December  1,  18S5,  Mr.  Conlon  married 
Mary  Clarke,  born  at  Bloomsburg,  Pennsyl- 
vania, April  S,  1865,  daughter  of  John  and 
Mary  (Carey)  Clarke.  Her  father  was  a 
native  of  County  Roscommon,  Ireland:  and  he 
and  Mary  (Carey)  Clarke  were  the  parents 
of  these  children,  John,  James,  Michael,  Mary 
(Mrs.  John  Conlon),  Margaret,  now  deceased, 
who  married  James  Dunleavy,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre;  Peter;  and  Eugene,  deceased. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Conlon  became  the  parents  of 
eleven    children:     1.     William,    born    February 

4,  1S87,  married  Catherine  Featherston,  of 
Wilkes-Barre,  a  teacher.  2.  Mary,  a  graduate 
nurse.  3.  Margaret,  a  teacher  of  languages 
at  the  Plains  High  School.  4.  Gertrude,  a 
graduate   of   Mansfield   State    Normal    School. 

5.  Joseph,  born  August  6,  1896,  a  graduate 
of  Mansfield  State  Normal  School,  now  in  the 
service  of  his  country,  holding  the  rank  of 
corporal  of  Battery  D,  311th  Field  Artillery, 
United  States  Army.  6.  Peter,  and  7.  Paul, 
twins,  born  August  22,  1899,  now  in  real 
estate  business  in  Wilkes-Barre.  8.  John, 
born  May  13,  1903.  9.  Julia.  10.  Alice.  11. 
Charles    Myles,    born    November    9,    1907. 


BOLTON  G.  COOIV — Engaged  in  the  general 
contracting  in  Luzerne,  being  the  head  of 
one  of  the  oldest  establishments  of  its  kind 
in  Luzerne  County,  Bolton  G.  Coon  employs 
many  men,  as  did  his  father  before  him, 
and  has  his  headquarters  at  No.  274  Union 
Street,  in  the  town  of  Luzerne.  There  is  no 
phase  of  the  life  of  Wilkes-Barre  in  which 
he  is  not  keenly  interested,  and  the  part  that 
he  plays  in  civic  and  social  affairs  is  an 
extensive  one.  He  belongs  to  a  number  of 
organizations  which  lead  in  the  work  of  this 
city  and  Wilkes-Barre  and  are  active  through- 
out the  county  and  the  whole  Wyoming 
Valley. 

Mr.  Coon  was  born  in  Kingston,  where  he 
still  makes  his  home,  on  March  28,  1866.  son 
of  Alfred  Henry  and  Lorinda  (Marcy)  Coon. 
His  father,  A.  H.  Coon,  was  born  in  Hones- 
dale,  Wayne  County,  Pennsylvania,  in  1826, 
and  came  to  Luzerne  County  with  his  father 
in  1846,  having  the  contract  to  construct  the 
Lackawanna  Railroad  from  Nanticoke  to 
Shlckshinny.  Alfred  Henry  Coon  and  Colonel 
Hendrick  B.  Wright  together  built  and  oper- 
ated the  first  steamboat  that  ran  between 
Nanticoke  and  Wilkes-Barre.  A.  H.  Coon 
and  his  brother  built  the  Kingston  and 
Wilkes-Barre  Street  Railway  about  1865,  a 
horse-car  line,  and  they  operated  the  first 
water  works  in  Kingston.  He  himself  built 
and  was  one  of  the  directors  of  the  old 
turnpike  between  Dallas  and  Luzerne,  Penn- 
sylvania. Mr.  Coon  and  his  son,  Bolton  G., 
have  built  about  forty-five  complete  water 
plants  for  boroughs  and  towns  in  different 
parts  of  the  country.  A.  H.  Coon  died  in 
April,  1913.  His  wife,  Lorinda  (Marcy)  Coon, 
was   a   daughter   of  Reuben   Marcy,   and  was 


born  in  Kingston,  Pennsylvania:  she  was  one 
ot  the  first  students  ot  Wyoming  Seminary, 
and  is  now  deceased.  Reuben  Marcy  was 
born  in  Marcy  Township,  Pennsylvania,  and 
was  a  prominent  building  contractor.  Reuben 
Marcy's  grandfather  was  a  governor  of  Mas- 
sachusetts. 

Bolton  G.  Coon,  of  whom  this  is  a  record, 
received  his  early  education  in  the  public 
schools  in  Kingston,  his  birthplace,  and  then 
attended  the  Wyoming  Seminary.  He  entered 
the  general  contracting  business  with  his 
father,  Alfred  H.  Coon,  in  the  firm  of  A.  H. 
Coon  and  Sons,  with  which  he  continued  to 
be  associated  until  1907,  when  B.  G.  Coon 
formed  his  own  construction  company  under 
the  name  of  B.  G.  Coon  Construction  Com- 
pany, which  has  continued  as  one  of  the  lead- 
ing organizations  of  its  kind  since  that  time. 
It  is  engaged  in  a  general  contracting  busi- 
ness, which  extends  into  several  different 
fields,  including  water  works,  roads,  railroad 
work  and  general  heavy  construction,  sewer- 
age disposal  plants,  and  sewers,  and  employs 
an  average  of  seventy-five  men.  It  is,  as 
is  stated  above,  one  of  the  oldest  businesses 
of  its  kind  in  Luzerne  County,  the  Coon 
family  having  been  engaged  in  construction 
work  continuously  for  more  than  ninety 
years. 

In  addition  to  his  work  as  head  of  the  B. 
G.  Coon  Construction  Company,  Mr.  Coon  is 
active  in  the  affairs  of  Kingston,  as  well  as 
those  of  the  town  and  county  of  Luzerne. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons,  in  which  his  affiliation  is  with  Lodge 
No.  395,  of  Kingston,  and  in  which  he  also 
belongs  to  the  Shekinah  Chapter  of  Royal 
Arch  Masons;  the  Dieu  le  Veut  Commandery 
No.  45,  of  Knights  Templar;  the  Caldwell 
Consistory  of  the  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish 
Rite  at  Bloomsburg;  and  Irem  Temple  of  the 
Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic 
Shrine.  He  also  holds  memberships  in  the 
Franklin  Club,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  and  the 
Kiwanis  Club.  His  religious  faith  is  that  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  in  which  he 
is  a  member  of  the  Kingston  parish.  He 
is  a  director  in  the  Beneficial  Loan  Asso- 
ciation of  ■Wilkes-Barre.  Thus  it  may  be 
seen  that  Mr.  Coon  plays  a  part  in  practically 
all  phases  of  the  business  and  social  life  of 
Wilkes-Barre  and  Luzerne  County,  and  that 
the  organizations  with  which  he  is  affiliated 
are  those  which  stand  for  all  that  is  sound 
and  conservative  in  the  affairs  of  city.  State 
and   Nation. 

Bolton  G.  Coon  married,  in  1895,  Edith 
Marcv  Harden,  of  Kingston,  Pennsylvania, 
daughter  of  John  M.  and  Mary  (Marcy) 
Harden.  Her  father,  John  M.  Harden,  was 
a  verv  prominent  mining  engineer.  By  this 
marriage  Bolton  G.  and  Edith  M.  (Harden) 
Coon  have  become  the  parents  of  three  chil- 
dren: 1.  -Alfred  Harden,  a  biography  of 
whom  follows  this.  2.  Harold  Bolton,  born 
in  1S99.  died  In  191S,  while  a  student  at 
Pennsylvania  State  College.  3.  John  M.,  born 
in  1908,  now  a  senior  (1930)  in  Princeton 
University. 


ALFRED  HARDEN  COON — A  leader  in  the 
contracting  and  construction  business,  as 
have  been  both  his  father  and  grandfather, 
Alfred  Harden  Coon  has  been  continuously 
associated  with  the  B.  G.  Coon  Construction 
Company,  which  bears  the  name  of  his  father, 
since  boyhood.  He  began  working  during  the 
summer  months  with  this  organization  when 
he  was  only  fourteen  years  old,  and  has  long 
been  active  in  its  affairs. 

Mr.  Coon  was  born  at  Kingston,  Pennsyl- 
vania,   on    July    18,    1896,    son    ot    Bolton    G. 


556 


and  Edith  Marcy  (Harden)  Coon  and  grand- 
son on  the  paternal  side  of  his  house  of 
Alfred  Henry  and  Lorinda  (Marcy)  Coon  and 
on  the  maternal  side  of  Jolin  M.  and  Mary 
(Marcy)  Harden.  A  brief  review  of  his 
grandparents'  activities  is  found  in  the 
preceding  sketch  of  his  father,  Bolton  G. 
Coon. 

Alfred  Harden  Coon  received  his  early 
education  in  the  public  schools,  and  was 
graduated  in  1912  from  the  Dorranceton 
High  School,  and  two  years  later  from  Wyo- 
ming Seminary.  He  then  spent  three  years 
at  the  Pennsylvania  State  College,  where  he 
studied  civil  and  sanitary  engineering,  and 
where  he  remained  until,  in  May,  1917,  he 
left  to  enter  the  1st  Reserve  Officers'  Train- 
ing Corps,  at  Madison  Barracks,  New  York. 
On  August  15,  that  year,  he  became  a  second 
lieutenant  of  Field  Artillery  in  that  corps; 
and  on  December  31,  1917,  he  was  elevated 
to  the  rank  of  first  lieutenant.  On  August 
19,  191S,  he  was  made  a  captain  in  the  Field 
Artillery  of  the  United  States  Army.  FYom 
May,  191S,  to  May,  1919,  he  served  with  the 
American  Expeditionary  Forces,  in  the  309th 
Field  Artillery,  7Sth  Division,  in  which  he 
was  regimental  adjutant.  Since  the  con- 
clusion of  the  World  War,  too.  Captain  Coon 
has  continued  his  military  labors,  having 
been,  from  January  1,  1920,  to  September, 
1927,  captain  in  the  109th  Field  Artillery  of 
the  Pennsylvania  National  Guard.  Since  the 
war,  he  has  been  engaged  continuously  in 
executive  work  attending  the  affairs  of  the 
B.  G.  Coon  Construction  Company,  with  the 
exception  of  a  three-month  period,  in  which, 
in  1922,  he  was  with  the  New  Mexico  Con- 
struction Company,  in  Albuquerque,  New 
Mexico.  Since  1919  he  has  been,  with  the 
Coon  company,  timekeeper,  foreman,  book- 
keeper, superintendent  and  general  manager 
of  the  organization,  and  has  performed  a 
most  useful  function  in  these  different  posts, 
He  is  also  secretary  of  this  company,  which 
has  completed  several  million  dollars'  worth 
of  engineering  construction  projects,  includ- 
ing roads,  bridges,  sewers,  reservoirs,  build- 
ing foundations  and  the  like. 

Along  with  his  labors  in  this  connection, 
Mr.  Coon  has  acted  as  a  director  in  the  Clark 
Lumber  and  Supply  Company,  of  Plymouth, 
Pennsylvania.  He  also  is  active  in  frater- 
nal and  social  circles,  having  joined,  in  his 
student  days,  the  Phi  Gamma  Delta  Frater- 
nity and  the  Lions'  Paw  Senior  Society  of 
Pennsylvania  State  College,  and  having  been 
elected  to  the  Tau  Beta  Pi,  an  honorary  engi- 
neering fraternity.  He  is  a  member,  too,  of 
the  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  in  which 
order  he  is  affiliated  with  Irem  Temple  of 
the  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the 
Mystic  Shrine.  He  is  a  leader  in  professional 
quarters,  taking  an  active  part  in  the  Engi- 
neers' Society  of  Northeastern  Pennsylvania 
and  its  work.  He  also  belongs  to  the  Lions' 
Club,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  and  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  of  Kingston.  Just  as  Mr. 
Coon  rendered  valuable  service  as  a  division 
executive  in  his  army  work,  "demonstrating 
excellent  administrative  and  instructional 
ability,"  as  his  superior  officer,  Lieutenant 
Colonel  F.  S.  Clark,  wrote  of  him,  so  he  has 
contributed  to  the  business  affairs  with  which 
he  has  liad  to  do. 

Alfred  Harden  Coon  has  been  twice  mar- 
ried: (first),  on  October  28.  1919,  at  Jack- 
son, Mississippi,  to  Ada  Green,  who  died 
August  20,  1922,  daughter  of  Marcellus  and 
Lucy  (Edelen)  Green,  of  that  place,  the 
former  an  attorney;  and  (second),  on  January 
27,  1925,  at  Plymouth,  Pennsylvania,  to  Mar- 
jorie    Lindsay,    daughter    of    George    P.    and 


Annie  (Jones)  Lindsay,  of  Plymouth,  where 
the  father  was  a  coal  operator.  The  chil- 
dren of  Alfred  Harden  Coon  have  been  three 
in  number,  two  of  whom  are  now  living: 
By  the  first  marriage,  1.  Alfred  Harden.  Jr., 
born  July  26,  1921.  By  the  second  marriage, 
2.  Bolton  G.,  2d,  born  July  22,  1926,  died 
January  19,  1928.  3.  Marjorie  Lindsay,  born 
May    20,    1928. 


JAMES  F.  O'BOYLE — It  is  one  of  the  per- 
versities of  human  thinking  to  expect  the  son 
of  a  successful  man  to  begin  where  his  father 
left  oft  and  to  judge  the  son  by  the  matured 
achievements  of  the  sire.  Such  was  the 
handicap  under  which  James  F.  O'Boyle 
began  his  business  career:  for  the  elder 
O'Boyle  was  a  business  man  well  known  for 
his  outstanding  abilities.  However,  the  son 
is  proving  himself  well  worthy  of  his  father's 
mantle;  for  by  his  own  acumen,  aggressive- 
ness and  sound  business  judgment,  he  is 
carrying  forward  with  increasing  success 
enterprises  founded  by  his  father  as  well 
as  important  organizations  establislied  by 
himself  through  competition,  complexities 
and   perplexities   unknown    to   an   earlier   day. 

James  P.  O'Boyle,  president  of  the  Pitts- 
ton  Coal  Mining  Company,  was  born  in  that 
city,  December  26,  1SS2,  son  of  Michael  and 
Bridget  (O'Donnell)  O'Boyle.  The  elder 
O'Boyle,  who  is  now  deceased  was  a  native 
of  Scranton.  His  wife  was  born  in  Pitts- 
ton.  Michael  O'Boyle  was  a  man  of  excep- 
tional business  ability  which  was  employed 
chiefly  in  the  mining  industry.  He  was  a 
director  of  the  Miners'  Bank  of  Pittston,  and 
took  an  active  part  in  everything  that  con- 
cerned the  welfare  of  the  city.  His  death 
occurred  in  January,  1924,  at  the  age  of 
seventy-two.  He  and  his  wife  had  a  family 
of  six  children:  James  F.,  of  whom  further; 
Ellen,  wife  of  E.  A.  Cusick;  Charles  M.,  manu- 
facturer of  railway  appliances.  New  York 
City;  Mary  C,  wife  of  W.  E.  Connolly.  Two 
children  died  young. 

James  P.  O'Boyle  prepared  for  college  in 
the  public  schools  of  his  native  city.  He  then 
matriculated  at  Holy  Cross  College,  Worces- 
ter Massachusetts,  from  which  he  was  grad- 
uated in  the  class  of  1904.  with  the  degree 
of  Bachelor  of  Arts.  In  1926,  his  alma  mater, 
in  recognition  of  his  achievements  since  leav- 
ing college,  honored  him  with  the  degree  of 
Bachelor  of  Science.  Immediately  upon  grad- 
uation Mr.  O'Boyle  plunged  into  the  coal 
mining  business,  at  first  in  connection  with 
the  Pittston  Coal  Company,  which  had  been 
organized  by  his  father  on  the  21st  of  April 
of  the  previous  vear.  As  he  became  more 
familiar  with  the  business  Mr.  O'Boyle 
extended  his  operations.  Among  his  interests 
mav  be  especially  mentioned  the  Hadleigh 
Colliery  at  Sugar  Notch,  which  he  operates 
and  which  gives  employment  to  four  hun- 
dred people.  He  is  also  treasurer  of  the 
Pittston  Coal  Sales  Company:  director  of  the 
Miners'  Bank  of  Pittston;  president  of  the 
St.  Lawrence  Importing  and  Distributing 
Company  of  Toronto  and  Montreal. 

He  is  keenly  alive  to  all  that  affects  the 
welfare  of  Pittston,  and  while  a  staunch 
adherent  of  the  Democratic  party,  and  believ- 
ing fully  in  every  citizen  performing  his 
civic  duties,  he  feels  that  he  can  best  serve 
the  interests  of  the  community  in  a  quiet 
personal  manner  rather  than  in  the  glare 
of  public  office.  Mr.  O'Boyle  is  a  member  of 
a  number  of  fraternal  orders  and  clubs, 
including  the  Benevolent  and  Protective 
Order  of  Elks,  the  Knights  of  Columbus,  the 
Fox  Hill  Country  Club,  the  "Valley  Club, 
Scranton   Club,   and   the   Whitehall   and   Cath- 


liipipipippppimiS^ 


WW 


,#^^_^ 


557 


olic  clubs  of  New  York  City.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  board  of  directors  of  the  Kislin  School 
for  Boys. 

James  F.  O'Boyle  married,  February  4,  1914, 
Margaret  Dillon  of  Binghamton,  New  York, 
and  they  have  been  blessed  with  a  family 
of  seven  children:  James  F.,  Jr.:  Michael  W.; 
John  O'Donnell:  Eugene  D.;  Robert  D.;  Mar- 
garet; and  Catherine.  The  family  are  mem- 
bers of  St.  John's  Roman  Catholic  Church. 
The  family  residence,  where  a  genial  hos- 
pitality is  dispensed  on  many  occasions,  is 
located  at  No.  S02  Susquehanna  Avenue, 
Pittston. 


Seminary;  was  ordained  a  priest  in  June, 
1927.  He  is  now  assistant  at  St.  Vincent's 
parish  at  Plymouth,  Pennsylvania.  6.  John, 
at  the  age  of  seventeen,  as  a  senior  in  the 
high  school,  passed  civil  service  examinations 
and  was  called  to  Washington,  where  he  was 
employed  by  the  Government.  At  the  close  of 
the  war,  he  entered  the  Coast  Guard  service 
and  served  there  for  five  years.  He  is  a 
student  In  the  law  department  of  Dickinson 
College,  class  of  1929. 


J.\MES  P.  COSTELLO.  attorney  at  law  with 
offices  in  the  Hazleton  National  Bank  Build- 
ing, Hazleton,  is  the  son  of  Owen  and  Ann 
(Donlin)  Costello,  and  was  born  at  Branchdale, 
Schuylkill  County.  Pennsylvania,  on  Decem- 
ber 15,  1S65.  He  began  his  education  in  the 
parochial  school  of  St.  Gabriel's  parish  and 
then  attended  the  public  school  of  Hazle 
Township.  After  this  he  went  to  the  Blooms- 
burg  Normal  School,  where  he  graduated  in 
the  class  of  1S91.  After  this,  tor  fifteen  years, 
he  taught  in  the  public  schools  in  Luzerne 
Countv  and  for  four  years  he  was  principal 
of  the  Hazle  Township  schools.  During  part 
of  this  time  he  was  reading  law,  and  in  1S97 
he  completed  a  course  in  Dickinson  College 
and  was  graduated  with  the  degree  of  Bache- 
lor of  Laws.  Admitted  to  the  bar  m  the 
same  year,  he  began  the  practice  in  Luzerne 
County  which  he  has  continued  ever  since, 
with  the  exception  of  two  years  as  a  pro- 
fessor in  the  Law  Department  of  Notre  Dame 
Universitv,  Indiana.  He  carries  on  general 
professional  work,  having  been  admitted  to 
practice  in  all  the  courts  of  the  State.  He  has 
served  as  a  member  of  the  Select  Council  of 
Hazleton,  is  a  Democrat  in  political  affilia- 
tions, and  is  a  confirmed  temperance  advo- 
cate personally  a  total  abstainer.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  County  Bar  Association  the 
Knights  of  Columbus,  and  St.  Gabriels 
Roman   Catholic    Church. 

James  P.  Costello  married,  in  1892,  Teresa 
G  Carr  a  graduate  of  the  Bloomsburg  Nor- 
mal School,  who  taught  as  a  member  of  the 
faculty  of  the  Newport  Township  High 
School.  She  is  an  active  member  of  St 
Gabriel's  Roman  Catholic  Church  and  the 
Council  of  Catholic  Women.  The  children  of 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Costello  are:  1.  Aloysius  a  prac- 
ticing attorney  in  Washington,  District  of 
Co  umbia.  He  is  a  graduate  of  Georgetown 
Sni^ersity  and  entered  the  ^^ o^-'\'^^^\ll'\l 
Ambulance    Corps,    being    among    the    first    to 

'f'^e  T.r'r,ZV:ri  Ph.^icirn  i^^'pH" 
fel  hia,^P:nn-sylvan7a.  He  ^graduated  from  the 
Jefferson  Medical  College  m  1917,  enl'^te" 
for  service  in  the  World  War  in  the  Medical 
Corps  of  the  United  States  Army  and  ^^  as 
commissioned  lieutenant,  serving  overseas^ 
3  Annie,  a  graduate  of  Bloomsburg  State 
Normal  School,  employed  in  the  Government 
service  in  Washington.  District  of  Columbia, 
during  the  World  War,  after  which  she  re- 
turned to  Hazleton  and  resumed  teaching. 
She  married  Joseph  McGeihan.  4.  James  P., 
Jr.,  a  graduate  of  the  University  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts, 
and  of  Cornell  University,  Bachelor  of  Laws. 
He  now  lives  and  practices  in  Philadelphia. 
He  was  in  military  training  when  the  World 
War  came  to  a  close.  5.  Francis  A.,  a  gradu- 
ate of  Mount  St.  Mary's.  Maryland,  where  he 
completed  his  classical  course,  and  Allegheny 


BD'WARD  K.  CONRAD — Energetic  son  of  a 
vital  father,  who  was  one  of  the  leading 
business  men  of  Northeastern  Pennsylvania, 
Edward  K.  Conrad,  of  Kingston,  is  carrying 
on  a  great  business  that  shows  increasing 
■success  with  every  day  of  its  operation.  Still 
fn  his  early  manhood,  he  has  already  attained 
to  high  estate  in  the  commercial  world  and 
in  the  esteem  of  his  fellow-citizens.  Those 
who  know  him  well  and  who  also  knew  his 
father  are  of  undivided  faith  in  his  ability, 
while  his  friends  number  all  with  whom  he 
comes  in  contact,  either  in  business  or  social 

^Mward  K.  Conrad  was  born  in  Scranton, 
September  30,  1894,  received  his  education  in 
the  public  schools  and  was  graduated  from 
the  Scranton  High  School  with  the  class  of 
1912  His  father  was  Edward,  and  his  mother, 
Clara  (Woodhouse)  Conrad,  Edward  K.  being 
the  second  of  four  children  of  the  couple 
The  father,  Edward  Conrad  founded  and 
organized,  at  Scranton,  in  1909,  the  Lacka- 
wa^nna  Automobile  Company,  ^^th  headauar- 
ters  at  Scranton.  This  company  became  sales 
and  distributing  agents,  April  28  1910,  for 
?he  Packard  automobile  for  Columbia  l^cka- 
wanna,  Monroe.  Wayne,  ^\  yoming,  P'^e  and 
Luzerne  counties,  in  Pennsylvania.  Edward 
Conrad  was  an  energetic  business  man  and 
a  natural  organizer  of  trade  relations,  well 
and  favorabl^  known  all  over  Northeastern 
Pennsvlvania  He  came  of  old  Pennsylvania 
stock  being  a  son  of  Andrew  and  Catherine 
Conrad  of  Pottsville.  His  death  occurred  in 
Scranton,  September  23,  1927,  '"  ^'^  .^'/^^^j  " 
second  year.  Up  to  that  time  he  had  built 
Tp  a  business  in  automobile  -Jif/'but'O"  ° 
trreat  value  to  himself  and  the  manutac 
t.Irers  hs  being  the  third  oldest  Packard 
distrTbuting  agency  in  the  United  State-  He 
was  a  staunch  Republican  and  a  member  of 
the  Baptist  Church.  

Edward  K.  Conrad,  ^P" V  *»;%  ^';^f  "^^i^ 
from  school,  became  associated  with  his 
father  in  the  industry  his  parent  had  fptinded 
and  rose  rapidly.  He  is  now  vice-president  of 
the  Lackawanna  Automobile  Company  in 
charge  of  the  Greater  Wilkes-Barre  office,  at 
No  580  Market  Street,  Kingston.  In  politics 
he  is  a  Republican,  in  religion  a  Baptist.  He 
belongs  to  Kingston  Lodge,  No.  395,  Free 
and  Accepted  Masons;  the  Franklin  Club,  the 
Westmoreland  Club  and  the  Wyoming  Valley 
Country  Club.  ,„,„    t^      „ 

Mr  Conrad  married,  October  7,  1919,  Doro- 
thy Page,  of  Scranton,  daughter  of  John  Page 
of  that  city. 

TH.4.DDEUS  M.  CONNIFF — Two  great  pro- 
fessions—that of  teaching  and  that  of  the 
law— have  claimed  the  attention  of  Thad- 
deus  M.  Conniff,  of  Plains.  Through  long 
years  he  engaged  as  teacher,  and  made  of  his 
career  in  that  direction  a  large  success, 
attaining  to  high  distinctions.  And  of  years 
more  recent  he  has  practiced  the  law,  this 
change   from  one  profession  to  another  hav- 


558 


ing  come  about  gradually,  through  extended 
interest  in  law  and  personal  capacity  for  its 
practice.  He  is  counted  prominent  among 
leading    citizens    of    his    community. 

Native    of    Ireland,    Mr.    Conniff    was    born 
August  9,  1854,  son  of  Patrick  and  Elizabeth 
(McKeon)  Conniff.     His  father,  native  of  Ire- 
land   was  born  in  1800,  was  a   school  teacher 
and  'farmer,    and    died    in    1863.     His    mother, 
also   a   native   of   Ireland,   was   born    in    1819, 
and  died  in  1S91,  at  Plains.    In  the  schools  of 
Ireland  Thaddeus  M.  Conniff  secured  his  basic 
academic   instruction,   studying   thereafter   m 
St.   Patrick's   College   and   later   still   in   New 
York   Normal   School,   New   York   City.    From 
the  Holy  Cross  College,  Worcester,  Massachu- 
setts,   he    received    the    degree    of   Master    of 
Arts.     Mr.   Conniff  studied  law  and   was   pre- 
pared for  admission   to    the   bar   in   1880,    but 
preferred   his   vocation    of   educational   work. 
He  later  was  admitted  to  the  bar.     For  eight 
years  he  taught  school  at  Plains,  then  served 
as  superintendent  of  schools  at  Pittston,  for 
a   year,    being   the   first   superintendent    over 
the    Pittston     schools.       Returning    then     to 
Plains,   he   acted   as   supervising   principal   of 
schools    here,   and   held   that    post   until    1924 
at   which    time    he    resigned.      Since    1924    he 
has  engaged  in  the  practice  of  law,  indepen- 
dently   having  been  admitted  to  the  bar  sev- 
eral years  prior  thereto.     A  Democrat,  he  has 
filled  responsible  positions  of  trust,  and  was 
seven  vears  prison  commissioner  by  appoint- 
ment   by    the    County    Court,    and    served    as 
president    of   the   prison    commission   for   the 
whole    period.       In     temperance    work,    long 
before   national   prohibition,   Mr.   Conniff  was 
active.      He    is   Senior   Past   Grand   Knight   of 
Wilkes-Barre    Council    No.    302,    Knights    of 
Columbus,    in    which    he   received    the    fourth 
degree   (the  first  one  to  receive  this  decree), 
and  for  four  years  was  treasurer  of  the  ^tate 
Council.      He    is    a    member    and    one    of    the 
organizers     of    the     Schoolmasters'     Club     in 
Plains.       He     is     a     communicant     of     Sacred 
Heart  Roman  Catholic  Church. 

Mr  Conniff  married,  in  1876,  Amanda  Arms- 
strong,  of  Plains,  daughter  of  Robert  and 
Margaret  (Mulligan)  Armstrong.  Of  this 
union  were  born  eleven  children,  of  whoni 
six  survive:  1.  Augustine  P.,  a  lawyer  of 
Wilkes-Barre.  2.  James  N.,  a  representative 
of  the  Taxpayers'  Association  of  Plains,  j^. 
Marv,  wife  of  B.  O.  Baldwin,  of  Scranton. 
4.  Jean,  wife  of  John  J.  Walsh,  of  Plains  5 
Frances  E.,  at  home.  6.  Agnes  M.,  teacher 
in  high  school,  Nutley,  New  Jersey.  Mr  and 
Mrs.  Conniff  have  seventeen  grandchildren 
and    one    great-grandchild. 

FRANCIS    EDWARD    DONNELI.Y,    M.    D.— 

Since  his  discharge  from  the  United  States 
Armv,  in  July,  1919,  after  active  service 
overseas  as  a  member  of  the  Medical  Corps 
Dr  Francis  Edward  Donnelly  has  been 
located  in  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania,  where 
he  has  his  office  at  No.  8  Lee  Park  Avenue. 
Dr.  Donnelly  is  a  graduate  of  Jefferson  Med- 
leal  College,  in  Philadelphia,  and  served  his 
interneships  in  Mercy  Hospital  here  m 
Wilkes-Barre  and  in  New  York  City  Lying- 
In-Hospital.  He  served  in  the  World  War 
with  the  rank  of  captain,  and  located  m 
Wilkes-Barre  immediately  after  receiving  his 
honorable  discharge  from  the   service. 

Born  in  Plymouth,  Pennsylvania.  Decem- 
ber 14,  1SS8,  Dr.  Francis  E.  Donnelly  is  a 
son  of 'joseph  F.  Donnelly,  who  was  born  in 
Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  in  1842,  and  who 
was  engaged  throughout  his  active  life  as 
a  contract  miner,  his  death  occurring  in  1889, 
and  of  Rose  Anna  (Rooney)  Donnelly,  who 
was  born  in  Pott.=ville.  Pennsylvania,  in  1856, 


and  who  is  still  living    (1930).     Dr.   Donnelly 
attended  the  public  schools  of  Plymouth  and 
of  Larksville,  Pennsylvania,   graduating  from 
the  Larksville  High  School  with  the   class  of 
1910        After     one     year     spent     in     Wyoming 
Seminary,     at     Kingston,     Pennsylvania,     he 
began  his  four  years  of  professional  study  in 
Jefferson    Medical    College,     in    Philadelphia, 
where  he  finished  his  course   in    1915,   receiv- 
ing the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine  the  same 
year       For   one   year  after  his    graduation   he 
served    as    an    interne    in    Mercy    Hospital,    in 
Wilkes-Barre,    and    then,    wishing    to    more 
thoroughly    prepare    himself    for    the    heavy 
duties   and  responsibilities  of  his  chosen  lite 
work,   he   spent   another   year   in    the   Lying- 
In-Hospital    in    New    York    City.      When    this 
countrv  entered  the  World  War  Dr.  Donnelly 
was  one  of  the  many  young  physicians  who 
were  eager  to  serve  overseas,  and  he  was  one 
of  those  who  succeeded  in  gaining  what  they 
desired.      As  a  member   of  the   Medical  (^orps 
he    served    throughout   the    remainder    of    the 
conflict,    going    over   with    Base    Hospital    No 
63     but    later    being    detached    and    assigned 
to    Evacuation    Hospital    No.    13,    in    the    St. 
Mihiel  sector,  where  he  was  in  active  service. 
He  was  discharged  with  the  rank  of  captain. 
Julv    7     1919,    and   returned    to   Wilkes-Barre, 
Pennsylvania,    where    he   has   since   been    en- 
gaged   in    general    practice.      Dr.    Donnelly    is 
fmemberl^f  the  medical  -taff.of  Mercy  Hos- 
pital   and   holds  membership    in   the  Luzerne 
Countv    Medical     Society,     the     Pennsylvania 
State  Medical  Society,  and  the  American  Med- 
ical Association.      In  his   po  itical  f a Ul     he     s 
a    Democrat,    and    his    religious    affiliation    is 
with  "he    Roman    Catholic    Church       Among 
his    colleagues.    Dr.    Donnelly    has    long    been 
known  as  one  of  the  very  able  and  ^uccessful 
men  of  his  profession,  and  his  genial,  friendly 
personality   attracts    many  l^ends^     He   is   a 
director     of    the    Lincoln     Bank     and     Trust 
Company.  g^ward    Donnelly    was    mar- 

ried   in     920    to  Anna  Coyle,  of  Wilkes-Barre 

2.  Robert,  born  in  September,  19-6. 

JAMBS   GIBBON— Business   man   represent- 

born  at  Drifton,  Luzerne  County,  Novcmoer 
9r^8S'  son  of  Owen  and  Margaret  (Jones) 
Gibbon:  the  father  living  -tired  in  Wilkes- 
Barre.  aged  seventy-flve  years.  His  niother 
died  aged  seventy-three  years.  Of  Welsh 
ortg  n,  Owen  Gibbon  in  his  early  life  was  a 
coL!  miner,  and  later,  in  Wilkes-Barre,  a 
grocer  He  was  born  in  Wales  coming  to 
fhe  United  States  when  six  ™°".ths  old  with 
his  parents,  his  father,  Benjamin  F.  (3ibbon, 
removing  to  his  country  with  his  family 
Mis  Gibton,  mother  of  James  Gibbon,  taught 
Sunday  school  in  the  Baptist  Church  for 
flftv  years.  Owen  and  Margaret  (Jones)  Gib- 
bon lere  the  parents  of  three  children.  1. 
Reese,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  foreman  in  the  Street 
Department.  2.  James,  of  whom  later.  3. 
Benjamin   F.,   of  New  York  Cxty. 

When  James  Gibbon  was  six  years  of  age 
his  parents  left  Wilkes-Barre  to  locate  in 
Buck  Mountain,  near  Mahanoy  (Jity,  Schuy  - 
kill  Countv,  Pennsylvania,  and  there  he  at- 
tended the  public  school  until  1898,  when  he 
came  to  Wilkes-Barre,  occupying  himself  as 
clerk  in  several  stores.  He  acquired  a  sound 
experience  in  retailing  by  means  of  these 
clerkships  and  before  long  opened  a  store  ol 


SS9 


his  own,  at  No.  62  South  Main  Street,  deal- 
ing- in  shoes  for  the  retail  trade.  Mr.  Gib- 
bon conducted  this  business  until  1914,  then 
took  charge  ot  the  Willtes-Barre  office  of  the 
T\'ales  Adding-  Machine  Company,  directing 
the  company's  activities  in  the  Wyoming 
Valley  territory  until  October  4,  1926.  While 
young  in  years  he  entered  politics,  and  his 
first  office  -was  to  the  Willies-Barre  City 
Council  representing-  the  Twelfth  Ward  in 
1912,  and  1913,  and  after  serving-  on  the 
council  for  two  years,  proving  himself  level 
headed  and  possessed  of  both  imagination 
and  executive  ability,  was  elected  to  Legis- 
lature as  member  from  the  Seventh  Luzerne 
County  District.  He  filled  out  two  years, 
1921-22,  in  the  Legislature  and  was  elected 
to  succeed  himself  in  the  fall  of  1922.  In 
1923  he  was  chosen  city  commissioner  of 
Willces-Barre  for  a  term  of  four  years.  Al- 
ways he  has  been  a  loyal  Republican,  but 
In  local  affairs  permits  politics  to  play  no 
part,  constantly  holding  the  interests  and 
welfare  of  the  municipality  at  large  as  his 
first  duty.  He  is  a  member, of  the  Parrish 
Street  Baptist  Church:  of  Lodge  No.  61,  of  the 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons:  Keystone  Con- 
sistory, Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  of  tlie  An- 
cient Scottish  Rite  Masons  of  the  thirty- 
second  degree:  Irem  Temple  of  the  Ancient 
Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine, 
of  Willies-Barre:  the  Irem  Country  Club:  he 
is  Past  Exalted  Ruler  of  Wilkes-Barre  Lodge, 
No.  109.  of  the  Benevolent  and  Protective 
Order  of  Elks,  a  member  of  the  Eagles,  the 
Franklin  Club,  the  Concordia  Club,  and  the 
Orpheus   Club. 

James  Gibbon  married  (first),  in  1906, 
Mignonette  Wallace,  daughter  of  George  and 
Emma  (Weiss)  Wallace.  Mrs.  Gibbon  died 
in  1918,  leaving  two  children,  James  Wallace 
Gibbon,  who  died  at  the  State  College,  where 
he  was  a  student,  August  8,  1918,  in  his 
twenty-first  year,  and  Margaret  Wallace  Gib- 
bon, at  home.  Mr.  Gibbon  married  (second), 
in  1921,  Mrs.  Evelyn  (Gruver)  Mooney,  daugh- 
ter of  Murray  Lee  and  Clara  Margaret 
(Nobel)  Gruver,  and  she  has  two  children 
by  her  first  marriage,  Margaret  and  Helen 
Mooney. 


FRKDSRIC  WAGNER  STARK — The  Stark 
family,  of  which  Frederic  Wagner  Stark,  well 
known  business  man  of  Wilkes-Barre,  was  a 
member,  is  believed  to  have  proceeded  from 
Aaron  Stark,  who  was  identified  with  affairs 
in  Hartford,  Connecticut,  in  1639.  and  prob- 
ably came  out  of  England.  He  is  said  to  have 
been  born  between  1602  and  1608,  and  it  is 
known  that  he  died  in  New  London,  Connecti- 
cut, in  1685.  At  least  four  generations  of 
the  Stark  family  have  resided  in  Luzerne 
County,  having  been  descended  from  the  New 
Hampshire  and  Vermont  Starks,  and  among 
the  most  prominent  of  them,  from  wliom 
Frederic  Wagner  Stark  was  descended,  was 
Cornelius  Stark. 

Cornelius  Stark  was  born  in  Luzerne  (now 
Susquehanna)  County,  and  married  Louisa 
Wagner.  About  1840  he  removed  to  the  vicin- 
ity of  West  Pittston,  and  opened  a  livery 
business,  in  which  many  gentlemen  were  en- 
gaged in  that  day.  He  became  possessed  of 
considerable  of  the  land  thereabout,  but  soon 
exchanged  his  holdings  for  farm  land  in  Sus- 
quehanna County,  and  removed  there.  Even- 
tually he  removed  to  Wilkes-Barre  and  died 
there   in   1878. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Benjamin  Franklin  Stark, 
son  of  Cornelius  and  Louisa  (Wagner)  Stark, 
was  born  July  15,  1845,  at  Montrose,  Susque- 
hanna County,  and  died  in  Wilkes-Barre  in 
1893.      He    took    a    keen    interest    in    military 


affairs  and  became  lieutenant-colonel  of  the 
Ninth  Regiment,  National  Guard  ot  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  attained  prominence  as  well  in 
business  and  Masonic  affairs.  He  removed  to 
the  Wyoming  Valley  and  ran  a  general  store, 
was  a  candidate  for  mayor  of  Wilkes-Barre, 
and  became  prominent  in  State  National 
Guard  affairs.  He  married,  in  1868,  Mary 
Prances  Warner,  native  of  Montrose,  daugh- 
ter of  General  Dimock  D.  Warner  and  Mary 
A.  (Raynsford)  Warner,  natives  of  Connecti- 
cut. The  children  of  their  union  were  Fred- 
eric Wagner,  of  whom  further:  Helen  W., 
Jared  W.,  M.  Louise,  and  Harold  R.  Stark. 

Frederic  Wagner  Stark  was  born  at  Mont- 
rose, Susquehanna  County,  April  30,  11  lO,  and 
received  his  early  education  at  the  Harry 
Hlllman  Academy  and  Wilkes-Barre  Business 
College.  After  leaving  school  he  was  associ- 
ated with  his  father  in  business  from  1888  to 
1893.  In  1894  he  was  in  the  employ  of  the 
Lehigh  Valley  Coal  Company.  In  1895  he 
became  the  agent  of  the  Forcite  Powder 
Company,  and  in  1904  engaged  in  the  same 
business  for  the  DuPont  Powder  Company:  he 
remained  with  the  DuPont  people  until  1913, 
at  which  time  he  became  one  of  the  directors 
of  the  Hercules  Powder  Company,  of  Wil- 
mington, Delaware,  which  position  he  held 
until  his  death.  He  was  also  vice-president 
and  director  of  the  Wyoming  National  Bank, 
and  -was  prominently  identified  with  civic 
and  business  organizations  of  Wilkes-Barre. 
He  was  a  self-made  man  who  had  attained 
gratifying  popularity  and  a  high  place  among 
his  neighbors  and  business  associates.  He 
was  a  member  of  the  Wyoming  Valley  Coun- 
try Club,  the  North  Mountain  Club,  and  the 
Westmoreland  Club,  of  Wilkes-Barre;  the 
Wilmington  City  Club,  the  Vic  Meade  Hunt 
Club,  and  the  Wilmington  Country  Club,  of 
Wilmington,  Delaware;  Valley  Country  Club, 
of  Hazleton,  Pennsylvania:  and  the  Bankers' 
Club  and  the  Pennsylvania  Society  of  New 
York  City.  He  was  junior  warden  and  ves- 
tryman of  St.  Peter's  Episcopal  Church  of 
Hazleton. 

Mr.  Stark  married,  October  27,  1897,  Claire 
Louise  Warbrick,  of  New  York  City,  daugh- 
ter of  William  and  Martha  (Crumm)  War- 
brick,  and  they  had  the  following  children: 
Robert  Warbrick  Stark,  -with  the  Hercules 
Powder  Company,  Hazleton,  this  State;  he 
married  Luise  Wolf,  and  they  have  children: 
Frederick  Wagner  and  Mollie  McMasters; 
and  Elizabeth,  wife  of  William  L.  Morse,  of 
Hazleton. 


REV.  EBEXEZER  FLACK,  D.  D. — Scotch- 
Irish  by  birth,  American  by  adoption,  the 
Rev.  Ebenezer  Flack,  D.  D.,  of  Kingston,  has 
been  for  more  than  thirty-five  years  a  domin- 
ant factor  in  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  this 
section  of  the  country.  He  has  made  the 
influence  of  this  church  felt  far  beyond  the 
radius  of  his  own  immediate  activities, 
through  the  offices  in  its  structure  which  he 
has  been  called  upon  to  administer,  as  well 
as  by  the  example  of  his  personal  high  posi- 
tion as  a  citizen  of  the  community.  Highly 
educated  and  the  fortunate  possessor  of  a 
happy  personality,  a  devoted  representative 
ot  the  principles  of  civil  and  religious  lib- 
erty, a  staunch  friend,  a  wise  counsellor,  an 
unfailing  champion  of  the  right,  he  has  made 
a  multitude  of  friends  and  never  lost  one. 
By  his  home  life,  as  well  as  by  his  public 
labors  he  has  achieved  the  esteem  of  all 
classes  and  all  religious  sects,  who  univer- 
sally  hold  him  to  be  a  nobleman  of  the  cloth, 
a    citizen    of   character    beyond    question. 

Ebenezer    Flack    was   born    in    the   North   of 


S6o 


Ireland,  December  7,  1869.  His  father  was 
Hugh  Flack,  and  his  mother,  Agnes  (Nel- 
son) Flack,  both  now  deceased.  Ebenezer 
Flack  was  educated  in  the  common  schools 
and  Royal  Academical  Institution,  Belfast, 
and  then  attended  the  Royal  University,  at 
Dublin,  and  Queen's  College,  Belfast.  From 
the  Royal  University  he  received  his  degree 
of  Bachelor  of  Arts.  When  twenty-two  years 
of  age  he  came  to  America,  took  the  course 
at  Princeton  Theological  Seminary  and  was 
graduated  in  the  class  of  1893.  From  Frank- 
lin College  he  received  his  degree  of  Doctor 
of  Divinity.  His  first  pastorate  was  with  the 
Presbyterian  Church  of  White  Haven,  Penn- 
sylvania, where  he  labored  for  four  years. 
He  then  went,  successively,  to  Plymouth, 
Luzerne  County,  for  five  years;  thence  to 
Latrobe,  for  six  years,  then  to  Scranton  for 
ten  vears.  His  last  pastorate  before  coming 
to  Kingston  was  in  Newburgh,  New  York, 
where  he  was  pastor  for  three  years.  The 
Kingston  Presbyterian  Church  then  called 
him  and  he  has  served  here  for  ten  years. 
In  politics  he  is  Independent-Republican.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  Scranton  Lodge  of  Free 
and  Accepted  Masons;  and  of  the  Lackawanna 
Presbytery,  and  the  Pennsylvania  Synod.  Of 
the  first  named  church  organization  he  was 
president  of  the  trustees  for  five  years.  He 
also  is  a  trustee  of  Wilson  College.  Cham- 
bersburg,  and  is  chairman  of  the  Curriculum 
Committee.  He  has  served  as  Moderator  of 
the  Pennsylvania  Synod  (1910-11)  and  has 
been  for  vears  one  of  the  most  active  mmis- 
ters  of  his  faith  in  this  section  of  the 
country.  He  has  been  a  trustee  of  Presby- 
terian "Home  of  Central  Pennsylvania  since 
it  was  opened  three  years  ago,  a  home  for 
aged  women. 

Rev  Dr.  Flack  married,  March  28,  1894, 
Sarah' Jane  Hutcheson,  of  New  York  City, 
a  daughter  of  Robert  and  Henrietta  (Snow- 
den)  Hutcheson.  The  couple  have  five  chil- 
dren- 1.  Henrietta  R.  H.,  a  graduate  of 
Bucknell  University  and  Wilson  College,  and 
a  teacher  in  the  Wilkes-Barre  public  schools. 
2  Agnes  Nelson,  a  graduate  of  Wilson  col- 
lege and  the  Women's  College  of  Medicine, 
of  Philadelphia,  and  a  practicing  physician 
of  Kingston.  3.  Harold  E.,  a  salesman  for  the 
Caldwell  Lawn  Mower  Company.  4.  Robert 
K.,  a  graduate  of  Wyoming  Seminary  and  of 
Wharton  School  of  Commerce;  ^^^^f%i°^J, 
vearq  with  the  Kingston  Bank  and  Trust 
Company;  now  employed  by  J.  H.  Brooks  and 
Company,  brokers.  5.  George  ^^..  ^er^du^^^ 
of  Wyoming  Seminary,  Kingston,  and  a  stu- 
dent in  Washington  and  Lee  University, 
Virginia.  

COLONEL  JAMES  ALFRED  DEWEY— Con- 
siderable achievement  of  varied  character  is 
recorded  in  the  career  of  James  AUred 
Dewey  of  Wilkes-Barre,  the  present  district 
representative  of  the  State  Workmen's  In- 
surance Fund,  an  offlce  of  the  State  of  Penn- 
sylvania. As  an  educator  and  a  soldier  lie 
performed  his  duties  with  sincerity  and  skill, 
as  a  public  servant  he  has  made  an  estimable 
record  and  as  a  citizen  his  activities  have 
ever  been  for  the  best  in  the  interests  of  the 
community  as  a  whole.  He  is  a  man  of  great 
affability  and  personal  charm,  is  devoted  to 
his  work  in  lite  and  to  the  operations  of  all 
worthy  organizations  that  appeal  to  the  pro- 
gressive element,  an  able  unit  in  the  com- 
mercial, civic  and  social  fabric  that  comprises 
the  population  of  this  district  of  the  State, 
with  a  legion  of  sincere  friends  throughout 
a  broad  area. 

He  was  born  in  Bradford  County,  Pennsyl- 


vania, November  10,  1860,  a  son  of  Addison 
and  Amy  A.  (Ripley)  Dewey,  the  father  born 
in  1832,  in  Tioga  County,  Pennsylvania,  died 
in  1913;  he  was  an  educator  and  later  in  life 
a  farmer;  his  mother  was  born  in  Bradford 
County,  Pennsylvania,  in  1840,  died  in  1915. 
The  grandfather,  James  B.  Dewey,  came  to 
Pennsylvania  when  he  was  a  young  man  and 
settled  in  Tioga  County.  He  was  born  in 
Feeding  Hills,  in  1805,  died  in  1890;  he  mar- 
ried Asenath  Harding,  of  Rutland,  Massa- 
chusetts. 

James  Alfred  Dewey  acquired  his  early 
education  in  the  public  schools  and  attended 
Mansfield  State  Normal  School,  from  which  he 
was  graduated  with  the  class  of  1882.  He  then 
took  a  course  of  one  year  at  the  University 
of  Michigan  and  later  matriculated  at  Taylor 
University,  Upland,  Indiana,  from  which  he 
was  graduated  with  the  degrees  of  Bachelor 
of  Philosophy  and  Master  of  Arts.  During 
18S2  and  until  May,  1883,  he  taught  school 
in  Fall  Brook,  Pennsylvania,  coming  to 
Wilkes-Barre  in  1884,  remained  here  until 
1890  and  then  moved  to  Wanamie,  Luzerne 
County,  Pennsylvania.  In  1902  he  returned 
to  Wilkes-Barre.  In  Wanamie  he  taught 
school,  where  he  became  district  superin- 
tendent. From  1902  until  1905  he  was  repre- 
sentative of  the  Taxpayers'  Association,  in 
the  last  named  year  being  appointed  deputy 
county  controller  under  James  M.  Norris,  in 
which  offlce  he  served  until  1912.  He  was 
then  appointed  deputy  sheriff  under  Sheriff 
Lewis  P.  Kniften,  under  whom  he  served  for 
four  years,  then  serving  two  more  under 
George  Buss.  He  became  an  instructor  of 
mathematics  in  the  Coughlin  High  School, 
where  he  remained  until  1928,  when  he  was 
appointed  to   his  present  post,  as  noted. 

Since  May  6,  1889,  he  has  been  associated 
with  the  State  National  Guard,  having  en- 
listed on  that  date  in  Company  A,  9th  Regi- 
ment. He  was  promoted  a  corporal  July  15, 
1889,  and  to  sergeant  May  1,  1890.  Upon  the 
call  of  President  McKinley  for  volunteers  in 
1898  he  organized  a  company  at  Wanamie 
and  offered  its  services  through  Governor 
Hastings.  This  contingent  of  troops  for 
service  in  the  Spanish-American  War  was 
mustered  into  the  National  Guard,  June  25, 
1S9S,  and  its  organizer  elected  and  commis- 
sioned a  captain  on  that  date,  his  command 
having  been  Company  F,  7th  Regiment,  3d 
Brigade,  Pennsylvania  National  Guard.  This 
company  in  1899  "w^as  transferred  to  the  9th 
Regiment  and  renamed  Company  L.  In  this 
regiment  Captain  Dewey  was  promoted  to 
major  and  later  to  lieutenant-colonel,  in 
which  latter  rank  he  served  on  the  Mexican 
border  in  1916  and  1917,  where  he  commanded 
a  battalion  which  had  been  equipped  as  artil- 
lery instead  of  its  original  status  as  infantry. 
In  1922  he  was  retired  with  the  rank  of 
lieutenant-colonel.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  and  on  its  official 
board  and  was  superintendent  of  its  Sunday 
school  for  a  long  period.  Fraternally,  he  is 
affiliated  with  Camp  No.  271,  Patriotic  Order 
Sons  of  America;  Wanamie  Council,  Junior 
Order  United  American  Mechanics,  of  which 
he  is  Past  Councillor;  Nanticoke  Lodge,  No. 
541,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons  (Past  Mas- 
ter): Valley  Chapter,  No.  214.  Royal  Arch 
Masons,  of  Plymouth  (Past  High  Priest);  Mt. 
Horeb  Council,  Royal  and  Select  ivlasters 
(Past  Master);  Dieu  le  Veut  Commandery, 
No.  45,  Knights  Templar  (Past  Commander); 
and     Irem     Temple,     Ancient     Arabic     Order 


/j^lXll^^U.-^-^      ^-     ^Cr7^^^f2'^'^^ 


S6i 


Nobles    of    the   Mystic    Shrine.     He    is    also    a 
member  of  the  Craftsmen's  Club. 

Colonel  James  Alfred  Dewey  married,  June 
21,  1883,  Fannie  Barnes,  of  Wilkes-Barre, 
daughter  of  Joseph  and  Mary  Ann  (Barnum) 
Barnes,  representatives  of  pioneer  families 
of  this  district.  Colonel  and  Mrs.  Dewey  are 
the  parents  of  one  daughter.  Mrs.  Dewey 
died   in   June,    1919. 


WILLIAM  STARK  TOMPKINS — Success- 
fully engrag-ed  in  the  coal  mining  industry  for 
the  greater  part  of  his  long  career,  both  in 
Pennsylvania  and  in  West  Virginia,  Mr. 
Tompkins  has  been  known  for  many  years  as 
an  authority  on  coal  mining.  He  is  also 
widely  known  for  his  scientific  research  work 
and  has  always  continued  his  interest  in  the 
mining  industry,  frequently  serving  as  a  con- 
sulting' specialist  in  examining  properties  for 
owners  and  prospective  purchasers  of  coal 
mines,  though  of  late  he  has  devoted  the 
greater  part  of  his  time  to  the  life  insurance 
business.  In  this  field,  too,  Mr.  Tompkins  has 
met  with  marked  success  and  for  many  years 
he  has  been  one  of  the  leading  men  in  the 
insurance  business  in  Northeastern  Pennsyl- 
vania. His  business  affairs,  of  course,  have  at 
all  times  required  and  received  the  major 
share  of  his  attention.  However,  Mr.  Tompkins 
has  never  permitted  them  to  absorb  all  of  his 
time  and  energy,  but  throughout  his  active 
career  has  been  effectively  interested  in  vari- 
ous other  directions.  Ever  since  he  had  reached 
voting  age,  he  has  been  prominent  in  the  a,f- 
fairs  of  the  Republican  party  and  at  different 
times  has  taken  a  very  active  part  in  several 
political  campaigns.  He  is  also  greatly  inter- 
ested in  religious  work  and  for  a  long  period 
has  served  as  an  officer  of  his  church.  An- 
other field,  in  which  he  has  been  greatly 
interested,  is  that  of  history  and  he  is  a 
member   of   several   historical   societies. 

Through  his  connection  with  Dixon,  Clary, 
Stark  and  Adams  families,  Mr.  Tompkins 
traces  his  descent  from  a  number  of  ancient 
New  England  families  of  high  standing.  His 
great-grandfather,  Joseph  Tompkins,  was  one 
of  the  original  grantees  of  land  in  Jenkins 
Township,  Luzerne  County,  and  one  of  the 
pioneer  settlers  of  Pittston.  He  married 
Phoebe  Osborne,  a  native  of  Connecticut,  who 
died  in  Pittston  at  the  home  of  her  son,  Wil- 
liam Tompkins,  in  1S31,  aged  about  ninety 
years.  Joseph  Tompkins  was  a  miller  lay- 
trade  and  at  one  time  worked  in  one  of  the 
Hollenback  mills  on  Mill  Creek,  near  Wilkes- 
Barre.  He  lived  near  Laflin,  Jenkins  Town- 
ship, which  was,  at  that  time,  known  as 
White  Oak  Hollow,  where  he  sold  land  in 
1794. 

William  Tompkins,  the  grandfather  of  Wil- 
liam Stark  Tompkins,  was  born  July  10, 
1788  or  17S9,  a  son  of  Joseph  and  Phoebe 
(Osborne)  Tompkins.  During  the  earlier  part 
of  his  life  he  was  a  resident  of  White  Oak 
Hollow,  now  Laflin,  from  where  he  removed 
to  Pittston  prior  to  1820,  continuing  to  reside 
in  that  town  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
August  5,  1876.  His  home  was  on  South  Main 
Street.  At  the  fork  of  the  road  near  his 
home  he  operated,  until  1851  or  1852,  the  first 
sawmill  in  Pittston,  and  he  also  built  the 
first  frame  house  in  Pittston.  He  was  deeply 
interested  in  education  and  did  everything  in 
his  power  to  increase  and  improve  the  edu- 
cational advantages  of  his  days.  He  was  also 
active  in  politics,  being  first  a  supporter  of 
the  Whig  party  and  later  of  the  Republican 
party.      William     Tompkins     married      (first) 


Hannah  Van  Fleet,  who  was  born  August  9, 
1800,  and  who  died  May  18,  1830.  She  was  a 
daughter  of  Abraham  and  Sarah  (Brown)  Van 
Fleet,  of  Pittston,  who  came  to  the  Wyoming 
Valley  from  Orange  County,  New  York,  in 
1786.  Her  father  was  a  Revolutionary  pen- 
sioner. The  Van  Fleet  family  came  to  this 
country  from  Holland  about  1662-03,  the 
family  name  then  being  spelled  Van  Vleit, 
Van  Fleit  and  Van  der  Vleit.  William  and 
Hannah  (Van  Fleet)  Tompkins  were  the  par- 
ents of  four  children:  1.  Sarah  Van  Fleet, 
who  became  a  member  of  the  first  faculty  of 
Wyoming  Seminary  and  who  married  Horace 
P.  Messenger.  She  died  at  West  Pittston.  2. 
James  Harvey  Tompkins,  who  married  Eliza- 
beth Dawson  Tracy,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  a 
daughter  of  Sidney  and  Elizabeth  (Sinton) 
Tracy,  and  who  died  at  West  Pittston,  in 
November,  1898.  3.  George  Tompkins,  who 
died  at  Pittston  in  1846,  at  the  age  of  twenty- 
one  years,  being  unmarried.  4.  Alva  Tomp- 
kins, of  whom  further.  William  Tompkins 
married  (second)  Ann  Miller,  of  Parsons,  and 
(third)    a  Mrs.   Knight. 

Alva  Tompkins,  the  father  of  William  Stark 
Tompkins,  and  the  youngest  son  and  child  of 
William  and  Hannah  (Van  Fleet)  Tompkins, 
was  born  in  Pittston  Township,  now  within 
the  limits  of  the  city  of  Pittston,  May  20, 
1827.  He  was  educated  in  the  schools  of  his 
native  region  and  at  Wyoming  Seminary  and 
in  his  youth  worked  in  his  father's  sawmill 
and  assisted  in  conducting  the  parental  farm. 
About  1851  he  embarked  in  the  coal  business, 
which  he  continued  to  follow  with  success  tor 
thirty-four  years.  He  sank  the  second  shaft 
and  built  the  second  coal  breaker  in  Pittston, 
but  for  about  eight  years  prior  to  this  he 
mined  and  shipped  coal  in  lump.  Prior  to 
1861  most  of  the  coal  shipped  went  by  boat 
on  the  river  and  canal,  but  later  a  track  was 
built  by  the  Lackawanna  &  Bloomsburg  Rail- 
road to  the  Tompkins  breaker,  and  Alva 
Tompkins  was  coal  agent  for  the  Lacka- 
wanna &  Bloomsburg  Railroad  at  this  time. 
At  one  time  he  was  associated  in  business 
with  Jarvis  Langdon  of  Elmira,  New  Tork, 
father-in-law  of  S.  M.  Clements  (Mark  Twain) 
and  with  M.  C.  and  H.  S.  Mercur  of  Towanda, 
Pennsylvania.  The  business  at  that  time  was 
conducted  under  the  name  of  Mercur  &  Com- 
pany and  operated,  in  addition  to  the  Tomp- 
kins breaker,  also  the  twin  shafts  in  Upper 
Pittston.  In  1863  Mr.  Tompkins  also  owned  in 
his  own  name  the  Sweatland  mine  at  Plym- 
outh and  later  leased  the  Eagle  mine,  adjoin- 
ing the  Tompkins  breaker.  He  established 
and  successfully  maintained  coal  jTirds  in 
Elraira,  Auburn,  Geneva,  Rochester  and  Buf- 
falo, New  Tork;  Detroit,  Michigan,  and  at 
Chicago,  Illinois.  After  retiring  from  the 
coal  business  Mr.  Tompkins  devoted  himself 
to  agriculture,  in  which  he  found  a  useful 
outlet  for  his  energy  and  experience,  as  well 
as  an  enjoyable  means  of  recreation.  He  was 
for  many  years  a  director  of  the  First  Na- 
tional Bank  and  of  the  Water  Street  Bridge 
Company,  both  of  Pittston.  Throughout  his 
life  he  was  greatly  interested  in  the  cause 
of  education  and  during  a  long  period  he  was 
a  member  of  the  Board  of  School  Directors  of 
Pittston  and  a  trustee  of  the  West  Pittston 
Seminary.  Beginning  with  about  1870.  Mr. 
Tompkins  sustained  for  many  years  a  private 
school  in  South  Pittston,  to  the  faculty  of 
which  he  attracted  many  ladies  trained  in 
some  of  the  best  institutions  of  that  day. 
His  religious  affiliations  were  with  the  Meth- 
odist   Episcopal    Church,    which    he    joined    in 


S62 


1858  and  of  which  he  was  for  many  years  a 
trustee  and  the  superintendent  and  a  teacher 
in  the  Sunday  School.    He  was  also  a  member 
of  the   Order   of  Good  Templars,   of  which  he 
was  one  of  the   first   officers   in  Pittston.     In 
politics  he  was  a  supporter  of  the  Republican 
party    Mr.  Tompkins  died  at  EatonviUe,  Wyo- 
ming  County,    May    14,    1919,    within    six    days 
of   his    ninety-second    birthday.     He    married, 
June     14,     1854,     Dorothy     Calista     Stark,     a 
daughter  of  William  and  Ruth  (Clary)  Stark. 
Mrs.  Tompkins  was  born  in  Wyoming  County 
and     died     at    EatonviUe,     Wyoming    County, 
October   24,   1919.     Her  father  was  a  veteran 
of  the  War  of  1S12  and  in  recognition  of  his 
services   during   tha'    conflict   had   received   a 
grant   of   land    in    Ilunois.     He    was   a   farmer 
and  lumberman  and  spent  most  of  his  life  in 
Lemon     Township,     Wyoming    County.      Mrs. 
Tompkins'    paternal    grandparents    were    Na- 
than and  Dorcas   (Dixon)   Stark,  of  Tmikhan- 
nock   Creek.    Her  grandmother,   Dorcas    (Dix- 
on)    Stark,    was    the    daughter    of    John    and 
Hannah     (Marshall)     Dixon,     of     Connecticut. 
Ser    own    mother,    Ruth    (Clary)     Stark,    was 
born  in  New  Hampshire,   a  daughter  of  John 
and  Dorothy  (Fletcher)  Clary,  a  granddaugh- 
ter of  Peter  and  Ruth   (Adams)   Fletcher  and 
a    great-granddaughter    of    Joseph    and    Dor- 
othy   (Merriam)    Adams,    of    Concord,    Massa- 
chusetts.     Alva  and   Dorothy   Calls  a      Stark) 
Tompkins  were  the  parents  of  seven  children^ 
1    Adelaide  Ruth.    2.  William  Stark,  of^^hom 
further.  S.Edwin  Webster,  who  married  Anna 
iiost   of   Cobleskill,   New     York     and    is   the 
father  of  one  son,  Edwin  Frost  Tompkins     4. 
Lewis   Alva,    who   married    Ruth    Conyngham 
BuUer   of  Port  Gibson,  Mississippi,  a  daughter 
of  Lord  John  and  Kate   (Humphreys)   Butter 
by   which   marriage   he    is   the   father   of   five 
children,  John  Butler,  Lewis  Alva  Tompkins, 
Jr      Ruth   Calista,     Kathryn    Humphrey    and 
Ro'berrvan  Fleet.    5.  Mary  Fletcher    unmar- 
ried    6.  Harry  Clay,  married  Jennie  Davis    of 
Neath     Pennsylvania,    and    they    have    three 
children       Mary    Elizabeth,    Dorothy    Calista. 
and    Annette.     7.    Martha    Dorothy,    librarian 
at  Harrisburg,   Pennsylvania. 

William  Stark  Tompkins  was  t>°'-n  at  Pitts- 
ton,    Luzerne    County.    January    14,    1859,    the 
oldest  son  and  second  child  of  Alva  and  Dor- 
othy Calista   (Stark)   Tompkins.    He   received 
his  early  education  in  a  private  school  estab- 
lished by  his  father  at  Pittston  and  later  at- 
tended  Cazenovia   seminary,    Cazenovia,    New 
^.^.u      nnd     Wyoming     Seminary,     Kingston, 
l^nnsyrvania^^C   we?l    as    the    Fort    Edward 
Collegiate  Institute.  Fort  Edward    New  York, 
from  which  latter  he  was  graduated  m   1882 
Though  he  went  to  work  in  his  father's  mines 
at   the   age    of   fourteen   years,   he    spent    only 
half  of  tLh  year  at  this  occupation,  devoting 
?hl  other  six'^months  to  attending  Bchoo       At 
the  early  age  of  nineteen  years  he  was  placed 
in  charge  of  the  Tompkins  breaker  at  Pitts- 
ton    Later  he  became  interested  in  -al  mines 
in  West  Virginia.    Mr.  Tompkins  continued  m 
Ihe  coll  business  until  1896.  when  he  engaged 
in  the  life  insurance  business.    For  a  number 
o^  years  he  has  represented  the  Pacific  Mutual 
Life  Insurance  Company  of  California  as  man- 
ager for  Northeastern  Pennsylvania.    He  main- 
tfins   offices    in    Suite    50-51   Wells    Building, 
Wilkes-Barre,  and  enjoys  a  very  high  stand- 
ing   in    insurance    and    business    circles.     For 
th?ee  years  he  was  a  member  of  the  executive 
committee  of  the  National  Association  of  Life 
Underwriters. 

Mr  Tompkins,  though  no  longer  actively 
engaged  in  the  coal  mining  industry,  is  rec- 
ognized as  an  authority  in  that  field  and  still 


devotes  considerable  time  to  scientific  re- 
search on  mining  problems  ^nd  to  work  as  a 
consulting  ^veci^'^st  Governor  BT^n.^^^sT^. 
in  his  last  message  to  the  legislature,  le 
ferred  to  the  help  he  had  received  from  Mr. 
Tompkins  in  mining  questions  that  came  be- 
^°l^i4''\ompr;s^"?rther  of  William  ^ark 
Tompkins,  sunk  the  second  shaft  m  P'ttston 
Ind  was  ihe  only  native  of  Pittston  who  as 
a  pioneer  entered  the  coal  industry.  He  also 
had  the  distinction  of  having  been  probably 
?he  first  mining  man  in  this  country  to  make 
use  of  methane  for  the  purpose  of  ventilating 
a  coal  mine.  An  abandoned  portion  of  his 
mine  was  sealed  olf  and  the  methane  thus 
Accumulated  was  conducted  by  -^^ns  "^ipes 

l^i-m=^^tr^wa^^,^'Krt|^ 

-r^eHy  ^^^B^B 

t:ir.i^:r'T.f:.v.:.z'^^^^^^ 

:-i^yv;;:;^^Ld'^:^w^:=^-^ 

°'JpoliUc"s'Mr.   Tompkins  has   been  a   sup- 
-.^Tu^lhrd.  'T^r.^  toT^Sta^^ 

irrb^r^raS.^^^=5H 

cedure      The   following  year   he   ser/ed   as   a 

=!„atorial  delegate.    In  1895  he  became  chair- 

.n    of   the   Republican     County    Committee. 

Srwas  llso'lh'airman  of  the  Second  Legis- 

lfa'rye"ar"ln°\9^2'=he"%o"llo"wrd   \Z  Tale 
President   koosevelfs  leadership  and   became 

^trerf-or^Lrrnfcr.:^;,  ^erf es= 

^irs.?l^^^"He\tr^-oSrdlnS'=^ltt 

I^llZ  "c^W  --^ -tdflfull'af  aTefc^r 
rd":rprin't:nd:nt''mf  Interest    in    public 
questions  finds  expression  in  his  membership 
in    the    American    Academy    of    Political    ana 
«nn,«l  Science    while  as  a  result  of  his  inter- 
est tn    ^3^0";   he    maintains    membership    in 
the   Wyoming   Historical    Association    and    in 
the    Wyoming    Monument    Association       The 
Randolph  County   Historical  Society   of  Ran- 
dolph (bounty.   West  Virginia,   has  made   him 
an  honorary  member.    He  is  also  a  member  of 
the  Wilkes-Barre   Exchange   Club, 
"wuiiam  Stark  Tompkins  earned    June   24 
1913,   Elizabeth  Waller   Ayres,   a   daughter   of 
Lvndon    L.    and    Mary     (Horton)     Ayres.     Mr 
and    Mrs.     Tompkins    have     no    children     and 
make  their  home  at  No.   116  Hanover  Street. 
WUkes  Barre,    a    property    for    many    genera- 
Uons    in    the    possession    of    Mrs.    Tompkins 
amily     the    original    grant    to    her    ancestors 
having   been  made   by  the  Commonwealth   of 
Connecticut.     Mrs.    Tompkins    is   prominently 
active   in   civic,   social,   charitable   and   religi- 
ous organizations  in  Wilkes-Barre.    She   is  a 
member    of    the    boards    of    directors    of    the 
Home  for  Homeless  Women  and  of  the  Young 
Women's    Christian    Association.     She    is    also 
a     member     and     Vice-Regent     of     Wyoming 
Chapter,   Daughters  of  the  American   Hevolu- 
tion.  and  a  member  of  the  Wyoming  Histor- 
cal  Society  and  the  Wyoming  Valley  Women  s 
Club     Her  religious  affiliations,  like  those  of 
her    husband,    are    with    the    first    Methodist 
Episcopal     Church    of    Wilkes-Barre,     in     the 


563 


work   of  which   she   has   taken   a   very   active 
and  helpful  part. 

Mrs.  Tompkins  is  a  member  of  an  old  Wyo- 
ming Valley  family,  her  ancestors  having 
been  among  the  early  settlers  of  that  part 
of  Pennsylvania.  On  her  mother's  side  she 
is  a  direct  descendant  of  Lieutenant  John 
Horton,  who  served  as  an  officer  in  the  Revo- 
lutionary War  and  held  the  rank  of  lieuten- 
ant in  the  Battle  of  Wyoming  in  1778.  He 
was  descended  from  Barnabas  Horton,  who 
was  born  in  England  in  1600  and  who  came 
to  this  country  on  the  ship  "Swallow"  in 
1635.  settling  in  Connecticut.  Mrs.  Tompkins' 
maternal  great-grandfather  was  Miller  Hor- 
ton, a  son  of  Lieutenant  John  Horton,  who 
married  Elizabeth  Waller.  Their  son,  Na- 
than Miller  Horton,  Mrs.  Tompkins'  maternal 
grandfather,  was  for  many  years  a  stage 
line  proprietor  and  the  owner  of  considerable 
and  substantial  four-horse  coaches  carrying 
passengers  and  mail  from  Baltimore,  Mary- 
land, to  Owego,  New  York,  by  way  of  Harris- 
burg.  Sunbury,  Wilkes-Barre  and  Montrose, 
and  from  Philadelphia  to  Wilkes-Barre,  via 
Easton.  His  coaches  also  carried  mail  from 
New  York  City  to  Montrose  by  way  of  New- 
ark and  Morristown,  New  Jersey,  and  Mil- 
ford,  Pennsylvania.  He  was  also  a  successful 
contractor,  handling  much  work  for  the  town, 
county  and  State  authorities.  A  member  of 
the  first  board  of  directors  of  the  Wyoming 
National  Bank,  he  served  for  two  terms,  and 
throughout  his  entire  career  was  regarded 
as  one  of  the  most  representative  and  sub- 
stantial  citizens. 


R.  DEIiBERT  CRAIG — -During  the  partici- 
pation of  the  United  States  in  the  World  War, 
R.  Delbert  Craig,  of  Kingston,  Pennsylvania, 
not  only  served  his  country  but  at  the  same 
time  held  political  office  to  which  he  had 
been  elected  before  he  volunteered  in  the 
Navy.  This  record  merely  illustrates  an  en- 
ergy that  has  been  the  means  of  lifting  this 
young  man  to  the  front  rank  among  the  com- 
mercial enterprises  of  this  section.  His  other 
attributes  include  a  deep  interest  in  all  civic 
and  fraternal  affairs  and  an  attractive  per- 
sonality, all  of  which  make  for  him  a  multi- 
tude of  friends  and  guarantee  his  future  suc- 
cess in  business,  in  social,  fraternal  and 
civic  life. 

He  was  born  in  Nanticoke,  Pennsylvania, 
September  12,  1893,  a  son  of  William  E.  and 
Margaret  (Adams)  Craig.  He  is  the  eldest 
child  of  the  family,  the  others  being  Wilbur 
A.,  of  Nanticoke;  Lawrence  D.,  of  Nanticoke; 
Ruth  and  Florence,  also  living  in  Nanticoke. 

R.  Delbert  Craig  received  his  education  in 
the  public  schools  of  his  native  town,  after 
which  he  took  a  course  at  the  Wilkes-Barre 
Business  College  and  another  at  the  Wharton 
Extension  Night  School,  of  Wilkes-Barre. 
Upon  leaving  his  school  work  he  became 
associated  with  the  general  merchandise 
store  of  Davis  Brothers,  in  Nanticoke,  as 
manager,  where  he  remained  until  191S.  He 
had  been  elected  treasurer  of  Nanticoke  Bor- 
ough in  1916  and  was  serving  when  the 
United  States  entered  the  World  War.  Not- 
withstanding, he  promptly  enlisted  in  the 
Navy  as  a  third  class  storekeeper  and  served 
throughout  the  war,  being  from  time  to  time 
promoted  and  finally  being  mustered  out  in 
March,  1919,  with  the  rank  of  ensign.  He 
then  returned  to  Wilkes-Barre  and  became 
general  manager  of  the  Davis  Brothers 
stores,  seven  years  later  becoming  a  member 
of  the   firm   of  Davis-Craig  Company,   Inc.,   in 


which  establishment  he  serves  as  secretary, 
treasurer  and  general  manager.  He  Is  a 
thirty-second  degree  member  of  the  order  of 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  holding  member- 
ship in  Lodge  No.  541,  of  Nanticoke.  He  also 
belongs  to  the  Keystone  Lodge  and  to  the 
Consistory.  Scottish  Rite  Masons,  of  Scran- 
ton,  and  to  Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic 
Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Irem  Temple  Country  Club; 
of  Black  Diamond  Post  No.  395,  American 
Legion,  of  Kingston;  the  Navy  Club;  the 
West  Side  Business  Men's  Association;  and 
the  Wilkes-Barre-Wyoming  Valley  Chamber 
of  Commerce. 

Mr.  Craig  married  Sylvia  L.  Kearney,  of 
Pittston,  Pennsylvania,  in  February,  1919, 
daughter  of  John  P.  and  Mary  Ann  (Lough- 
ney)  Kearney.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Craig  have  two 
children:    William  E.,   2d.,  and  R.  Delbert,  Jr. 


WILLIAM  ESAU  EVANS — Probably  no 
citizen  of  Forty  Fort,  Pennsylvania,  is  more 
widely  known  than  William  Esau  Evans  who, 
in  addition  to  being  proprietor  of  one  of  the 
best  drug  stores  thereabouts,  handles  the 
sub-postal  station.  And  few  have  attained 
the  place  in  the  affections  and  esteem  of 
fellow-townsmen  that  Mr.  Evans  has  won 
through  his  efficient  handling  of  the  public's 
interests  as  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Health 
since  1913,  and  in  various  other  public  capac- 
ities. He  is  an  earnest  church  worker,  con- 
tributing his  services  as  a  member  of  the 
official  board  for  the  Presbyterian  congrega- 
tion in  Forty  Fort,  and  is  a  man  with  numer- 
ous fraternal  affiliations. 

Mr.  Evans  was  born  at  Danville,  Pennsyl- 
vania, January  2,  1874,  the  son  of  John  J. 
Evans,  ore  miner  at  Danville  of  Welsh  de- 
scent, whose  death  occurred  in  1879,  and 
Sarah  (Esau)  Evans,  native  of  Danville. 
William  E.  Evans  attended  the  public  schools, 
then  clerked  for  three  years  in  a  grocery 
store.  There  followed  three  years  more  as 
clerk  in  the  Danville  post  office,  following 
which  he  came  to  Edwardsville  where  he 
spent  six  years  as  a  grocery  clerk.  He  entered 
a  drug  store  to  learn  pharmacy  and  for  ten 
years  was  in  the  drug  business  in  an  em- 
ployed capacity.  In  1907,  Mr.  Evans  opened 
first  a  drug  store  of  his  own  in  Maltby,  where 
for  five  years  he  retailed  drugs,  selling  the 
Maltby  business  in  July,  1912,  to  open  up 
amid  the  larger  opportunities  offered  at  Forty 
Fort.  The  following  year  Mr.  Evans'  store 
was  made  a  sub-post  office  of  the  Wilkes- 
Barre  office,  and  he  has  since  continued  in 
the  dual  capacity  of  postmaster  and  drug- 
gist. In  February,  1929,  he  opened  another 
drug  store  at  Breslau,  Pennsylvania,  of  which 
his  son,  Floyd,  is  manager.  Mr.  Evans  is  a 
member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  the  In- 
dependent Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  the  Patri- 
otic Order  Sons  of  America;  and  Masonic  units 
that  include:  Lodge  No.  395,  Free  and  Ac- 
cepted Masons;  Shekinah  Chapter,  Royal  Arch 
Masons;  Dieu  le  Veut  Comraandery,  No.  45, 
Knights  Templar;  Irem  Temple,  Ancient 
Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine. 
Mr.  Evans  is  secretary  of  the  Board  of  Health 
of  Forty  Fort  and  is  treasurer  of  the  Forty 
Fort  Fire  Department.  For  fifteen  years  he 
has  served  on  the  official  board  of  the  Pres- 
byterian  Church. 

Mr.  Evans  married,  in  1901,  Sarah  Jones, 
of  Edwardsville.  daughter  of  John  R.  and 
Frances  (Williams)  Jones.  Their  four  chil- 
dren are:  1.  Floyd  E.,  who  attended  the  Phil- 
adelphia  College  of  Pharmacy,   now  manager 


S64 


ot  the  Breslau  store.  2.  William  E.,  now  at 
the  same  college,  and  was  president  of  the 
class  of  1929.  3.  Frances  Sarah.  4.  Russell 
Lee. 


CHARLES  E.  PLYNIV — One  of  the  thor- 
oughly reliable  funeral  directors  of  the 
Wyoming'  Valley  who  stands  high  in  the 
ranks  of  his  chosen  profession  is  Charles  E. 
Flynn,  formerly  of  Plymouth,  now  engaged 
in  this  line  of  activity  in  Wilkes-Barre, 
where  he  has  established  a  fine  chapel  and 
showroom  and  carries  a  complete  modern 
equipment.  Highly  esteemed  by  his  fellow- 
citizens,  Mr.  Plj'nn  participates  to  a  consid- 
erable extent  in  the  social  and  fraternal  life 
of  his  community,  where  he  has  lived  prac- 
tically all  his  life. 

He  was  born  in  Avondale,  Pennsylvania,  a 
son  of  John  and  Ann  (Gillespie)  Plynn,  botli 
of  whom  ■were  highly  respected  residents  of 
that  place  and  vrere  also  widely  known 
throughout  other  cities  and  towns  of  Luzerne 
County.  His  father  was  born  in  Avondale. 
Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania,  in  1858,  and 
is  now  engaged  as  a  mine  section  foreman: 
while  the  mother,  Ann  (Gillespie)  Flynn,  was 
born  in  Bloomsburg,  Pennsylvania,  in  1860, 
and   died   on  March  25,   1928. 

His  early  education,  Charles  E.  Plynn  re- 
ceived in  the  public  schools  of  Plymouth, 
and  later  he  studied  at  Wyoming  Seminary, 
from  ^vhich  he  was  graduated  in  the  class  of 
1916.  His  first  work  was  with  the  undertak- 
ing business,  for  which  he  had  prepared  him- 
self by  studies  at  the  Eckels  School  of  Em- 
balming, in  Philadelphia,  of  which  he  was  a 
graduate.  He  became  associated  with  Moore 
Brotliers  and  Company,  of  Plymouth,  and 
remained  witli  them  until  April.  1925,  when 
he  purchased  their  business  and  continued 
it  in  Plymouth  under  his  own  name.  There 
he  continued  until  March  1,  1928,  when  he 
removed  his  business  to  Wilkes-Barre,  mak- 
ing his  quarters  at  No.  79  South  Washington 
Street,  where  he  has  every  possible  conven- 
ience and  modern  equipment  provided  for 
undertakers,  including  a  beautiful  chapel, 
fine  display  rooms  and  comfortable  carriages, 
all  selected  in  the  very  best  and  quietest  of 
dignified  artistic  taste.  The  cars  are  Cadil- 
lacs, and  they  insure  the  utmost  in  comfort 
and  ease  that  is  obtainable.  Mr.  Flynn  him- 
self has  acquired  a  large  number  of  friends 
throughout  the  various  parts  of  Luzerne 
County  and  the  Wyoming  Valley,  people  at- 
tracted by  his  pleasing  personality  and  the 
character  of  the  work  that  he  performs. 

In  addition  to  his  work  as  undertaker,  Mr. 
Flynn  is  keenly  interested  in  political  devel- 
opments, especially  in  the  Democratic  party, 
whose  policies  and  candidates  he  supports 
by  his  vote  and  influence.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Luzerne  County  Funeral  Directors 
Association;  the  Knights  of  Columbus;  and 
the  Loyal  Order  of  Moose.  His  religious  faith 
is  that  of  the  Roman  Catholic  Church,  in 
which  he  is  afllliated  with  St.   Mary's  parish. 


WILLIAM  E.  DORON — In  his  practice  ot 
the  profession  of  mortician,  William  E.  Doron, 
managing  proprietor  of  one  of  the  oldest 
funeral  establishments  in  Wilkes-Barre,  is 
worthily  continuing  as  the  successor  of  his 
father,  who  was  engaged  in  the  same  pro- 
fession for  more  than  half  a  century.  Mr. 
Doron  and  his  assistants  move  with  sympa- 
thetic ease  and  professional  finesse  among 
the  families  that  in  their  extremity  must  call 


upon  them  for  their  ministrations  for  those 
they  love  and  have  lost  awhile.  In  the  civic 
affairs  of  Wilkes-Barre  Mr.  Doron  finds  time 
to  give  the  proper  consideration  due  from  a 
citizen  of  his  standing  and  personal  desire 
for  the  community's  general  advance. 

William  E.  Doron,  Sr.,  was  born  in  Mount 
Holly,  New  Jersey.  He  was  farmed  out  as  a 
boy  at  a  wage  of  twelve  dollars  a  year  and 
had  only  such  education  as  he  could  gather 
himself.  He  ran  away  and  enlisted  in  the 
Civil  War,  serving  as  a  private  in  the  Union 
Army  as  a  member  of  the  2.3d  New  Jersey 
Infantry.  He  afterwards  located  in  Plains, 
Pennsylvania,  where  he  was  employed  in  the 
company  store.  He  was  prominent  in  the 
local  post  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 
He  eventually  settled  in  Wilkes-Barre,  where 
he  was  a  funeral  director,  following  that  pro- 
fession for  more  than  fifty  years.  He  was 
very  highly  esteemed  by  the  people  of  the 
city  whom  he  had  served  so  faithfully  on 
occasion  and  with  such  rare  courtesy  and 
skill.  He  was  also  active  in  the  civic  move- 
ments of  the  city.  He  married  Elizabeth 
Barnes,  a  member  of  an  esteemed  family 
long  resident  in  Luzerne  County,  and  now 
deceased. 

"n'illiam  E.  Doron,  son  of  William  E.,  Sr., 
and  Elizabeth  (Barnes)  Doron,  was  born  in 
Plains,  Luzerne  County,  April  8,  1883.  His 
education  was  received  in  tlie  public  schools 
of  Wilkes-Barre.  graduating  from  the  high 
school  in  the  class  of  1902.  Directly  from  the 
classroom  he  became  associated  with  his 
father  and  under  his  able  preceptorship 
familiarized  himself  ^vith  the  details  of  appli' 
cation  of  the  mortician's  profession.  He  con- 
tinued as  an  assistant  to  his  father  until  the 
latter's  death,  which  occurred  July  23,  1919. 
In  the  meantime  he  became  very  proficient 
in  the  different  departments  and  practice  of 
the  establishment,  so  that  it  was  an  easy  and 
logical  matter  for  him  to  become  the  sole 
proprietor  and  managing  director  following 
his  father's  decease.  He  has  modernized  the 
equipment  and  brought  the  service  up  to  the 
last  word  in  the  profession's  vocabulary, 
inclusive  of  a  funeral  home,  the  use  of  which 
is  deeply  appreciated  by  those  who  have  oc- 
casion to  meet  there. 

Mr.  Dcron's  political  affiliations  are  with 
the  Republican  party,  and  his  support  of  that 
organization's  candidates  and  principles  has 
been  constant  through  all  the  years  of  his 
majority.  He  is  prominent  in  fraternal  activi- 
ties, being  a  member  of  Lodge  No.  442,  Free 
and  Accepted  Masons;  Shekinah  Chapter, 
Royal  Arch  Masons;  Dieu  le  Veut  Com- 
mandery.  No.  45,  Knights  Templar;  Irem 
Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the 
Mystic  Shrine;  Lodge  No.  109,  Benevolent  and 
Protective  Order  of  Elks  Lodge  No.  39, 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows;  and 
Columbia  Council,  No.  43,  Junior  Order 
United  American  Mechanics,  and  the  Knights 
of  Pythias.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Exchange 
Club   and  the   Presbyterian  Church. 

William  E.  Doron  married,  in  1911,  Bernice 
A.  Tiffany,  daughter  of  Delbert  and  Jennie 
(Titus)  Tiffany,  of  Ashley,  and  they  are  the 
parents  of  a  daughter,  Margaret  V.  Doron, 
born  March  16,  1918.  Mrs.  Doron  is  a  direct 
descendant  of  Revolutionary  stock,  Elbridge 
Gerry,  one  of  tlie  signers  of  the  Declaration 
of  Independence,  was  an  ancestor.  The  Doron 
family  residence  is  at  No.  451  North  Main 
Street,  Wilkes-Barre. 


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CHRISTIAN  WALTER — Half  a  century  ago 
the  late  Christian  Walter  associated  himself 
with  William  M.  Bennett  in  establishing  the 
retail  shoe  store  known  as  Bennett  &  Walter, 
and  later  he  came  to  be  the  sole  owner  of  one 
of  the  most  flourishing  business  enterprises 
in  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania.  He  was  a 
public-spirited  man  who  participated  actively 
and  enthusiastically  in  whatever  promised 
to  advance  the  general  community  interests. 
His  friendship  was  highly  prized  by  all  who 
knew  him,  and  his  sturdy  and  independent 
character,  marked  by  integrity  and  loyalty, 
■was    esteemed    throughout    the    section. 

Christian  Walter  was  born  in  Beischlag, 
Grand  Duchy  of  Baden,  Germany,  June  1,  1848, 
son  of  David  and  Magdalena  (Esser)  Walter. 
He  read  and  studied  continually  throufhout 
the  years  and  worked  out  his  own  liberal  edu- 
cation. He  came  to  Butler  Township,  Lu;  erne 
County,  from  Germany,  when  a  young  man 
and  worked  on  a  farm  until  he  was  f.'iven 
charge  of  a  coal  company  store  at  Gowen, 
Pennsylvania,  training  for  which  he  had  ac- 
quired as  clerk  in  a  general  store  at  Coiiyng- 
ham,  where  he  was  employed  for  a  time,  in 
1867.  From  Gowen,  where  he  resided  in  1S72, 
he  came  to  Wilkes-Barre  and  served  as  travel- 
ing salesman  for  William  Stoddart  and  Com- 
pany, wholesale  grocers.  It  was  in  July,  1879, 
seven  years  after  he  settled  in  Wilkes-Barre, 
that  Mr.  Walter  purchased  the  interest  of 
J.  R.  Coolbaugh  in  the  firm  of  J,  R.  Cool- 
baugh  &  Company,  retail  shoe  merchants.  His 
partner  in  the  new  venture  was  William  M. 
Bennett,  and  the  firm  operated  successfully 
under  the  name  of  Bennett  &  Walter  until 
1897,  when  Mr.  Walter  purchased  the  Ben- 
nett interest  from  Mrs.  Bennett.  Until  1901, 
the  store  was  named  for  the  owner.  Christian 
Walter.  In  that  year  he  admitted  to  partner- 
ship his  son,  Edwin  LeRoy  Walter,  and  the 
new  title  was  C.  Walter  &  Son.  The  son  and 
a  daughter  have  shared  the  ownership  of  the 
business  since  Mr.  Walter's  death,  February 
29,  1920.  Since  1888  the  store  has  occupied  the 
same  location,  its  present  site. 

The  interests  of  Mr.  Walter  were  varied. 
He  was  one  of  the  original  directors  of  the 
Luzerne  County  National  Bank,  later  merged 
with  the  Miners'  Bank.  In  1871  he  was  first 
lieutenant  of  the  Conyngham  Rifles  of  the 
National  Guard  of  Peijnsylvania;  in  1874  first 
lieutenant  of  the  9th  Regiment  Infantry  of 
the  National  Guard,  with  the  duty  of  Quarter- 
master, and  in  1876  commissary  of  the  same 
company  with  the  rank  of  captain.  In  1872 
he  was  appointed  postmaster  at  Gowen, 
Pennsylvania.  His  fraternal  affiliations  were 
with  the  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  Lodge 
No.  61;  the  Knights  Templar;  and  Irem  Tem- 
ple, Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the 
Mystic  Shrine.  He  was  one  of  the  first  presi- 
dents of  the  Wilkes-Barre  Toung  Men's 
Christian  Association  and  its  treasurer  for 
many  years.  He  was  a  communicant  of  the 
First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  at  Wilkes- 
Barre. 

Christian  Walter  married  (first),  Septem- 
ber 16,  1872,  at  Conyngham,  Pennsylvania, 
Mary  Alice  Knelly,  who  died  in  1S86,  daugh- 
ter of  George  Henry  and  Molly  (Cunius) 
Knelly.  Mr.  Walter  married  (second),  in 
1887,  Margaret  LaBar,  who  died  October  20. 
1909.  Three  children  were  born  of  the  union: 
Edwin  LeRoy  Walter,  whose  record  accom- 
panies this;  Helen  Rosy  Walter,  who  died 
in   infancy;   and  Arline    (Walter)    Pulverman. 

A  long  and  honorable  life  was  that  of  Mr. 
Walter,  who  lived  to  be  seventy-one  years  old 
and  who  retained  his  vigor  and  keen  interest 
In  life  and  people  almost  as  long  as  he  lived. 


His  was  a  generous  and  kindly  nature  which 
endeared  him  to  many.  To  his  city  he  made 
the  lasting  contribution  of  an  established 
business  enterprise,  which  has  long  meant 
much  to  the  public  comfort  and  well-being 
and  of  continued  and  helpful  support  to 
civic   enterprises. 

EDWIN  LEROY  AVALTER — Walter's  Shoe 
Store  in  the  AVelles  Building  at  No.  23  Public 
Square,  is  one  of  the  oldest  shoe  stores  in  the 
Wyoming  Valley.  Prior  to  the  time  Christian 
Walter  purchased  an  interest  in  this  business 
it  had  been  known  as  Coolbaugh  and  Bennett, 
and  was  located  on  the  corner  of  West  Market 
and  South  Franklin  streets,  site  of  the  pres- 
ent Miners  Bank  Building.  The  firm  became 
Bennett  and  Walter  and  in  18S8  moved  to  the 
present  location.  Mr.  Bennett's  interest  was 
purchased  in  1896  and  the  store  became  the 
sole  property  of  Christian  Walter  (see  pre- 
ceding sketch),  who  conducted  it  under  his 
own  name  until  1901,  when  he  sold  an  inter- 
est to  his  son,  Edwin  L.,  popularly  known  as 
"Roy,"  since  when  it  has  been  operated  as 
Christian  Walter  and  Son.  Upon  the  death  of 
the  father  in  1920,  a  daughter,  Mrs.  Arline 
(Walter)  .Pulverman,  inherited  a  share  which 
she  retained  until  January,  1929.  when  Mrs. 
Pulverman's  interest  was  purchased  by  Edwin 
L,  Walter,  and  a  one-fourth  interest  "was  sold 
by  Mr.  Walter  to  Julius  Long  Stern.  The  busi- 
ness continues  under  the  management  of  Ed- 
win L.  Walter  as  Walter's  Shoe  Store. 

Edwin  LeRoy  Walter,  known  to  his  friends 
as  "Roy,"  was  born  January  25,  1880.  He  at- 
tended the  local  public  schools,  graduating 
from  high  school  in  the  class  of  1897,  and 
soon  after  took  up  his  duties  as  a  clerk  in  his 
father's  store.  Today  he  is  a  director  of  the 
Middle  Atlantic  States  Shoe  Retailers'  Asso- 
ciation and  active  in  many  phases  of  the 
business,  civic,  fraternal,  social  and  religious 
life  of  his  native  city.  He  is  a  director  of  the 
loung  Men's  Christian  Association;  treasurer 
of  the  First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church;  past 
president  of  the  Wilkes-Barre  Rotary  Club; 
director  of  the  Miners  Bank;  a  member  of 
Irem  Country  Club;  Lodge  No.  61,  of  Free 
and  Accepted  Masons,  Shekinah  Chapter,  No. 
182,  of  Royal  Arch  Masons;  Dieu  le  Veut 
Commandery,  No.  45,  of  Knights  Templar, 
Irem  Temple  of  the  Ancient  Arabic  Order 
Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  and  of  the  Con- 
cordia Club,  which  is  one  of  the  best  local 
organizations  in  the  United  States.  He  is  a 
Republican  in  politics. 

Edwin  L.  Walter  married,  November  5,  1906, 
Marion  Clink,  daughter  of  Frank  and  Martha 
(Smith)  Clink.  Mrs.  Walter's  parents  now 
reside  at  Wyalusing,  Bradford  County.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Walter  have  three  children:  1.  Fran- 
ces Marian,  graduate  of  the  Leland  Powers 
School  in  Boston.  2.  Christian,  student  at 
Wyoming  Seminary,  a  preparatory  school  in 
Kingston.  3.  Margaret  Alice,  student  at 
Wilkes-Barre  Institute.  The  family  resides  in 
their  beautiful  home.  No.  25  James  Street, 
Kingston. 

G.  GUTHRIE  MARVIN — The  florist  business 
of  Ira  G.  Marvin,  one  of  the  oldest  and  lead- 
ing florist  establishments  of  the  Wyoming 
Valley,  was  founded  by  Ira  G.  Marvin,  in  1871. 
and  is  now  conducted  by  his  two  sons,  who 
have  retained  for  the  business  the  original 
name  of  Ira  G.  Marvin.  The  founder  of  the 
business  was  a  native  of  Stroudsburg,  Penn- 
sylvania, who  died  at  Wilkes-Barre  in  1916. 
He  married  Sophie  L.  Ahlborn,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre,  and  they  were  the  parents  of  four  chil- 
dren:    1.    Gertrude    Ahlborn,    who    married    A 


566 


Allen  Woodruff,  of  Philadelphia.  2.  Frederick, 
who  died  in  infancy.  3.  George  Guthrie,  of 
whom  further.  4.  Ira  Huston,  who  married 
Ernestine  Healey  of  Kingston,  Pennsylvania, 
they  have  two  daughters,  Mary  Elizabeth  and 
Sophie  Louise.  Ira  H.  Marvin  is  associated 
with  his  brother  in  the  florist  business.  Ira 
G.  Marvin,  who  founded  the  business,  was  a 
staunch  Republican,  a  member  of  the  Benevo- 
lent and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  and  of  the 
Lutheran  Church.  At  the  time  of  his  death, 
he  was  one  of  the  highly  esteemed  and  well- 
known  citizens  of  Wilkes-Barre.  He  was  a 
business  man  of  sound  judgment  and  the 
business  he  established  and  conducted  testi- 
fies to  his  understanding  of  the  principles  of 
progress.  He  is  survived  by  his  widow,  who 
now  makes  her  home  in  Kingston,  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  by  his  three  children. 

George  Guthrie  Marvin  was  born  in  Wilkes- 
Barre,  Pennsylvania,  on  November  24,  1896, 
and  grew  up  in  the  city  in  which  he  was  born. 
He  attended  the  public  school  and  graduated 
from  the  high  school  in  the  class  of  1915.  He 
then  spent  one  year  at  the  Wyoming  Semi- 
nary and  when  his  work  there  was  completed, 
he  took  a  course  at  the  Wharton  School  of 
Commerce  ot  the  University  of  Pennsylvania, 
Like  his  late  father,  he  is  a  Republican  in 
politics  and  a  member  of  the  Lutheran 
Church.  He  is  also  a  member  of  Kingston 
Lodge,  No.  395,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons; 
the  Wilkes-Barre  Kiwanis  Club;  the  Con- 
cordia Society;  and  belongs  to  John  Knox 
Commandery  Knights  of  Malta,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre.  He  is  a  member  ot  the  Greek  letter 
fraternity,  Pi  Delta  Epsilon,  of  the  Univer- 
sity of  Pennsylvania. 

On  October  4,  1921,  George  Guthrie  Marvin 
married  Louise  Kidder,  daughter  of  Calvin 
P.  and  Emma  (Nichols)  Kidder,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre,  both  deceased.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Marvin 
have  two  children;  Louise  Amelia,  born  in 
1922,  and  Gertrude  Ahlborn,  born  in  1925. 


E.   BRUCE   ROSSBR,   D.   D.    S. — One    of   the 

well-known  dentists  of  the  Wyoming  Valley 
is  Dr.  E.  Bruce  Rosser,  who  occupies  offices 
on  the  second  floor  of  the  Church  Drug  Store 
on  Wyoming  Avenue,  Kingston,  Pennsylvania. 
Dr.  Rosser  finished  his  training  for  his  chosen 
profession  in  1917,  just  as  the  United  States 
entered  the  World  War,  and  he  immediately 
enlisted  in  the  service  ot  his  country,  re- 
maining until  after  the  cessation  of  hostili- 
ties. When  he  returned  to  Kingston,  in  1919, 
he  quickly  won  the  confidence  of  his  patients 
and  built  up  a  successful  practice  to  which  he 
has  since  devoted  his  time. 

Dr.  Rosser  was  born  on  May  22,  1S93,  at 
Edwardsville,  Pennsylvania,  a  son  of  Eli  and 
Marjorie  (Prosser)  Rosser.  Eli  Rosser  was 
born  in  Glyn  Neath,  Wales,  and  came  to  the 
United  States  with  Morgan  Rosser,  with 
whom  he  developed  the  Kingston  coal  mines 
for  Mr.  Daniel  Edwards.  He  and  his  wife 
are  the  parents  of  nine  children:  1.  Henry,  a 
resident  of  Wales.  2.  Gwen,  who  married 
Thomas  Davis,  of  Kingston,  Pennsylvania.  3. 
David,  who  died  at  the  age  of  forty-flve  years. 
4.  Richard,  of  Kingston.  6.  Edith,  the  wife  of 
William  Morgan,  of  Kingston.  6.  Ida,  a 
teacher  in  the  Wilkes-Barre  public  schools. 
7.  Oliver,  who  is  also  a  teacher  in  the  Wilkes- 
Barre  public  schools.  8.  B.  Bruce,  of  whom 
further.  9.  Evan  R.,  who  lives  in  Williams- 
port,  Pennsylvania. 

E.  Bruce  Rosser  attended  the  public 
schools    of    Kingston,    and    later    entered    the 


Dental  College  of  the  University  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, where  he  was  graduated  in  1917  with 
the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Dental  Surgery.  It 
was  on  September  26,  1917,  that  he  was 
assigned  to  the  304th  Supply  Company  of  the 
79th  Division  of  the  United  States  Army  and 
went  to  Camp  Meade,  where  he  spent  eleven 
months,  with  the  rank  of  first  lieutenant.  On 
July  4,  1918,  he  sailed  with  his  division  for 
France,  serving  with  distinction  with  the 
American  Expeditionary  Forces  until  after 
the  close  of  the  war.  He  was  mustered  out 
of  the  service  in  May,  1919,  with  the  rank  of 
captain,  and  shortly  afterward  returned  to 
Kingston  to  begin  the  practice  of  his  pro- 
fession. He  has  served  six  years  as  dental 
surgeon  to  Mental  Hospital  at  Retreat,  and 
two  years  as  the  dental  surgeon  to  the  Lu- 
zerne County  Prison. 

Dr.  Rosser  Is  a  member  of  the  Luzerne 
County  Dental  Society,  the  Pennsylvania  Den- 
tal Society  and  the  American  Dental  Associa- 
tion. He  is  a  member  of  Black  Diamond  Post 
No.  395  of  the  American  Legion,  at  Kingston, 
a  reserve  officer  with  the  rank  of  major  of 
the  Jefferson  Base  Hospital  No.  38,  and  is  the 
dentist  for  the  Kingston  District  of  the 
United  States  Army  Veterans  Bureau.  Po- 
litically, he  is  a  member  of  the  Republican 
party,  and  he  is  affiliated  fraternally  with 
the  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  in  which  or- 
ganization he  is  a  member  of  the  Kingston 
Lodge,  No.  395.  He  attends  the  local  Presby- 
terian Church. 

While  Dr.  Rossei"  is  a  busy  man,  he  is  not 
too  busy  to  support  any  movement  which  he 
considers  to  be  for  the  best  interests  of 
Kingston,  and  among  his  fellow-townsmen, 
he  has  a  wide  reputation  as  a  public-spirited 
citizen. 


RUSSELl,  E.  ANDREAS — In  the  personality 
of  the  late  Russell  E.  Andreas,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre,  there  were  many  unusual  and  attrac- 
tive qualities.  He  was  endowed  with  fine 
business  ability  and  with  a  kindly  nature,  a 
geniality  and  friendliness  in  his  associations 
with  all  that  gave  him  a  reputation,  through- 
out the  district  where  he  was  long  and  widely 
known,  as  a  citizen  of  high  character  and 
magnetic  individuality.  For  more  than  a  third 
of  a  century  he  lived  in  this  city  and  during 
that  long  period  was  pronounced  in  his  con- 
tributions to  the  business,  religious,  fraternal, 
civic  and  social  enterprises  of  Luzerne 
County.  The  ease  with  which  he  made  friends 
and  retained  them  throughout  life  was  due 
largely  to  an  unswerving  loyalty,  a  code  of 
business  ethics  based  upon  the  highest  prin- 
ciples of  honor  and  an  upright  method  in 
every  transaction.  Throughout  the  Wyoming 
Valley  of  Pennsylvania  he  was  esteemed  for 
these  qualities  and  left  a  name  that  will  be 
permanently  engraved  upon  the  records  of  its 
history. 

He  was  born  in  Mifflinville,  Columbia 
County,  Pennsylvania,  August  13,  1866,  upon 
the  family  farm,  a  son  of  Aaron  and  Eliza- 
beth (Wolfe)  Andreas.  The  family  name  is 
an  old  one  in  Luzerne  County,  John  Andreas, 
father  of  Aaron,  having  been  a  large  land 
owner  near  the  present  city  of  Hazleton.  His 
son,  Aaron,  gre'w  to  manhood  in  this  county, 
where  he  was  born,  attained  an  education  in 
the  public  schools  and  at  the  outbreak  of  the 
Civil  War  enlisted  in  Company  E  of  the  16th 
Pennsylvania  Cavalry.  He  attained  the  rank 
of  lieutenant  in  that  organization  and  was 
engaged  with  it  in  many  of  the  major  con- 
fiicts  through  which  it  passed. 


S67 


His  son,  Russell  Emerson  Andreas,  attended 
the  public  schools  of  the  district  in  which 
he  was  born  and  later  learned  telegraphy, 
this  taking  him  Into  the  employ  of  the  Penn- 
sylvania Railroad  Company  as  an  operator,  an 
occupation  which  he  followed  for  a  number  of 
years.  He  then  changed  to  clerical  work  with 
the  Lehigh  and  Wilkes-Barre  Coal  Company 
in  Wilkes-Barre  and  after  acquiring  consid- 
erable experience  in  office  work  accepted  a 
position  as  head  bookkeeper  for  the  Steg- 
maier  Brewing-  Company.  Changing  again, 
he  became  affiliated  with  the  First  National 
Bank  of  Wilkes-Barre  as  note  teller,  a  posi- 
tion he  held  until  he  resigned  to  accept  ap- 
pointment as  district  manager  of  the  New 
England  Life  Insurance  Company,  of  Boston, 
Massachusetts,  a  post  he  held  for  the  lial- 
ance  of  his  life.  He  "was  a  valiant  supporter 
of  the  principles  of  the  Republican  party,  but 
never  sought  public  office,  and  his  religious 
affiliation  was  with  the  St.  Stephen's  Protes- 
tant Episcopal  Church  of  Wilkes-Barre.  He 
was  widely  and  favorably  known  in  fraternal 
circles  throughout  the  Valley,  being  affiliated 
with  Landmark  Lodge,  No.  4  42,  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  of  which 
he  had  served  as  Master;  Shekinah  Chapter, 
No.  182,  Royal  Arch  Masons;  Dieu  le  Veut 
Comraandery,  No.  45,  Knights  Templar.  His 
death  occurred  in  this  city,  March  13,  1929,  in 
the  sixty-third  year  of  his  age. 

Russell  E.  Andreas  married,  July  14,  1893, 
Hattie  L.  Sloan,  of  Bloomsburg,  Pennsylvania, 
daughter  of  Charles  P.  and  Phoebe  A.  (Lott) 
Sloan,  and  they  were  the  parents  of  on^  son, 
Charles  Sloan,  who  died  at  the  age  of  twenty 
years  in  1915.  He  was  a  graduate  of  Wyo- 
ming Seminary  and  at  the  time  of  his  death 
was  associated  in  business  with  the  Lehigh 
Valley  Coal  Company. 

As  a  man  of  high  moral  character,  faultless 
integrity  and  great  public  spirit,  Mr.  Andreas 
held  the  respect  and  esteem  of  the  entire 
community.  He  invariably  gave  generous 
support  to  all  activities  promoted  for  the 
good  of  the  people  and  it  was  long  a  by-word 
that  no  man  who  appealed  to  him  for  counsel 
or  material  aid  ever  left  his  presence  dis- 
appointed. He  was  an  able  and  sincerely 
admired  citizen  of  Luzerne  County. 


ABE  ALBERT  DATTNER,  M.  D. — That  par- 
ticular branch  of  the  medical  profession 
which  has  claimed  the  attentions  of  Abe  A. 
Dattner,  M.  D.,  is  the  diagnosis  and  treat- 
ment of  children's  diseases.  Practicing  in 
Wilkes-Barre  over  a  period  of  several  years. 
Dr.  Dattner  has  created  a  well  deserved  repu- 
tation for  leadership  in  this  kind  of  medical 
Tvork,  and  in  it.  combining  skill  "with  his 
naturally  gentle  and  patient  manner,  he  has 
rendered  invaluable  service  to  the  community 
in  which  he  lias  for  so  many  years  lived  and 
■worked.  Also  active  in  the  general  social 
life  of  Wilkes-Barre  and  Luzerne  County,  he 
belongs  to  a  number  of  important  organiza- 
tions and  is  held  in  the  highest  esteem  by 
his  fellowmen. 

He  was  born  on  December  28,  1891,  a  son 
of  Adolf  and  Fannie  (Singer)  Dattner,  in 
Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania.  His  father,  a 
native  of  Austria,  where  he  was  born  in 
1861,  was,  when  he  came  to  the  United  States 
to  live,  a  merchant  for  many  years  in  Lu- 
zerne County;  while  the  mother,  Fannie 
(Singer)  Dattner,  is  also  a  native  of  Austria, 
where  she  was  born  in  1863.  The  son  received 
his  early  education  in  the  public  schools  of 
Luzerne,  and  attended  the  high  school  there. 


from  which  he  was  graduated  in  the  class  of 
1910.  He  then  matriculated  In  Jefferson  Medi- 
cal College,  from  which  he  was  graduated  In 
the  class  of  1915  with  the  degree  of  Doctor 
of  Medicine.  He  then  became  an  interne  at 
St.  Mary's  Hospital,  in  Philadelphia,  where  he 
remained  for  one  year,  until  he  began  his 
general  practice  of  medicine  and  surgery  in 
Wilkes-Barre.  Here  he  continued  as  general 
physician  and  surgeon  until  1923,  when  he 
went  to  Europe  for  special  study  of  children's 
diseases.  Upon  his  return  to  the  United 
States,  he  has  specialized  in  this  type  of  dis- 
ease. Gaining,  with  the  passing  years,  a  wide 
circle  of  friends.  Dr.  Dattner  has  succeeded 
in  building  up  his  practice  to  its  present 
enviable  state,  and  in  creating  in  his  pa- 
tients a  feeling  of  complete  trust  and  con- 
fidence— a  feeling  merited  by  the  diligence 
and   skill   of   this   physician. 

Dr.  Dattner  has  always  taken  a  prominent 
part  in  the  affairs  of  his  community  and 
county,  as  well  as  in  the  broader  phases  of 
the  medical  profession.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  staff  of  physicians  at  Mercy  Hospital, 
Wilkes-Barre;  and  is  a  member  of  the  Lu- 
zerne County  Medical  Society,  the  Pennsyl- 
vania State  Medical  Society  and  the  American 
Medical  Association.  During  the  period  of 
American  participation  in  the  World  War,  he 
served  with  the  Medical  Corps  from  April, 
1918,  to  December  of  the  same  year,  having 
been  commissioned  as  first  lieutenant.  He  was 
stationed  at  Fort  McPherson,  Georgia,  and 
Camp  Lee,  Virginia.  In  December,  1918,  he 
was  honorably  discharged  from  the  United 
States  Army,  and  from  that  time  onward  has 
been  practicing  his  profession  in  Wilkes- 
Barre.  In  addition  to  his  medical  work.  Dr. 
Dattner  is  active  in  political  affairs,  being 
himself  affiliated  with  the  Republican  party, 
whose  policies  and  principles  he  regularly 
supports;  and  in  fraternal  activities,  being  a 
member  of  the  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  in 
which  his  connection  is  with  Shekinah  Lodge, 
No.  246,  of  Philadelphia.  He  is  a  member  of 
Temple  Israel. 

In  June,  1916,  he  married  Elizabeth  Apfel- 
baum,  of  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania,  a 
daughter  of  Henry  and  Rose  (Schweiger) 
Apfelbaum.  By  this  union  there  have  been 
two  children:  1.  Charlotte  Jean,  born  July 
14,  1919.  2.  Alvin  Leo,  born  November  23, 
1926. 


MURRAY  ALBERT  PADDOCK — An  out- 
Standing  figure  in  business  circles  in  Wilkes- 
Barre,  Murray  A.  Paddock  is  a  leader  in  the 
glass  industry  of  this  section,  being  manager 
of  the  G.  E.  Paddock  and  Son,  Inc.,  of  which 
his  father  is  president.  This  concern  is  one 
of  the  largest  manufacturers  and  jobbers  of 
glass  in  Northeastern  Pennsylvania,  special- 
izing in  stained  glass  church  windows,  glazed 
in  lead,  zinc  or  copper;  plate  glass  for  auto- 
mobiles; wire  and  figured  glass  for  building 
purposes  and  other  varieties  in  which  they 
excel.  Mr.  Paddock,  through  his  initiative 
and  keen  business  ability  coupled  with  a 
thorough  knowledge  of  his  product,  has  been 
largely  instrumental  in  developing  the  busi- 
ness  to   its  present   large   proportions. 

Murray  A.  Paddock  was  born  in  Kingston, 
January  28,  1SS5.  son  of  George  E.  and  Virgie 
C.  (Prince)  Paddock.  George  E.  Paddock  is 
the  son  of  Lewis  Paddock,  who  was  killed 
during  the  Civil  War  at  the  battle  of  Reams 
Station,  Virginia.  Upon  the  death  of  his 
father,   George  E.  Paddock  was  placed  In  an 


S68 


orphan's  home,  although  shortly  after,  he 
was  taken  into  the  private  home  of  Elvira 
Holcomb,  who  reared  him  to  manhood  and 
gave  him  the  advantages  of  an  excellent, 
comfortable  home.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Paddock  are 
the  parents  of  three  children:  1.  C.  Blanche, 
married  H.  H.  Schoser,  of  Kingston.  2,  Mur- 
ray A.,  of  whom  further.  3.  Grace,  married 
Arthur  Williams  of  Kingston.  In  politics,  G. 
E.  Paddock  is  a  member  of  the  Republican 
party  and  in  religious  afBliation,  is  a  member 
of  the  Methodist  Church.  In  his  early  life. 
he  engaged  in  the  butcher  business  and  later 
learned  the  glazier  trade  in  which  he  became 
extremely  proficient,  and  in  1906,  he  opened 
a  stained  glass  business  at  Kingston. 

Murray  A.  Paddock  received  his  education 
in  the  public  schools  of  Kingston,  and  while 
a  boy,  became  a  clerk  in  the  hardware  store 
of  C.  Morgan's  Sons  at  Wilkes-Barre,  where 
he  remained  for  six  years,  acquiring  a  splen- 
did reputation  for  his  quick  perception  and 
energetic  interest  in  his  work.  In  1907  he 
became  associated  with  his  father  and  they 
formed  a  concern  under  the  name,  G.  E. 
Paddock  and  Son,  for  the  manufacture  of 
high  quality  stained  glass  and  other  glass 
products.  The  excellence  of  their  output 
created  a  great  demand  throughout  the 
country  among  contractors  and  various  other 
users,  and  their  motto  is  truly  a  fact,  that 
"none  can  surpass  Paddock  Glass."  Mr.  Pad- 
dock is  a  remarkable  example  of  a  self-made 
man,  having  risen  to  his  present  position  by 
his  untiring  energy  and  an  unshaken  deter- 
mination to  succeed.  In  politics,  he  is  a 
member  of  the  Republican  party  and  takes  a 
deep  and  active  interest  in  the  affairs  of  the 
city.  In  fraternal  connections,  he  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Kingston  Lodge,  No.  395,  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons:  Kingston  Lodge.  No.  709. 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows;  and 
Lodge,  No.  426,  United  Commercial  Travelers 
of  America. 

Murray  A.  Paddock  married,  on  January  10, 
1912,  Eunice  McCall,  daughter  of  Patrick  and 
Mary  (Clements)  MeCall,  the  father  engaged 
in  business  in  Wilkes-Barre  for  nearly  fifty 
years.  They  are  the  parents  of  three  children: 
Murray  Albert,  Jr.,  died  at  the  age  of  three 
years;   Robert  Clements,  and  George  Murray. 


^V^LLIAM    GWYJfNE    WEAVER,    M.    D. — A 

notable  physician  who  will  long  be  remem- 
bered as  one  of  the  ablest  and  best-loved 
citizens  of  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania,  was 
the  late  William  Gwynne  Weaver,  M.  D.  In 
addition  to  his  important  professional  activi- 
ties, Dr.  Weaver  served  as  school  director  of 
the  city  for  thirty  years,  having  never  been 
defeated  for  this  office  and  his  service  being 
continuous. 

William  Gwynne  Weaver  was  born  March 
11,  1850,  in  Rush  Township,  Northumberland 
County,  Pennsylvania,  son  of  Jesse  and  Eliza- 
beth (Bassett)  Weaver,  of  the  same  locality, 
grandson  of  Henry  and  Elizabeth  (Campbell) 
Weaver,  who  lived  in  the  same  section,  and 
great-grandson  of  Michael  and  Margaret 
Weaver.  The  great-grandfather.  Michael 
Weaver,  came  from  Germany  about  1769  and 
settled  finally  in  Northumberland  County;  he 
was  a  captain  in  the  Revolutionary  Army,  in 
service  for  seven  and  a  half  years;  and  he 
became  a  man  of  wealth  and  much  local  im- 
portance. His  son  was  a  substantial  farmer, 
and  his  son,  father  of  our  subject,  also  fol- 
lowed agricultural  pursuits.  Jesse  Weaver 
was  a  Democrat  and  a  prominent  Methodist. 
His  second  wife,  Elizabeth  Bassett,  was  born 


in  New  Jersey  but  grew  up  in  Rush  Town- 
ship, Northumberland  County.  The  family 
was  of  old  English  stock,  and  several  ances- 
tors participated  in  the  Revolutionary  War. 
To  this  union  were  born  the  following  chil- 
dren: Marietta,  George  B.,  Luther  B.,  William 
G.    of   further  mention;   John   P.   and   Ruth   A. 

William  Gwynne  Weaver  spent  his  early 
days  in  his  native  township  and  attended  the 
local  public  schools.  The  early  death  of  the 
father  had  impoverished  the  family,  and  the 
boy  limited  his  schooling  to  the  winter 
months  in  order  to  help  on  the  farm  in  sum- 
mer. At  seventeen,  he  began  teaching  in  the 
country  school  in  Montour  County,  in  order 
to  get  money  to  complete  his  education.  He 
attended  Elysburg  Academy,  taught  during 
four  months  of  the  following  winter  in 
Northumberland  County,  and  resumed  his 
studies  in  the  Klines  Grove  Academy.  At 
twenty  he  began  teaching  in  Shamokin  where 
he  remained  until  1872,  when  he  came  to 
Wilkes-Barre  and  took  up  the  office  of  prin- 
cipal of  a  city  school. 

By  the  year  1875,  when  he  was  twenty-five, 
the  ambitious  young  man  was  ready  for  the 
study  of  medicine.  He  pursued  his  studies  at 
the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  in  the  medi- 
cal department,  and  graduated  in  1878.  Re- 
turning to  Wilkes-Barre,  he  built  up  a  large 
practice  and  served  as  surgeon  for  the  Lehigh 
Valley  Railroad  and  staff-surgeon  for  the 
Wilkes-Barre  City  and  Mercy  hospitals.  So 
great  was  the  confidence  in  his  ability  that 
Dr.  Weaver  was  made  president  of  the  Nanti- 
coke  Light,  Heat  &  Power  Company,  of  which 
he  was  also  a  director. 

His  participation  in  civic  affairs  was  active. 
Dr.  Weaver  was  for  eighteen  years  a  mem- 
ber of  the  9th  Regiment  National  Guard  of 
Pennsylvania,  for  seven  years  with  the  rank 
of  captain,  later  becoming  regimental  sur- 
geon, with  the  rank  of  major,  and  he  served 
as  assistant  surgeon  and  acting  surgeon  of 
the  regiment  in  the  Spanish-American  War. 
His  wife,  then  Miss  Abbott,  was  a  volunteer 
nurse  in  this  war.  Dr.  Weaver  belonged  to 
the  American  Medical  Association,  the  Penn- 
sylvania State,  the  Luzerne  County,  the  Le- 
high Valley  Medical  societies,  and  the  Asso- 
ciation of  Lehigh  Valley  Railroad  Surgeons. 
His  fraternal  affiliations  were  with  the  In- 
dependent Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  Lodge  No. 
39,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  of  which  he  was  a  Past 
Grand,  Lodge  No.  174,  Knights  of  Pythias; 
Lodge  No.  109,  Benevolent  and  Protective 
Order  of  Elks.  He  was  a  member  also  of  the 
Wyoming  Historical  and  Geological  Society, 
the  Pennsylvania  Society  of  the  Sons  of  the 
American  Revolution,  and  the  Westmoreland 
Club.  In  politics  he  was  a  Republican.  Dr. 
Weaver  was  the  original  advocate  of  the  con- 
solidation of  the  separate  school  districts  of 
the  city  and  a  prime  worker  in  the  consoli- 
dation movement  of  1890.  He  was  appointed 
one  of  the  original  trustees  of  the  East 
Stroudsburg  State  Normal  School  at  its 
organization  and  was  reappointed  by  the 
superintendent  of  public  instruction  for  many 
subsequent  terms.  He  also  warmly  advocated 
the  change  of  municipal  government  from  a 
special  to  a  general  charter  and  had  the 
satisfaction  of  seeing  his  efforts  successful  in 
1898.  He  was  a  communicant  of  the  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  Church  of  Wilkes-Barre. 

William  Gwynne  Weaver  married,  Decem- 
ber 6,  1S98,  in  Carbondale,  Pennsylvania, 
Elizabeth  Abbott,  daughter  of  Rev.  B.  H.  and 
Sarah  Elizabeth  (Farnham)  Abbott,  and  de- 
scendant   on   both   sides    of   the   family    from 


UAm^^-^ 


S69 


old  American  families.  The  paternal  ances- 
try was  from  Massachusetts,  the  father  being 
an  Episcopal  minister.  To  Dr.  and  Mrs. 
Weaver  were  born  two  children:  William 
Abbott,  born  April  19,  1900,  now  a  physician 
of  Wilkes-Barre  (see  following  biography); 
Elizabeth  Bassett,  born  September  21,  1903. 
Dr.  Weaver  died  in  December,  1908,  after  a 
career  which  was  at  the  same  time  highly 
successful  and  broadly  useful.  His  leader- 
ship made  itself  felt  not  only  in  professional 
progress,  but  in  the  general  advancement  of 
Wilkes-Barre  along  educational  and  munici- 
pal lines.  His  memory  will  long  be  a  part  of 
the  history  of  the  city. 


WILLIAM    ABBOTT   WEAVER,   M.    D. — The 

son  of  a  physician  with  traditions  of  splen- 
did service  and  highest  professional  stand- 
ards to  live  up  to,  Wilkes-Barre  expects 
noteworthy  achievements  from  tlie  training 
and  background  of  William  Abbott  Weaver. 
He  was  born  in  Wilkes-Barre  April  19,  1900, 
a  son  of  Dr.  William  Gwynne  Weaver  (see 
preceding  biography)  and  Elizabeth  (Abbott) 
Weaver. 

William  Abbott  Weaver  received  his  aca- 
demic education  in  the  schools  of  Wilkes- 
Barre  and  then  at  the  Wyoming  Seminary, 
graduating  from  the  latter  with  the  class  of 
191S.  He  attended  Lehigh  University,  tak- 
ing his  pre-medical  course  at  that  institution 
and  followed  this  "U'ith  a  medical  course  at 
the  Jefferson  iledical  College,  taking  his 
degree  from  that  institution  in  1925.  He 
entered  the  General  Hospital  as  interne 
directly  after  graduation  and  remained  there 
for  a  year,  and  is  now  on  the  surgical  staff 
of  that  hospital.  He  is  also  actively  inter- 
ested in  other  institutional  work,  being 
assistant  surgeon  for  the  Lehigh  Valley  Coal 
Company;  physician  on  the  Poor  Board  of 
Wilkes-Barre  and  regimental  surgeon  of  the 
109th  Field  Artillery,  Pennsylvania  National 
Guard  with  the  rank  of  major.  This  latter 
post  was  held  by  his  father  for  over  eighteen 
years.  Dr.  Weaver,  with  all  these  manifold 
duties,  still  finds  time  and  opportunity  to 
develop  a  private  practice.  He  is  affiliated 
"ft'ith  the  important  groups  that  are  of  sig- 
nificance in  his  profession,  the  Luzerne 
County  Medical  Society,  the  Pennsylvania 
Medical  Association  and  the  American  Med- 
ical Association.  He  is  also  affiliated  "with 
the  Phi  Chi  medical  fraternity,  the  Kappa 
Sigma  Fraternity,  the  Pennsylvania  Society 
Sons  of  the  Revolution,  and  is  a  member  of 
Wilkes-Barre  Post,  No.  132,  American  Legion. 
He  declares  himself  a  Republican  in  politics 
and  is  a  Free  and  Accepted  Mason,  Wilkes- 
Barre  Lodge,  No.  61:  Shekinah  Chapter, 
Royal  Arch  Masons;  and  Dieu  le  Veut  Com- 
mandery,  Knights  Templar;  Irem  Temple, 
Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic 
Shrine.  A  member  of  the  Lions  Club  and 
of  St.  Stephen's   Episcopal  Church. 

Dr.  William  A.  Weaver  married,  February 
12,  1929,  Ruth  S.  Mengel,  daughter  of  Dr. 
Samuel  P.  and  Sarah  (Slater)  Mengel.  A 
son,  William  Abbott,  Jr.,  was  born  to  Dr. 
and  Mrs.  Weaver,   December  28,   1929. 


FRANK  GEORGE  RECKVS — Prominent 
among  the  successful  young  business  men  of 
Wilkes-Barre  is  Frank  G.  Reckus,  head  of  the 
Frank  G.  Reckus  Company,  realtors  and  in- 
surers, whose  offices  are  at  Nos.  442-444 
Miners  Bank  Building.  The  concern  handles 
all  kinds  of  insurance,  buys,  sells,  and  man- 
ages real  estate,  and  negotiates  mortgage 
loans.  Mr.  Reckus  is  a  graduate  of  the  Uni- 
versity   of    Pennsylvania,    and    was    president 


of  the  Wilkes-Barre  Real  Estate  Exchange 
in  1928. 

Frank  G.  Reckus  was  born  in  Wilkes-Barre, 
Pennsylvania,  March  30,  1S95,  son  of  William 
P.  and  Mary  (Koons)  Reckus,  both  of  whom 
are  deceased.  He  was  one  of  six  children, 
namely:  Joseph  M.,  who  is  chief  of  police  for 
Hanover  Township,  Luzerne  County,  Pennsyl- 
vania; William  P.,  who  is  In  the  employ  of 
the  Lehigh  and  Wilkes-Barre  Coal  Company; 
John  A.,  of  Uniontown,  Pennsylvania;  Frank 
G.,  of  further  mention;  Annie  E.,  who  is 
teaching  in  the  Hanover  Township  public 
schools;   and  Rose   S. 

Frank  G.  Reckus  grew  to  manhood  in  the 
city  of  his  birth,  attending  the  public  schools 
and  then  becoming  a  student  in  the  Mansfield 
State  Normal  School,  at  Mansfield,  Pennsyl- 
vania. In  July,  1917,  soon  after  the  entrance 
of  the  United  States  into  the  World  War,  Mr. 
Reckus  enlisted  in  the  Medical  Corps  of  the 
regular  United  States  Army  and  was  sta- 
tioned at  Columbus,  Ohio,  then  at  Fort  Riley, 
Kansas.  Later,  he  was  transferred  to  the 
Officers'  Training  School,  at  Camp  Travis, 
San  Antonio,  Texas.  This  transfer  was  made 
February  15,  1918,  and  on  June  1,  1918,  he 
was  commissioned  second  lieutenant  of  in- 
fantry and  was  stationed  at  Camp  Lee,  Vir- 
ginia, where  he  was  pronioted  to  the  rank  of 
first  lieutenant  of  infantry  in  September, 
1918.  He  was  mustered  out  of  service  Sep- 
tember 15,  1919,  after  twenty-nine  months  of 
service.  After  his  return  to  civilian  life  he 
matriculated  in  the  University  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, at  Philadelphia,  from  which  he  was 
graduated  w^ith  the  class  of  1923,  receiving 
the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Science,  having 
majored  in  Economics.  Since  his  graduation 
he  has  been  interested  in  real  estate  and 
insurance,  and  as  liead  of  the  successful  con- 
cern which  operates  under  his  name,  he  is 
making  an  enviable  reputation  in  that  field 
of  business  activity.  He  was  a  most  able 
and  efficient  president  of  tlie  Wilkes-Barre 
Real  Estate  Exchange  in  1928,  and  is  also  a 
member  of  the  Luzerne  County  Real  Estate 
Exchange.  In  politics,  he  supports  the  prin- 
ciples of  the  Republican  party.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  Wilkes-Barre  Post,  No.  132,  American 
Legion;  the  Knights  of  Columbus,  and  be- 
longs to  the  Wilkes-Barre-Wyoming  Valley 
Chamber  of  Commerce;  and  his  religious 
affiliation  is  with  the  P^oman  Catholic  Church 
of  St.  Ignatius,  of  Kingston,  Pennsylvania. 
During  his  college  years  he  became  identified 
with  Theta  Delta  Chi  college  fraternity,  and 
he  has  continued  his  membership  with  that 
fraternity.  He  is  a  member  of  the  North- 
eastern Pennsylvania  Football  Association, 
and  "was  a  member  of  the  football  and  wrest- 
ling teams  during  his  college  days.  Mr.  Rec- 
kus is  one  of  the  very  well  known  young 
business  men  of  this  city,  and  is  very  highly 
regarded  by  his  numerous  friends  and  asso- 
ciates. 

Frank  G.  Reckus  was  married,  November 
19,  1925,  to  Dorothea  R.  Burke,  daughter  of 
Martin  F.  and  Margaret  (McGinty)  Burke. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Reckus  have  two  children,  Jean 
Marie,  and  Marguerite.  The  family  home  is 
located  at  No.  214  Butler  Street,  Kingston, 
Pennsylvania. 


FR.\NCIS    TIMOTHY    O'DOXXELL,    M.    D. — 

One  of  the  younger  members  of  the  medical 
profession  in  Wilkes-Barre  is  Dr.  Francis 
Timothy  O'Donnell,  a  graduate  of  Jefferson 
Medical  College,  who  has  been  engaged  in 
general   and  special  practice   here   since    1923. 


S70 


His  offices  are  located  at  No.  345  North  Main 
Street,  and  in  addition  to  the  care  of  his 
general  practice  he  malces  a  specialty  of 
children's  diseases.  Dr.  O'Donnell.  though  hut 
seven  years  in  practice  has  already  made  for 
himself  an  assured  place  in  his  profession, 
and  his   clientele  is   steadily  growing. 

Dr.  Francis  Timothy  O'Donnell  was  born  in 
Parsons,  Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania,  De- 
cember 28,  1898,  son  of  Timothy  Francis 
O'Donnell,  a  native  of  Wilkes-Barre,  Penn- 
sylvania, born  in  October,  1866,  who  was  a 
druggist  in  Parsons  for  many  years  and  is 
still  living  (1930),  and  of  Catherine  (Whalen) 
O'Donnell,  who  was  born  in  Avoca,  Luzerne 
County,  Pennsylvania,  in  April,  1868,  also 
living.  Dr.  O'Donnell  attended  St.  Mary's  pa- 
rochial school,  graduating  with  tlie  class  of 
1916.  and  in  the  same  year  passed  the  State 
pharmaceutical  examination  and  qualified  for 
assistant  pharmacist.  He  then  began  his  pre- 
medical  course  in  St.  Thomas  College,  at 
Scranton,  Pennsylvania.  Wiien  his  course 
there  was  finished  he  entered  Jefferson  Medi- 
cal College,  in  Philadelphia,  where  he  "was 
graduated,  class  of  1922,  with  the  degree  of 
Doctor  of  Medicine.  An  interneship  served  in 
"Wilkes-Barre  General  Hospital  gave  him  one 
year  of  practical  experience  preparatory  to 
opening  an  office  of  his  own,  and  in  1923  he 
engaged  in  general  practice  here  in  Wilkes- 
Barre,  where  he  has  since  been  making  liim- 
self  known  as  an  able  physician.  Always 
interested  in  the  hygiene  and  the  diseases  of 
children.  Dr.  O'Donnell  has  made  a  special 
study  of  pediatrics,  and  is  pediatrician  in  the 
Wilkes-Barre  General  Hospital.  He  has  been 
very  successful  in  treating  children's  dis- 
eases, and  is  steadily  adding  to  his  skill  and 
his  knowledge  in  this  special  field.  Dr.  O'Don- 
nell is  a  member  of  the  Luzerne  County  Medi- 
cal Society,  of  the  Pennsylvania  State  Medical 
Society,  and  of  the  American  Medical  Associa- 
tion; and  he  is  also  a  member  of  the  Phi 
Alpha  Sigma  medical  fraternity  and  an  hon- 
orary member  of  the  Alpha  Omega  Alpha 
Fraternity  of  Jefferson  Medical  College,  and 
belongs  to  the  Knights  of  Columbus.  In 
politics  he  gives  support  to  the  Democratic 
party,  and  his  religious  affiliation  is  with  St. 
John's  Roman   Catholic   Church. 

Dr.  Francis  Timothy  O'Donnell  was  mar- 
ried, August  8,  1923,  to  Elizabeth  Irene  Bar- 
nett,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania,  daugh- 
ter of  James  C.  and  Stella  (Siglin)  Barnett. 
Dr.  and  Mrs.  O'Donnell  have  four  children: 
1.  George  J.,  who  was  born  July  10,  1924.  2. 
Francis  T.,  Jr.,  born  November  29,  1925.  3. 
Raymond  J.,  born  June  22,  1927.  4.  James, 
born   November    29,    1928. 


EDWARD  HENRY  KENT — Financial  fra- 
ternity of  the  Wyoming  Valley  of  Pennsyl- 
vania have  in  their  membersliip  no  more 
capable  man  in-  his  line  than  Edward  Henry 
Kent,  resident  partner  in  Wilkes-Barre  of 
the  New  York  Stock  Exchange  house  of 
Green,  Ellis  &  Anderson,  which  position  he 
has  occupied  since  tlie  formation  of  the  firm 
here,  February  1,  1922.  Prom  boyhood,  im- 
mediately after  leaving  school,  Mr.  Kent  has 
been  intiinately  associated  with  financial  ac- 
tivities, for  the  last  decade  of  that  period 
having  been  so  engaged  in  this  city,  where 
he  long  since  attained  the  esteem  of  his  asso- 
ciates and  the  clientele  he  drew  through  his 
enterprising  operations  and  the  success  that 
attended  them.  Energetic  and  industrious, 
keen  of  mind  and  equipped  with  a  broad 
knowledge    of    the    business    in    which    he    is 


engaged,  he  has  also  won  the  friendly  regard 
of  his  fellow-citizens  through  his  interest  in 
civic  activities  and  their  approbation  for  the 
conspicuous  part  he  played  in  answer  to  tlie 
call  of  his  Country  during  the  period  that 
the  United  States  was  engaged  in  the  strug- 
gle of  the  World  War.  He  also  has  been  a 
staunch  churchman  and  an  ideal  citizen  in 
his  social  and  fraternal  recreations,  making 
him  altogether  a  valuable  unit  of  the  pro- 
gressive community  that  makes  up  the  popu- 
lation  of  this  district  of  the   State. 

Born  in  North  Tarrytown,  New  York,  May 
19,  1SS4,  he  is  a  son  of  Edward  Henry  Kent, 
born  in  New  Y'ork  City  in  1842,  engaged 
there"  in  the  life  insurance  business,  where 
his  death  occurred,  January  29,  1905,  and 
Mary  Cornelia  (Bostwick)  Kent,  also  born  in 
the  metropolis,  where  she  died,  August  19, 
1927.  He  was  educated  in  the  Tarrytown, 
New  York,  public  schools,  after  which  in- 
struction he  began  work  in  a  Wall  Street 
bond  brokerage  house,  remaining  in  the 
financial  mart  of  the  country  until  the  entry 
of  the  United  States  into  the  World  War, 
when  he  entered  the  military  service  with  the 
107tli  Infantry,  was  commissioned  a  captain 
and  appointed  regimental  adjutant  and  served 
■overseas,  having  sailed  May  13,  1918,  with 
the  American  Expeditionary  Forces,  there 
serving  in  cooperation  with  tlie  British  Army 
in  the  Somme  Offensive,  and  Ypres-Lye 
Offensive.  He  had  been  a  member  of  the  orig- 
inal famous  Seventh  Regiment  of  New  York 
since  January  2,  1906,  and  during  his  mem- 
bership of  that  organization  at  the  French 
front  received  a  division  citation  for  excel- 
lent record.  He  was  honorably  mustered  out, 
April  6,  1919,  and  the  following  day  found 
him  in  Wilkes-Barre,  where  he  represented 
the  bond  house  of  Calloway,  Fish  &  Company. 
This  association  continued  until  February  1, 
1922,  when  lie  Ijecame  resident  partner  of  the 
financial  firm  already  named.  In  addition  to 
his  management  of  this  house  he  acts  as  a 
director  of  the  Haddock  Mining  Company  and 
the  Candlemas  Collieries  Company.  He  is 
director  and  treasurer  of  tlie  Red  Cross,  and 
director  of  the  Georgetown  Settlement.  He 
is  a  Republican  in  politics  and  a  member  of 
St.  Stephen's  Protestant  Episcopal  Church, 
where  he  taught  Sunday  school  for  several 
years.  He  belongs  to  the  American  Legion 
and  the  Scranton  and  Westmoreland  clubs. 

Edward  Henry  Kent  married,  February  21, 
1918,  Sara  C.  Evans,  of  Augusta,  Georgia, 
daughter  of  Lawton  B.  and  Florence  (Camp- 
bell)  Evans. 


LELAND  STANLEY  PIERSOX — The  name 
which  heads  this  review  represents  one  of  the 
younger  business  men  of  Wilkes-Barre,  who 
with  his  father,  A.  L.  Pierson.  conducts  a 
successful  real  estate  business  under  the  title 
A.  L.  Pierson  &  Son.  Leland  Stanley  Pierson 
was  born  April  10,  18S1,  in  Auburn  Center. 
Susquehanna  County.  Pennsylvania,  but  at  a 
subsequent  date  moved  with  his  parents  to 
Luzerne  County,  where  he  is  making  his 
home.  His  father,  Andrew  L.  Pierson,  is  a 
highly  esteemed  citizen  of  the  same  com- 
munity, though  he  was  born  in  Auburn  Cen- 
ter in  1856.  He  is  affiliated  with  the  Ancient 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  belonging  to 
Fidelity  Lodge,  No.  655,  of  Wilkes-Barre. 
Since  coming  to  Luzerne  County,  he  has  spent 
much  of  his  time  in  the  real  estate  business. 
He  married  Lillian  Wilcox,  who  was  also  a 
native  of  Auburn  Center,  having  been  born 
there   in   1859. 


rp. 


571 


Leland  Stanley  Pierson  was  educated  in 
the  public  schools  of  Dallas,  Luzerne  County, 
Pennsylvania;  the  Wyoming  Seminary,  from 
which  he  graduated  in  1S99;  and  the  Wes- 
leyan  University,  Middletown,  Connecticut. 
His  first  position  was  as  an  accountant  with 
the  Lehigh  Valley  Railroad,  and  in  this  ca- 
pacity he  served  for  a  period  of  two  years. 
Following  this,  he  obtained  entrance  in  tlie 
Wyoming  Valley  Lace  Mills,  becoming  office 
manager  and  paymaster,  and  remained  with 
this  company  for  eight  years,  when  he  severed 
his  connection  in  order  that  he  might  assist 
his  father  in  his  large  real  estate  and  insur- 
ance development  business.  He  has  continued 
with  his  father  to  the  present  time,  under 
the  name  of  A.  L.   Pierson  and  Son. 

Like  his  father,  Mr.  Pierson  is  a  Republican 
in  politics,  and  is  a  member  of  tlie  Ancient 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  Lodge  No.  61; 
Shekinah  Chapter,  Royal  Arch  Masons;  Dieu 
le  Veut  Commandery,  No.  4.5,  Knights  Temp- 
lar; and  Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order 
Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  His  club  mem- 
berships include  the  Franklin  and  the  Wyo- 
ming Valley  Country. 

Mr.  Pierson  married,  in  1908,  Helen  Kerr, 
daughter  of  William  H.  and  Harriet  (Perrin) 
Kerr,  of  West  Pittston.  Mrs.  Pierson  died 
June  3,  1911,  leaving  one  daughter.  E.  Har- 
riet, who  married  Henry  W.  Kuni,  September 
18,  1929,  and  lives  in  Jackson  Heights,  Long 
Island.  On  November  20,  1913,  Mr.  Pierson 
married  (second)  Ruth  McDonnell,  of  Scran- 
ton,  Pennsylvania,  daughter  of  W.  C.  and 
Lulu  (Corson)  McDonnell.  Of  this  marriage 
there  were  three  children.  They  are:  William 
L.,  Jane  B.,  and  Leland  S.,  Jr.  Mr.  Pierson  and 
family  attend  the  First  Presbyterian  Church, 
of  Wilkes-Barre. 


JOHX  CRAWFORD  HARVEY — The  Har- 
vey family,  of  which  John  Crawford  Harvey, 
general  agent  for  the  Girard  Life  Insurance 
Company  of  Philadelphia,  with  offices  in  the 
Brooks  Building,  Wilkes-Barre,  is  a  worthy 
representative,  proceeded  originally  from 
England,  where  the  name  is  synonymous  with 
accomplishment  in  every  worthy  field  of 
human  activity.  The  Harveys  of  England 
have  been  of  the  nobility  and  of  the  gentry, 
while  others  have  been  identified  with  the 
yeomanry  and  the  middle  classes.  One  of  the 
most  noted  was  Dr.  William  Harvey,  who  dis- 
covered the  circulation  of  the  blood,  became 
a  physician  about  the  time  of  the  death  of 
Queen  Elizabeth  and  was  made  doctor  to 
Sir  Francis  Bacon  and  the  Earl  of  Arundel. 
The  Wyoming  Valley  Harveys  came  from  the 
New  England  Harveys,  and  they  from  Eng- 
land; the  original  paternal  American  ances- 
tor was  Thomas  Harvey  or  William  Harvey, 
brothers,  sons  of  Thomas  Harvey,  of  Eng- 
land: they  were  born  in  Somersetshire,  Eng- 
land, and  came  to  Neiv  England  in  1636,  and 
first  settled  in  the  colony  of  Dorchester,  Mas- 
sachusetts. Thomas  became  the  progenitor 
of  the  Wyoming  Valley  Harveys;  he  removed 
from  Dorchester  to  Taunton,  where  he  died 
in  1651;  his  wife  was  Elizabeth  Andrews  and 
their  youngest  son  John  had  a  son  John  who 
had  a  son  Benjamin,  who  made  a  settlement 
in  the  town  of  Plymouth,  in  Wyoming  Val- 
ley, Pennsylvania,  in  1772,  where  he  became 
a  man  of  prominence  among  the  colonists 
from   Connecticut. 

John  Crawford  Harvey  was  born  at  the 
ancestral  estate  at  Harveyville,  Huntington 
Township,  Luzerne  County,  May  6,  1S60,  a 
son  of  Abram  Nesbitt  and  Sarah  Maria 
(Crawford)  Harvey,  both  now  deceased.     The 


name  Nesbitt  goes  back  to  Sarah  Nesbitt,  wife 
of  Colonel  Elisha  Boarnerges  Harvey,  a 
native  of  Harveyville,  school  teacher  and 
Union  officer  in  the  Civil  War;  he  later  be- 
came a  lawyer.  Abram  Nesbitt  Harvey  was 
a  son  of  Benjamin  Harvey,  who  married  a 
Nesbitt.  The  children  of  himself  and  wife 
were  the  following:  1.  Emma,  widow  of  Wil- 
liam B.  Cannon,  of  Wilkes-Barre.  2.  Grace, 
died  in  childhood.  3.  John  Crawford,  of  whom 
further.  4.  Charles,  died  in  childhood.  5. 
Benjamin  Jameson,  deceased.  6.  Ruth,  who 
is  a   ■widow. 

Mr.  Harvey  was  reared  on  the  old  home 
place  and  while  a  boy  worked  on  the  farm 
and  attended  the  public  schools,  later  attend- 
ing Dickinson  Seminary  at  Williamsport, 
from  which  institution  he  graduated  in  the 
class  of  ISSO.  He  then  returned  to  Luzerne 
County  and  engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits 
with  his  father  at  Harveyville,  under  the 
firm  name  of  A.  N.  Harvey  &  Son.  This  part- 
nership continued  until  1901,  when  Mr.  Har- 
vey removed  to  Wilkes-Barre,  and  has  since 
been  engaged  successfully  in  the  lite  insur- 
ance business.  He  has  been  a  strong  sup- 
porter of  Republican  party  principles  for 
nearly  fifty  years,  and  in  1891  was  elected 
to  the  State  Legislature  from  the  Second 
Luzerne  County  Legislative  District,  and  was 
reelected  in  1S93.  In  1895  he  made  a  strong 
race  for  the  State  Senate,  but  met  with 
defeat.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  and  of  Kingston  Lodge, 
No.    395,   of  the   Free  and  Accepted   Masons. 

Mr  Harvey  married  Myrtle  Courson,  daugh- 
ter of  Clark  and  Joanna  (Rote)  Courson,  of 
Washingtonville,  Montour  County,  and  their 
children  are:  Benjamin  Nesbitt,  engaged  in 
the  bond  brokerage  business  in  this  city. 
Sarah,  a  trained  nurse;  John  Crawford,  Jr., 
a  bookkeeper  for  the  Goff  Lumber  Company 
in  Wilkes-Barre.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Harvey  and 
tamilv  reside  at  Wilkes-Barre  during  the 
winter  and  spend  their  summers  m  the  de- 
lightful atmosphere  of  the  old  Harvey  home- 
stead at  Harveyville,  where  his  ancestors 
have   lived   since   the    Wyoming  Massacre. 


THOMAS  I.  R-4.MER — A  native  of  Snyder 
County.  Pennsylvania,  Mr.  Ramer  has  been 
a  resident  of  Wilkes-Barre  since  his  early 
manhood,  having  come  to  that  city  at  the 
age  of  twenty  years,  immediately  after  he 
had  completed  his  education.  After  having 
represented  for  a  short  time  one  of  the  larg- 
est life  insurance  companies,  he  established 
himself  in  the  general  insurance  business 
under  his  own  name  almost  two  decades  ago. 
He  has  built  up  a  very  large  and  profitable 
clientele  and,  in  his  particular  field,  is  con- 
sidered one  of  the  most  successful  and  reli- 
able men.  He  is  prominently  active  in  fra- 
ternal and  religious  affairs  and  is  regarded 
as  one  of  the  most  useful  and  substantial  of 
the  younger  generation  of  Wilkes-Barre 
business  men. 

Thomas  I.  Ramer  was  born  at  Beaver 
Springs,  Snyder  County,  Pennsylvania.  August 
25,  1887,  a  son  of  John  C.  and  Louisa  (Swartzl 
Ramer.  His  father,  who  was  born  in  Snyder 
County  in  1852  and  who  died  September  15, 
1914,  was  for  many  years  successfully  en- 
gaged in  agricultural  pursuits.  His  mother, 
likewise  born  in  Snyder  County,  in  1859,  is 
still  living. 

Mr.  Ramer  was  educated  in  the  public 
grammar  and  high  schools  of  Middleburg,  the 
county  seat  of  Snyder  County,  and  at  the 
Union  Seminary  at  New  Berlin,  Union  County, 
Pennsylvania,   after  which   he    taught   school 


in  Snyder  County  for  two  years.  He  then 
went  to  Williamsport,  Lycoming  County, 
Pennsylvania,  and  there  took  a  course  in 
bookkeeping  at  a  local  commercial  college. 
In  1907  he  came  to  Wilkes-Barre  and  for  a 
year  and  a  half  represented  the  Metropolitan 
Life  Insurance  Company.  In  1910  he  opened 
up  an  office  of  his  own  and  since  then  has 
been  engaged  in  the  general  insurance  busi- 
ness, representing  a  number  of  prominent 
insurance  companies  of  various  kinds.  In  re- 
cent years  his  offices  have  been  located  in 
Suite  No.  S06,  Brooks  Building,  Wilkes- 
Barre.  He  is  a  member  of  Fidelity  Lodge,  No. 
655,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons;  Keystone 
Consistory,  thirty-second  degree.  Ancient 
and  Accepted  Scottish  Rite,  of  Scranton; 
Irem  Temple,  No.  71,  Ancient  Arabic  Order 
Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre;  Patriotic  Order  Sons  of  America;  and 
Knights  of  Malta.  He  also  belongs  to  the 
Irem  Temple  and  Craftsman's  Club.  In  politics 
he  is  a  supporter  of  the  P^epublican  party, 
while  his  religious  affiliations  are  with  the 
Evangelical  Church,  of  the  Sunday  school  of 
which  he  is  superintendent  and  of  the  board 
of  trustees  of  whicli  he  is  a  member. 

Mr.  Ramer  married,  July  21,  1910,  Claire 
Bowersox,  of  AYilkes-Barre,  a  daughter  of 
Francis  C.  and  Harriet  Bowersox.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Ramer  are  the  parents  of  two  children, 
Francis  B.,  born  April  2S,  1914,  and  Jean  H., 
born  August  31,  1919.  The  family  residence 
is  located  at  No.  147  Hanover  Street,  Wilkes- 
Barre. 


HARVEY  H.  KEMMERER — Business  estab- 
lishments of  all  sorts  are  so  common  in  every 
town  and  hamlet  in  this  advanced  industrial 
age  that  it  is  difficult  to  notice  them;  but 
once  in  a  Avhile  one  encounters  an  institu- 
tion that  seems  to  be  more  than  a  business 
enterprise — in  fact,  almost  an  essential  part 
of  a  community.  Such  is  the  case  with  the 
business  of  Harvey  H.  Kemmerer,  which  was 
established  more  than  one  hundred  years  ago, 
and  which,  since  it  was  founded,  has  been 
operating  smoothly  for  decade  after  decade, 
changing  hands  occasionally  with  the  pass- 
ing of  the  generations  but  going  on  just  the 
same.  Under  Mr.  Kemmerer's  management 
and  ownership,  this  enterprise  has  continued 
successful  as  always,  even  making  little 
gains  here  and  there.  The  Kemmerer  estab- 
lishment, founded  in  1S18,  has  since  that  time 
handled  all  types  of  leather  goods;  and  today 
its  stock  of  trunks,  traveling  bags,  suit  cases 
and  telescopes,  both  domestic  and  imported, 
is  one  of  the  finest  that  is  to  be  found  in  this 
part    of    Pennsylvania. 

Mr.  Kemmerer,  the  proprietor  of  this  busi- 
ness, is  a  son  of  Zachariah  and  Martha 
(Grover)  Kemmerer,  both  of  whom  are  now 
deceased.  His  father  was  for  many  years  the 
proprietor  of  the  Old  Mansion  Hotel  on  East 
Northampton  Street.  Wilkes-Barre;  he  died  at 
the  age  of  sixty-two  years.  He  was  the 
father  of  six  children,  three  of  whom  were 
by  his  second  wife,  Martha  (Grover)  Kem- 
merer. These  three  children,  of  whom  the 
first  two  were  twins,  were:  1.  Harvey  H., 
of  further  mention,  and  2.  Harry;  and  3.  E. 
G.,  who  is  a  retired  jeweler  of  Wilkes-Barre. 

Harvey  H.  Kemmerer  "was  born  in  Luzerne 
County  on  November  5,  1S65;  was  educated 
in  the  public  schools  of  Wilkes-Barre;  at  the 
age  of  eleven  years  went  to  work  in  Frank 
Rummell's  store,  continuing  with  store  work 
for  five  years.  At  the  age  of  sixteen  years 
he  went  to  work  in  Thomas  Taylor's  harness 
and  leather  store,  which  was  founded  by 
Thomas  Taylor  in   ISIS   at  the  present   stand 


of  the  Kemmerer  store.  No.  40  West  Market 
Street.  For  more  than  forty  years,  both  with 
Mr.  Taylor  and  later  in  business  for  himself, 
Mr.  Kemmerer  has  remained.  Upon  the  death 
of  Mr.  Taylor,  which  occurred  in  1906,  Mr. 
Kemmerer  bought  the  business,  which  he  has 
continued  to   conduct   under  his   own   name. 

Mr.  Kemmerer's  interests  and  activities  are 
not  only  with  the  leather  store,  however;  for 
he  is  keenly  interested  in  political  and  indus- 
trial matters  generally,  especially  as  they 
affect  the  city  of  Willies-Barre  and  its 
environs.  He  is  identified  politically  with 
the  Democratic  party,  whose  principles  and 
candidates  he  supports.  He  is  an  enthu- 
siastic member  of  the  Central  Methodist 
Episcopal    Church,    of   Wilkes-Barre. 

On  September  30,  1903,  Mr.  Kemmerer  was 
married  to  Victoria  A  Sickler,  of  Falls. 
Pennsylvania,  a  daughter  of  Riley  and  Dora 
(Mahon)  Sickler.  This  marriage  was  blessed 
by  the  birth  of  one  daughter,  Martha  Eudora, 
The  Kemmerers  reside  at  No.  92  Academy 
Street,    Wilkes-Barre. 


EDWIN  J.  REICH— Through  individual 
efforts  and  undivided  attention  to  his  duties 
through  many  years,  Edwin  J.  Reich,  a  native 
of  the  Wyoming  Valley  of  Pennsylvania  and 
a  member  of  one  of  the  oldest  families  in 
this  region,  has  reached  a  position  of  com- 
mercial importance  which  is  a  fine  tribute 
to  his  industr.v  and  native  ability.  As  man- 
ager of  the  Kingston  Division  of  the  Reming- 
ton-Rand Accounting  Machine  Company  he 
has  become  one  of  the  prominent  industrial- 
ists of  the  country,  with  hundreds  of  workers 
under  his  command  and  a  great  responsibility 
owing  his  employers.  That  the  owners  of  the 
vast  enterprise  selected  "well  has  been  illus- 
trated by  the  work  he  has  accomplished  with 
the  little  army  of  mechanics  and  others  en- 
gaged in  the  production  of  modern  office 
machines  at  this  plant,  while  to  the  people 
of  Kingston  and  neighborhood  he  is  ac- 
counted one  of  the  outstanding  citizens  and  a 
valuable  member  of  the  progressive  com- 
munity. 

He  was  born  in  Easton,  Pennsylvania, 
August  8,  1S79,  a  son  of  Joseph  H.  Reich, 
a  telegraph  operator  in  the  employ  of  the 
Lehigh  Valley  Railroad  Company,  and  Ella 
(Weisel)  Reich,  of  Easton,  deceased  in  Feb- 
ruary, 1900.  His  education  was  acquired  in 
the  local  public  schools  and  when  he  was 
seventeen  years  of  age  he  entered  the  employ 
of  the  Ingersoll-Rand  Company  in  Easton, 
where  he  remained  for  ten  years.  He  then 
went  to  the  Western  Electric  Company  in 
New  York  City,  remaining  for  seven  years 
and  from  1914  to  1916  was  foreman  in  the 
manufacturing  department,  later  assuming  a 
similar  post  in  the  engineering  model  shop. 
He  became  associated  with  the  Powers  con- 
cern and  until  1921  was  superintendent,  be- 
coming general  superintendent  in  that  year 
of  the  Manhattan  Electrical  Supply  Company 
and  holding  that  place  until  August,  1926, 
when  he  again  went  to  the  Powers  company 
as  manager  of  their  Kingston  plants,  and 
of  that  at  New  Brunswick,  New  Jersey.  The 
present  Kingston  plant  was  originally  built 
for  the  Wales  Adding  Machine  Company, 
afterward  being  sold  to  the  Powers  Account- 
ing Machine  Company,  which  disposed  of  it 
to  the  present  owners  and  operators.  The 
plant  manufactures  the  well-known  tabulat- 
ing machines  that  are  a  part  of  large  office 
equipment  throughout  the  world  and  employs 
an  average  of  five  hundred  men  and  women 
emplo.vees.  It  is  one  of  the  some  twenty- 
six  or  more  factories  controlled  by  the  Rem- 
ington-Rand   Company    of    New    York.      Mr. 


C\^^      CA/^cJ^iLx^ 


573 


Reich  is  a  Republican  in  politics  and  a  mem- 
ber of  St.  Jolin's  Lutheran  Church  of  Easton. 
He  belongs  to  the  Wilkes-Barre  Rotary  Club, 
is  a  member  of  the  Union  League  Club  of 
Jersey  City,  and  is  fraternally  attiliated  with 
the  Order  of  the  Free  and  Accepted  Masons, 
with  membership  in  Metropolitan  Lodge,  No. 
27.3;  Ancient  Chapter,  No,  1,  Royal  Arch  Ma- 
sons: Columbia  Council,  No.  1,  Royal  and 
Select  Masters;  Columbia  Commandery,  No. 
I.  Knights  Templar,  and  Mecca  Temple,  New 
York  City,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of 
the  Mystic  Shrine.  He  also  belongs  to  the 
Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks, 
affiliated  with  a  Brooklyn  lodge,  and  is  a 
member  of  the  Wilkes-Barre-Wyoming  Val- 
ley  Chamber    of    Commerce. 

Edwin    J.    Reich    married,    in    1903,    Mamie 
Freshman,   of  New  York  City. 


a    member    of    Wllkes-Barre    Lodge,    No.    109, 
Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks. 

Mr.  Whalen  married,  February  3,  1912, 
Catherine  McLaughlin,  of  Wiikes-Barre. 
daughter  of  Edward  A,  and  Mary  (BMaherty) 
McLaughlin.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Whalen  have  three 
children,   Mary,   Ned  and   Nancy. 


RAY  WHAI.EX — Wilkes-Barre  numbers 
among  its  successful  operators  in  the  auto- 
mobile trade  Ray  Whalen,  head  of  Whalen 
and  Company.  Inc.,  which  as  distributors  of 
the  General  Cord  Tire,  is  one  of  the  largest 
in   its. line  in  Northeastern   Pennsylvania. 

Mr.  Whalen  was  born  in  Avoca,  Luzerne 
County,  Pennsylvania,  on  March  10,  1890.  He 
is  the  son  of  Michael  and  Mary  (Murray) 
Whalen.  Michael  Whalen  was  killed  in  the 
"mines  of  the  Glen  Alden  Coal  Company,  De- 
cember 5,  1910,  at  the  age  of  sixty-six.  His 
wife  died  November  S,  1927,  at  the  age  of 
eighty-three.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Whalen  were  the 
parents  of  thirteen  children,  all  of  whom  are 
living.  They  are:  1.  Catherine,  wife  of  T. 
F.  O'Donnell  of  Parson,  Luzerne  County.  2. 
Joseph,  of  Wilkes-Barre.  3.  Mary,  married 
F.  K.  Dills  of  Duryea,  Pennsylvania.  4. 
Elizabeth,  married  Thomas  McKune  of  Atlan- 
tic City.  5.  John,  of  Wilkes-Barre.  6. 
Michael,  of  Avoca.  7.  Thomas,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre.  8.  William,  of  Wilkes-Barre.  9.  Anna, 
married  Joseph  Murray  of  Trucksville.  10. 
Agnes,  married  Terence  Riley  of  Wilkes- 
Barre.  11.  Theresa,  married  Alexander  Lar- 
mour  of  Philadelphia.  12.  Leo,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre.    13.    Ray.  of  whom  further. 

The  parents  of  Mr.  Whalen  brought  their 
son  to  Wilkes-Barre  when  he  was  six  years 
old,  and  he  received  his  education  at  St. 
Mary's  Parochial  School.  When  he  was  fifteen, 
lie  went  to  work  in  an  undertaking  estab- 
lishment owned  by  M.  J.  McLaughlin  of 
Wilkes-Barre,  remaining  in  this  calling  with 
Mr.  McLaughlin  during  the  next  sixteen 
years. 

Then  he  saw  the  possibilities  which  lay  in 
the  future  of  the  automobile,  gave  up  the 
undertaking  business,  and  went  into  the 
automobile  industry.  In  1924,  Whalen  and 
Company,  Inc..  occupied  its  present  plant  at 
Kingston,  having  developed  from  modest  be- 
ginnings to  an  enterprise  of  local  importance. 
In  October,  1929,  the  company  opened  its 
new  plant  at  No.  229  South  Main  Street, 
Wilkes-Barre,  named  "Whalen's."  It  is  the 
best  equipped  plant  in  the  State  for  auto 
service,  the  plant  covering  85x215  feet.  This 
they  occupy  as  their  headquarters  or  main 
office.  Associated  with  Mr.  Whalen  in  this 
firm  is  David  Walksman.  The  salesrooms  of 
the  company  are  at  the  corner  of  Market  and 
Landon  Street,  Kingston,  Pennsylvania,  and 
its  service  station  is  at  the  corner  of  Carey 
Avenue  and  Division  Street,  Wilkes-Barre. 

Mr.  Whalen  takes  an  active  interest  in  the 
civic  and  religious  affairs  of  the  city.  He  is 
a  member  of  St.  Mary's  Catholic  Church,  the 
Knights  of  Columbus,  fourth  degree,  and  in 
politics  he  is  a  Democrat.    Mr.  Whalen  is  also 


A.  P.  COPE — By  an  intelligent  community 
which  recognized  his  entire  fitness  for  a  shap- 
ing part  in  public  progress.  Professor  A.  P. 
Cope  was  in  1926  chosen  head  of  the  school 
system  of  Luzerne  County.  The  superinten- 
dent thus  performs  the  responsible  task  of 
supervising  seventeen  hundred  teachers  and 
sixty  thousand  pupils.  His  ambitious  and 
forceful,  yet  sympathetic  nature,  his  thor- 
ough and  well-rounded  education,  acquired 
largely  by  his  own  efforts,  and  his  broad 
outlook  are  characteristics  which  mark  him 
as  the  ideal  man  for  this  important  position. 
Professor  Cope  was  born  near  Shickshinny, 
Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania,  son  of  Henry 
and  Susanna  (Suit)  Cope,  now  deceased,  and 
descended  from  a  family  long  established  in 
the  county.  The  father  was  a  farmer.  Six 
children  comprised  his  family:  ilillard,  of 
Shiclishinny ;  Josiah:  William;  Ernest:  Joseph; 
and   A.    P.,    subject   of   this   record. 

A.  P.  Cope  grew  up  on  the  farm  near 
Shickshinny,  interspersing  his  attendance  at 
public  school  in  the  neighborhood  with  work 
on  the  farm.  At  the  age  of  nineteen  he 
launched  himself  on  the  profession  to  which 
he  has  since  adhered — that  of  teaching.  His 
first  school  was  a  one-room  building  in  the 
rural  districts.  After  a  year,  he  determined 
on  further  preparation  in  pedagogy,  and 
attended  the  Bloomsburg  State  Normal  School 
from  which  he  graduated  in  1900.  His  next 
position  was  in  the  Shickshinny  High  School, 
where  he  taught  for  a  year.  Advancement 
then  came  to  him  in  the  shape  of  appoint- 
ment to  principalship  in  the  Mifflinsville 
schools,  in  Columbia  County,  Pennsylvania. 
Returning  to  his  home  county,  he  then  was 
elected  principal  of  the  West  Nanticoke 
schools  and  held  the  position  for  a  year. 
In  1904  and  1905  Professor  Cope  taught  in 
the  Wyoming  Seminary  at  Kingston,  Luzerne 
County,  and  in  1906  found  himself  in  a  posi- 
tion to  complete  his  education.  He  attended 
Syracuse  University,  in  New  York  State,  and 
graduated  in  1909  with  the  degree  of  Bach- 
elor of  Philosophy.  Supplemental  courses  in 
higher  education  brought  him  a  year  later 
the  degree  of  Doctf>r  of  Philosophy.  In  the 
fall  of  1910  he  was  chosen  supervising  prin- 
cipal of  Ashley  Borough  Schools  in  Luzerne 
County,  where  he  remained  for  sixteen  years. 
His  record  there  was  so  notable  as  to  win 
for  him  universal  recognition  of  his  ability 
and  character  and  ideals.  Public  confidence 
in  him  was  soon  proved  by  his  election  to 
the  high  office  of  superintendent  of  schools 
of  Luzerne  County  for  a  term  of  four  years, 
the  largest  county  division  in  the  State  of 
Pennsylvania.  His  first  year  in  office  has 
already  demonstrated  the  -wisdom  which 
prompted  the  choice  of  so  zealous  and  effici- 
ent a  man   for  this  work. 

An  independent  in  politics,  the  professor  is 
active  in  every  movement  looking  toward 
better  government.  His  religious  affiliation 
is  with  the  Presbyterian  Church.  He  is  a 
member  of  Sylvania  Lodge,  No.  354,  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons,  Shiclishinny,  and  a  holder 
of  the  thirty-second  degree;  of  the  Indepen- 
dent Order  of  Odd  Fellows  of  Ashley,  Penn- 
sylvania; the  Patriotic  Order  Sons  of  America; 
and  the  Junior  Order  of  United  American 
Mechanics.  He  belongs  also  to  the  National 
Scholastic     Greek     Letter     Fraternity,     Delta 


Tau  Delta,  to  the  National  Education  Asso- 
ciation, and  the  Pennsylvania  State  Asso- 
ciation. 

In  1914,  A.  P.  Cope  married  Ethel  May 
Davis,  daughter  of  Lemuel  and  Esther 
(Sassaman)  Davis,  of  Ashley,  Pennsylvania, 
also  a  teacher  in  the  public  schools  of  Ash- 
ley. Children:  Virginia  Laura  and  Donald 
Edgar. 


HEXRY  MILLS  HARDING — Sales  engineer 
for  the  Hazard  Manufacturing  Company,  now 
Hazard  Wire  Rope  Company  of  Wilkes- 
Barre,  Henry  Mills  Harding  has  been  con- 
nected vi'ith  this  firm  for  over  thirty  years 
assisting  materially  in  its  growth  and  ex- 
pansion through  his  able  efforts  and  knowl- 
edge of  local  business  conditions.  He  is  also 
well  known  in  various  other  phases  of  the 
city's  life  and  holds  membership  in  many 
Wilkes-Barre    clubs    and    associations. 

Mr.  Harding  was  born  at  Wilkes-Barre  on 
July  16,  1862,  a  son  of  Garrick  Mallery 
Harding,  who  was  born  at  Exeter,  Luzerne 
County,  Pennsylvania,  and  died  in  May,  1904, 
and  of  Mariah  Mills  (Slosson)  Harding,  born 
In  Kent,  Connecticut,  died  in  1S72.  The 
father  was  a  well-known  lawyer  and  jurist 
of  Luzerne  County,  practicing  at  Wilkes- 
Barre  for  many  years,  and  also  taking  a 
prominent  part  in  Republican  party  affairs. 
Henry  Mills  Harding  attended  the  Wilkes- 
Barre  public  schools  and  following  gradua- 
tion from  the  high  school  here,  studied  for 
two  years  at  Yale  University.  At  the  end 
of  this  time  he  began  his  business  career, 
entering  the  employ  of  the  Pennsylvania 
Railroad  as  a  clerk  in  their  freight  depart- 
ment. After  a  period  of  two  years,  he 
formed  a  connection  with  Ahlborn  and  Com- 
pany, wholesale  meat  packers  of  Wilkes- 
Barre,  which  offered  larger  opportunities 
than  his  earlier  work.  For  a  period  of  eight 
years  he  remained  with  this  firm  and  then, 
on  December  21,  1S98,  became  associated 
with  the  Hazard  Wire  Rope  Company.  Mr. 
Harding  had  acted  as  clerk  and  salesman 
for  Ahlborn  and  Company  and  he  started 
with  the  Hazard  Company  in  minor  positions 
"at  the  bottom  of  the  ladder."  His  strict 
attention  to  the  tasks  which  came  to  hand, 
his  enthusiasm  and  loyal  services  soon  won 
him  advancement  as  he  rose  through  various 
positions  to  olaces  of  greatest  confidence  and 
trust  He  played  an  important  part  in  the 
building  of  their  insulation  department,  and 
eventually  became  sales  engineer,  an  office 
which  he  has  filled  mosl  efficiently  for  the 
past   fifteen   years. 

In  politics  Mr.  Harding  is  a  member  of 
the  Republican  party,  maintaining  a  constant 
interest  in  questions  of  government  and  the 
advancement  of  the  civic  welfare.  He  is  a 
director  of  the  Oak  Lawn  Cemetery,  and  a 
member  of  several  local  clubs  and  associa- 
tions, including,  the  Westmoreland  Club,  the 
Wvoming  Valley  Country  Club,  the  Valley 
Country  Club  of  Hazleton,  Pennsylvania,  the 
Scranton  City  Club,  and  the  Boys'  Club  of 
St.  Stephen's  Church.  With  his  family  he 
attends  St.  Stephen's  Church  of  Wilkes-Barre. 
In  1905,  Henry  Mills  Harding  married 
Adelia  Sharpe  of  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania, 
a  daughter  of  William  and  Georgianna 
(West)  Sharpe.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Harding  are 
the  parents  of  one  daughter,  Katharine 
Sharpe,  a  graduate  of  Miss  Bard's  School, 
of  Orange,  New  Jersey.  The  family  residence 
is  at  No.  77  West  Northampton  Street, 
Wilkes-Barre. 


CHAHXES  FREDERICK  TERRY — Since 
1918  Charles  F.  Terry  has  been  engaged  in 
the  mercantile  brokerage  business  under  the 


name  of  the  Barnes-Terry  Company,  mer- 
chandise brokers.  Their  offices  are  located 
at  Nos.  210-11-12  Dime  Bank  Building,  in 
Wilkes-Barre,  where  the  concern  is  taking 
care  of  a  large  and  steadily  growing  busi- 
ness. Mr.  Terry  is  a  native  of  Mauch  Chunk, 
Carbon  County,  Pennsylvania,  but  has  been 
living  in  Wilkes-Barre  since  he  was  five 
years  of  age,  with  the  exception  of  four 
years  during  which  he  was  in  the  whole- 
sale grocery  business  in  Bethlehem,  Penn- 
sylvania. 

Charles  P.  Terry,  father  of  Mr.  Terry, 
was  for  many  years  in  the  passenger  service 
of  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  Company.  In 
1,SS9  he  removed  to  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsyl- 
vania, where  he  died  at  the  age  of  sixty- 
three  years.  He  married  Catherine  Esser,  and 
they  became  the  parents  of  five  children: 
Gertrude,  who  married  H.  W.  Hinterleiter,  of 
Carlisle,  Pennsylvania:  Frank  L.,  who  is  in 
the  employ  of  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad 
Company,  located  at  Philadelphia;  J.  Edward, 
a  resident  of  Wilkes-Barre,  is  a  traveling 
salesman:  Clfarles  F.,  of  further  mention; 
and  Katheryn,  who  married  Frank  G.  Heller, 
of  Bethlehem,  Pennsylvania. 

Charles  F.  Terry,  son  of  Charles  F.  and 
Catherine  (Esser)  Terry,  was  born  in  Mauch 
Chunk,  Carbon  County,  Pennsylvania,  June 
29,  1884,  but  was  brought  to  Wilkes-Barre 
with  his  parents  when  he  was  only  five  years 
of  age.  He  received  his  education  in  the 
public  schools  of  this  city,  graduating  from 
Wilkes-Barre  High  School  with  the  class  of 
1901,  and  then  became  a  clerk  in  the  office  of 
the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  Company  at 
Wilkes-Barre.  After  four  years  spent  in  this 
connection  he  made  a  change  and  became 
identified  with  the  Crocker  Wholesale  Gro- 
cery Company  of  Wilkes-Barre  as  clerk. 
Here  he  remained  for  a  period  of  eight  years, 
at  the  end  of  which  time,  in  1914,  he  accepted 
a  position  in  a  wholesale  grocery  house  in 
Bethlehem,  Penns>  Ivania,  where  he  remained 
until  1918.  In  that  year  he  returned  to 
Wilkes-Barre  and  purchased  the  mercantile 
brokerage  business  of  the  late  W  Burt 
Barnes,  and  this  he  has  since  conducted 
under  the  name  of  Barnes-Terry  Company, 
merchandise  brokers.  Mr.  Terry  is  one  of 
the  well-known  and  able  business  men  of  the 
city  and  is  thoroughly  familiar  with  every 
phase  of  the  wholesale  business.  In  his 
political  faith  he  is  a  Republican.  He  is  a 
member  and  director  of  the  Wilkes-Barre- 
Wyoming  Valley  Chamber  of  Commerce,  and 
is  well  known  in  fraternal  and  club  circles 
here  He  is  a  member  of  Landmark  Lodge, 
No  442  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre-  'of  Keystone  Consistory,  Ancient  Ac- 
cepted Scottish  Rite,  of  Scranton,  Pennsyl- 
vania in  which  he  holds  the  thirty-second 
degree;  and  of  Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic 
Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine  He  is 
also  a  member  of  Irem  Country  Club.  He 
holds  membership  in  Lodge  No.  109,  Benevo- 
lent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks:  and  is 
also  a  director  of  the  Wyoming  Valley  Motor 
Club-  a  member  of  the  Franklin  Club;  and 
president  of  the  Rotary  Club  (1929-30).  His 
religious  membership  is  with  St.  Stephens 
Church,   of  Wilkes-Barre. 

Charles  F.  Terry  was  married,  September 
7  1909,  to  Nettie  Durbin,  of  Plymouth,  Penn- 
sylvania, daughter  of  George  and  Caroline 
(Edgell)  Durbin,  both  deceased.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Terry  are  the  parents  of  two  children:  Jean 
Edgell  and  Helen  Louise.  The  family  home 
is  located  at  No.  47  Pierce  Street,  in  Kingston. 

JOHN  J.  -WILLIAMS  has  been  a  resident  of 
Forty  Fort,  Pennsylvania,  for  the  past  eleven 
years,    during    which    time    he    has    taken    a 


^LXJUUA    , 


575 


deep  interest  in  his  own  community  and  the 
community  at  large,  a  factor  that  brings 
him  into  substantial  favor  with  the  entire 
progressive  body  of  our  population. 

He  was  born  in  Wales,  British  Isles,  March 
IS,  ISSO.  His  father,  Daniel  L.  Williams, 
settled  in  Shenandoah.  Pennsylvania,  in  1S86 
where  he  became  a  mining  contractor  and 
later  served  tlie  Susquehanna  Coal  Company 
as  mine  foreman  at  Mt.  Carmel,  Pennsyl- 
vania, for  a  period  of  twenty-five  years. 
Daniel  L.  Williams  was  a  brother  of  John 
L.  Williams,  who  was  superintendent  for  the 
Philadelphia  and  Reading  Coal  and  Iron  Com- 
pany and  the  Susquehanna  Coal  Company, 
serving-  them  in  this  capacity  for  a  period 
of  about  thirty  years.  He  was  considered 
one  of  the  best  mining  men  in  the  anthra- 
cite coal  fields.  Daniel  L.  Williams'  death 
occurred  at  Mt.  Carmel,  in  1923,  in  his 
seventy-sixth  year.  His  wife,  Elizabeth 
(Jones)  Williams,  also  a  native  of  Wales, 
born  in  ISal,  still  survives   (1930). 

John  J.  Williams  received  his  elementary 
education  in  the  public  schools  of  Shenan- 
doah, Pennsylvania,  and  at  the  age  of  eleven 
years  began  work  as  a  breaker  boy.  He 
worked  in  and  about  the  mines  for  a  period 
of  over  ten  years.  Determined  to  acquire 
an  education,  he  was  studious  and  frugal. 
In  1902  he  entered  as  a  student  at  Buck- 
nell  Academy,  Lewisburg,  Pennsylvania,  and 
completed  his  course  in  Civil  Engineering 
at  Bucknell  University,  graduating  in  the 
class    of    1908. 

Since  graduating  from  college  Mr.  Williams 
has  had  a  wide  and  varied  career.  He  has 
served  in  the  capacity  of  teacher  in  public 
schools  and  colleges,  having  taught  in  the 
public  schools  of  Lackawanna  and  Luzerne 
counties,  Pennsylvania:  Broaddus  Institute, 
Charlesburg,  West  Virginia,  and  at  Lafayette 
College,  Easton,  Pennsylvania.  Since  coming 
to  Wyoming  Valley  he  has  also  been  an 
ardent  worker  in  the  Presbyterian  Church 
of  the  Lackawanna  Presbytery  of  which  he 
is  a  member. 

Mr.  Williams  has  had  an  extensive  experi- 
ence in  the  field  of  engineering,  both  mining 
and  civil.  He  has  served  in  this  capacity 
for  the  following  corporations:  Lehigh  Coal 
and  Navigation  Company,  D.  L.  &  W.  Coal 
Company,  Hudson  Coal  Company,  Lehigh 
Valley  Coal  Company,  the  Pittsburgh  Coal 
Company,  Scranton  Electric  Company,  West- 
inghouse  Electric  Company,  the  Pennsylvania 
State  Highway  Department  and  the  Luzerne 
County    Road    and    Bridge    Department. 

Mr.  ■\\'illiams  is  one  of  the  original  found- 
ers of  the  Forty  Fort  State  Bank  and  is  now 
serving  as  a  director  of  the  same.  He  takes 
great  pride  in  this  institution,  as  it  was 
through  his  untiring  efforts  that  the  idea 
of  a  bank  in  Forty  Fort  became  a  reality. 
The  Forty  Fort  State  Bank  has  made  wonder- 
ful progress  during  its  three  years  of  opera- 
tion, a  fact  of  which  Mr.  Williams  is  natu- 
rally proud. 

John  J.  Williams  was  married,  August  26, 
1911,  to  Katherine  M.  Atherton  of  Clark 
Summit,  Pennsylvania,  daughter  of  William 
and  Margaret  (Baumgartner)  Atherton. 
William  Atherton  was  a  descendant  of  one 
of  the  original  forty  settlers  of  Wyoming 
Valley.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Williams  are  the  par- 
ents of  one  son,  Daniel  Atherton  Williams, 
born   February    13,    191S. 


ERXEST    rSTICK    BUCKM.IN,     M.     D..     one 

of  the  well-known  specialists  of  Wilkes- 
Barre,  Pennsylvania,  and  a  man  who  has 
long  held  a  position  of  respect  and  esteem  in 
that  community,  was  born   August   1,   1S63,  at 


Washington'.s  Crossing  on  the  Delaware, 
Bucks  County,  Pennsylvania.  Iir.  Buckman 
is  a  son  of  M.  Speakman  and  Mary  (Taylor) 
Buckman,  and  a  grandson  of  Stacy  C.  and 
Sarah  (Briggs)  Buckman.  The  Buckman 
family  first  came  to  this  country  with  Wil- 
liam Penn,  in  the  year  1682,  and  they  are 
thus  among  the  pioneer  settlers  of  this  State. 
For  many  generations  the  family  was  of 
Quaker  faith,  and  almost  every  generation 
has  given  the  major  portion  of  the  men  to 
the  soil — the  Washington's  Crossing  home- 
stead having  been  farmed  steadily  for  many 
generations.  By  his  marriage  to  Mary  Tay- 
lor, M.  Speakman  Buckman  became  the  father 
of  six  children:  1.  Elmer  Ellsworth,  now 
deceased,  who  was  for  many  years  the 
cashier  of  the  Wyoming  National  Bank,  at 
Wilkes-Barre.  2.  Ernest  Ustick,  of  whom 
further.  3.  Margaret  Taylor,  deceased.  4. 
Elizabeth  Taylor,  deceased.  5.  Sarah  Ann, 
married  William  McKenzie,  of  Westwood, 
New  Jersey.  6.  Eleanor,  deceased,  who  had 
married  Edward  Bebout. 

Ernest  Ustick  Buckman,  the  second  son  and 
second  child  of  M.  Speakman  and  Mary 
(Taylor)  Buckman,  was  reared  upon  the 
homestead  farm  in  Bucks  County,  and  he 
received  his  early  education  in  the  public 
schools  of  that  community.  When  he  was 
eighteen  years  of  age  he  attended  the  Mil- 
lersville  State  Normal  School,  graduating 
from  there  with  the  class  of  1884.  He  then 
taught  school  for  five  years,  one  year  in 
Altoona,  Pennsylvania,  one  year  in  Lititz, 
Lancaster  County,  and  three  years  in  Wilkes- 
Barre.  He  then  returned  to  his  studies, 
pursuing  his  professional  training  at  the 
Medical  College  of  the  University  of  Penn- 
sylvania. He  was  graduated  from  there  with 
the  class  of  1S92,  when  he  received  his  degree 
as  Doctor  of  Medicine;  and  returning  to 
Wilkes-Barre,  he  at  once  began  the  practice 
of  his  profession  as  a  physician  and  surgeon. 
For  several  years  after  coming  to  Wilkes- 
Earre  he  was  associated  with  his  uncle.  Dr. 
Lewis  H.  Taylor,  in  practice,  afterwards 
specializing  in  the  diseases  and  treatment  of 
the  eye,  ear,  nose  and  throat.  Today  Dr. 
Buckman  is  considered  one  of  the  leading 
exponents  in  this  phase  of  the  twin  sciences 
of  medicine  and  surgery.  He  has  been  very 
active  in  his  work,  for  he  has  served  as  a 
member  of  the  staff  of  the  Wilkes-Barre 
General  Hospital  for  the  last  thirty-five  years 
and  he  is  at  present  the  president  of  its 
board  of  directors.  Dr.  Buckman  has  also 
been  active  as  a  member  of  many  of  those 
learned  organizations  which  pertain  to  his 
profession.  He  is  a  Fellow  of  the  American 
College  of  Surgeons;  a  member  of  the  Amer- 
ican Medical  Association,  the  Pennsylvania 
State  Medical  Society,  the  Luzerne  County 
Medical  Society,  the  American  Otological  So- 
ciety, the  American  Academy  of  Ophthal- 
mology and  Oto-Laryngology,  and  the  Lehigh 
Valley    Medical    Association. 

Dr.  Ernest  Ustick  Buckman  married  (first), 
in  1893,  Elizabeth  Thompson,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Buckman  became  the 
parents  of  six  children:  1.  Mary,  who  mar- 
ried Dr.  Clark  Stull,  of  Ridley  Park,  Penn- 
sylvania. 2.  Lewis  Taylor,  a  biography  of 
whom  follows  this.  3.  Edgar,  who  died  in 
infancy.  4.  Ruth,  married  Albert  C.  Arm- 
strong, of  Duluth,  Minnesota,  and  they  have 
two  children.  Thomas  and  William.  5.  Eliz- 
abeth, married  Major  R.  H.  Macdonald;  now 
residing  at  Pittsburgh,  Pennsylvania.  6.  Sam- 
uel Thompson,  a  medical  student  at  the 
University  of  Pennsylvania,  class  of  1930. 
Elizabeth  (Thompson)  Buckman.  the  mother 
of    the    foregoing    children,    died    on    May    21, 


576 


1920:  and  Dr.  Buckman  married  (second), 
December  29.  1921,  Carrie  L.  Best,  a  native 
of  Nova  Scotia.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Buckman  main- 
tain their  residence  on  South  Franklin  Street, 
Willies-Barre,  in  which  community  they  at- 
tend   the   First   Presbyterian   Churcli. 


I,EWIS  TAYLOR  BUCKMAN,  M.  D. — Born 
of  a  family  that  came  to  this  country  with 
William  Penn  in  the  year  1682  and  were 
among  the  pioneer  settlers  of  Pennsylvania, 
L/ewis  Taylor  Buckman  is  highly  esteemed 
by  tile  Wilkes-Barre  medical  profession,  of 
which  he  is  a  member,  with  offices  at  No. 
83  South  Franklin  Street.  He  was  born  in 
Wilkes-Barre  on  January  27,  1896,  the  son 
of  Dr.  Ernest  Ustick  and  Elizabeth  (Thomp- 
son) Buckman.  A  biography  of  the  father. 
Dr.  Ernest  U.  Buckman,  precedes  this  of 
his   son. 

Lewis  Taylor  Buckman  was  born  on  Jan- 
uary 27,  1896,  son  of  Dr.  Ernest  U.  Buckman 
and  Elizabeth  (Thompson)  Buckman,  who 
died  May  21,  1920.  Lewis  T.  Buckman  grew 
to  manhood  in  Wilkes-Barre,  and  was  edu- 
cated at  the  Harry  Hillraan  Academy,  grad- 
uating in  1912.  He  graduated  from  the  Mas- 
sachusetts Agricultural  College  in  1917,  then 
entered  training  at  the  Officers'  Training 
Camp  at  Madison  Barracks,  New  York.  He 
spent  191S  in  Oregon  Agricultural  College, 
in  the  fall  entering  the  University  of  Penn- 
sylvania, where  he  graduated  with  the  class 
of  1922  holding  the  degree  of  Doctor  of 
Medicine,  immediately  thereafter  serving  his 
period  of  interneship  at  the  Protestant  Epis- 
copal Hospital  at  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania, 
where  he  remained  two  years.  In  1924  he 
returned  to  Wilkes-Barre  and  began  to  prac- 
tice medicine,  specializing  in  diseases  of  the 
eye,  ear,  nose  and  throat.  Dr.  Lewis  T. 
Buckman  is  well  thought  of  by  members  of 
the  profession,  who  respect  his  sure  skill  and 
ideals.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Luzerne 
County  Medical  Society,  the  Pennsylvania 
State  Medical  Society,  and  a  Fellow  of  the 
American  Medical  Association;  further,  he  is 
a  member  of  the  staff  of  the  Wilkes-Barre 
General  Hospital,  and  of  the  consulting  staff 
of  the  Pittston  State  Hospital.  He  is  a  trustee 
of  the  Wyoming  Historical  and  Geological 
Society,  and  a  member  of  the  various  Ma- 
sonic "bodies.  He  is  a  member  of  the  First 
Presbyterian  Church,  and  in  political  per- 
suasion   a    Republican. 

Dr.  Lewis  T.  Buckman  married,  November 
8,  1924,  Abbie  Lee,  of  Kingston,  Pennsyl- 
vania, daughter  of  George  Fisher  and  Phebe 
(English)  Lee.  To  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Buckman 
have  been  born  two  children,  Ernest  Ustick 
2d,  born  November  15.  1925,  and  Phebe  Buck- 
man,   born    February   20,    1927. 


JACOB  PETE3R  BREIDIIVGER — Teaching 
as  a  profession,  and  the  direction  of  teach- 
ing, has  proved  of  attraction  to  men  of  keen- 
est mind,  and  this  fact  is  made  manifest  in 
the  excellence  of  our  teachers  today.  Jacob 
Peter  Breidinger  was  early  attracted  to  the 
profession.  He  went  into  it  wholeheartedly, 
acquired  experience  in  varied  capacities  as 
teacher  and  director  before  coming  to  Wilkes- 
Barre,  and  here,  as  principal  of  the  high 
school,  is  carrying  forward  his  work  with  a 
large  degree  of  success,  much  appreciated 
by   the   people    of   the    metropolitan    area. 

Jacob  Peter  Breidinger  was  born  Novem- 
ber 13,  1861,  at  Stockertown,  Pennsylvania. 
His  father,  Adam  Breidinger,  was  born  in 
1S40,  in  Plainfield  Township,  Northampton 
County,  Pennsylvania.  Blacksmith  by  trade, 
he  plied  his  trade  continuously,  notably  at 
Stockertown,  where  he  was  accounted  a  citi- 


zen of  loyal  public  spirit  and  constructive 
force.  His  death  occurred  in  18S4.  Adam 
Breidinger  married  Angelina  Uhler,  native 
of  Stockertown,  born  in  1839,  and  who  died 
in  1901.  Through  her,  Jacob  Peter  Bried- 
inger  is  descended  of  a  house  among  the  old- 
est in  Pennsylvania,  as  the  Uhler  family  was 
founded  in  this  Commonwealth  in  1732  and 
at  one  time  owned  "w^liat  is  now  the  site  of 
Easton. 

Having  secured  his  elementary  education 
in  country  schools,  Jacob  Peter  Breidinger 
became  a  student  at  Kutztown  Normal 
School,  then  took  a  fuller  preparatory 
instruction  at  Trach's  Academy,  of  Easton, 
after  completion  of  which  he  matriculated 
in  Lafayette  College.  Though  a  member  of 
the  class  of  1882  at  Lafayette,  he  was  com- 
pelled to  leave  his  course  in  1881,  and  did 
not,  therefore,  take  his  degree  as  Bachelor 
of  Arts  until  1SS5.  In  18SS  he  took  that  of 
Master  of  Arts.  Meanwhile,  1881  to  1885, 
he  conducted  the  Munroe  Academy,  at  Beau- 
mont, Pennsylvania,  and  then  for  eight  years 
served  as  principal  of  the  schools  of  Tunk- 
hannock.  For  eight  years  further  he  taught 
.and  was  head  of  the  mathematics  depart- 
ment at  ilansfield  Normal  School,  Mansfield, 
Pennsylvania,  having  been  vice-principal  of 
this  institution  during  t!ie  last  seven  years 
that  he  was  there.  It  was  in  1901  that  he 
came  to  AVilkes-Barre  as  principal  of  the 
high  school;  and  as  principal  he  has  con- 
tinued through  the  years  following  to  the 
present  (1930),  or  more  than  twenty-nine 
years  as  the  school's  principal.  He  lias  been 
the  cause  of  numerous  improvements  in  its 
conduct,  and  is  recognized  as  one  of  the 
foremost  educators  of  the  State. 

For  more  than  four  decades  identified  with 
the  profession  of  teacher  and  school  prin- 
cipalship,  he  is  a  member  of  the  National 
Education  Association,  the  Pennsylvania  Edu- 
cational Association,  the  High  School  Depart- 
ment of  the  State  Educational  Association 
(ex-president),  and  the  National  High  School 
Principals'  Association.  He  was  also  one 
of  the  prime  movers  in  the  organization  of 
Pennsylvania  Interscholastic  Athletic  Asso- 
ciation, and  is  deeply  interested  in  athletic 
interests.  Mr.  Breidinger  has  been  active  also 
in  other  directions.  He  is  a  Republican, 
and  has  been  a  valued  member  of  the  party. 
Prominent  in  Masonry,  he  belongs  to  Temple 
Lodge,  No.  248,  at  Tunkhannock;  Tunkhan- 
nock  Chapter,  Royal  Arch  Masons;  Wilkes- 
Barre  Council,  Royal  and  Select  Masters; 
Temple  Commandery,  Knights  Templar,  of 
Tunkhannock,  and  Ireni  Temple,  Ancient 
Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine. 
He  has  been  Chief  Rabban  of  the  Temple 
for  several  years,  and  is  now  Potentate.  Mr. 
Breidinger  belongs  to  the  Craftsman's  Club, 
the  Franklin  Club,  and  is  a  communicant  of 
the    First    Presbyterian    Church. 

On  June  22,  1887,  Mr.  Breidinger  was  united 
in  marriage  with  Mary  R.  Reynolds,  of  Tunk- 
hannock, daughter  of  Abner  G.  and  Pauline 
(Billings)  Reynolds.  Mrs.  Reynolds  is  now 
deceased.  Mr.  Reynolds  is  a  veteran  of  the 
Civil    War. 


HARRY     ALEXANDER     SMITH,    M.    D. — In 

reviewing  the  record  of  Dr.  Harry  Alexander 
Smith,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  especial  attention 
should  be  drawn  to  his  many  accomplish- 
ments in  orthopedics,  one  of  the  most  humane 
departments  of  medical  science,  although 
Dr.  Smith's  practice  is  not  confined  to  this 
one  branch  of  his  profession.  For  approxi- 
mately fifteen  years  he  has  been  qualified 
for  practice,  and  his  career  encompasses  a 
brilliant  record  of   service  during   tlie    World 


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577 


War,  when  he  held  a  captain's  commission 
in  the  Medical  Corps,  United  States  Army. 
Since  the  close  of  that  conflict.  Dr.  Smith 
has  confined  his  activitie.s  to  the  Willtes- 
Barre  district,  and  here  has  Ijecome  a  con- 
spicuous figure  in  non-professional  spheres — 
social,   fraternal,  and   civic. 

Dr.  Smith  is  a  son  of  the  late  Harry  and 
Hannah  (Young)  Smith,  his  father,  a  sta- 
tionary engineer  during  his  mature  life,  and 
a  native  of  England,  having  passed  away 
in  18SS.  Hannah  (Young)  Smith  was  born 
in  AVeatherly,  Pennsylvania,  and  survived 
her    husband    until    1925. 

Harry  Alexander  Smith  was  born  November 
17,  1SS6,  at  Weatherly,  Carbon  County,  Penn- 
sylvania,   and    obtained    his    education    in    the 
public  schools    there   and   at    Newport    Town- 
ship.      Thence    he    continued    his    studies    at 
Bloomsburg    State    Normal    School,    complet- 
ing   the    courses    prescribed    therein    in    1911. 
Having    cliosen    medicine    for    his    life    work. 
Dr.    Smith    matriculated    at    Jefferson   Medical 
College,     Philadelphia,     graduating    with    the 
class    of    1915,    with    the    degree    of   Doctor    of 
Medicine.       Dr.    Smith    obtained    his    hospital 
training  through  service  as  an  interne  in  the 
Wilkes-Barre     General     Hospital.       Later     he 
also    served    a    year    in     that     institution    as 
chief  resident  physician,   became  assistant  to 
Dr.    W.    Clive   Smith   and    was    so    engaged    at 
the    time    this    country    entered   tlie    European 
conflict.     Dr.  Smith  joined  the  Medical  Corps, 
United   States   Army,   was   commissioned   cap- 
tain,   and    sent    overseas    with    the    American 
Expeditionary  Forces,  where  he  remained  for 
fifteen    months.       During    that    time    he    spe- 
cialized    in     orthopedic     surgery,      with     the 
British  and  the  American  arinies,  and  accom- 
plished much  in  restoring  the  human  wrecks 
who,    perhaps,    provide    one    of    the    strongest 
arguments  for  peace.     Dr.  Smith  received  his 
honorable  discharge  in  June,  1919,  more  than 
seven    months    after    cessation    of    hostilities, 
and  thereupon   returned  to  Wilkes-Barre  and 
reentered  practice.      He  now    (1929)   is  caring 
for  a  steadily  increasing   clientele   in  general 
practice,    and    has    become    exceptionally    re- 
nowned for  his  accomplishments  in  orthopedic 
surgery.     In  this  department,  he  is  orthopedic 
surgeon    of    the    Wilkes-Barre    General    Hos- 
pital,  and   is  a   member   of   the   hospital   staff. 
He    is  also   consulting   physician   of   the   Nan- 
ticoke    State    Hospital,    and    is    chief    surgeon 
for    the    Lehigh    and    Wilkes-Barre    Company. 
Of   a   progressive   nature.    Dr.    Smith    remains 
alert     to     the     new     inventions     and     modern 
practices    of    his    professions,    and    finds    his 
medical     society    connections    of    great     help 
in   this   commendable   desire.      He   is   a   mem- 
ber  of    the    Luzerne    County    Medical    Society, 
the    Pennsylvania   State   Medical   Society,    and 
of  the  American  Medical  Association.     A  Re- 
publican, Dr.  Smith  is  a  conscientious  worker 
on    behalf    of    his    party's    issues    and    candi- 
dates;    he     is     a     member     of    the     Methqdist 
Episcopal  Church,   and  seeks   relaxation  from 
the  strain  of  professional  duties  in  the  West- 
moreland Club,  of  which  he  is  a  member,  and  • 
of     the     Irem     Temple     Country     Club.       The 
doctor's    fraternal    connections    are     confined 
to     two     organizations,     the     Patriotic     Order 
Sons    of    America,     and     the     Masonic     Order. 
In    this    last    named    fraternity   he    is   a    mem- 
ber   of    Landmark    Lodge,    No.    442,    Free    and 
Accepted    Masons:    Keystone    Consistory,    An- 
cient Accepted  Scottish  Rite,  of  Scranton,  and 
of  Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles 
of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  Wilkes-Barre.     He  also 
holds     membership     with     the     Wiikes-Barre- 
Wyoming  Valley  Chamber  of  Commerce.     Dr. 
Smith  is  respected  among  his  colleagues,  and 
highly  esteemed  in  the  minds  of  his  patients, 


while  at  the  same  time  he  enjoys  popularity 
in  social  spheres  of  this  city. 

Dr.  Smith  married.  In  April,  1925  Ethel 
V.  Niclioison  of  Wilkes-Barre,  daughter  of 
Robert  and  Fannie  (Nellson)  NlchoLson,  and 
there  are  two  children  of  this  marriage:  1. 
Harry  A.,  Jr.,  born  June  19,  1926.  2.  Barbara 
Ann,    born    July    S,    1928. 


GEORGE  A.  CLAHK,  M.  D.— As  this  la 
written  (1929),  Dr.  George  A.  Clark  has  been 
engaged  in  successful  practice  of  medicine 
and  surgery  forty-four  years,  and  all  save 
five  of  those  years  have  been  spent  in  Wilkes- 
Barre.  He  is  one  of  the  foremost  medical 
men  of  Luzerne  County,  well  known  through 
professional   circles   of  the   State. 

Dr.  Clark  was  born  in  Franklin  County, 
Pennsylvania,  September  6,  1861,  son  of  Wil- 
liam and  Sarah  (Searight)  Clark.  His  father, 
who  was  born  at  Hummellstown,  Dauphin 
County,  Pennsylvania,  in  1822,  lived  to  the 
age  of  sixty-three,  his  death  occurring  in 
1885.  He  engaged  as  a  farmer,  and  attained 
to  prosperity  and  influence.  Sarah  (Sea- 
right)  Clark  was  born  in  1824,  at  Carlisle, 
Pennsylvania,  and  died  in  1903,  at  the  age 
of    seventy-nine. 

Reared  on  his  father's  farm.  Dr.  Clark 
attended  the  schools  available  in  Franklin 
County,  entered  Shippensburg  State  Normal 
School,  where  he  took  a  special  course,  and 
for  two  years,  (1880-81)  taught  school. 
Meanwhile  his  feeling  for  medicine  as  a 
career  had  increased  markedly.  In  1882  he 
matriculated  in  the  School  of  Medicine  at 
the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  whence  he 
took  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine  in 
1SS5.  He  began  to  practice  that  year,  open- 
ing offices  at  Shickshinny,  where  he  con- 
tinued until  1890.  In  that  year  he  came  to 
Wilkes-Barre,  resumed  practice  on  a  larger 
scale,  and  has  engaged  in  it  continuously 
thence    onward. 

Dr.  Clark  is  a  mejjiber  of  the  county,  State 
and  American  medical  associations:  a  Repub- 
lican, he  supports  the  party's  principles  with 
influence:  and  belongs  to  Lodge  No.  442, 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons:  Shekinah  Chap- 
ter, Royal  Arch  Masons:  Dieu  le  Veut  Com- 
mandery,  No.  45,  Knights  Templar:  Irem 
Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the 
Mystic  Shrine,  and  to  the  Patriotic  Order 
Sons  of  America,  and  the  Wyoming  Valley 
Country  Club.  Prominent  in  general  affairs. 
Dr.  Clark  has  twice  served  as  city  physician 
of  Mnikes-Barre,  first,  from  1918  to  1920,  and 
second,  1925-28.  He  Is  a  communicant  of  the 
First  Presbyterian  Church.  During  the 
World  War  period  he  contributed  financial 
and  personal  assistance  to  the  several  pa- 
triotic campaigns,  notably  to  those  of  the 
Liberty    Loan. 

Dr.  Clark  married,  in  ISSS,  Elizabeth  Teas- 
dale,  of  Macanaqua,  Pennsylvania,  adopted 
daughter  of  John  and  Sarah  Teasdale:  and 
their  children  are:  1.  Margaret,  wife  of 
George  Turell.  2.  John  Teasdale,  married. 
3.  Robert  Nesbitt,  married.  4.  Alice  Eliz- 
abeth, 5.  Helen,  wife  of  Paul  Dodson,  of  Wil- 
liamsport.      There    are    ten    grandchildren. 


'rHO.M.\.s  J.  WENNER,  M.  D. — Although 
still  relatively  young.  Thomas  J.  Wenner  has 
won  wide  reputation  and  an  extensive  prac- 
tice in  medicine  at  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsyl- 
vania. Thoroughly  trained  in  his  profession, 
he  began  his  practice  here  upon  the  conclu- 
sion of  his  service  in  the  United  States  Army 
during  the  World  War,  and  was  immediately 
successful  in  his  work.  Dr.  Wenner  counts 
his  own  personal  convenience  and  safety  as 
nothing    when     opposed     to     his     professional 


578 


duties  and  is  active  at  all  times  in  the  care 
of  the  sick  and  injured  to  which  high  calling- 
he  has  dedicated  his  life. 

Dr.  Wenner  was  born  on  May  4,  189  4,  in 
Lebanon  County,  Pennsylvania,  a  son  of  Dr. 
Alfred  J.  Wenner,  who  was  born  at  Wenners- 
ville.  Lehigh  County,  Pennsylvania,  in  1853 
and  died  in  1913,  and  of  Katherine  (Louder) 
Wenner,  born  at  Lebanon,  Pennsylvania,  and 
still  living.  His  father  was  graduated  from 
the  Medical  Chirurgical  College  in  1SS4,  and 
until  the  time  of  his  death,  practiced  medi- 
cine in  Wilkes-Barre,  at  No.  150  South  Wash- 
ington Street,  where  his  son  now  continues 
his   work. 

Thomas  J.  W^enner  attended  the  Wilkes- 
Barre  public  schools  and  was  graduated  from 
the  local  high  school  in  1912.  The  following 
year  he  received  the  degree  of  Graduate  in 
Pharmacy  from  the  Philadelphia  College  of 
Pharmacy,  and  in  1914  was  graduated  from 
the  Medico  Chirurgical  College,  Department 
of  Chemistry,  with  the  degree  of  Pharmaceu- 
tical Chemist.  Finally  he  undertook  the 
course  of  study  in  the  Medical  School  of  the 
University  of  Pennsylvania,  and  from  this 
institution  he  was  graduated  in  1918.  with 
the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine.  At  this 
time  he  entered  the  Medical  Corps  of  the 
United  States  Army,  was  later  commissioned 
captain,  and  discharged  with  this  rank  in 
April,  1919.  For  the  following  si.x  years 
however^  he  was  active  in  the  organization 
of   the   Pennsylvania   State    Guard. 

Meanwhile  his  independent  professional 
career  was  well  under  way.  In  September 
1919,  he  returned  to  Wilkes-Barre,  and  began 
practice  here,  gradually  increasing  the  field 
of  his  work,  until  now  it  has  reached  flatter- 
ing proportions,  demanding  all  his  time  and 
attention.  He  has  been  a  member  of  the  staff 
at  Nesbitt  Memorial  Hospital  since  1920, 
serving  as  pathologist  until  1925,  and  since 
that  date  as  associate  surgeon.  Dr.  Wenner 
is  also  a  member  of  the  Luzerne  County 
Pennsylvania  State,  and  American  Medical 
associations. 

He  has  always  maintained  an  interest  in 
civic  affairs  at  Wilkes-Barre,  where  he  is  a 
member  of  several  local  clubs  and  fraternal, 
medical  and  service  organizations.  Dr  Wen- 
ner worships  in  the  faith  of  the  Reformed 
Church,  attending  the  First  Church  of  this 
denomination   at   Wilkes-Barre. 


CH.VRLES  C.  STEINERT— Beginning  as  a 
salesman  in  the  paper  trade,  his  employer 
having  been  his  uncle,  Herbert  Grant  presi- 
dent of  the  Miller  Paper  Company,  of  New 
York,  Charles  C.  Steinert,  after  eight  years 
m  that  business  left  it  abruptly  and  came 
to  Wilkes-Barre,  where  he  has  made  an  out- 
standing success  in  his  own  business"  enter- 
prise. Not  yet  in  the  prime  of  life,  he  has 
achieved  a  high  reputation  as  a  business 
man  and  citizen  of  this  community,  whose 
interests  are  in  the  development  of  local 
commerce  and  the  maintenance  of  good  gov- 
ernment. He  possesses  a  personality  of  en- 
gaging quality,  a  friendly  nature,  a  faultless 
integrity  that  are  the  best  factors  in  promot- 
ing ambition  and  making  staunch  friends. 
He  comes  of  famous  patriotic  stock,  his 
ancestors  on  both  sides  having  had  their  full 
share  in  the  upbuilding  of  the  country.  His 
business  is  sound,  his  credit  unimpeachable, 
his  future  limited  only  by  his  ambition, 
which   seems   boundless. 

Charles  C.  Steinert  was  born  on  Long 
Island,  New  York,  February  IS,  1SS8,  a  son 
of   Georere    R.    and    Cora    L.    (Grant)    Steinert. 


George  R.  Steinert  is  assistant  secretary  and 
treasurer  of  a  New  York  insurance  concern, 
his  antecedents  being  among  the  pioneers 
of  New  England.  His  wife  comes  of  the 
family  of  which  General  Ulysses  Simpson 
Grant,  of  Civil  War  fame,  was  a  distinguished 
member.  The  couple  are  the  parents  of  four 
children,  George  R.,  Jr.,  of  Hackensack,  New 
Jersey:  Charles  C,  of  whom  further;  Bryan 
Grant,  of  Hackensack,  and  Clarence  H.,  who 
is  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  Steinert 
Motor  Company,  Inc.,  of  which  Charles  is  the 
president, 

Charles  C.  Steinert  received  his  education 
in  the  New  York  public  schools  and  was 
graduated  from  high  school.  For  four  years 
he  held  a  position  as  auditor  for  a  company 
in  New  York,  at  the  end  of  which  period  he 
became  associated  with  his  uncle,  Herbert 
Grant,  as  a  traveling  salesman.  Coming  to 
Wilkes-Barre  in  April,  1921,  he  established 
a  salesroom  and  automobile  service  station 
at  No.  219  South  Washington  Street.  He 
continued  at  that  address  until  1924,  when 
he  and  his  brother  erected  the  building  at 
No.  417  West  Market  Street,  where  they  since 
have  been.  The  principal  output  of  the  con- 
cern is  the  Hupmobile,  for  which  they  are 
the  local  distributors.  Charles  C.  Steinert 
is  a  Republican  in  politics,  a  Presbyterian 
in  religion.  His  fraternal  memberships  in- 
clude the  Boiling  Spring  Lodge,  No.  152, 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  of  Rutherford, 
New  Jersey:  Caldwell  Consistory,  of  Blooms- 
burg,  Pennsylvania;  Irem  Temple,  Ancient 
Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine: 
Scottish  Rite.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Wilkes- 
Barre-Wyoming  Valley  Chamber  of  Com- 
merce, Irem  Temple  Country  Club  and  the 
Wyoming  Valley  Country  Club,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre. 

Mr.  Steinert  married  at  Canton,  Ohio, 
December  18,  1919,  Carolyn  Lindley,  daugh- 
ter of  Earl  and  Elizabeth  (Manly)  Lindley, 
of  that  place.  They  have  one  child,  Jean 
Elizabeth.  Their  residence  is  at  Dallas, 
Luzerne   County,   Pennsylvania. 

Clarence  H.  Steinert,  brother  and  partner 
of  Charles  C,  was  born  in  1896  and  was 
educated  in  the  New  York  public  schools, 
graduating  from  high  school.  He  followed 
bookkeeping  as  a  profession  until  the  en- 
trance of  the  United  States  into  the  World 
■\Var,  when  he  enlisted  in  the  Navy  and  was 
attached  to  a  submarine  chaser,  on  which  he 
served  in  the  Mediterranean  and  Adriatic 
seas  until  the  close  of  the  conflict.  He  is 
a  Republican  in  politics  and  a  Presbyterian 
in  religious  faith. 

He  married  Emma  Brainard,  of  New  York 
City.  They  are  the  parents  of  three  chil- 
dren;    Clarence    J.,    Ruth,    and    Donald. 


ALLEN  E.  BACON — The  Grand  Army  of  the 
Republic  Memorial  High  School  is  one  of  the 
monuments  deserving  the  civic  pride  of 
Wilkes-Barre,  and  great  commendation 
should  be  given  to  the  instigators  of  the 
plan  and  to  those  who  have  so  nobly  carried 
it  through  with  financial  aid  and  encourage- 
ment. Mr.  Bacon,  as  a  trained  pedagogue 
and  educational  leader,  was  selected  as  its 
principal  and  has  filled  that  position  with 
distinction  and  marked  ability  since  the 
building  was  completed.  Mr.  Bacon  was  born 
in  Wilkes-Barre,  August  19,  1890,  son  of 
Charles  E.  and  Mae  (Allen)  Bacon.  Both 
parents  were  born  in  Susquehanna  County, 
the  Allen  family  particularly  dating  far  back 
into  the  days  of  the  Indian  wars  in  the 
pioneer  period.  Members  of  the  family  took 
part  in  the  horrors  of  the  Wyoming  Massacre, 


579 


which  occurred  in  June,  1778,  and  the  name 
of  Hollenbeclc  appears  on  the  Wyoming 
monument  erected  in  commemoration  of  that 
direful  historic  event,  and  is  that  of  the 
ancestor  in  direct  line  of  Mr.  Bacon's  mother. 

Allen  E.  Bacon  attended  school  at  Wilkes- 
Barre  through  the  high  school  grade  and 
then  entered  Lafayette  College  at  Easton. 
from  which  institution  he  was  graduated  with 
the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Philosophy  in  1911. 
He  was  then  called  to  the  Coughlin  High 
School,  Wilkes-Barre,  where  he  taught  math- 
ematics for  five  years,  until,  in  fact,  his 
career  was  interrupted  as  was  that  of  most 
of  the  youth  of  our  country,  by  call  to  mili- 
tary service.  He  was  commissioned  second- 
lieutenant  and  served  at  various  camps  in 
the  department  of  the  adjutant  general.  On 
his  discharge  in  1919,  he  returned  to  Coughlin 
High  School  and  remained  there  until  1923. 
At  that  time  the  principalship  of  the  Grant 
Street  School  of  Wilkes-Barre  was  offered 
him,  wliich  he  accepted.  The  G.  A.  R.  Jlemo- 
rial  High  School  was  beginning  to  be  under 
construction  at  that  time  and  he  entered 
heart  and  soul  into  plans  for  its  completion 
and  when  it  was  finished  he  was  made  its 
head.  This  institution  stands  at  the  corner 
of  Grant  and  Lehigh  streets,  and  is  com- 
pletely equipped  as  the  most  modern  and 
scientific  example  of  school  architecture.  It 
accommodates  seventeen  hundred  pupils  and 
eighty-four  teachers  and  its  large  auditorium 
will  seat  fourteen  hundred.  There  are  two 
splendidly  equipped  gymnasiums,  separate 
building  for  technical  shops  and  its  own 
cafeteria  and  kitchens. 

Mr.  Bacon  is  a  member  of  the  Lions'  Club 
and  belongs  to  the  Landmark  Lodge,  No.  442, 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons.  He  and  his  family- 
are  communicants  of  tine  Episcopal  Church 
and  actively  engaged  in  church  matters.  Mr. 
Bacon  is  a  Republican  in  his  political  con- 
victions. 

On  June  20,  1920,  Mr.  Bacon  was  married 
to  Lucy  Dame,  a  daughter  of  Charles  E.  and 
Mary  (Saunders)  Dame,  of  Richmond,  Vir- 
ginia, and  they  have  one  son,  Allen,  born 
December   17.    1926. 


SOPHIA  MARY  RICARDA  O'HARA.  born 
November  13.  1S82,  at  Wilkes-Barre,  Luzerne 
County,  Pennsylvania,  the  third  child  of 
Patrick  J.  and  Catherine  (Cavan)  O'Hara,  re- 
ceived her  education  in  the  public  schools  of 
Wilkes-Barre,  and  studied  law  in  the  law 
office  of  Martin  and  Trescott,  Wilkes-Barre 
She  is  a  member  of  the  bars  of  the  local  and 
appellate  courts  of  Pennsylvania  and  of  the 
District  Court,  Middle  District  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  Circuit  Court  of  Appeals  of  the 
United  States,  having  been  admitted  to 
the  bar  in  March,  1913.  On  February  7,  1927, 
she  was  appointed,  by  Governor  John  S. 
Fisher,  Deputy  Attorney-General  of  Pennsyl- 
vania under  Hon.  Thomas  Jackson  Baldridge, 
Attorney-General,  now  associate  justice  of 
the  Superior  Court  of  Pennsylvania.  She  has 
been  vice-secretary  of  the  Republican  County 
Committee  of  Luzerne  County;  a  vice-presi- 
dent of  the  Community  Welfare  Federation: 
a  vice-president  of  the  Wyoming  Valley 
Women's  Club;  president  of  the  Wilkes- 
Barre  Quota  Club;  is  president  of  the  Penn- 
sylvania State  Council  of  Republican  Women; 
is  a.  director  of  the  United  Charities  of 
Wilkes-Barre. 

J.  C.\RPENTER  MoXELIS,  M.  D. — Among 
the  professional  men  of  Wilkes-Barre  who 
have   taken   up   medicine    tor   their   life   work. 


J.  Carpenter  McNelis,  M.  D..  Is  one  of  the 
younger  group.  In  the  years  in  which  he  has 
been  practicing.  Dr.  McNelis  has  built  up  for 
himself  a  well  deserved  reputation  for  leader- 
ship in  Ills  kind  of  work,  for  thorough  skill, 
and  for  a  pleasant  personality,  which  is  so 
essential  in  the  type  of  activity  in  which  he 
is  engaged,  and  has  acquired  a  wide  circle 
of  friends  and  loyal  supporters  in  this  city 
and,  for  that  matter,  throughout  the  Wyo- 
ming Valley.  He  is  actively  interested  in  all 
phases  of  community  development,  and  is 
generally  regarded  as  one  of  Wilkes-Barre's 
outstanding   citizens. 

Dr.  McNelis  was  born  in  Hazleton,  Pennsyl- 
vania, on  September  IS,  1S98.  a  son  of  Frank 
and  Ann  (Carpenter)  McNelis.  His  father,  a 
contractor  dealing  in  general  building  activi- 
ties, was  born  in  Summit  Hill,  Pennsylvania, 
in  1855,  and  died  in  November,  1925;  while 
the  mother,  Ann  (Carpenter)  McNelis,  was 
born    in   Hazleton   and   died    in    August,    1907. 

J.  Carpenter  McNelis,  the  son,  received  his 
early  education  in  the  public  schools,  and 
then  attended  the  high  school  of  his  native 
city,  Hazleton,  from  which  he  was  graduated 
in  the  class  of  1914.  For  his  pre-medical 
course  he  studied  at  the  University  of  Penn- 
sylvania for  two  years,  and  then  became  a 
student  in  the  medical  school  of  that  univer- 
sity, from  which  he  was  graduated  in  the 
class  of  1919  with  the  degree  of  Doctor  of 
Medicine.  He  also  received  a  post-graduate 
course  at  Medico-Chirurgical  College,  Uni- 
versity of  Pennsylvania.  From  that  time  he 
served  as  interne  in  the  Wilkes-Barre  Gen- 
eral Hospital  for  a  period,  afterward  having 
become  resident  physician  there  and  finally 
chief  resident  physician.  His  services  to  the 
Wilkes-Barre  General  Hospital  occupied  most 
of  his  attention  for  thirty-one  months.  He 
served  then  for  six  months  as  physician  for 
the  Buffalo  and  Pittsburgh  Railroad,  having 
been  stationed  for  that  work  in  Yatesboro, 
Pennsylvania.  It  was  following  this  prelimi- 
nary medical  work  that  he  took  up  his  gen- 
eral medical  practice  in  Wilkes-Barre.  which 
he  has  continued  since  that  time.  With  the 
passing  years  he  has  added  consistently  to 
his  list  of  friendships,  as  well  as  to  the 
services  that  he  is  able  to  render  to  the 
people  of  Wilkes-Barre  in  the  capacity  of 
physician  and  to  the  size  and  extent  of  his 
practice. 

In  addition  to  his  own  practice.  Dr.  Mc- 
Nelis is  active  in  the  medical  affairs  of  his 
community  and  county  and  State.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  staff  of  Mercy  Hospital,  where 
he  is  orthopedist  and  obstetrician.  He  also 
keeps  in  touch  with  all  the  newer  discoveries 
and  theories  of  his  professional  colleagues 
through  membersliips  in  the  Luzerne  County 
Medical  Society,  the  Pennsylvania  State  Medi- 
cal Society  and  the  American  Medical  Asso- 
ciation. He  also  holds  membership  in  the 
Wyoming  Valley  Country  Club.  Dr.  McNelis' 
church  affiliation  is  with  St.  Mary's  Roman 
Catholic   Church. 

SAMUEL,  MILES  BARBER— Railroads,  news- 
papers and  rubber  manufacturers  have  re- 
ceived the  services  of  Samuel  Miles  Barber 
of  Wilkes-Barre,  at  various  times  during  his 
career,  but  perhaps  he  is  best  known  for  his 
accomplishments  in  public  life,  wliich  re- 
sulted in  his  election  as  a  member  of  the 
Board  of  Alderman  here,  an  office  he  now 
(1930)  is  filling,  as  a  representative  of  the 
Fourth  Ward.  Mr.  Barber  has  been  associated 
with  the  city  of  Wilkes-Barre  since  1905, 
with  the  exception   of  a  period  during  which 


5»o 


he  was  connected  with  a  prominent  rubber 
manufacturing  concern,  and  his  personality, 
higrh  ethics  and  abilities  have  combined  to 
make  liim  one  of  the  city's  most  popular  and 
respected  officials.  His  ofRcial  record  has 
been  materially  enhanced  through  his  deep 
devotion  to  other  spheres  of  activity  in 
Wilkes-Barre. 

Mr.  Barber's  parents,  both  natives  of  Penn- 
sylvania, were  I.  Grier  and  Katherine  E. 
(Wittenmeyer)  Barber,  the  mother  having 
been  born  in  1S61,  at  Middleburg.  I.  Grier 
Barber  was  born  in  18.51,  at  Mifflinburg,  Union 
County,  Pennsylvania,  and  was  a  medical 
practitioner  of  note  during  his  life.  He 
passed  away  in  February,  1926,  at  Wilkes- 
Barre. 

S.  Miles  Barber  was  born  February  15, 
1885,  at  Middleburg,  Snyder  County,  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  his  preliminary  education  was 
gained  in  the  public  schools,  ending  in  1904, 
when  he  was  graduated  from  the  Danville 
(Pennsylvania)  High  School.  The  following 
year,  in  1905.  he  accepted  employment  with 
the  Pennsylvania  Railroad,  being  assistant 
cashier  in  tlie  AVilkes-Barre  offices  of  this 
company.  He  remained  thus  occupied  until 
1912,  and  in  the  meantime  had  become  a 
zealous  follower  of  sporting  events.  His 
natural  talents  and  deep  studies  of  this  field 
were  recognized  in  local  newspaper  circles, 
and  in  the  last  named  year  Mr.  Barber  went 
with  the  Wilkes-Barre  "Times-Leader,"  being 
sports  editor  of  this  newspaper  until  1917. 
He  found  this  work  interesting,  but  as  many 
other  journalists  will  testify,  not  the  most 
remunerative  occupation  in  the  world,  and 
as  a  consequence,  in  1917,  he  abandoned  news- 
paper work  and  accepted  a  position  with  the 
Miller  Rubber  Company,  as  district  manager 
for  the  State  of  Michigan.  His  duties  in  this 
capacity  were  to  occupy  Mr.  Barber  for  ten 
years,  and  he  attained  material  success 
therein,  until  May,  1927,  when  he  was  first 
appointed  by  Governor  Fisher  to  represent 
the  Fourth  Ward  as  Alderman.  A  short  time 
later,  Mr.  Barber  was  elected  Alderman  for 
a  six-year  term,  expiring  in  1933.  His  wise 
counsel  and  business  judgment  have  been  of 
inestimable  worth  in  the  conduct  of  official 
affairs  in  Wilkes-Barre,  and  his  constituents 
are  well  satisfied  with  their  representative's 
record  as  Alderman. 

Mr.  Bai'ber,  who  is  a  Republican,  has  ex- 
erted no  little  power  in  the  affairs  of  his 
party,  and  has  had  much  to  do  with  forming 
the  policies  of  the  local  political  organization. 
He  is  ever  faithful  to  his  fellowmen,  and 
mingles  freely  in  social  and  fraternal  circles. 
He  is  a  member  of  Lodge  No.  442.  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons;  Valley  of  Williamsport 
Consistory,  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite, 
and  Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order 
Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  and  contributed 
materially  to  the  benevolences  of  his  church, 
the  Memorial  Presbyterian,  of  Wilkes-Barre. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Wilkes-Barre  Press 
Club,  and  one  of  the  board  of  governors. 

S.  Miles  Barber  married.  May  8,  1929,  Julia 
B.  Burdock,  of  Wilkes-Barre.  Mr.  Barber's 
address   is  No.    30   Public   Square. 


both  of  whom  were  born  in  Philadelphia. 
The  former,  born  in  1867,  was  one  of  its 
leading  merchants  when  he  died,  in  July 
1917. 

Dr.  Tongue  attended  the  public  schools  of 
Philadelphia,  going  through  the  high  school 
there  and  then  took  a  year's  course  in  the 
Peirce  Business  College.  He  entered  the 
Hahnemann  Medical  College  for  his  training 
and  graduated  from  there  with  his  degree 
with  the  class  of  1917.  This  famous  Phila- 
delphia college  is  the  original  exponent  of 
the  school  of  homeopathy  and  it  has  been 
Dr.  Tongue's  aim  to  become  known  as  a 
worthy  interpreter  of  this  great  institution's 
teachings.  Dr.  Tongue  remained  at  the  Hah- 
nemann Hospital  as  interne  for  the  usual 
year  and  then  was  taken  on  the  staff  of  the 
State  Hospital  for  Nervous  and  Mental  Dis- 
eases at  Allentown,  where  he  remained  for 
two  and  a  half  years.  In  1921,  he  came  to 
Wilkes-Barre  where  he  has  taken  up  a  gen- 
eral practice,  with  psychiatry  as  a  specialty, 
and  at  the  same  time,  is  doing  useful  work 
on  the  staff  of  the  Wyoming  Valley  Homeo- 
pathic Hospital.  Dr.  Tongue  is  a  member  of 
the  Wyoming  Valley  Homeopathic  Society, 
of  the  Luzerne  County  Medical  Society  of 
the  State  Medical  Association  and  of  the 
American  Institute  of  Homeopathy.  He  is  a 
Republican  in  his  political  affiliations  and 
beliefs  and  a  member  of  the  fraternal  order 
of  Eagles,  Brotherhood  of  America,  and  of 
the  Baptist  Church. 

Dr.  Frederick  Charles  Tongue  was  mar- 
ried, on  October  14,  1927,  to  Anna  K.  Dymond 
of  Orange,  a  daughter  of  Zachariah  and 
Delia    (Sickler)    Dymond. 


PREDEHICK  CHARLES  TONGUE,  M.  D.^ — 

Specializing  in  nervous  and  mental  diseases. 
Dr.  Tongue  is  one  of  the  leading  neurologists 
in  the  State,  combining  hospital  work  in  that 
branch  of  his  profession,  with  a  private  gen- 
eral practice  in  Wilkes-Barre.  Dr.  Tongue 
was  born  in  Philadelphia,  July  23,  1894,  son 
of    George    G.    and    Esther     (Pretty)    Tongue, 


WILL,I.\M  JOSEPH  ROOIVEY — Born  Janu- 
ary 20,  1890,  at  Port  Griffiths,  Luzerne  County, 
Mr.  Rooney  is  now  one  of  the  prominent 
citizens  of  Wilkes-Barre,  with  a  restaurant 
business  that  caters  to  the  best  of  the  towns- 
people and  that  he  has  built  up  himself  with 
energetic  ability  and  sure  insight  into  the 
needs  of  a  first-class  clientele.  William 
Rooney  is  a  son  of  Owen  and  Mary  (Calla- 
han) Rooney,  the  former  born  in  Plymouth 
and  the  latter  in  Port  Griffiths.  Mr.  Rooney,, 
Sr.,  was  also  an  owner  of  a  restaurant,  in 
connection  with  his  hotel  in  Vandling,  Lacka- 
wanna County. 

The  early  life  of  William  J.  Rooney  was 
passed  in  Vandling,  where  he  attended  the 
local  schools  and  then  worked  in  the  mines 
for  a  while  as  breaker-boy.  Growing  older 
and  of  responsible  years,  he  was  given  a 
position  with  the  American  Locomotive 
Works  at  Scranton  and  there  learned  the 
trade  of  machinist,  and  finished  his  appren- 
ticeship in  this  line  after  four  years,  although 
he  did  not  untilize  his  knowledge  in  his  adult 
life,  choosing  instead  a  different  field  of 
endeavor.  After  the  Scranton  experience,  he 
came  to  Wilkes-Barre  and  was  a  salesman 
with  the  Kolb  Bakery  Company  for  two 
years,  and,  then,  in  1915,  he  made  his  begin- 
ning in  the  restaurant  business,  starting  with 
a  lunch  wagon  on  Scott  Street.  Making  a 
success  of  this  small  beginning,  he  branched 
into  a  wider  field  and  took  over  a  part  of  the 
old  Windsor  Hotel  and  converted  it  into  a 
business  lunch  place,  calling  it  the  "Mer- 
chants Lunch."  In  1920  he  discontinued  this 
lunch  room  and  opened  a  modern  and  thor- 
oughly up-to-date  restaurant  on  North  Mar- 
ket Street,  known  as  the  "Clover,"  which  is 
still  operated  under  that  name,  and  here  he 
built   up  a   pleasant   reputation   for   good   food 


n^ni^i^yimi^ljiwgiijn^g 


(J/jyi^c^*^  -t^-  iy^r*"-^^-*-^ 


?u/J^. 


[ffifiiii]traiiiM[MIiJiitkiiiiiiliIIJ.u" 


-^^^^^^^^^^  yi  ^y^c-'^'^^x^,^^  s 


58i 


and  management.  While  still  retaining  an 
interest  in  the  "Clover,"  Mr.  Rooney  took  over 
a  partnership  in  the  restaurant  known  as 
"The  Barre"  and  was  secretary  of  that  com- 
pany. In  March,  1925,  he  sold  his  connection 
with  the  "Clover"  and  devoted  all  his  en- 
ergies and  time  to  "The  Barre."  In  1928  he 
acquired  all  the  stock  of  this  company  and 
renamed  the  restaurant  "The  Rooney."  He 
reorganized  the  company  and  established 
methods  of  the  best  efficiency  in  restaurant 
management  and  has  created  a  place  that  is 
regarded  in  the  highest  light  in  the  city.  He 
employs  about  forty  people  and  the  restau- 
rant has  a  seating  capacity  o£  a  hundred  and, 
in  detail,  it  is  modern  in  every  respect.  Mr. 
Rooney  expresses  himself  as  independent  in 
his  political  thought,  but  at  all  times,  has 
the  best  interests  of  the  community  at  heart. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Benevolent  and  Pro- 
tective Order  of  Elks,  and  of  the  Knights  of 
Columbus;  and  is  a  communicant  of  St. 
Patrick's    Church. 

On  December  15,  1912,  William  Joseph 
Rooney  was  married  to  Mary  E.  Loughney  of 
Pittston,  a  daughter  of  John  and  Mary 
Loughney.  They  have  been  the  parents  of 
six  children,  one  of  whom,  Evelyn,  they  un- 
happily lost  by  death.  The  others  are:  Mary. 
Rita,   William.    Peggy   and  Thomas. 

ROGER  J.  DEVER — From  the  lowly  post  of 
slate-picker  in  a  coal  mine  to  a  recognized 
and  commanding  position  as  a  prominent 
member  of  the  Luzerne  County  bar  is  a  rec- 
ord of  which  any  man  could  be  justly  proud. 
Such  was  the  progress  of  Roger  J.  Dever 
whose  career  furnishes  a  splendid  example 
of  what  can  be  accomplished  by  tenacity  of 
purpose,  backed  by  native  ability.  Mr.  Dever 
was  born  at  Jeddo,  a  small  town  in  Luzerne 
County,  on  July  19,  1873.  He  is  the  son  of 
Hugh  and  Annie  (O'Donnell)  Dever.  Hugh 
Dever  was  a  worker  in  the  coal  mines  of 
Luzerne  County  and  the  father  of  eleven 
children  of  which  Roger  J.  was  the  third. 
The  elder  Dever's  family  was  as  follows:  1. 
Frank.  2.  Mary.  3.  Roger  J.,  of  whom  further. 
4.  Annie,  now  known  as  Sister  Bonaventure 
in  St.  Mary's  Convent  at  Wilkes-Barre.  5. 
Patrick  J.  6.  Margaret.  7.  Charles.  8.  Cath- 
erine. 9.  Dominick  J.,  who  served  in  the 
World  War  in  the  One  Hundred  and  Four- 
teenth Field  Artillery;  two  who  died  in  in- 
fancy. 

Roger  J.  Dever  had  little  opportunity  to  ac- 
quire an  education  in  his  early  boyhood  and 
he  was  forced  to  take  a  Job  as  slate  picker 
at  an  age  when  most  lads  are  just  starting 
their  scholastic  career.  He  managed  to 
snatch  a  few  opportunities  of  attending  the 
public  schools  in  Luzerne  County  and  eagerly 
absorbed  what  knowledge  he  could  obtain 
from  Ills  textbooks.  He  soon  qualified  as  a 
mine  employee  and  worked  as  such  for  sev- 
eral years  until  at  length  he  determined  to 
try  his  fortunes  in  another  occupation.  The 
machinist  trade  attracted  him  and  he  took 
a  position  in  the  shops  of  G.  B.  Markle  Com- 
pany at  Jeddo,  Pennsylvania,  and  from  there 
to  the  Railroad  Shop  at  Delano.  He  was  em- 
ployed for  a  short  time  by  Coxe  Brothers  & 
Company  at  Drifton  as  machinist  and  it  was 
while  in  this  position  that  his  attention  was 
attracted  by  the  night  school  operated  by  the 
Mining  and  Mechanical  Institute  at  Freehold, 
Luzerne  County.  He  completed  the  course  of 
instruction  given  by  the  institute  and  re- 
ceived the  first  diploma  issued  by  the  night 
school.    His  ambition  fired,  Mr.  Dever  matric- 


ulated at  the  Jefferson  Medical  College,  Phil- 
adelphia, intending  to  take  up  the  healing 
art,  but  a  little  consideration  convinced  him 
that  his  talents  were  more  fitted  for  the  law 
than  for  medicine  and  he  very  quickly 
changed  his  plans.  He  entered  the  Dickinson 
Law  School,  at  Carlisle,  Pennsylvania,  and 
from  that  institution  he  graduated  in  the 
class  of  1903  with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of 
Laws.  He  was  admitted  to  the  Luzerne 
County  bar  In  January,  1904.  and  has  since 
been  actively  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his 
chosen  profession  with  offices  in  the  Miners 
Bank  Building  at  Wilkes-Barre.  In  1912  he 
was  appointed  general  counsel  for  the  United 
Mine  Workers  in  the  anthracite  field  of 
Pennsylvania,  which  position  he  has  held  con- 
tinuously since  that  time.  He  was  one  of  the 
principal  workers  for  the  Workmen's  Com- 
pensation Law,  which  measure  was  passed 
by  the  Pennsylvania  Legislature  in  1915  and 
was  author  of  the  amendments  to  this  law 
as  passed  by  the  Pennsylvania  Legislature  in 
1919,  1921,  and  1927.  He  is  a  leading  member 
of  the  Luzerne  County  Bar  Association  and 
an  active  worker  with  Wilkes-Barre  Lodge, 
No.  109,  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of 
Elks.  In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat,  but  has 
never  sought  office.  He  worships  at  St.  Mary's 
Roman  Catholic  Church  of  Wilkes-Barre  and 
finds   recreation  in  his  lodge  and  clubs. 


JASIES  THOMAS  WILM.^MS,  M.  D. — Striv- 
ing at  all  times  to  do  whatever  lies  in  his 
power  to  improve  the  health  of  his  com- 
munity, James  Thomas  Williams,  M.  D.,  holds 
a  prominent  place  in  the  estimation  of  his 
fellowmen,  and  is  a  recognized  leader  in  the 
medical  profession  in  Wilkes-Barre.  Engaged 
in  a  general  practice  of  medicine  and  surgery, 
he  also  is  active  in  hospital  work,  and  de- 
votes not  a  little  of  his  time  and  energies  to 
the  furtherance  of  his  community's  social  and 
civic  life.  There  is  practically  no  public  enter- 
prise of  importance  in  which  he  is  not  inter- 
ested, and  as  a  consequence  of  his  public- 
spiritedness  and  the  varied  nature  of  his 
activities  he  is  held  in  the  highest  regard 
among  his  fellow-citizens,  a  large  number  of 
whom  he  lists  among  his   personal   friends. 

Dr.  Williams  was  born  on  July  31,  1878,  in 
Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania,  the  city  of  his 
present  home  and  work,  a  son  of  Richard  S. 
Williams,  who  was  born  in  Wales  in  1845, 
came  to  the  United  States  and  is  now  engaged 
in  Wilkes-Barre  as  a  wholesale  grocer,  and 
of  Mary  (Thomas)  Williams,  a  native  of 
Pottsville,  who  also  is  now  a  resident  of 
Wilkes-Barre. 

Dr.  James  Thomas  Williams  received  his 
early  education  in  the  public  schools  of  this, 
his  native  city,  where  he  remained  until  he 
was  ten  years  of  age.  Then  he  went  to  Cali- 
fornia with  his  parents,  and  there  attended 
the  public  schools.  Subsequently  he  studied 
at  the  Polytechnic  School  for  a  period  of 
three  years,  and  then  became  a  student  at 
the  Jefferson  Medical  College,  from  which  he 
was  graduated  in  the  class  of  1904  with  the 
degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine.  From  that  time 
he  served  for  two  years  as  an  interne  at  the 
Presbyterian  Hospital,  and  then  for  a  year 
took  post-graduate  medical  work  in  Vienna. 
Ever  since  he  completed  those  academic 
studies,  he  has  been  practicing  his  chosen 
profession  in  Wilkes-Barre,  where  he  has 
done  much  to  alleviate  human  suffering  and 
disease  and  has  listed  among  his  patients 
some  of  the  most  substantial  citizens  of  the 
Wyoming  Valley. 


S82 


In  addition  to  liis  regular  practice,  Dr.  Wil- 
liams is  chief  surgeon  of  the  Wilkes-Barre 
General  Hospital,  in  which  he  serves  in  April, 
May  and  June  of  each  year.  He  keeps  in 
close  touch  with  the  newest  development  in 
medicine  and  surgery  through  memberships 
in  the  Luzerne  County  Medical  Society,  the 
Pennsylvania  State  Medical  Society  and  the 
American  Medical  Association.  His  political 
affiliation  is  with  the  Republican  party, 
whose  policies  and  candidates  he  regularly 
supports:  while  he  holds  memberships  in  tlie 
Westmoi'eland  Club  and  in  the  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons.  In  the  Masonic  order  he  is 
Identified  with  Lodge  No.  442,  the  Keystone 
Consistory  of  the  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish 
Rite  of  Scranton,  and  Irem  Temple  of  the 
Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic 
Shrine.  His  religious  faith  is  that  of  the 
Presbyterian   Church. 

In  191S,  Dr.  Williams  married  Ruth  Lewis, 
of  Audenried.  Pennsylvania,  a  daughter  of 
Philip  Lewis.  By  this  union  there  have  been 
two  children:  1.  Betsy  Jane,  born  June  S, 
1921.    2.  Ruth  Lewis,  born  March  29,   1924. 


ROGERS  J.  KIRKHUFP — With  a  wide  va- 
riety of  community  interests,  Rogers  J.  Kirk- 
huff  has  been  for  a  number  of  years  one  of 
the  best  known  citizens  about  Forty  Fort, 
Pennsylvania.  He  was  one  of  the  organizers 
and  is  a  director  of  the  Forty  Fort  State 
Bank  and  is  a  charter  member  of  the  Forty 
Fort  Fire  Company,  as  well  as  playing  an 
important  part  in  fraternal  and  church  activi- 
ties. In  191S  he  was  elected  for  a  term  of 
four  years  as  tax  collector  of  Forty   Fort. 

Born  at  Sciota,  Monroe  County,  Pennsyl- 
vania. September  9,  1SS3,  Mr.  Kirkhuff  is  the 
son  of  Stogdell  L.  and  Emma  E.  (Levering) 
KirkhulT.  The  father  was  born  in  Snyders- 
ville,  Monroe  County,  in  February,  1858,  and 
was  a  grain  miller  in  Stroudsburg  for 
twenty-five  years  prior  to  his  retirement.  The 
mother  was  born  in  Sciota  in  1864  and  died 
March  31,  1921.  Their  son  attended  the  public 
schools  of  Forty  Fort,  working  on  dairy 
farms  of  the  neighborhood  of  evenings  and 
during  his  vacation  periods.  From  1900  until 
1909  he  clerked  in  a  grocery  store,  then  be- 
came associated  with  Millard  and  Schurman, 
wholesale  grocers,  acting  as  traveling  repre- 
sentative for  them  for  about  seven  years.  In 
1919  he  accepted  a  position  with  Sutherland 
and  McMillan,  wholesale  grocers  of  Pittston, 
as  a  traveling  representative,  with  which 
concern  he  has  since  been  identified.  It  was 
on  the  Republican  ticket  that  Mr.  Kirkhuff 
was  elected  to  the  office  of  tax  collector,  in 
which  he  discharged  his  duties  with  excellent 
results.  Realizing  the  need  for  a  banking 
institution  in  Forty  Fort,  "where  he  makes 
his  home  at  No.  19  Ransom  Street,  Mr.  Kirk- 
huff cooperated  with  other  financially  estab- 
lished citizens  of  the  town  to  found  the  Forty 
Fort  State  Bank.  Fraternally,  he  is  affiliated 
with  Shekinah  Chapter  448,  Free  and  Ac- 
cepted Masons,  of  Wyoming,  and  since  1901 
has  been  a  member  of  the  Patriotic  Order 
Sons  of  America.  He  has  also  been  affiliated 
with  the  United  Commercial  Travelers  of 
America,  Council  No.  426,  of  Wilkes-Barre, 
for  the  past  eighteen  years.  He  is  active  in 
the  work  of  the  Forty  Fort  Methodist  Epis- 
copal  Cliurch. 

Mr.  Kirkhuff  married,  in  April,  1913,  Fannie 
Scott,  daughter  of  James  and  Margaret 
(Craig)  Scott  of  Ashley,  Luzerne  County. 
They  adopted  a  little  girl  in  1920.  Jane  Scott 
Kirkhuff,    born   January   22,    1919. 


FRANK  A.  CRONAIIER,  D.  D.  S. — Highly 
skilled  in  his  profession,  and  with  a  con- 
stantly growing  practice.  Dr.  Frank  A.  Cro- 
nauer  is  in  the  class  of  leading  dentists  of 
Wilkes-Barre,  with  a  bright  future  before 
him.  He  laid  the  foundation  for  his  success 
with  a  complete  education  in  modern  dentis- 
try, and  is  ever  alert  to  the  constant  im- 
provements and  discoveries  that  are  arising 
in  the  profession  of  oral  surgery.  His  clien- 
tele is  large  and  growing,  his  friends  innum- 
erable,   many   of   them   from   his   boyhood. 

Frank  A.  Cronauer  was  born  in  Wilkes- 
Barre,  September  29.  1898,  son  of  Nicholas 
and  Josephine  (Supply)  Cronauer.  His  father 
is  engaged  in  the  restaurant  business,  his 
mother  died  at  the  age  of  fifty-seven  years, 
leaving  eleven  children,  Frank  being  the 
fifth.  He  attended  the  parochial  and  public 
schools  of  Wilkes-Barre,  where  he  grew  to 
manhood.  He  was  graduated  from  the  Wilkes- 
Barre  High  School  in  the  class  of  1917,  and 
then  took  up  the  study  of  dentistry  at  the 
Baltimore  State  Dental  College,  Baltimore, 
Maryland,  from  which  he  was  graduated  with 
the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Dental  Surgery  in 
1925,  after  which  he  established  himself  in 
practice  in  Wilkes-Barre. 

Dr.  Cronauer  is  a  member  of  the  Luzerne 
County  Dental  Association,  and  American 
Dental  Association,  and  belongs  to  the  dental 
college  fraternity  of  Psi  Omega.  Politically, 
he  is  a  Republican,  and  is  a  communicant  of 
St.  Nicholas  Roman  Catholic  Church  of 
Wilkes-Barre. 

Frank  A.  Cronauer  married,  December  20, 
1923,  Verna  Rovinski,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  and 
tliey  are  the  parents  of  a  daughter,  Elizabeth 
Lois. 


ELLSWORTH  AV.  LYNN — Proprietor  of 
Lynn's  Pharmacy,  at  No.  689  Market  Street, 
in  Kingston,  better  known  as  Kingston 
Corners,  Ellsworth  W.  Lynn  is  prominent  in 
the  business  circles  of  Kingston,  and  is  well 
known  in  Wilkes-Barre,  of  which  he  is  a 
native. 

Mr.  Lynn  was  born  September  27,  1SS9,  a 
son  of  Charles  J.  A.  and  Emma  (Olson)  Lynn, 
the  father  having  for  many  years  been  a 
foreman  in  the  employ  of  the  Kingston  Coal 
Company,  the  mother  deceased.  Charles  J.  A. 
Lynn  was  born  in  Sweden,  and  he.  as  well  as 
she  who  later  became  his  wife,  came  to 
Luzerne  County  with  his  parents,  when  a 
child,  nearly  sixty  years  ago.  In  this  county 
he  met  and  married  Emma  Olson,  and  of  this 
union  were  born  children:  1.  John  T.,  elec- 
trical engineer,  employed  by  the  Delaware 
&  Hudson  Coal  Company.  2.  Ellsworth  W., 
of  whom  follows.  3.  W.  L.,  Doctor  of  Medi- 
cine, Brooklyn,  New  York.  4.  Carl  H.,  drug- 
gist, in  business  with  Ellsworth  W.  Lynn, 
Kingston.  5.  Florence  L.,  wife  of  Clarence 
Pearson,  of  Kingston.  6.  Elmer  J.,  electrician, 
with  the  Kingston  Coal  Company.  7.  Helen, 
registered  trained  nurse,  in  the  General  Hos- 
pital, Wilkes-Barre.  8.  George,  a  student  in 
public  school,  at  Edwardsville  and  Wyoming 
Seminary.  During  the  last  twenty-six  years 
Charles  J.  A.  Lynn  has  been  foreman  for  the 
Kingston  Coal  Company.  He  is  an  earnest, 
conscientious  man  of  good  intelligence,  con- 
stantly interested  in  the  things  transpiring 
around  him,  a  pleasant,  friendly  personality, 
who,  while  he  has  not  accumulate,!  a  great 
store  of  the  goods  of  the  world,  has  given  to 
it  many  fine  children  who  have  taken  sub- 
stantial places  in  life,  and  is  content,  indeed, 
in    considering    what    they    have    done.     Both 


iMippippi^lfnpll 


583 


he  and  his  good  wife  early  inculcated  in 
their  son,  Ellsworth  W.  Lynn,  those  princi- 
ples of  thought  and  conduct  which  have  re- 
mained with  him  into  manhood,  have  made 
his  character  so  largely,  and  in  equal  meas- 
ure have  assisted  him  to  construct  the  suc- 
cess that  he  has  created.  Emma  (Olson)  Lynn 
died  on  Thanksgiving  Day,   1911. 

In  the  public  schools  of  Wilkes-Barre  Mr. 
Lynn  received  his  academic  training  of  pre- 
paratory degree.  He  graduated  from  Wilkes- 
Barre  High  School  with  the  class  of  1905,  at 
the  age  of  sixteen  years.  In  due  time  he 
entered  the  Philadelphia  College  of  Phar- 
macy, and  graduated  with  the  Degree  of 
Pharmacy  in  1911.  He  returned  to  Luzerne 
County,  for  a  period  was  clerk  in  Swainbonk's 
Drug  Store,  Wilkes-Barre,  then,  in  1912,  en- 
gaged in  business  for  himself  in  Kingston, 
where  he  has  since  continued,  with  good 
prosperity.  His  establishment  is  known  as 
the  largest  and  most  modern  of  drug  stores 
in  the  West  Side.  Mr.  Lynn  is  a  member  of 
Kingston  Lodge  No.  395.  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons;  Shekinah  Chapter,  No.  1S2.  Royal 
Arch  Masons;  Dieu  le  Veut  Commandery,  No. 
45,  Knights  Templar:  Keystone  Consistory, 
at  Scranton,  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite, 
thirty-second  degree;  Irem  Temple.  Ancient 
Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine; 
and  member  of  Kingston  Lodge  No.  709,  In- 
dependent Order  of  Odd  Fellows;  Wilkes- 
Barre  Lodge  No.  109,  Benevolent  and  Pro- 
tective Order  of  Elks;  Patriotic  Order  Sons  of 
America;  Fraternal  Order  of  Eagles;  and 
the  Irem  Temple  Country  Club.  He  is  a 
stockholder  in  the  Kingston  Bank  &  Trust 
Company,  a  director  of  the  West  Side  Build- 
ing &  Loan  Company,  the  West  Side  Mort- 
gage Company  and  of  the  Pennsylvania 
Wholesale  Drug  Company,  of  Wilkes-Barre. 
Constantly  Mr.  Lynn  participates  in  move- 
ments designed  for  the  public  welfare,  and 
seldom  is  there  such  a  movement  put  in 
motion  that  fails  to  receive  his  support.  He 
is  known  as  one  of  the  most  public-spirited 
and  forward  looking  of  Kingston's  com- 
munity members,  a  man  of  commercial  and 
fraternal  influence  "who  has  voice,  too,  in 
affairs  political.  Toward  charity  he  is  gen- 
erous, and  in  his  own  nianner  of  life  and 
method  exemplary.  His  talents  in  business 
are  extensive;  his  judgments  in  business  such 
as  to  be  sought  after  by  associates,  and  to  be 
of  particular  value  to  those  financial  insti- 
tutions with  which  he  is  connected.  Mr.  Lynn 
finds  pleasant  recreation  in  musical  circles, 
and  is  a  musician  in  Irem  Temple  Band  and 
MacLuskie's  Shalimar  Band   at   Wilkes-Barre. 


JOHN  J.  GALVIN — A  newspaper  man  for 
eleven  years,  Mr.  Galvin  is  now  a  theatrical 
manager,  and  as  such,  manages  the  Poll 
Theater,  which  sho'ws  liigh-class  vaudeville 
and  the  best  run  of  feature  motion  pictures, 
catering  to  a  splendid  clientele  and  in  its 
management  reflecting  the  finest  ideals  of 
public  entertainment.  Mr.  Galvin  was  born 
at  Fort  Plain,  Montgomery  County,  New 
York  State,  on  June  13,  1S74.  His  parents, 
Thomas  and  Ann  (McManus)  Galvin,  were 
both  of  Irish  birth  and  came  over  here  as 
young   people. 

John  J.  Galvin  attended  the  public  schools  of 
his  home  town  and  then  entered  newspaper 
work,  a  field  in  which  he  remained  for  about 
eleven  years  in  various  towns  in  different 
parts  of  New  York.  The  theatrical  world 
held  alluring  appeal  to  the  energetic  young 
man  and  he  did  work  as  press  representative 
for  the  various   theatres  of  Wilmer  and  Vin- 


cent in  New  York  State  for  about  six  years, 
centering  his  activities  in  Utica  and  cover- 
ing the  Mohawk  Valley.  Later,  he  became 
manager  of  a  theatre  at  Portsmouth,  Vir- 
ginia, and  then  assumed  managerial  control 
of  one  of  the  Poli  Theatres  at  New  Haven. 
In  1912,  he  came  to  Wilkes-Barre  as  man- 
ager for  a  Poli  Theatre  here,  in  which  capac- 
ity he  has  remained  ever  since.  In  1925, 
this  theatre  was  taken  over  by  the  Union 
Theatre  Corporation,  although  retaining  the 
old  name.  It  is  a  large  house,  with  a  seat- 
ing capacity  of  twenty-two  hundred  and  is 
most  ably  conducted  by  its  popular  manager. 
John  J.  Galvin  is  a  Republican  in  his  poli- 
tics and  a  communicant  of  St.  Mary's  Roman 
Catholic  Church.  He  is  a  past-president  of 
the  Wilkes-Barre  Kiwanis  Club  and  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order 
of  Elks,  No.   42,    of  Little    Falls,  New  York. 


LOUrs   WATRES   JONES,  M.  D. — Born   and 

reared  in  Wilkes-Barre,  Dr.  Jones  has  spent 
practically  all  of  his  life  there,  excepting  only 
some  six  years,  during  which  he  attended 
college  and  medical  school  in  Philadelphia. 
His  deep  attachment  to  his  native  city  may  be 
seen  from  the  fact  that,  immediately  after 
having  completed  his  medical  education,  he 
returned  to  it,  served  as  an  interne  in  one 
of  its  hospitals,  and  then  established  himself 
there  in  the  practice  of  his  profession. 
Though  one  of  the  younger  generation  of 
Wilkes-Barre  physicians  he  is  rapidly  build- 
ing up  a  large  and  important  practice  and  is 
gaining  for  himself  a  fine  position  and  repu- 
tation   in    the   community. 

Louis  Watres  Jones  was  born  in  Wilkes- 
Barre,  February  16,  1901,  a  son  of  lorwerth 
and  Emma  (Evans)  Jones.  Both  his  parents 
are  natives  of  Wales,  where  his  father  was 
born  in  1857.  The  latter  has  been  for  a  num- 
ber of  years  general  superintendent  of  the 
Spring  Brook  Water  Supply  Company  of 
Wilkes-Barre.  Dr.  Jones  received  his  prelim- 
inary education  in  the  public  schools  of  his 
native  city  and,  after  having  been  graduated 
from  Wilkes-Barre  High  School  with  the 
class  of  1918,  entered  the  University  of  Penn- 
sylvania in  Philadelphia.  There  he  took  a 
pre-medical  course  for  the  first  two  years, 
after  which  he  transferred  to  that  institu- 
tion's Department  of  Medicine,  which  latter 
he  attended  for  the  next  four  years,  gradu- 
ating from  it  with  the  degree  of  Doctor  of 
Medicine  in  1924.  He  then  gained  further 
practical  knowledge  and  experience  by  serv- 
ing for  one  year  as  an  interne  at  the  Wilkes- 
Barre  General  Hospital.  Since  then  be  has 
been  established  in  the  general  practice  of 
medicine  in  Wilkes-Barre.  with  offices  at  No. 
314  East  South  Street.  He  is  also  one  of  the 
staff  of  the  State  Tuberculosis  Clinic.  Dr. 
Jones  is  a  member  of  the  American  Medical 
Association,  Pennsylvania  State  Medical  So- 
ciety, Luzerne  County  Medical  Society,  Lehigh 
Valley  Medical  Association,  Barton  Cook 
Hirst  Obstetrical  Society,  Wyoming  Welfare 
Association,  the  Sigma  Nu  Fraternity,  the 
United  Sportsmen  of  Pennsylvania  and  Laurel 
Run  Rod  and  Gun  Club.  He  holds  member- 
ship in  Lodge  No.  61,  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons,  Caldwell  Consistory,  thirty-second 
degree,  and  Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic 
Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  In  politics 
he  is  a  supporter  of  the  Republican  party  and 
its  principles,  while  his  religious  affiliations 
are  with  the  Presbyterian  Church  and  more 
particularly  with  Grant  Street  Presbyterian 
Church   of   Wilkes-Barre. 

Dr.  Jones  was  married,  September  14,   1927, 


S84 


at  Wilkes-Barre,  to  Bessie  Buckingham  of 
"Wilkes-Barre,  a  daugliter  of  Frederick  and 
Meta  Buckingiiam.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Jones  make 
their  home  at  No.  79  Davis  Place,  Wilkes- 
Barre. 


ELIjISO-V  S.  KIHKHUPF — Purchasing  agent 
for  the  Leiiigh  and  Wilkes-Barre  Coal  Com- 
pany, Mr.  Kirkhuft  has  been  with  the  same 
organization  for  forty  years,  and,  in  point 
of  time  of  service,  is  the  oldest  in  either 
the  managerial  offices  or  clerical  department. 

Ellison  S.  Kirkhuff  was  born  at  Snyders- 
ville,  Monroe  County,  Pennsylvania,  a  son  of 
John  and  Susan  (Slutter)  Kirkhuff,  deceased. 
John  and  Susan  (Slutter)  Kirkhuff  were  the 
parents  of  eleven  children,  of  whom  six  are 
now  (1930)  living:  Stogdell;  Mary:  Ellison  S., 
of  whom  further;  Margaret,  widow  of  J.  H. 
Schappert;  Andrew;  and  Winifred. 

Mr.  Kirkhuff  received  his  education  in  the 
public  schools  of  East  Mauch  Chunk,  and 
while  yet  a  young  man  became  a  clerk  in  the 
employ  of  the  Central  Railroad  of  New  Jer- 
sey, at  Ashley,  Pennsylvania,  then  took  a 
place  as  trainmaster's  clerk,  at  Ashley,  after- 
ward removing  to  Wilkes-Barre  to  the  offices 
of  the  Lehigh  and  Wilkes-Barre  Coal  Com- 
pany, as  payroll  clerk.  After  several  years 
of  this  he  went  into  the  plumbing  and  steam- 
fitting  business  for  a  time,  later  abandoning 
it  for  a  clerkship  with  the  coal  company. 
Soon  he  was  promoted  to  chief  clerk  and 
afterward  made  supervisor  of  stores,  then 
made  purchasing  agent,  which  important 
position  he  continued  to  hold  until  he  re- 
signed in  October,  1928.  He  is  a  Republican 
and  a  Protestant  and  member  of  a  number 
of  fraternal  organizations,  including  the 
Landmark  Lodge,  No.  442,  of  the  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons,  Shekiriah  Chapter,  No. 
182,  Royal  Arch  Masons;  Dieu  le  Veut  Com- 
mandery.  No.  45.  Knights  Templar;  the  An- 
cient Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic 
Shrine:  the  Irem  Temple  Country  Club,  the 
Franklin  Club,  and  the  Craftsman's  Club.  An 
outstanding  figure  among  men  in  Wilkes- 
Barre  who  have  created  successes  for  them- 
selves from  means  not  tendered  on  the  silver 
salver  of  wealthy  or  even  well-to-do  birth, 
Mr.  Kirkhuft  occupies  a  high  position,  a  re- 
spected position,  in  the  social  and  commercial 
circles  of  Wilkes-Barre,  where  he  lives,  with 
his  family,  at  No.  54  Carey  Avenue. 

Ellison  S.  Kirkhuff  married  Lillie  Huns- 
berger,  of  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  daughter 
of  Robert  and  Mary  (Hanke)  Hunsberger, 
deceased.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kirkhuff  are  the  par- 
ents of  three  children;  1.  Robert,  an  elec- 
trical engineer  in  the  employ  of  the  New 
Jersey  Zinc  Company,  at  Palmerton,  New 
Jersey,  married  Aura  Miller,  and  is  the  father 
of  two  children,  Ellison  and  Jean.  2.  Ellison 
Lawrence,  a  civil  and  construction  engineer 
for  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad,  stationed  at 
East  Aurora,  New  York;  married  Esther 
Doster.  3.  Morilda  Lillian,  married  Edward 
Snackenberg  of  Brooklyn,  New  York,  where 
they  no"\v  reside. 


THE  IIOYT  I.IBR.VRY  of  Kingston  was 
opened  to  the  public  on  January  2,  1928,  with 
a  collection  of  4,327  books.  The  public  was 
eagerly  awaiting  its  use.  At  the  end  of  the 
year  4,500  readers  had  taken  out  borrowers' 
cards.  The  number  of  books  issued  for  home 
use  was  over  100,000  and  the  collection 
amounted  to  10,000  books. 

The  first  Library  Board  consisted  of:  Mr. 
E.    M.    Rosser,    president    and    treasurer;    Miss 


Frances  Dorrance,  secretary;  Mr.  Frank  S. 
Crane  (President  Borough  Council);  Mr.  Rus- 
sell J.  Hoyt;  Mr.  Abram  Nesbitt,  2d:  Miss 
Myra  Poland;  Mr.  G.  Murray  Roat   (Burgess). 

Each  member  of  the  staff  of  five  had  been 
professionally  trained  for  her  work.  The 
librarian.  Miss  Margaret  Jackson,  was  an 
accredited  teacher  of  library  methods  and 
book  selection. 

At  the  opening  ceremonies  Dr.  L.  L. 
Sprague  of  Wyoming  Seminary  led  in  prayer 
and  Mr.  B.  W.  Davis.-attorney  for  the  borough 
of  Kingston,  gave  the  history  of  the  library 
movement.  He  said;  "The  Building  was  the 
homestead  of  Samuel  Hoyt,  born  1815.  The 
father  of  Samuel  Hoyt  was  county  engineer, 
and  his  son  helped  him  in  this  work.  Frank 
W.  Hoyt,  the  son  of  Samuel  Hoyt  resided 
here  and  finally  took  up  his  residence  in 
Delaware  County,  near  Philadelphia,  where 
he  resided   at  the   time  of  his  death. 

"The  first  information  that  we  have  in  the 
history  of  the  gift  is  in  the  date  of  the  will 
of  Frank  W.  Hoyt.  That  will  was  dated 
March  25,  1903.  Mr.  Hoyt's  death  occurred 
April  11,  1909.  Under  date  of  May  18,  1909, 
a  letter  was  received  b.v  Burgess  W.  H. 
Chapin  in  which  it  stated  that  under  the  will 
of  Mr.  Hoyt  the  Hoyt  homestead  was  given 
to  the  borough  of  Kingston  to  be  used  as  a 
library  and  reading  room. 

"On  May  21,  1909,  a  call  went  out  to  the 
citizens  of  the  borough  to  meet  in  the  audi- 
torium of  the  Main  Street  School  Building. 
That  night  there  were  between  two  and 
three  hundred  citizens  there,  and  by  a  reso- 
lution passed,  the  town  council  was  author- 
ized to  notify  the  executors  of  tlie  Hoyt 
estate  that  the  gift  was  accepted,  and  on 
June  7,  1909,  at  a  meeting  of  the  town  council 
a  resolution  was  passed  and  forwarded  to 
the   executors." 

As  in  1909  the  borough  had  no  money  vi^ith 
which  to  remodel  the  building,  buy  the  neces- 
sary books  and  pay  a  library  staff,  it  was 
decided  to  continue  to  lease  the  building  as 
a  dwelling  (the  lessees  were  successively  O. 
M.  Lance  and  Dr.  J.  E.  Scheifly)  and  to  save 
the  rental  as  an  organization  fund. 

On  February  20,  1911,  an  ordinance  was 
passed  by  the  Borough  Council  stating  that 
the  president  of  council  and  two  others  to 
be  chosen  by  him  were  to  be  appointed  as  a 
committee,  to  be  known  as  the  Hoyt  Library 
Committee.  Also  that  the  borough  would 
appropriate  $500  annually  for  this  work.  By 
the  efforts  of  the  Council  and  the  goodwill 
of  tile  citizens  work  of  organization  was 
undertaken  and  completed  between  May,  1926, 
and  January  2,  1928,  when  the  library  was 
opened  to  the  residents  of  Kingston. 


DORR-iVNCB  FAMILY' — The  Dorrance  fam- 
ily has  long  been  distinguished  in  the  pro- 
fessions and  in  various  worthy  callings,  and 
prominent  in  the  advance  ,  of  Pennsylvania 
for  generations.  The  strain  of  a  fine  Colonial 
ancestry  runs  through  the  family  line,  in 
which  were  representatives  who  fought  with 
distinction  in  the  Revolutionary  War. 

The  founder  of  the  family  in  America  was 
Rev.  Samuel  Dorrance,  a  Scotch-Irish  Pres- 
byterian and  graduate  of  Glasgow  University, 
who  arrived  in  the  first  quarter  of  the 
eighteenth  century  and  was  settled  as  pastor 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church  at  Voluntown, 
Connecticut,  on  December  23,  1723,  continu- 
ing as  its  spiritual  head  until  his  death, 
November  12,  1775.  He  had  five  sons  and  one 
daughter,   and   two   of  the  sons   served   in   the 


S85 


Revolutionary  Army.  John  and  George,  of 
the  latter  see  further,  settled  in  the  Wyo- 
ming- Valley  on  lands  held  by  the  family  down 
to  the  present  time.  John  is  said  to  have 
returned  to  Voluntown. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  George  Dorrance.  son  of 
Rev.  Samuel  Dorrance,  was  a  hero  and  pa- 
triot, whose  name  and  deeds  stand  out  with 
shining  distinctness  in  Wyoming  Valley 
history.  He  was  born  March  4,  1736,  died 
July  4,  1778,  the  day  following  the  massacre 
at  Wyoming,  when,  a  prisoner  and  weakened 
by  sufferings  and  a  severe  wound,  he  was 
killed  by  his  captors.  He  had  led  various 
armed  parties  against  the  Indians  and  Tories, 
and  had  succeeded  in  dispersing  them.  For 
this  he  appears  to  have  been  made  the  espe- 
cial object  of  savage  vengeance.  In  1777  he 
led  a  company  of  eighty  men  against  an 
Indian  camp  on  Wyalusing  and  put  them  to 
rout.  As  lieutenant-colonel,  he  commanded 
the  American  left  wing-  under  Colonel  Deni- 
son,  July  3,  1778.  He  had  been  a  private  in  a 
Connecticut  regiment  of  light  horse,  and  in 
the  autumn  of  1775,  he  was  commissioned 
lieutenant  in  a  Connecticut  regiment  of 
militia  for  Wyoming.  He  was  promoted  to 
major  of  his  regiment  and  to  lieutenant- 
colonel,  serving  in  the  latter  rank  until  July 
3,  1778.  He  was  the  founder  of  the  family  of 
Dorrance  in  the  Wyoming  Valley  in  Pennsyl- 
vania. Colonel  Dorrance  was  twice  married. 
Of  his  children  was  Benjamin,  of  whom 
further. 

Colonel  Benjamin  Dorrance,  youngest  son 
of  Lieutenant-Colonel  George  Dorrance,  was 
born  in  Voluntown,  Connecticut,  in  1767,  and 
was  a  child  when  taken  by  his  father's  family 
to  the  W^yoming  Valleyl  to  settle  in  the 
locality,  which  has  since  been  called  Dor- 
ranceton.  As  a  boy  Benjamin  Dorrance  was 
in  Forty  Fort  at  the  time  of  the  battle  of 
Wyoming,  and  later  was  esteemed  an  author- 
ity on  the  events  of  the  stirring  times  in  the 
valley.  He  served  as  sheriff  of  Luzerne 
County  and  as  a  member  of  the  State  Legis- 
lature for  seven  years.  He  was  one  of  tlie 
organizers  and  the  first  president  of  the 
Wyoming  Bank  of  Wilkes-Barre.  His  title 
of  colonel  was  given  through  his  holding 
office  in  that  rank  in  the  State  Militia.  Colonel 
Dorrance  married,  November  25,  1795,  Nancy 
Ann  Buckingham,  born  in  1767;  died  Febru- 
ary 2,  1S34,  daughter  of  Jedediah  and  Martha 
(Clark)  Buckingham.  She  was  a  descendant 
of  Thomas  Buckingham,  the  Puritan  ancestor 
of  all  the  American  Buckinghains,  whose 
name  figured  prominently  among  the  settlers 
of  Quinnipiac  (New  Haven)  and  Milford, 
Connecticut.  Colonel  Benjamin  and  Nancy 
Ann  (Buckingham)  Dorrance  had  three  chil- 
dren: John,  of  whom  further;  Charles,  who 
lived  and  left  family;  and  George,  who  died 
in  infancy. 

Rev.  John  Dorrance,  D.  D.,  eldest  son  of 
Colonel  Benjamin  Dorrance  and  his  wife, 
Nancy  Ann  (Buckingham)  Dorrance.  was 
born  in  Kingston,  February  28,  ISOO,  and  died 
April  IS,  1861.  He  was  minister  of  the  First 
Presbyterian  Church  of  Wilkes-Barre  from 
1833  until  his  death  in  1861.  He  was  honored 
by  Princeton  College  with  the  degree  of 
Doctor  of  Divinity  in  1859.  During  his  pas- 
torate at  Wilkes-Barre  the  Wilkes-Barre 
Female  Institute  was  founded,  in  1S54,  under 
the  auspices  of  his  church.  He  married,  De- 
cember 6,  1827,  Penelope  Mercer,  who  died 
January  7,  1860.  They  had  eight  children. 
The  line  continues  through  a  son  of  his 
brother,  Colonel  Charles  Dorrance. 


Colonel  Charles  Dorrance.  second  son  of 
Colonel  Benjamin  and  Nancy  Ann  (Bucking- 
ham) Dorrance,  was  born  in  Kingston,  Janu- 
ary 4,  1805,  ad  died  January  IS,  1892.  He  was 
a  gentleman  farmer,  proprietor  of  the  model 
"Dorrance  farm,"  and  rose  from  captain  of 
the  Wyoming  Volunteers  through  the  grades 
to  colonel  in  the  State  Militia.  He  was  presi- 
dent of  the  Luzerne  County  Agricultural  So- 
ciety for  ten  years  from  its  organization  in 
1858  and  served  as  president  of  the  Luzerne 
County  Prison  Commission;  as  president  of 
the  Wyoming  Commemorative  Association, 
president  of  the  W'yoming  National  Bank, 
president  of  the  Wilkes-Barre  Bridge  Com- 
pany; and  was  a  member  of  the  Wyoming 
Historical  and  Geological  Society.  He  mar- 
ried. August  28,  1845,  Susan  E.  Ford,  daughter 
of  James  and  Maria  (Lindsley)  Ford,  of 
Lawrenceville,  Pennsylvania,  born  November 
27,  1828,  died  March  6,  1892.  They  had  seven 
children,  of  whom  was  Benjamin,  of  whom 
further. 

Benjamin  Dorrance,  A.  B.,  A.  M.,  F.  R.  H.  S., 
eldest  son  of  Colonel  Charles  and  Susan  E. 
(Fordl  Dorrance,  was  born  in  Kingston, 
August  14,  1846.  His  education  was  received 
in  the  Presbyterian  Seminary,  at  Troy,  Penn- 
sylvania; Wyoming  Seminary,  at  Kingston, 
and  Princeton  College,  from  which  he  was 
graduated  Bachelor  of  Arts  in  1868,  and  re- 
ceived the  degree  of  Master  of  Arts  in  1871. 
He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  and  practiced  law 
in  W'ilkes-Barre  about  eighteen  years,  when 
impaired  eyesight  compelled  him  to  abandon 
professional  work.  Thereafter  he  devoted 
himself  to  farming  pursuits,  and  incidentally 
to  horticulture,  at  Dorranceton.  For  many 
years  he  was  president  of  the  Wyoming  Com- 
memorative Association,  and  also  a  member 
of  the  Wyoming  Historical  and  Geological 
Society  and  a  Fellow  of  the  Royal  Horticul- 
tural Society  of  England.  Benjamin  Dor- 
rance married,  May  22,  1872,  Ruth  Woodhull 
Strong,  daughter  of  Schuyler  Strong,  of  Bath. 
Steuben  County.  New  York,  and  his  wife, 
Frances  (Cruger)  Strong,  descended  from 
Elder  John  Strong,  of  Windsor,  Connecticut. 
Elder  John  Strong  was  born  in  Taunton,  Eng- 
land, in  1605,  and  was  one  of  the  settlers  of 
Dorchester.  Massachusetts,  in  1630.  He  was  a 
General  Court  deputy,  a  developer  of  the 
Windsor  (Connecticut)  settlement,  one  of  the 
founders  of  Northampton,  Massachusetts,  and 
the  first  ruling  elder  of  the  church  in  that 
town.  He  married  for  his  second  wife  Abigail 
Ford,  daughter  of  Thomas  Ford,  who  bore 
him  sixteen  children.  Thomas  Ford'  came  in 
the  "Mary  and  John,"  w^as  one  of  the  found- 
ers of  Dorchester,  an  early  settler  of  Windsor, 
and  removed  with  Elder  John  Strong  to 
Northampton,  where  he  died  in  1676,  sur- 
vived by  one  hundred  and  sixty  descendants. 
From  Elder  John  Strong,  of  Northampton,  to 
Ruth  Woodhull  Strong,  wife  of  Benjamin 
Dorrance,  the  line  of  descent  follows  to  (ii) 
Thomas,  of  Northampton,  one  of  Captain  John 
Mason's  troopers:  to  (ill)  Selah,  of  Setauket, 
Long  Island:  to  Selah,  Sr.,  (iv)  married  Han- 
nah W^oodhull,  sister  of  General  Nathaniel 
Woodhull,  killed  on  Long  Island  during  the 
Revolution;  to  Major  Nathaniel  Strong  (v), 
killed  by  British  and  Tories.  November  6, 
1778;  to  Selah  (vi),  who  married  Ruth  Wood- 
hull,  daughter  of  Captain  Ehenezer  Wood- 
hull;  to  Schuyler  (vii)  Strong,  who  married 
Frances  Cruger,  daughter  of  General  Daniel 
Cruger,  of  Steuben  County,  New  York:  to 
Ruth  Woodhull  Strong  (viii),  who  married 
Benjamin     Dorrance,      of     Dorranceton.      The 


586 


Crugers  are  of  Huguenot  ancestry,  who 
escaped  the  massacre  of  St.  Bartholomew  and 
fled  to  different  countries  for  refuge.  The 
branch  from  whicli  Mrs.  Dorrance  was  de- 
scended settled  in  the  Duchy  of  Holstein.  The 
father  of  General  Cruger  came  to  America  in 
176S,  and  settled  in  Sunbury.  Pennsylvania, 
where  Daniel  (General  Cruger)  was  born, 
December  22,  1780.  The  family  removed  to 
Newtown  (Elmira),  New  York,  where  the 
father  became  a  merchant.  Daniel  learned 
the  printing  trade,  then  studied  law,  was  ad- 
mitted to  practice;  enlisted  for  the  War  of 
1812  and  served  throughout  that  conflict, 
after  which  he  became  a  member  of  the 
Assembly,  Speaker  of  the  House,  member  of 
Congress,  and  Deputy  Attorney-General.  He 
died  in  Wheeling,  West  Virginia,  in  June, 
1843.  Children  of  Benjamin  and  Ruth  Wood- 
hull    (Strong)    Dorrance: 

1.  Anne  Dorrance,  eldest  daughter  of  Ben- 
jamin and  Ruth  Woodhull  (Strong)  Dorrance, 
was  born  on  the  Dorrance  farm,  Kingston, 
June  26,  1873.  She  was  educated  at  the 
Wilkes-Barre  Institute  and  Wyoming  Semi- 
nary, graduating  from  there  in  the  class  of 
1891.  She  received  the  Bachelor  of  Arts 
degree  at  Vassar  College  in  1895,  and  upon 
her  return  home  became  associated  with  her 
father  as  partner  in  his  rose-growing  busi- 
ness: she  continued  in  this  until  the  green- 
houses were  closed  in  1918  owing  to  the 
stringency  in  coal  during  the  war. 

Miss  Dorrance  was  elected  school  director 
of  the  Borough  of  Dorranceton  in  1911,  which 
office  she  held  until  1923,  when  the  consolida- 
tion of  Dorranceton  and  Kingston  necessi- 
tated the  retirement  of  directors  from  the 
double  board  at  the  expiration  of  their 
elected  terras,  in  order  to  reduce  the  board  to 
legal  size.  During  these  twelve  years  Miss 
Dorrance  was  for  many  years  president  of 
the  Dorranceton  School  Board,  which  oflSce 
she  was  holding  at  the  time  of  her  retire- 
ment. In  1927  Miss  Dorrance  was  elected 
school  director  of  the  Kingston  School  Board 
and  in  1929  reelected  with  overwhelming 
majority  for  a  -term  of  six  years.  She  has 
been  president  of  the  Kingston  School  Board 
here  since   her  election   to   membership. 

Miss  Dorrance  is  a  member  of  the  Execu- 
tive Committee  of  the  Pennsylvania  State 
Republican  Committee  for  Governor  Fisher's 
administration.  She  has  also  been  president 
of  the  Wyoming  Commemorative  Association 
since  1923.  Miss  Dorrance  is  a  communicant 
of  the  Grace  Episcopal  Church  in  Kingston, 
Pennsylvania. 

2.  Frances  Dorrance,  second  daughter  of 
Benjamin  and  Ruth  Woodhull  (Strong)  Dor- 
rance, was  born  in  Wilkes-Barre.  June  30, 
1877.  She  was  graduated  from  Wyoming 
Seminary  in  1896  and  from  Vassar  College, 
Bachelor  of  Arts,  with  honor,  class  of  1900, 
and  was  elected  a  member  of  Phi  Beta  Kappa. 
During  1911-14  she  studied  at  Berlin  Univer- 
sity for  three  semesters  and  at  Columbia 
University  in  1912.  With  a  knowledge  of 
Botany  and  German  secured  in  this  way  she 
translated  three  important  plant  pathological 
books  into  English  tor  the  benefit  of  Ameri- 
can scholars  in  the  various  agricultural  sta- 
tions and  technical  institutions.  In  1916  she 
entered  the  New  York  State  Library  School, 
from  which  she  graduated  Bachelor  of  Li- 
brary Science  in  the  class  of  1918. 

Miss  Frances  Dorrance  at  once  entered  the 
practice  of  her  chosen  profession.  She  was 
made  head  of  the  circulation  department  of 
the  Trenton    (New  Jersey)    Public  Library,   in 


which  position  she  served  1918-19.  She  filled 
a  similar  position  at  the  Osterhout  Free 
Library  in  Wilkes-Barre  from  1919-22.  In  the 
latter  year  she  was  elected  director  of  the 
Wyoming  Historical  and  Geological  Society 
and  has  served  in  that  capacity  ever  since. 

Miss  Frances  Dorrance  is  a  Republican  in 
politics.  As  will  have  been  gathered,  she  is 
prominently  known  in  the  library  profession 
and  in  historical  society  circles.  She  is  also 
serving  as  secretary  of  the  Pennsylvania 
State  Historical  Commission  and  of  the  board 
of  directors  of  the  Hoyt  Library,  Kingston 
(See  accompanying  sketch).  Her  social  or- 
ganizations are  the  Wyoming  Valley  College 
Woman's  Club,  the  Wyoming  Valley  Woman's 
Club,  the  Pennsylvania  Society  of  Colonial 
Dames  and  the  Thursday  Art  Club.  Her  re- 
ligious connection  is  with  the  Presbyterian 
Church. 

3.  Ruth,  born  August  9,  1879,  died  February 
13,  1895. 


JOHN  BENJAMIN  TOBIAS,  M.  D. — A  native 
and  lifelong  resident  of  Pennsylvania  and 
educated  in  the  public  schools  and  colleges 
of  that  State,  Dr.  Tobias  has  been  engaged  in 
the  practice  of  medicine  in  Wilkes-Barre  ever 
since  he  completed  his  medical  studies,  some 
thirty  years  ago.  Not  only  is  he  considered 
one  of  the  leading  general  practitioners  of 
that  city,  but  he  is  also  prominently  identified 
with  several  important  financial  institutions 
and  industrial  undertakings,  all  of  which 
have  profited  by  his  keen  judgment  of  men 
and  affairs.  In  the  fraternal  and  religious 
life  of  the  community,  too,  he  has  always 
taken  an  active  part  and  in  every  respect  he 
must  be  considered  as  representative  of  the 
highest  type  of  useful  and  progressive  citi- 
zenship. 

John  Benjamin  Tobias  was  born  at  South 
Gibson,  Susquehanna  County,  Pennsylvania, 
October  20,  1872,  a  son  of  the  late  David  and 
Johanna  (Daniels)  Tobias.  Both  his  parents 
were  born  in  Wales,  his  father  in  1S27,  his 
mother  in  1825.  The  former,  a  miller  by  trade, 
died  April  7,  1897,  the  latter  in  1911.  Dr. 
Tobias  received  his  preliminary  education  in 
the  public  schools  of  his  native  district  and 
of  Factoryville,  Pennsylvania,  after  which  he 
became  a  student  at  Wyoming  Seminary. 
From  there  he  entered  the  Medical  Depart- 
ment of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  Phil- 
adelphia, from  which  he  graduated  with  the 
degree  of  M.  D.,  in  1898.  Since  then  he  has 
been  engaged  in  the  general  practice  of 
medicine  at  Wilkes-Barre.  Unlike  most 
physicians  he  has  found  it  possible  to  give 
considerable  attention  to  numerous  important 
financial  and  industrial  enterprises  and  he  is 
a  member  of  the  boards  of  directors  of  the 
following  companies:  Heights  Deposit  Bank 
of  Wilkes-Barre.  of  which  he  is  one  of  the 
organizers  and  is  also  secretary:  Beneficial 
Loan  Association  of  Wilkes-Barre,  of  which 
he  is  also  vice-president:  director  of  R.  P. 
Thomas  &  Company,  a  well-known  Wilkes- 
Barre  bond  house;  Glen  View  Coal  Sales 
Company,  Fern  Brook,  Pennsylvania;  Beth- 
lehem Coal  Company,  Bethlehem,  Pennsyl- 
vania, of  which  he  is  also  president;  and  a 
director  of  the  Springfield  Coal  Company, 
Springfield,  New  Jersey.  That  his  interest  in 
his  profession  has  not  been  allowed  to  suffer 
through  his  active  participation  in  financial 
and  business  affairs  is  proven  not  only  by  his 
large  and  successful  practice,  but  also  by  his 
membership  in  several  professional  societies, 
including   the   American   Medical    Association, 


/3  toA^-^-o^k  /i) 


587 


the  Pennsylvania  Medical  Society  and  the 
Luzerne  County  Medical  Society.  Dr.  Tobias 
was  a  member  and  one  of  the  org:anizers  of 
the  Riverside  Hospital  staff  for  fifteen  years, 
until  it  was  sold.  He  is  also  a  member  of 
Lodge,  No.  61,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons; 
Caldwell  Consistory,  at  Bloomsburg,  thirty- 
second  degree,  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish 
Rite;  Irem  Temple.  Wilkes-Barre,  Ancient 
Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine; 
Lodge  No.  1103,  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows;  Sons  of  Liberty;  and  the  Crafts- 
man's Club.  In  politics  he  is  a  sup- 
porter of  the  Republican  party,  and  at  one 
time  served  for  one  term  as  a  member  of 
the  Wilkes-Barre  City  Council.  His  religious 
affiliations  are  with  the  Presbyterian  church 
and  more  particularly  with  the  First  Welsh 
Presbyterian  Church  of  Wilkes-Barre,  of  the 
board   of  trustees    of   which    he   is   a   member. 

Dr.  Tobias  married  (first),  in  1897,  Gwennie 
Thomas,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  a  daughter  of  Wil- 
liam M.  and  Mary  Ann  Thomas.  Mrs.  Tobias 
died  May  1.  1910,  being  survived  by  her  hus- 
band, and  by  two  daughters,  Gwladys  and 
Marian  Tobias.  He  married  (second),  in  June, 
1912,  Adaline  Jones,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  a 
daughter  of  James  and  Grace  (Jones)  Jones. 
The  family  home  is  located  at  No.  305  East 
Northampton   Street,   Wilkes-Barre. 

Mrs.  Adaline  (Jones)  Tobias  takes  a  keen 
interest  in  all  civic,  philanthropic  and  cliarit- 
able  affairs  of  Wilkes-Barre,  while  in  the 
business  world  she  has  taken  a  prominent 
place,  having  been  a  most  successful  importer 
for  twelve  years.  She  holds  a  very  important 
position  in  the  club  life  of  her  community, 
having  been  president  of  the  Luzerne  County 
Parliamentary  Club  in  1924;  president  of  the 
Wyoming  Valley  Woman's  Club  in  1925-27; 
president,  Evangeline  L.  Lindbergh  Delphi- 
nian  Chapter,  1927-28;  organizer  and  past- 
president  Northeastern  District  Assembly  of 
Delphinians,  1928-29;  president,  Wilkes- 
Barre  Cambrian  Club,  1928-30;  and  president 
of  Luzerne  County  Federation  of  Woman's 
Clubs,  1929-30.  She  is  a  member  of  the  First 
Baptist  Church  of  Wilkes-Barre,  taking  an 
active  part  in  the  numerous  church  societies. 

Gwladys  Tobias  received  a  liberal  educa- 
tion, graduating  from  St.  Ann's  Academy, 
Wilkes-Barre,  in  1919,  and  from  Wilson  Col- 
lege in  1923.  She  next  attended  Dr.  White's 
Bible  School  in  New  York  City  for  one  year, 
and  then  taught  for  one  year  among  the 
mountain  whites  in  North  Carolina.  Later 
she  taught  school  in  Oxford,  Pennsylvania, 
and  at  Howard,  the  same  State.    On  November 

17,  1928,  Gwladys  Tobias  married  Dr.  Daniel 
W.  Gates,  of  Howard,  Pennsylvania,  to  whom 
a   son,   John   Daniel   Gates,    was   born   October 

18,  1929. 

Marian  Tobias  also  graduated  from  St. 
Ann's  Academy,  Wilkes-Barre,  in  1919,  and 
for  a  year  and  a  half  attended  Wilson  Col- 
lege. She  is  a  graduate  of  the  Wilkes-Barre 
Business  College. 


FAMVY  LOVISA  KITCHEN  is  descended 
from  an  eminent  line  of  ancestors  distin- 
guished for  many  generations  in  the  settle- 
ment and  development  of  the  eastern  part 
of  the  United  States. 

Her  parents  were  John  B.  Kitchen,  son  of 
John  B.  and  Lovisa  (Shaver)  Kitchen,  and 
Kate  (Sax)  Kitchen,  daughter  of  William  and 
Mary  (Mulford)  Sax.  William  Sax  was  the 
son  of  John  and  Catherine  (Kresge)  Sax,  the 
latter  a  daughter  of  Conrad  Kresge,  an  early 
settler  in  Monroe  County,  Pennsylvania.  The 
town     of     Kresgeville     was     named     for     the 


family,  the  members  of  which  constituted  the 
leading  citizenry  of  the  community.  The  Sax 
family  came  from  Holland  and  were  also 
numbered  among  the  early  settlers  of  Monroe 
County.  Mary  Mulford,  who  married  William 
Sax.  was  the  daughter  of  Nathan  Mulford. 
who  came  to  Kingston  Township,  Pennsyl- 
vania, from  Long  Island,  in  1799.  He  later 
married  Jemima  Derby,  who  came  to  Kings- 
ton Township  with  her  parents  also  from 
Long  Island. 

The  Mulford  family — two  brothers,  John 
and  William — left  Devonshire,  England,  in 
1645  along  with  other  Puritans  who  sought 
religious  freedom  in  the  new  land  and  set- 
tled first  at  Salem,  Massachusetts.  Later,  in 
company  with  a  group  of  other  Puritans,  they 
bought  land  from  the  Indians  at  East  Hamp- 
ton, Long  Island,  building  their  homes  there 
and  forming  a  community  in  which  tlie  Mul- 
fords  played  a  prominent  part  in  local  gov- 
ernmental matters. 

It  was  in  New  Jersey  that  the  Kitchen 
family  figured  in  the  pioneer  population. 
Joseph  Kitchen  was  the  first  of  the  name  to 
come  to  the  State,  settling  at  Mt.  Zion.  Lo- 
visa (Shaverl  Kitchen,  grandmother  of  Fanny 
Lovisa  Kitchen,  was  a  daughter  of  John 
Philip  and  Sarah  (Montayne)  Shaver.  The 
Montayne  family  came  originally  from  France 
and  were  among  the  early  settlers  of  Orange 
County,  New  York.  From  this  place  in  1788 
John  Montayne  brought  his  wife  and  two 
sons,  John  and  Joseph,  to  the  Wyoming  Val- 
ley to  establish  a  home  in  Kingston  Town- 
ship. Sarah  Montayne  \vas  a  daughter  of  the 
younger  son,  Joseph,  and  she  married  John 
B.  Shaver,  son  of  Philip  and  Mary  Ann 
Shaver,  natives  of  Heidelberg,  Germany. 
Philip  Shaver  was  born  in  the  Valley  of  the 
Danube  near  Vienna  in  1762  and,  in  1769,  to- 
gether with  his  parents  and  his  brothers, 
sailed  to  America  where  they  settled  along 
the  Paulinskill  in  New  Jersey.  Later  they 
moved  to  Oxford  and  Easton,  whence  Philip 
Shaver  and  his  family  came  by  ox  team  over 
the  historic  Sullivan's  Road  to  Kingston 
Township  in  1804.  They  settled  in  Forty 
Fort,  but  in  1813  Philip  Shaver  sold  his  land 
at  that  place  and  went  to  the  more  remote 
regions  back  of  the  mountain  where  he  ac- 
quired title  to  a  large  enough  tract  of  land 
to  provide  farms  for  himself  and  for  each  of 
his  six  sons.  The  place  where  he  settled  is 
still  named   Shavertown. 

Philip  Shaver  erected  a  sawmill  and  some 
of  the  lumber  for  the  first  bridge  at  Wilkes- 
Barre  was  sawed  in  it.  He  was  a  generous 
and  a  public-spirited  man  who  gave  of  his 
time  and  substance  to  further  affairs  of  the 
community.  He  gave  the  land  on  the  hill  near 
the  pine  grove  in  Dallas  for  the  public  bury- 
ing ground,  and  also  the  Shaver  burying 
ground.  He  donated  the  land  for,  and  built, 
the  first  schoolhouse  in  Dallas  Township,  a 
log  structure  erected  in  1816  which  also 
served  as  a  meetinghouse.  Here  Philip 
Shaver  often  led  the  meetings,  which  began 
at  early  candle  light.  He  died  in  1828  as  the 
result  of  an  accident  and  lies  buried,  together 
with  the  most  of  his  family,  in  Shaver  Ceme- 
tery, Shavertown. 


FR.\]VK  M.  DEVENDORF — Exerting  great 
influence  in  the  community,  Frank  M.  Deven- 
dorf  is  the  popular  and  enthusiastic  general 
secretary  of  the  Wilkes-Barre  Young  Men's 
Christian  Association.  Mr.  Devendorf  takes 
an  active  interest  in  the  social  and  civic 
affairs   of  the   entire   Wyoming   Valley   and   is 


known  throughout  the  entire  State  for  his 
ceaseless  energy  and  ability  in  promoting 
and  upholding  the  ideals  of  his  organization. 

Mr.  Devendorf  was  born  on  a  farm  near 
Eldora,  Iowa.  September  20,  1S79,  son  of 
Luther  A.  Devendorf,  who  is  now  eighty-five 
years  old,  and  Anna  J.  (McCall)  Devendorf, 
who  is  now  eighty.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Devendorf 
had  the  following  children:  1.  Minnie  L.. 
married  Rozelle  Edick  of  California.  2. 
Prank  M.,  of  whom  further.  3.  Charles  W.,  of 
Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico.  4.  Erwin  Luther  of 
Berkeley,  California.  5.  George  E.,  of  Great 
Neck,  Long  Island,  New  York.  6  and  7.  Katie 
and  Willie,  who  died  in  childhood.  Luther  A. 
Devendorf  followed  an  agricultural  career 
all  his  life  and  is  one  of  the  most  esteemed 
residents   of   his   locality. 

Prank  M.  Devendorf  received  his  education 
in  the  public  schools  of  Iowa,  and  after  high 
school,  entered  the  Des  Moines  Business  Col- 
lege. After  the  completion  of  his  studies,  he 
engaged  in  the  work  of  the  Young  Men's 
Christian  Association  at  Des  Moines  in  1S99 
and  has  ever  continued  to  follow  this  voca- 
tion. His  great  executive  ability  and  pleas- 
ing personality  made  him  many  friends  and 
his  services  were  in  demand  in  many  different 
centers.  In  1901.  he  left  Des  Moines  to  accept 
a  post  .at  Independence.  Iowa,  where  he  re- 
mained until  1904,  when  he  went  to  Ridge- 
wood,  New  Jersey,  and  stayed  there  until  1908. 
From  1908  to  1912,  he  served  at  Waterloo. 
Iowa,  after  which  he  came  to  Wilkes-Barre 
and  has  ever  since  been  an  important  factor 
in  the  life  of  the  city.  Mr.  Devendorf  is  one 
of  the  leaders  of  the  local  Rotary  Club  and 
also  an  active  member  of  the  Y"s  Men's  Club. 
He  is  active  in  the  affairs  of  the  Luzerne 
County  Social  Workers  Union,  and  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Wyoming  Valley  Motor  Club,  and 
also  the  Chamber  of  Commerce.  In  politics, 
he  has  always  followed  the  principles  of  the 
Republican  party  and  in  his  religious  afniia- 
tions,  he  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church  of  Forty  Fort,  being  a  member 
of  the  official  board  and  also  a  local  preacher. 

Frank  M.  Devendorf  married,  on  May  7, 
1902,  at  Des  Moines,  Iowa,  Grace  Rose, 
daughter  of  James  Albert  and  Frances 
(Glaze)  Rose,  and  to  this  union  were  born 
five  daughters;  1.  Helen,  a  graduate  of  Forty 
Fort  High  School,  class  of  1921,  Wyoming 
Seminary,  class  of  1922,  Syracuse  University, 
class  of  1926,  and  is  a  teacher  in  the  Kings- 
ton High  School.  2.  Anna  France.^,  graduate 
of  Forty  Fort  High  School  1925,  and  attended 
Wyoming  Seminary  1925-26;  now  a  kinder- 
garten teacher,  being  a  graduate  of  Miss 
Ilman's  Training  School,  class  of  1929,  of 
Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania.  3.  Ruth  Eliza- 
beth, graduate  of  Forty  Fort  High  School, 
class  of  1928,  now  attending  Iowa  State  Col- 
lege. Ames,  Iowa.  4.  Selma  Grace,  graduate  of 
Forty  Fort  High  School,  1929.  5.  Lois  Lucille, 
student  in  Forty  Fort  Junior  High  School. 
The  family  resides  at  No.  133  Center  Street, 
Forty  Fort. 


ANTHONY  JAMES  BASS — As  president  of 
the  Diamond  City  Masons'  Supply  Company, 
Inc.,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  Anthony  James  Bass 
heads  an  organization  of  which  he  was  one 
of  the  founders,  and  which  owes  much  to  his 
able  direction  of  its  affairs.  He  has  had  long 
experience  in  the  field  of  his  chosen  occupa- 
tion, and  is  recognized  by  all  who  know  him 
as  an  able  and  progressive  business  man  of 
high  type. 

Mr.     Bass    was    born     in     Wilkes-Barre     on 


November  6.  1893,  a  son  of  Anthony  and 
Diana  (Josephine)  Bass,  both  of  whom  were 
born  in  Italy.  The  father,  a  plumber  by 
trade,  died  in  October,  1912,  while  the  mother 
is   still   living. 

Anthony  James  Bass  received  his  educa- 
tion in  the  local  public  schools,  being  gradu- 
ated from  Wilkes-Barre  High  School  in  1912. 
Beginning  the  business  of  life  soon  after- 
wards, he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Wilkes- 
Barre  Masons'  Supply  Company,  where  he 
was  engaged  chiefly  in  clerical  work  for  a 
period  of  six  years.  His  loyal  services  during 
this  time  won  him  merited  advancement,  and 
he  also  secured  a  wide  familiarity  with  the 
whole  field  which  the  company  covered.  For 
three  years  after  this  Mr.  Bass  then  acted  as 
salesman  for  the  Atlas  Cement  Company  at 
Wilkes-Barre.  During  the  World  War,  how- 
ever. Mr.  Bass  enlisted  in  his  country's 
cause,  and  as  a  member  of  the  331st  Infan- 
try, S3d  Division,  served  with  the  American 
Expeditionary  Forces  in  France  for  six 
months.  He  received  his  final  discharge  in 
February,  1919. 

Upon  his  return  to  Wilkes-Barre,  Mr.  Bass 
became  general  manager  of  the  Masons'  Sup- 
ply Company,  retaining  this  position  for  six 
years  and  discharging  all  his  duties  most 
successfully.  Finally  in  1927,  with  Mr.  I. 
Grant  Scott  (see  accompanying  biography), 
he  incorporated  the  Diamond  City  Masons' 
Supply  Company,  becoming  its  president,  and 
continuing  executive  direction  of  its  affairs 
since  that  time.  This  company  has  followed 
a  course  of  normal,  healthy,  expansion,  and 
is  now  a  leader  in  the  local  field. 

Aside  from  his  business  activities,  Mr.  Bass 
has  taken  a  prominent  part  in  the  general 
life  of  the  community.  In  politics  he  is  a 
member  of  the  Republican  party,  while  fra- 
ternally he  is  affiliated  with  Wilkes-Barre 
Lodge,  No.  109,  of  the  Benevolent  and  Pro- 
tective Order  of  Elks,  and  with  King  Hiram 
Lodge,  No.  721.  of  the  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons.  In  this  latter  order  he  is  also  a 
member  of  all  bodies  of  the  Ancient  Accepted 
Scottish  Rite,  including  Keystone  Consistory 
at  Scranton,  and  a  member  of  Irem  Temple, 
Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic 
Shrine.  Mr.  Bass  is  a  member  of  the  Italian- 
American  Citizens'  Club  of  Wilkes-Barre  and 
was  formerly  its  president,  while  he  holds 
membership  in  the  local  post  of  the  American 
Legion,  the  United  Commercial  Trave'ers" 
Association,  WIlkes-Barre-Wyoming  Valley 
Chamber  of  Commerce,  and  the  Wilkes-Barre 
Press  Club.  Mr.  Bass  maintains  his  office  at 
the  Central  Railroad  of  New  Jersey  yards  on 
Market  Street,  Wilkes-Barre,  while  he  re- 
sides at  No.  1439  Wyoming  Avenue,  Forty 
Fort. 


I.  GRANT  SCOTT — Though  still  relatively 
young,  I.  Grant  Scott  has  become  an  impor- 
tant figure  in  the  commercial  life  of  Wilkes- 
Barre,  and  has  proved  his  energy  and  ability 
in  connection  with  local  business  enterprises. 
He  is  also  active  in  civic  and  social  life,  and 
In  the  higher  Masonic  circles  of  the  State. 

Mr.  Scott  was  born  at  Trenton,  New  Jersey, 
on  May  3,  1897,  a  son  of  Edward  C.  Scott,  who 
was  born  In  Bloomsbury,  New  Jersey,  and  of 
Lucille  (Green)  Scott,  born  at  Stockton,  In 
that  State.  The  father,  now  a  resident  of 
Philadelphia,  Is  a  mechanical  engineer  by 
profession,  and  was  graduated  from  the  Uni- 
versity of  Pennsylvania  in  1890.  Mr.  Scott  is 
descended  from  families  which  have  been  in 
America    for    well    over    a    century.      On    his 


589 


mother's  side  the  immigrant  ancestor,  Andre 
Romaine,  of  French  Huguenot  stock,  came  to 
the  Colonies  about  1760,  settling  in  Georgia. 
The  Scotts  came  to  this  country  about  1800, 
members  of  the  family  making  their  homes  in 
New  Jersey  and  Pennsylvania. 

I.  Grant  Scott  attended  the  public  schools 
and  later  Cheltenham  High  School,  at  Elkins 
Park,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  was  graduated 
in  1914.  He  then  matriculated  at  Lafayette 
College,  being  graduated  from  this  institu- 
tion in  191S  with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of 
Philosophy. 

With  the  entry  of  the  United  States  into 
the  World  War,  however,  Mr.  Scott  enlisted 
in  the  Navy,  serving  from  July,  1917,  until 
April,  1919.  In  September,  1918.  he  was  com- 
missioned an  ensign  and  was  serving  in  that 
capacity  when  he  received  his  discharge.  On 
returning  to  civil  life,  Mr.  Scott  came  to 
Wilkes-Barre  in  the  fall  of  1919  as  district 
manager  for  the  Keasbey  and  Mattison  Com- 
pany, manufacturers  of  asbestos  products. 
This  association  was  continued  until  1924  in 
a  very  satisfactory  way,  but  in  the  latter 
year,  Mr.  Scott  entered  the  employ  of  the 
Penn  Allen  Cement  Company  as  salesman  in 
Wilkes-Barre.  Finally  in  October,  1927,  he 
took  on  the  Allantown  Portland  Cement  Com- 
pany account  here  and  has  remained  con- 
nected with  this  corporation  since  that  time, 
this  office  being  in  the  Central  Railroad  of 
New  Jersey  building  at  East  Market.  Mr. 
Scott's  services  have  proved  repeatedly  of 
great  value  to  them,  and  his  efforts  have 
resulted  in  the  expansion  of  their  business 
in  the  Wilkes-Barre  section.  Having  become 
thoroughly  familiar  with  operating  details 
in  the  cement  industry  and  allied  trades,  he 
also,  in  1928,  incorporated  the  Diamond  City 
Masons'  Supply  Company,  of  which  he  is  now 
treasurer,  and  which  is  run  in  conjunction 
with  his  other  business.  This  latter  company 
are  members  of  the  National  Builders  Supply 
Association. 

In  politics  Mr.  Scott  supports  Republican 
principles  and  candidates,  and  in  spite  of  a 
busy  life,  maintains  a  warm  interest  in  civic 
affairs,  and  with  the  progress  of  the  commu- 
nity welfare.  He  is  affiliated  fraternally  with 
the  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  and  in  this 
order  is  a  member  of  Bethlehem  Lodge,  No.  140, 
at  Bloomsbury,  Ne^v  Jersey,  a  member  of  all 
bodies  of  the  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite, 
including  the  Consistory  at  Scranton,  and  a 
member  of  Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic 
Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  He  also 
holds  membership  in  the  Westmoreland  Club, 
the  Franklin  Club,  the  Press  Club,  The  Penn 
Athletic  Club  of  Philadelphia,  and  the  Fra- 
ternities Club  of  New  York  City,  while  with 
his  family  he  worships  in  the  faith  of  the 
Methodist   Episcopal    Church. 

In  1920,  I.  Grant  Scott  married  Adalene  T. 
Cougle,  of  Bloomsbury,  New  Jersey,  a  daugh- 
ter of  James  C.  and  Elizabeth  (Thatcher) 
Cougle,  of  that  place.  Mr.  Cougle  was  a  free- 
holder of  Hunterdon  County  for  two  terms. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Scott  are  the  parents  of  two 
children:  1.  Lucille  Elizabeth,  born.  May  1, 
1925.  2.  Jeanne  Adaline,  who  was  born  on 
December  4,  1926.  The  family  residence  is 
situated  at  No.  1439  Wyoming  Avenue,  Forty 
Fort. 


Here,  in  suite  No.  203,  business  transacted  Is 
large  indeed,  and  as  real  estate  brokers  Mr. 
Canouse  and  his  associate  occupy  substantial 
positions  in  the  community,  being,  moreover, 
because  of  the  nature  of  their  business,  in  a 
capacity  to  do  great  benefit  to  Kingston.  Mr. 
Canouse  is  public-spirited.  He  takes  part  In 
all  worthwhile  movements  calculated  to  ad- 
vance the  community  at  large. 

Mr.  Canouse  was  born  at  Wyoming,  Lu- 
zerne County,  November  11,  1891,  a  son  of 
James  W.  and  Mary  E.  (Batterton)  Canouse, 
both  of  whom  are  deceased.  James  W.  and 
Mary  E.  (Batterton)  Canouse  were  the  par- 
ents of  five  children:  Harry,  deceased;  Eliza- 
beth, deceased:  John  H.,  of  whom  follows; 
James,  deceased;  and  Marie,  wife  of  John  F. 
Gallagher,    of   Scranton. 

John  H.  Canouse  spent  his  boyhood  and 
youth  in  Wyoming,  Wilkes-Barre  and  King- 
ston. He  received  his  academic  training  at 
St.  Mary's  Parochial  School,  Wilkes-Barre, 
and  at  the  age  of  fourteen  years  became 
office  boy  in  the  employ  of  the  Lackawanna 
&  Wyoming  Valley  Railroad  Company,  known 
as  the  Laurel  Line.  With  this  company  Mr. 
Canouse  Continued  for  six  years,  then  secured 
a  connection  with  the  Stegmair  Brewing 
Company,  with  which  he  worked  five  years. 
In  1918,  before  the  close  of  the  World  War, 
he  took  charge  of  the  Washington  Pump 
Company,  Hazleton,  Pennsylvania,  for  the 
Federal  Government.  In  1920  he  became  as- 
sociated with  Tom  Hart,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  in 
the  insurance  business,  and  the  fall  of  that 
year  formed  a  partnership  with  Dr.  John  L. 
Batterton.  to  do  business  as  real  estate  brok- 
ers, at  their  present  location,  Kingston. 
Politically  Mr.  Canouse  is  affiliated  with  the 
Republican  party.  Fraternally  he  is  a  mem- 
ber of  Wilkes-Barre  Lodge,  No.  109,  Benevo- 
lent and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  and  the 
Loyal  Order  of  Moose.  He  is  a  communicant 
of    the    Catholic    Church. 

On  August  11,  1916,  Mr.  Canouse  was  united 
in  marriage  with  Anna  F.  Carey,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre,  daughter  of  Patrick  J.  and  Sarah  K. 
(Brann)  Carey.  To  this  union  were  born 
three  children:  Marie,  John  H.,  Jr.;  and  Anna. 
The  family  residence  is  at  No.  34  Mohawk 
Street,  Forty  Fort. 


JOHN  H.  CAIVOUSE — One  of  the  principal 
men  of  Kingston,  and  known  widely  in  Lu- 
zerne County,  is  John  H.  Canouse,  member  of 
the  firm  of  Canouse  and  Batterton.  real  estate 
brokers.     West     Side     Trust     Bank     Building. 


liEOXARD  D.  MARINARO.  M.  D. — During 
the  time  in  which  he  has  practiced  medicine 
at  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania,  Leonard  D. 
Marinaro  has  built  up  a  wide  following  in 
the  community  which  he  has  come  to  serve. 
Thoroughly  trained  in  his  profession  he 
quickly  won  the  confidence  of  those  who  con- 
sulted him,  taking  his  place  as  a  leading 
member  of  the  efficient  body  of  medical  men 
in   this  city. 

Dr.  Marinaro  was  born  on  July  4,  1S97,  at 
Old  Forge,  Lackawanna  County,  Pennsyl- 
vania, a  son  of  Frank  and  Margaret  (Rizzo) 
Marinaro,  both  natives  of  Italy.  His  father, 
who  was  born  in  1863,  has  been  a  wholesale 
grocer  at  Scranton  for  many  years,  while  his 
mother,  who  was  born  in  1867,  died  on  May 
6,    1907. 

Leonard  D.  Marinaro  attended  the  public 
schools  of  his  birthplace,  and  later,  St. 
Thomas  College  at  Scranton,  Pennsylvania. 
Thereafter  he  undertook  the  course  of  study 
in  medicine  at  Georgetown  University,  com- 
pleting his  work  there  in  1926.  with  the  de- 
grees of  Bachelor  of  Science  and  Doctor  of 
Medicine.  Coming  to  Wilkes-Barre,  he  served 
as  an  interne  attached  to  the  staff  of  Mercy 
Hospital    for   one    year,    and    then    established 


the  general  practice  to  which  he  has  since 
devoted  his  time  and  attention,  witli  com- 
plete success.  His  offices  are  located  at  No. 
123  South  Washington  Street,   this  city. 

Dr.  Marinaro  is  a  member  of  Luzerne 
County,  Pennsylvania  State,  and  the  Amer- 
ican Medical  associations,  and  aside  from  his 
professional  connections  is  active  in  various 
other  phases  of  the  community  life  at  Wilkes- 
Barre.  Always  interested  in  civic  progress 
and  growth,  he  has  heartily  supported  many 
worthy  movements  toward  this  end,  contrib- 
uting liberally,  also,  to  charitable  enterprises. 
He  is  a  member  and  president  of  the  Italian- 
American  Club  at  Wilkes-Barre,  and  is  affili- 
ated fraternally  with  the  Knights  of  Colum- 
bus. Dr.  Marinaro  and  his  family  worship  in 
the  faith  of  the  Roman  Catholic  Church,  at- 
tending Holy  Rosary  Church,  at  Wilkes- 
Barre. 

In  June,  1927,  Leonard  D.  Marinaro  married 
Helen  Moran,  daughter  of  Michael  P.  and 
Gertrude  (Seureman)  Moran  of  this  city.  Dr. 
and  Mrs.  Marinaro  are  the  parents  of  one 
son,  Francis  Leonard,  born  February  13,  1928. 
The  family  residence  is  at  No.  394  North  Main 
Street,   Wilkes-Barre. 


JOHrvr  EDWARD  SCHEIFLV.  M.  D. — Hav- 
ing been  engaged  in  the  merciful  practice  of 
medicine  since  1897,  Dr.  John  Edward  Schei- 
tly  is  one  of  the  most  popular  physicians  in 
Kingston,  holding  a  high  place  in  the  ranks 
of  his  profession  as  one  of  the  leading  eye, 
ear,  nose  and  throat  specialists  of  Luzerne 
County.  In  addition  to  the  duties  of  his  pro- 
fession. Dr.  Scheitly  finds  time  to  devote  to 
civic  affairs,  being  deeply  interested  in  the 
welfare  and  progress  of  the  community,  in 
which  he  is  of  great  aid  to  suffering  human- 
ity in  his  position  of  ex-president  and  mem- 
ber of  the  staff  of  the  Nesbitt  Memorial  Hos- 
pital. 

Dr.  Scheifly  was  born  in  Shenandoah,  Penn- 
sylvania, November  27,  1.S73,  son  of  James 
K.  P.  and  Ella  J.  (Rudy)  Scheifly.  His  father 
died  at  the  age  of  eighty-three,  but  his 
mother  still  survives  at  the  age  of  seventy- 
eight.  James  K.  P.  Scheifly  was  a  son  of 
John  Scheifly,  who  was  a  native  of  Tamaqua, 
Pennsylvania,  and  both  father  and  son  served 
in  the  Union  Army  during  the  Civil  War. 
James  K.  P.  Scheifly  married  Ella  J.  Rudy, 
and  they  had  four  children:  1.  Clara  Irene, 
married  C.  L.  Knight,  of  .\kron,  Ohio.  2.  Dr. 
John  Edward,  of  whom  further.  3.  George 
Washington.  4.  Charles  Rudy,  both  of  whom 
are  engaged   in  business  at  Tamaqua. 

John  Edward  Scheifly  received  his  educa- 
tion in  the  public  schools  of  Shenandoah  and 
was  graduated  from  the  high  school  with  the 
class  of  1S93.  Having  a  great  desire  to  study 
medicine  and  to  spend  his  life  in  that  noble 
profession,  he  matriculated  at  the  Jefferson 
Medical  College,  Philadelphia,  and  diligently 
applied  himself  to  his  exacting  studies.  Re- 
ceiving his  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine  with 
the  class  of  1897,  he  shortly  after  located  at 
Edwardsville  and  engaged  in  the  practice  of 
his  profession.  He  soon  won  the  confidence 
and  acclaim  of  the  entire  town  by  his  devo- 
tion to  his  duties  and  his  expert  and  thorough 
knowledge  and  skill  and  established  a  repu- 
tation throughout  the  vicinity  as  one  of  the 
ablest  practitioners  in  the  county.  While  in 
Edwardsville,  Dr.  Scheifly  served  as  president 
of  the  Board  of  Health  for  ten  years,  also 
being  a  member  of  the  School  Board,  which 
he  served  for  two  years  as  president.  In 
1912  he  went  to  Philadelphia  where  he  en- 
gaged  in   post-graduate   work,   applying   him- 


self to  an  intensive  study  of  the  eye,  ear, 
nose  and  throat  during  that  year  and  1913. 
Upon  the  completion  of  tills  special  work. 
Dr.  Scheifly  returned  to  Luzerne  County, 
opening  an  office  in  Kingston  as  a  specialist, 
and  he  has  ever  continued  successfully,  re- 
ceiving the  praise  and  approbation,  not  only 
of  his  fellow-citizens,  but  from  the  members 
of  his  own  profession,  for  his  splendid  work 
which  has  marked  such  a  great  advance  in 
tlie  medical  world.  He  is  a  prominent  mem- 
ber and  ex-president  of  the  Luzerne  County 
Medical  Society,  the  Lehigh  Valley  Medical 
Society,  Pennsylvania  Medical  Society,  and 
the  American  Medical  Association.  Dr.  Schei- 
fly is  also  a  prominent  factor  in  the  financial 
and  commercial  life  of  the  county,  being 
vice-president  of  the  Kingston  Bank  and 
Trust  Company,  one  of  the  most  prosperous 
and  largest  banking  institutions  in  the 
Wyoming  Valley,  and  a  director  of  the  West 
Side  Mortgage  Company  of  Kingston.  In  po- 
litical affairs  he  has  always  displayed  an 
active  interest,  and  in  1912  he  was  elected  a 
delegate  at  large  to  the  Republican  conven- 
tion which  met  in  Chicago  and  nominated 
William  H.  Taft  for  President,  although  he 
was  a  Roosevelt  delegate.  Popular  in  fra- 
ternal circles,  he  is  a  member  of  Kingston 
IjOdge,  No.  395,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons; 
Shekinah  Chapter,  No.  182,  Royal  Arch  Ma- 
sons; Dieu  le  Veut  Commandery,  No.  45, 
Knights  Templar;  Irem  Temple,  Ancient 
Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  of 
Wilkes-Barre:  and  Wilkes-Barre  Lodge,  No. 
109,  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks. 
Dr.  John  Ed'ward  Scheifiy  married,  June  18, 
1902,  at  Kingston,  Mary  (Luke)  Clauser, 
widow  of  Dr.  Harry  S.  Clauser,  and  they  have 
one  son,  Luke,  who  resides  in  Indiana.  Mrs. 
Scheifiy  is  a  daughter  of  Melmont  and  Almira 
(Poole)  Luke,  both  of  whom  are  deceased. 
Dr.  and  Mrs.  Scheifiy  have  three  ciiildren:  1. 
Mary  Luke,  who  is  a  graduate  of  Wyoming 
Seminary  and  Simmons  College;  married 
George  B.  Aspenwall,  of  Boston,  Massachu- 
setts. 2.  Ellen  Knox,  a  graduate  of  the 
Wilkes-Barre  Institute  and  a  student  at  The 
Weylister,  in  Milford,  Connecticut.  3.  James 
Hamilton,  a  student  at  Wyoming  Seminary 
at  Kingston. 


SIMEOIV  I/EAVIS — Long  actively  engaged  in 
the  business  life  of  Kingston,  and  now  in 
retirement,  though  he  continues  to  direct  his 
extensive  properties,  Simeon  Lewis  was  born 
in  Exeter  Township,  Luzerne  County,  June 
30,  1863.  His  father,  born  in  Franklin  Town- 
ship. December  16,  1835,  was  a  merchant  and 
man  of  affairs.  He  died  in  1906.  Simeon 
Lewis'  mother,  Louisa  J.  (Dymond)  Lewis, 
was  also  born  in  Franklin  Township,  in  1843, 
and  died  March  9,  1915.  The  two  families, 
Lewis  and  Dymond,  are  old  in  the  annals  of 
Luzerne   County. 

Simeon  Lewis  attended  the  public  schools 
of  Kingston,  then  took  work  in  Wyoming 
Seminary,  and  went  to  work  for  his  father, 
,Tohn  D.  Lewis,  and  his  uncle,  Calvin  Dymond, 
who  operated  a  retail  meat  business  in  King- 
ston under  the  name  style  of  Dymond  and 
Lewis.  For  thirty-three  years  Mr.  Lewis  con- 
tinued with  this  firm.  In  1906,  when  John  D. 
Lewis  died,  Simeon  Lewis  and  his  brother, 
John  Lewis,  continued  the  business,  under  the 
style  of  Lewis  Brothers,  until  1916,  when 
they  sold  it  to  outside  interests,  themselves 
retiring.  Since  then  Mr.  Lewis  has  engaged 
considerably  in  realty  transactions.  He  is  a 
director  of  the  Harvey's  Lake  Steamboat 
Company,    has    various    other    holdings,    is    a 


^^v^i^t<  o  ^  e  p(jLA.^h^ 


S9I 


Democrat,  and  a  communicant  of  the  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  Church. 

Simeon  Lewis  married,  in  1907,  Amelia 
Perkins,  of  Askam,  Pennsylvania,  daughter  of 
H.  C.  and  Elizabeth  Perkins,  a  family  promi- 
nent in  that  community.  Mrs.  Lewis  died  in 
September  of  1912.  Mr.  Lewis  resides  at  No. 
400  Wyoming-  Avenue. 


FLOYD      PAUL      ARCHER,     OPT.      D. — Few 

professions  have  made  greater  strides  than 
optometry,  and  one  of  the  foremost  members 
of  that  profession  is  Floyd  Paul  Archer.  The 
rapid  development  of  optometry  during  the 
past  two  decades  has  been  through  the  ex- 
haustive research  work  of  members  of  the 
profession,  and  no  small  amount  of  this  work 
has  been  performed  by  Dr.  Archer,  especially 
in  the  development  of  wide  angle  lenses  for 
increasing  the  field  of  vision  of  aviators  and 
motorists.  In  addition  to  being  a  leader  in 
professional  life,  Dr.  Archer  has  an  unusual 
record  of  public  service,  in  both  civil  and 
military  capacities.  He  is  especially  devoted 
to  the  "welfare  of  his  former  comrades  and  is 
one  of  the  most  active  leaders  in  American 
Legion  work. 

Dr.  Archer  was  born  September  25,  1SS9, 
at  Lyons,  Wayne  County,  New  York,  son  of 
George  Washington  and  Ida  (Smiley)  Archer, 
both  natives  of  the  Empire  State  and  de- 
scendants of  old  revolutionary  stock.  Floyd 
Paul  Archer  received  rudimentary  education 
in  the  public  schools  of  Waterloo,  New  York: 
and  the  United  States  Naval  Training  School 
at  Newport,  Rliode  Island;  specializing  in 
engineering.  Upon  leaving  the  service,  he 
matriculated  at  the  Philadelphia  College  of 
Optometry,  and  in  1909,  graduated  therefrom 
with  the  degree.  Doctor  of  Optometry.  Com- 
ing to  Wilkes-Barre.  he  established  offices  in 
the  old  "Leader"  Building  on  North  Main 
Street.  In  1914,  Dr.  Archer  purchased  his 
present  home  on  North  Franklin  Street.  In 
1909,  he  erected  a  building  adjoining,  de- 
signed especially  for  offices  and  laboratories. 
Here  he  has  devoted  himself  to  practice  and 
research  work.  He  has  been  rewarded  with 
one  of  the  largest  practices  in  the  city. 

Dr.  Archer  has  been  active  professionally 
for  more  than  twenty  years,  except  during  the 
W^orld  War,  when  he  served  with  the  Naval 
Air  Service  in  France,  where  his  previous 
Naval  training  enabled  him  to  render  un- 
usually valuable  service  in  the  training  of 
men  and  inspecting  sea-planes  used  in  curb- 
ing the  activities  of  enemy  submarines.  Upon 
receiving  liis  honorable  discharge.  Dr.  Archer 
returned  to  Wilkes-Barre  and  resumed  prac- 
tice. 

Realizing  the  need  of  caring  for  disabled 
veterans.  Dr.  Archer  took  an  active  interest 
in  American  Legion  affairs.  His  qualities  of 
leadership  were  soon  recognized  and  he  be- 
came the  first  commander  of  the  12th  District 
of  Pennsylvania,  Under  his  administration 
the  Legion  more  than  trebled  in  membership 
and  a  dozen  new  posts  were  organized  in 
Luzerne  County.  Policies  advocated  by  him 
have  been  so  practical  that  Wilkes-Barre 
Post  is  the  largest  in  Pennsylvania  and  the 
sixth  largest  post  in  the  "world.  When  the 
Citizens  Military  Camps  were  advocated  by 
General  Pershing,  Dr.  Archer  was  selected  to 
organize  recruiting  in  Luzerne  and  three 
other  counties.  Both  General  Pershing  and 
Third  Corps  Area  officers  personally  com- 
plimented Dr.  Archer  upon  his  efficient  serv- 
ices. The  doctor  also  organized,  and  for  ten 
years,   served   as  secretary   of   the  Northeast- 


ern Pennsylvania  Optometric  Society.  He  is 
a  member  of  Wyoming  Lodge,  No.  39,  of  the 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  of 
John   Knox   Commandery,   No.   12,   Knights   of 

Malta. 

Floyd  Paul  Archer  married,  in  June,  1913. 
Mary  Elizabeth  Parks  of  Luzerne,  Pennsyl- 
vania, daughter  of  Walter  Ide  and  Anna 
(Sutton)  Parks.  They  have  two  children;  1. 
Floyd  Paul,  Jr.,  born  November  13,  1914.  2. 
Laura  Pauline,  born  January  7,  1916.  The 
Archer  family  residence  is  No.  107  North 
Franklin  Street,  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania. 


GOMER  R.  DAVIS — Urged  by  a  desire  to 
get  into  active  business  life  and  witli  a  pre- 
dilection for  electrical  work,  Gomer  R.  Davis, 
of  Wilkes-Barre,  began  the  study  of  that 
branch  of  science  when  he  was  sixteen  years 
of  age.  That  his  youthful  judgment  was 
sound  has  been  proven  by  his  success,  which 
has  brought  him  to  the  forefront  of  electrical 
workers  of  the  Wyoming  Valley.  Additional 
to  this  business  acumen  and  knowledge  of 
his  profession,  he  possesses  a  personality  that 
has  drawn  patronage  and  made  friends  far 
and  wide,  foretelling  still  farther  advances 
in  the  field  of  commerce. 

Gomer  R.  Davis  was  born  in  Youngstown, 
Ohio,  December  8,  1881,  a  son  of  William  G. 
and  Sarah  (Davies)  Davis,  both  natives  of 
Wales,  who  came  to  America  more  than  fifty 
years  ago  and  made  their  home  in  Youngs- 
town, where  William  G.  Davis  is  actively  en- 
gaged in  business  at  the  age  of  eighty  years. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  W.  G.  Davis  are  the  parents  of 
five  living  sons;  David  T.,  of  Cocoanut  Grove, 
Florida;  Benjamin  J.;  Evan  L. ;  William  H., 
and   Gomer   R.,   of  whom   further. 

Gomer  R.  Davis  received  his  early  educa- 
tion in  the  public  schools  of  Youngstown 
and  in  the  night  schools  of  the  Young  Men's 
Christian  Association,  of  that  city.  When  he 
"was  sixteen  years  of  age  he  left  school  and 
took  up  the  study  of  electrical  work  in  his 
native  city,  which  engaged  him  for  seven 
years.  In  1905  he  came  to  Wilkes-Barre, 
where  lie  became  associated  with  the  Wilkes- 
Barre  Light  Company,  now  the  Pennsylvania 
Light  and  Power  Company,  with  which  or- 
ganization he  remained  for  seven  years.  He 
then  established  himself  in  the  electrical 
business  and  ten  years  later  formed  the 
Davis  Electrical  Company,  of  which  lie  is 
manager  and  treasurer.  The  company  is  one 
of  the  largest  of  its  class  in  Wyoming  Valley, 
dealing  in  every  character  of  electrical  de- 
vice, equipment  and  appliance,  besides  doing 
an  electrical  contract  business  of  wide  opera- 
tion. The  firm  has  membership  in  the  Na- 
tional Electric  Contractors'  Association.  Their 
offices  are  at  No.  26  North  Main  Street, 
Wilkes-Barre.  Gomer  R.  Davis  is  a  Republi- 
can in  politics  and  attends  the  Puritan  Con- 
gregational  Church. 

Mr.  Davis  married,  September  21.  1904,  Ann 
McMaster,  of  Youngstown,  Ohio,  and  they  are 
the  parents  of  five  children;  Bruce  M.,  asso- 
ciated with  his  father  in  business;  William 
R.,  a  graduate  at  the  Wyoming  Seminary, 
now  a  student  in  the  Union  Tlieological 
Seminary  in  New  York  City,  taking  a  special 
course  in  sacred  music;  Elizabeth  S.,  student 
in  Wyoming  Seminary;  Ann  M.,  and  Sarah 
Jean. 


CORNELIViS  J.  ("Con")  McCOLE: — Better  to 
hear  of  laughter  than  of  tears,  since  laughter 
is  the  natural  function  of  man.  Such  is  the 
philosophy   of  Cornelius   J.   McCoIe,   or,   better 


592 


known  to  those  who  have  listened  to  his 
humorous  addresses,  the  philosophy  of  "Con" 
McCole,  whose  profession  is  to  entertain,  who 
is  a  master  of  dialects,  and  who  engages  in 
business  meanwhile,  carrying  forward  a 
wide  diversity  of  enterprise.  He  is  a  resident 
of    Wilkes-Barre,    native    of    Luzerne    County. 

Mr.  McCole  was  born  July  27,  188S,  at  Glen 
Lyon,  son  of  Irish  parents.  His  father  was 
born  in  Ireland  in  1S51.  He  was  a  miner,  and 
died  November  5,  1907,  after  long  years  spent 
in  the  mines  of  Luzerne  County.  His  name 
was  Cornelius.  Mr.  McCole's  mother,  Sallie 
(Mundy)  McCole,  was  born  in  Ireland  in  1853, 
and  died  March  29,   1923. 

In  the  public  schools  of  Wilkes-Barre.  Mr. 
McCole  secured  his  academic  training,  and  at 
the  age  of  nine  went  to  work  in  the  coal 
breakers.  Until  he  was  eighteen  he  worked 
around  the  mines,  also  attending  classes  in 
night  school,  receiving  a  comprehensive  edu- 
cation. For  four  years  he  was  employed  by 
the  Wilkes-Barre  traction  company,  on 
street  cars,  and  for  two  years  served  as 
transcribing  clerk  in  the  courthouse.  It  was 
during  this  period  as  clerk  that  his  humorous 
talents  came  into  prominence.  He  was  pre- 
sented in  public  appearance  by  John  J.  Gal- 
vin,  manager  of  Polls'  Theatre,  Wilkes-Barre. 
Following  the  success  of  that  initial  en- 
gagement his  reputation  steadily  augmented, 
until  today  he  is  called  a  leader  in  the  pro- 
fession, and  has  traveled  from  coast  to  coast 
in  its  practice,  as  humorist.  As  a  raconteur 
his  wit  and  humor  are  of  the  sort  which 
startle,  entertain  and  inspire.  He  is  an  as- 
sured asset  on  any  program,  telling  his  own 
inimitable  stories  with  an  appealing  charm 
that  instantly  captures  the  audience.  His 
jokes,  yarns  and  quips  are  warranted  to  en- 
tertain through  an  evening's  program,  com- 
plete in  themselves.  He  is  a  cheerful  humor- 
ist. His  stories  are  replete  not  alone  of 
humor  but  of  philosophy  that  is  sound  and 
true,  and  he  is  said  to  hold  the  powers  of  the 
late  Chauncey  M.  Depew  and  Simeon  Ford  at 
after-dinner  appearances.  Four  subjects, 
which  he  presents  in  dialect,  are  well  known 
to  his  hearers:  "Chairman  of  the  Conven- 
tion," "Black  Diamonds,"  "The  Lost  Ball,"  and 
"West  is  West."  His  New  York  City  booking 
agent  has  offices  at  No.  236  West  Forty- 
fourth  Street  (Thomas  Brady,  Speaker's 
Bureau).  Press  notices  in  the  cities  in  which 
he  has  appeared  have  been  highly  laudatory. 
His  reputation  is  largest,  through  most  fre- 
quent appearances,  in  Pennsylvania,  New 
Jersey,  New  York  State,  and  his  reputation  in 
New  England  is  but  slightly  less. 

But  aside  from  his  professional  career  Mr. 
McCole  has  builded  another.  After  he  had 
worked,  as  recounted,  in  the  Wilkes-Barre 
courthouse  two  years  he  was  appointed 
deputy  treasurer  of  Luzerne  County,  by  the 
late  Charles  Trethaway,  and  held  that  posi- 
tion three  years.  In  1923  he  became  associ- 
ated with  the  Mutual  Life  Insurance  Com- 
pany, of  New  York  City,  as  agent,  and  was 
made  assistant  district  manager  of  the  com- 
pany in  1924.  He  retains  this  position.  He  is 
a  director  of  Liberty  State  Bank  and  Trust 
Company  of  Wilkes-Barre,  having  been 
identified  in  the  directorate  since  March  29, 
1923.  Mr.  McCole  is  active  socially.  He  is  an 
lionorary  member  of  tlie  Kiwanis  Club  and 
Young  Men's  Christian  Association  of  Wilkes- 
Barre;  member  of  the  Knights  of  Columbus, 
Lodge  No.  109,  of  the  Benevolent  and  Pro- 
tective Order  of  Elks,  the  Wyoming  Valley 
Country  Club,  the  Wyoming  Valley  Historical 


Society,   and   is  a   communicant   of  St.   Mary's 
Catholic   Church,   of   Wilkes-Barre. 

Mr.  McCole  married,  December  27,  1923, 
Arline  Sweeney,  of  Forty  Fort,  daughter  of 
John  and  Margaret  Sweeney.  Their  children 
are:  1.  Cornelius  J.,  Jr.,  born  in  October, 
1924.    2.   John,   born  January  29,  1928. 


AVALTER    WILLIAM      KISTLER,      M.     D. — 

Having  determined  to  follow  the  profession 
in  which  his  father  is  engaged,  that  of  the 
practice  of  medicine,  Walter  William  Kistler, 
since  his  early  scliool  days,  has  devoted  him- 
self assiduously  to  this  noble  calling,  and  now 
is  regarded  as  one  of  the  best-informed  prac- 
titioners in  Wilkes-Barre,  the  city  of  his 
biith,  "Where  his  father,  also  is  siinilarly  en- 
gaged. While  Dr.  Kistler  is  a  specialist  In 
homeopathy,  lie  carries  on  a  general  practice 
and  is  associated  in  a  professional  capacity 
"With  several  medical  institutions  and  organi- 
zations, both  local.  State  and  National.  Al- 
though yet  a  young  man,  lie  has  proven  his 
wisdom  and  science  so  satisfactorily  in 
Wilkes-Barre  tliat  he  possesses  a  reputation 
that  might  well  be  the  envy  of  many  older 
men    of   his   profession. 

Dr.  Kistler  was  born  June  18,  1894,  at 
Wilkes-Barre,  son  of  Dr.  Douglas  and  Sallie 
(Kunkel)  Kistler.  The  father,  a  native  of 
Berks  County,  Pennsylvania,  graduated  from 
Halinemann  Medical  College,  Pliiladelphia,  in 
1893.  and  during  the  years  that  have  passed 
he  lias  attained  a  position  of  prominence  in 
medical  circles  of  Wilkes-Barre,  where  he 
continues  to  practice.  Sallie  (Kunkel)  Kist- 
ler, also  a  native  of  Berks  County,  passed 
away  on  tlie  same  day  that  her  son  was 
born,   June    IS,    1894. 

AValter  W.  Kistler  attended  the  public 
schools  of  Minersville,  Schuylkill  County, 
Pennsylvania,  graduating  from  the  high 
scliool  there  in  1911.  Having  already  de- 
termined upon  medicine  as  his  life  work,  he 
first  attended  Dickinson  College,  at  Carlisle, 
Pfnnsylvania,  where  he  received  the  degree 
of  Bachelor  of  Science  in  1915,  and  then  ma- 
triculated at  Hahnemann  Medical  College,  the 
alma  mater  of  his  father,  for  his  medical 
training.  Completing  his  studies  at  this 
institution  in  1919,  Dr.  Kistler  emerged 
tlierefrom  with  his  degree  of  Doctor  of 
Medicine,  and  soon  after  entered  upon  an  in- 
ternesliip  at  Hahnemann  Hospital,  Philadel- 
phia, and  subsequently  was  similarly  occu- 
pied in  the  Philadelphia  Municipal  Hospital 
for  Contagious  Diseases.  At  the  end  of  this 
period.  Dr.  Kistler  began  general  practice 
at  Wilkes-Barre,  wliere  lie  still  continues  to 
practice.  Realizing  the  value  of  association 
with  fellow-practitioners,  Dr.  Kistler  has  af- 
filiated liiniself  with  numerous  professional 
associations,  among  wliich  may  be  numbered 
the  Luzerne  County  Homeopathic  Society, 
Luzerne  County  Medical  Association,  Penn- 
sylvania State  Medical  Association,  State 
Homeopathic  Society,  and  American  Institute 
of  Homeopathy.  As  further  evidence  of  his 
deep  interest  in  this  branch  of  his  profession 
may  be  cited  his  memliersliip  on  the  staff  of 
the  Homeopathic  Hospital  in  Wilkes-Barre. 
Politically,  Dr.  Kistler  is  a  Republican,  and 
fraternally,  in  addition  to  his  membership 
in  the  college  fraternities,  Phi  Kappa  Sigma 
and  Phi  Alpha  Gamma,  he  belongs  to  Lodge 
No.  222,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  and  the 
Chapter  and  Dieu  le  Veut  Commandery,  of 
Wilkes-Barre;  Caldwell  Consistory.  Ancient 
Accepted  Scottish  Rite,  of  Bloomsburg,  and 
Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles 
of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  Wilkes-Barre.  Dr. 
Kistler   and   his   family   are   Presbyterians   in 


M^/r:^^a^ik'<i^. 


593 


religious  convictions,  attending  tlie  ciiurch 
of  that  denomination  in  Wilkes-Barre,  wiiere 
he  is  a  member  of  the  official  board  of  the 
church. 

Dr.  Kistler  married,  in  1920,  Nellie  Hammer 
of  Minersville,  Pennsylvania,  daughter  of 
David  and  Mary  (Davis)  Hammer,  and  they 
are  the  parents  of:  1.  William  D.,  born  July 
16,  1921.  2.  D.  Walter,  born  November  17, 
1923.  Dr.  Kistler  and  his  family  reside  at 
No.  144  Hanover  Street,  Wilkes-Barre. 


JOSEPH  S.  RICE — From  the  time  he  was 
nine  years  of  age  Joseph  S.  Rice  has  been 
making  his  own  way  in  life,  and  the  more 
than  a  half  century  of  independent  activity 
which  has  been  his  has  brought  achieve- 
ments in  varied  lines.  Not  many  successful 
business  men  are  the  possessors  of  world 
records  in  a  field  entirely  outside  the  general 
business  world,  but  Mr.  Rice  held  the  world 
championship  as  a  long  distance  bicycle  rider 
back  in  1896,  and  for  some  years  he  was  also 
a  long  distance  roller  skater.  He  is  engaged 
in  business  at  No.  138  South  Main  Street, 
Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania,  as  a  designer 
and  manufacturer  of  lighting  fixtures,  and  is 
also  the  owner  of  a  prosperous  and  highly 
attractive  gift  shop,  located  at  the  same 
address,  and  has  associated  with  him  in  busi- 
ness his  wife  and  his  son,  J.  Granville  Rice. 

William  and  Mary  Rice,  parents  of  Mr. 
Rice,  came  to  Wilkes-Barre  about  1879.  They 
were  hard  working  people,  mucli  respected  by 
their  associates,  and  had  five  children,  of 
whom  only  three  survive  (1930):  Peter,  Mary, 
and  Joseph   S.,   of  further  mention. 

Joseph  S.  Rice  was  born  in  New  York  City, 
March  19,  1867,  and  received  his  early  school 
training  in  the  city  of  his  birth.  Times  were 
hard,  however,  in  that  period  following  so 
closely  the  Civil  War,  and  the  family  was 
large.  Therefore,  the  boy,  Joseph,  had  little 
opportunity  for  formal  education,  and  when 
he  was  nine  years  of  age  began  his  long 
career  as  an  independent  maker  of  his  own 
way.  From  very  early  years  he  had  been 
deeply  interested  in  athletics,  and  as  the 
bicycle  was  at  that  time  very  much  in  the 
eyes  of  the  world,  he  managed  to  become  the 
owner  of  one,  and  to  make  himself  expert  in 
the  art  of  handling  it.  Those  were  the  days 
of  the  famous  long  distance  contests,  and  Mr. 
Rice  rode  in  many  of  those  events,  in  many 
parts  of  the  country.  In  1SS4  he  won  his  first 
bicycle  race  on  a  high  wheel,  and  in  1S96  he 
won  the  long  distance  championship  of  the 
world  in  a  six-day  and  six-night  race,  cover- 
ing two  thousand  two  hundred  and  eighty 
miles.  As  his  first  race  was  captured  when 
he  was  only  seventeen,  this  crowning 
achievement  came  after  twelve  years  of  rid- 
ing, an  unusually  long  career  in  athletic  en- 
deavor. Mr.  Rice  was  also  a  long  distance 
roller  skater,  and  has  given  exhibitions  in 
many  parts  of  the  country.  Meantime,  how- 
ever, about  1893,  prior  to  the  winning  of  the 
world  championship,  Mr.  Rice  had  established 
a  bicycle  and  skating  goods  shop  in  Wilkes- 
Barre.  His  reputation  as  a  bicycle  rider  and 
roller  skater  served  as  most  excellent  pub- 
licity, and  his  business  prospered  as  long  as 
the  bicycle  and  the  roller  skate  remained  in 
the  foreground  of  the  world's  interest.  The 
coming  of  the  automobile  and  the  natural 
shifting  of  general  interest,  as  well  as  the 
advancing  years  made  a  change  of  line  ad- 
visable, and  about  twenty  years  ago  Mr.  Rice 
followed  the  trend  of  world  progress  by 
engaging  in   the   electrical   lighting  and   elec- 


trical appliance  business,  locating  at  No.  138 
South  Main  Street,  and  making  a  specialty 
of  fixtures  of  all  kinds,  which  he  now  designs 
and  manufactures.  From  1906  to  1926  Mr. 
Rice  carried  on  the  electrical  contracting 
business.  His  present  store  is  known  as  the 
Gift  Shop,  and  here  he  and  Mrs.  Rice,  who  is 
associated  with  him  in  the  business,  handle 
a  line  of  lighting  fixtures  and  gifts.  As  a 
designer  and  manufacturer  Mr.  Rice  has  made 
a  reputation  for  himself,  and  he  supervises 
this  particular  branch  of  the  business,  while 
Mrs.  Rice  has  charge  of  the  Gift  Shop.  Thus, 
one  boy,  beginning  life  for  himself  at  the 
early  age  of  nine  years,  without  a  dollar, 
his  only  capital  being  his  youth,  his  ability, 
and  his  unfailing  courage  and  ambition,  has 
achieved  not  only  financial  success,  but 
has  made  for  himself  a  world  record  and  has 
established  himself  as  a  respected  citizen  and 
a  valuable  contributor  to  the  progress  of  one 
of  the  rapidly  growing  cities  of  the  country. 
His  religious  membership  is  with  St.  Mary's 
Roman  Catholic  Church,  of  Wilkes-Barre, 
and  he  has  been  a  member  of  the  Young  Men's 
Christian  Association  for  the  past  thirty-five 
years. 

Joseph  S.  Rice  married  Mae  Flynn,  of 
Wilkes-Barre,  and  they  are  the  parents  of 
two  children:  1.  Granville,  who  is  an  artist 
and  designer  of  talent  and  of  pronounced 
practical  ability.  He  is  associated  with  his 
parents  in  business.  2.  William,  who  is  a 
student  in  Wilkes-Barre  High  School. 


FRANK  J.  WILLIAMS— One  of  the  active 
young  members  of  the  Luzerne  County  Bar 
is  Frank  J.  Williams  who  has  an  office  at  550 
Miners  Bank  Building,  in  Wilkes-Barre,  and 
who  resides  in  Kingston.  He  was  born  Jan- 
uary 29,  1896,  in  the  Borough  of  Darksville, 
Luzerne  County,  and  is  a  son  of  Mark  and 
Margaret  (Noone)  Williams,  who  reside  in 
Kingston.  The  father,  Mark  Williams,  a  son 
of  Frank  and  Elizabeth  Williams,  both  de- 
ceased, is  a  contractor  and  builder,  a  member 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  a  Repub- 
lican, and  one  of  four  children,  all  of  whom 
survive:  Annie,  widow  of  Edward  Avery  of 
Edwardsville;  Benjamin,  a  carpenter,  Ed- 
wardsville;  and  George,  of  the  Borough  of 
Dallas,  Luzerne  County,  part  owner  and 
editor  of  the  Wilkes-Barre  (Sunday)  "Tele- 
gram." 

Frank  J.  Williams  had  three  sisters,  Mary 
Effie,  Margaret  Celestine,  and  Leona,  all  of 
whom  died  in  childhood;  and  two  brothers, 
Mark,  Jr.,  who  is  professor  at  Cathedral  High 
School,  Pittsburgh,  and  studying  law  at 
Duquesne  University;  and  Joseph,  who  died 
at   the  age   of  three  years. 

Mr.  Williams  graduated  from  the  Larks- 
ville  High  School  in  the  class  of  1914  and 
from  Holy  Cross  College,  Worcester,  Massa- 
chusetts, in  the  class  of  1922  with  the  degree 
of  Bachelor  of  Arts.  His  collegiate  education 
was  interrupted  by  service  in  the  World  War. 
he  having  enlisted  in  the  311th  Field  Artil- 
lery, 79th  Division,  in  the  spring  of  1917,  and 
served  as  corporal  and  sergeant  with  the 
organization  until  the  close  of  hostilities.  He 
was  stationed  at  Camp  Mead,  Maryland,  until 
June  4.  1918,  when  he  was  shipped  overseas 
with  his  command  where  he  served  in  the 
.A.rgonne-Meuse  region  until  the  Armistice, 
when  the  division  was  sent  to  the  vicinity  of 
Coblenz  on  the  Rhine  as  a  part  of  the  Ameri- 
can Army  of  Occupation  in  Germany.  After 
more  than  two  years  of  military  lite  he  was 


mustered  out  in  July,  1919,  and  resumed  his 
studies. 

Following  his  graduation,  Frank  J.  Wil- 
liams went  to  Pittsburgh,  Pennsylvania, 
where  he  became  an  instructor  in  mathe- 
matics, physics  and  Latin  at  Duquesne  Uni- 
versity; remaining  there  he  enrolled  in  the 
law  department  and  in  1925  was  awarded  the 
degree  of  Bachelor  of  Laws,  and  also  in  the 
same  year  receiving  the  degree  of  Master  of 
Arts  from  that  university.  In  October  of  the 
same  year  he  was  admitted  to  the  Luzerne 
County  Bar  where  he  has  practiced  since.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  Black  Diamond  Post,  No. 
302,  American  Legion,  at  Kingston;  Knights 
of  Columbus;  and  St.  Ignatius  Roman  Cath- 
olic  Church   of  Kingston. 

Attorney  Frank  J.  "Williams  and  Loretta 
Catherine  Dettemore  were  married  October 
20,  1926,  and  to  them  have  been  born  two 
children:  Frank  J.,  Jr.,  born  August  IS,  1927, 
and  Margaret  Ann,  born  December  6,  1929. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Williams  have  their  residence 
at  57  South  Welles  Street,  Kingston. 

ADNAH    GOIII-.D    KOSTENBAUDER— Among 

the  prominent  business  men  of  Plymouth, 
Pennsylvania,  is  Adnah  Gould  Kostenbauder, 
well  known  as  a  consulting  engineer  and  a 
member  of  the  firm  of  Smith  and  Wells.  Mr. 
Kostenbauder  is  the  son  of  George  B.  and 
Mary  (McDaniels)  Kostenbauder.  The  father, 
who  is  a  carpenter  by  trade,  was  born  at 
Union  To'wnship,  Columbus  County,  Penn- 
sylvania, in  1S64.  The  mother  was  born  at 
Hunlock  Creek.  Luzerne  County,  Pennsyl- 
vania,   in    186S.     Both    parents   are    living. 

Adnah  Gould  Kostenbauder  was  born  on 
March  22,  1S90,  at  Plymouth,  Pennsylvania. 
This  town,  situated  four  miles  south  of 
Wilkes-Barre,  has  been  a  manufacturing  and 
coal  mining  center  for  many  years  and  is 
now,  through  its  own  growth  and  the  growth 
of  the  city  of  Wilkes-Barre,  a  suburb  of  the 
latter.  It  was  here  that  Adnah  G.  Kosten- 
bauder received  his  education  in  the  public 
schools  and  then  went  to  work  for  the  firm 
of  Smith  and  Wells,  consulting  engineers,  of 
Wilkes-Barre.  He  was  in  the  employ  of  this 
organization  until  January  1,  1927,  when  the 
retirement  of  one  of  the  partners,  Mr,  Wells, 
took  place  and  Mr.  Kostenbauder  became 
associated  with  Mr.  Smith  as  a  partner,  the 
firm  since  being  known  as  H.  S.  Smith,  con- 
sulting engineers. 

In  addition  to  his  business  interests  and 
activities,  Mr.  Kostenbauder  has  taken  an 
actively  prominent  part  in  civic  affairs.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  Republican  party  and  has 
held  the  responsible  position  of  tax  collector 
in  Plymouth  for  the  term  of  1922  to  1925.  He 
is  a  member  of  Lodge  No.  109,  Benevolent  and 
Protective  Order  of  Elks  and  Lodge  No.  137, 
of  the  Patriotic  Order  Sons  of  America.  He  is 
also  a  member  of  the  Kiwanis  Club  and  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Cliurch.  Mr.  Kosten- 
bauder has  also  taken  active  part  in  military 
affairs.  On  June  5,  190S,  he  enlisted  in  Com- 
pany I,  9th  Infantry.  He  served  as  private, 
corporal,  sergeant,  second  lieutenant,  first 
lieutenant  and  captain.  He  "was  in  active 
service  on  the  Mexican  border  as  first  lieu- 
tenant of  Battery  C,  3d  Pennsylvania  Field 
Artillery,  in  1916  and  1917.  During  the  World 
War,  he  was  in  active  service  overseas  as 
first  lieutenant  and  then  as  captain  of  Bat- 
tery C,  109th  Field  Artillery.  He  was  in 
action  at  Fismes,  Vesle  and  Oise,  Argonne 
and  Lys  and  the  Scheldt  front.  He  was  dis- 
charged May  19,  1919. 


In  October,  1922,  Adnah  Gould  Kosten- 
bauder married  Lenore  Campbell,  of  Plym- 
outh, Pennsylvania,  daughter  of  Joseph  and 
Frances  (McAlarney)  Campbell.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Kostenbauder  have  one  son,  Adnah,  born 
April  11,  1923. 

JOSEPH  MALIiEUY  ST.4RK — In  Hudson, 
Pennsylvania,  Joseph  Mallery  Stark  has  been 
known  as  a  capable  and  successful  business 
man  for  more  than  three  decades.  Born  here 
soon  after  the  close  of  the  Civil  War,  he  was 
a  successful  general  merchant  and  postmaster 
in  Hudson  for  some  fifteen  years.  Later  he 
engaged  in  the  coal  mining  business,  and  as  his 
experience  and  his  available  capital  increased 
he  participated  in  numerous  business  projects. 
He  has  served  as  vice-president  of  the  Dime 
Deposit  Bank  of  Wilkes-Barre,  and  was 
president  of  the  Kitsee  Battery  Company, 
Inc.,  of  Wilkes-Barre  until  sold  in  1928.  Mr. 
Stark  is  active  in  civic  and  community  affairs, 
and  has  for  years  been  known  as  one  of  the 
progressive  citizens  of  Hudson. 

The  Stark  family  in  Luzerne  County  dates 
back  to  pre-Revolutionary  times,  and  back  of 
that  the  family  tree  is  rooted  in  New  Eng- 
land soil.  It  was  in  1771,  just  four  years 
prior  to  the  opening  of  the  Revolution,  that 
Christopher  Stark,  then  at  the  ripe  age  of 
eighty  years,  left  his  home  in  Connecticut  and 
came  to  Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania.  Be- 
hind him  was  an  honorable  ancestry.  The 
immigrant  ancestor  was  Aaron  Starke,  who 
was  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Connecticut, 
and  served  under  Captain  John  Mason  during 
the  Pequot  wars  in  1637.  His  name  is  found 
in  the  old  military  records  in  the  colony, 
where  he  took  part  in  the  Narragansett  War 
of  1675  under  the  same  commander.  He  re- 
sided at  Mystic,  which  was  the  eastern  part 
of  the  township  of  New  London,  Connecticut, 
as  early  as  1653.  In  1666  he  "was  made  a  free- 
man at  Stonington,  while  in  1669  he  became 
freeman  at  New  London,  and  he  was  al'ways 
prominent  in  church  affairs.  He  died  in  New 
London,  Connecticut,  in  1685.  He  was  the 
father  of  several  children,  of  whom  one  was 
William  Stark,  born  in  1664,  died  in  1730,  who 
was  reared  in  the  faith  of  the  Congregational 
Church,  then  dominant  in  the  colony,  but 
later  became  a  Baptist  and  an  ardent  advo- 
cate of  the  Baptist  teachings,  and  who  mar- 
ried Elizabeth,  and  they  became  the  parents 
of  four  children,  of  whom  one  was  Christo- 
pher, born  in  1698  at  Groton,  Connecticut, 
died  at  Wyoming,  Pennsylvania,  in  1776, 
whither  he  removed  in  his  later  life,  and  be- 
came a  large  purchaser  of  land,  and  who 
married.  April  1,  1722,  at  Groton,  Joanna 
■^'alworth,  daughter  of  William  and  Abigail 
Walworth.  One  of  tlieir  children,  James,  born 
May  22,  1734,  died  July  20,  1777,  married,  in 
1758,  Elizabeth  Carey,  daughter  of  the  Rev. 
Henry  Carey,  one  of  the  first  Baptist  min- 
isters of  Dutchess  County,  New  York.  Their 
son,  Henry  Stark,  born  April  19.  1762,  lived  in 
the  Wyoming  Valley,  and  married,  November 
3,  1791,  Elizabeth  Kennedy.  He  was  the  lather 
of  several  children,  among  whom  was  John, 
the    grandfather    of    Joseph    Mallery    Stark. 

John  Stark  was  born  January  4,  1795,  and 
died  June  22,  1878.  He  lived  in  the  Wyoming 
Valley,  and  was  a  prominent  figure  there, 
taking  always  an  active  part  in  the  life  of 
the  place.  He  married,  on  November  4,  1815, 
Cornelia  Wilcox,  born  March  24,  1797,  died 
May  11,  1884,  daughter  of  Isaac  and  Nancy 
(Newcombe)  Wilcox,  and  they  were  the  par- 
ents of  the  following  children:  1.  Hiram, 
born  February  9,  1817.  2.  G.  W,  Dinsmore, 
born    April    16,    1818.     3.    Elizabeth,    born   Feb- 


595 


ruary  3,  1S20,  died  November  17,  1853;  mar- 
ried, June  23,  1839,  Samuel  Billing:.  4.  Nancy, 
born  December  8,  1821.  became  the  wife  of 
Elijah  Conard.  5.  Jane,  born  May  3,  1827, 
married,  April  22,  1857,  Garrick  Mallery  Mil- 
ler. 6.  Henry,  born  October  10,  1831.  7.  Mary 
Almeda,  born  February  16,  1833;  married, 
April  26,  1855,  Stephen  N,  Miller.  8,  John  R., 
mentioned  below.  9.  Martha,  W.,  who  became 
the  wife  of  Major  Oliver  J.  Parsons,  whom 
she  married  in   1865;   she  died  in  1904. 

From  such  sturdy  stock  came  John  R. 
Stark,  who  was  born  in  Hudson,  Pennsyl- 
vania, December  15,  1834,  attended  the  local 
schools  of  his  time,  and  engag^ed  in  farming, 
which  occupation  he  continued  to  the  time 
of  his  death,  which  occurred  October  17,  1901, 
at  the  age  of  sixty-seven  years.  He  married 
Phoebe  Jane  Swallow,  who  was  born  in 
Plainsvllle,  Pennsylvania,  September  18,  1830, 
and  died  December  6,  1875,  aged  forty-flve 
years. 

Joseph  Mallery  Stark,  son  of  John  R.  and 
Phoebe  Jane  (Swallow)  Stark,  was  born  in 
Hudson,  Pennsylvania,  August  28,  1868,  and 
as  a  small  boy  attended  the  public  schools 
here.  Later,  he  continued  his  studies  in  Wyo- 
ming Seminary,  at  Kingston,  Pennsylvania, 
where  he  was  graduated  with  the  class  of 
1885.  For  six  years  after  his  graduation  he 
served  as  a  clerk  in  the  employ  of  the  Dela- 
ware and  Hudson  Coal  Company,  and  then 
for  one  year,  1892-93,  he  was  "walking  boss" 
on  the  Wilkes-Barre  and  Eastern  Railroad. 
The  following  year  he  decided  to  become  an 
independent  business  man  and  became  the 
owner  of  a  general  store  in  Hudson.  At  the 
time  he  opened  the  store  he  was  appointed 
postmaster  of  Hudson,  and  for  a  period  of 
fifteen  years  he  served  a  goodly  number  of 
customers  and  faithfully  delivered  to  the 
populace  Uncle  Sam's  mail.  In  1907,  a  year 
before  he  gave  up  his  general  store,  Mr. 
Stark  engaged  in  the  coal  mining  business, 
in  which  he  was  successful.  Being  a  man  of 
versatile  tastes  and  abilities,  however,  he 
was  not  devoting  his  whole  time  to  this  one 
line  of  activity,  but  in  1908.  at  the  time  he 
closed  out  his  general  store,  he  became  presi- 
dent of  the  Kitsee  Battery  Company,  Inc.,  of 
"Wilkes-Barre,  which  office  he  held  until  this 
company  was  sold  in  1928.  Meantime,  in  1912, 
Mr.  Stark  had  retired  from  the  coal  mining 
business,  and  in  1914  he  ■was  elected  vice- 
president  of  the  Dime  Deposit  Bank  of 
Wilkes-Barre,  which  office  he  held  until  1923. 
In  politics,  Mr.  Stark  is  a  Republican.  He 
is  a  member  of  Lodge  No.  442,  Free  and  Ac- 
cepted Masons,  and  is  identified  with  several 
local  organizations  formed  for  the  advance- 
ment of  the  general  welfare  of  this  section 
of  the  State,  including  the  Pocono  Forestry 
Association  and  the  Blakeslee  Community 
Association.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the 
Craftsman's  Club  and  of  the  Westmoreland 
Club,  and  is  president  of  the  board  of  trustees 
of   the   Plains   Methodist    Episcopal    Church. 

Joseph  Mallery  Stark  married  (first),  June 
25,  1891,  Elizabeth  A.  Stewart,  of  Bradford 
County,  Pennsylvania,  daughter  of  Charles 
L.  and  Sarah  J.  (Billings)  Stewart.  She  died 
April  5,  1921,  and  Mr.  Stark  married  (second), 
July  6,  1922,  Lillian  Sylva  Edwards,  of  King- 
ston, Pennsylvania,  daughter  of  Rev.  T.  C. 
Edwards,  D.  D.  (see  accompanying  biography ) 
and  Elizabeth  (Morgan)  Edwards.  Mrs.  Stark 
graduated  from  Kingston  High  School  in  1906, 
was  a  member  of  Wyoming  Seminary,  class  of 
1909,  and  graduated  from  Wilkes-Barre  Hos- 
pital Training  School  for  Nurses  in  1912,  fol- 
lowing this  profession  for  ten  years.  She  is 
a  member  of  the  Cambrian  Club,  The  Ameri- 


can Legion.  Women's  Auxiliary  Wilkes-Barre 
General  Hospital.  During  the  World  War 
Mrs.  Stark  was  a  nurse  with  the  American 
Expeditionary  Forces  in  Siberia,  serving  for 
two  years  in  the  army  and  in  active  service 
fourteen  months.  She  received  her  honorable 
discharge  in  June,  1920.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stark 
make  their  home  at  No.  18  Stark  Street,  in 
Hudson. 

REV.  THOM.\S   CVNONFARDD   EDWMRDS, 

D.  D. — In  the  years  of  a  long  life.  Dr.  Thomas 
Cynonfardd  Edwards  achieved  a  career  of  the 
greatest  distinction  and  honor.  Minister  in 
the  faith  of  the  Welsh  Congregational  Church, 
poet,  scholar,  a  firm  believer  in  the  fine  tradi- 
tions of  his  native  Wales,  and  a  peerless 
leader  of  his  people,  his  interests  were  broad 
enough  to  embrace  all  of  life  and  his  versa- 
tile talents  were  hardly  matched  by  any  other 
of  his    era. 

Dr.  Edwards  was  born  on  December  6, 
1848,  at  Landore,  Swansea,  South  Wales,  a 
son  of  Richard  and  Mary  (Owen)  Edwards. 
He  was  educated  in  both  the  Welsh  and 
English  schools,  attending  high  school  at 
Merthyr  Tydvll  where  he  was  assistant 
master.  Even  at  this  early  age  his  remark- 
able abilities  were  evident.  His  keen,  pene- 
trating mind  impressed  all  those  who  knew 
him  and  his  nobility  of  spirit  marked  him  as 
a  destined  leader.  Having  decided  to  enter 
the  ministry,  he  entered  the  Presbyterian 
College  at  Carmarthen,  and  was  there  gradu- 
ated in  1870.  In  the  same  year,  influenced 
by  uncertain  health,  he  came  to  America,  and 
on  January  1,  1871,  began  his  ministerial 
career  at  Mineral  Ridge,  Ohio.  Shortly  after- 
wards he  was  married.  In  February,  1872, 
Dr.  Edwards  assumed  pastoral  charge  of  the 
Congregational  Church  of  Wilkes-Barre,  and 
on  January  1,  1878,  accepted  the  charge  of  the 
Welsh  Congregational  Church  of  Edwards- 
ville,  Pennsylvania,  where  his  earthly  labors 
were  to  center  thereafter  for  almost  a  full 
half  century. 

Dr.  Edwards  had,  meanwhile,  regained  full 
constitutional  vigor  and  plunged  with  en- 
thusiasm into  his  duties.  He  never  thought 
of  self.  His  life  was  given  always  to  the 
service  of  others  and  to  the  perpetuation  of 
those  noble  traditions  and  standards  which 
have  been  associated  with  the  Welsh  people 
through  the  centuries.  In  his  pastoral  work 
no  man  could  be  more  faithful.  He  was  the 
constant  leader  of  his  people,  their  friend  and 
counsellor  in  all  the  vicissitudes  of  life.  He 
occupied  his  pulpit  always  with  the  fine  dig- 
nity which  alone  constitutes  true  eloquence, 
and  although  he  never  compromised  his  high 
ideals,  he  never  forgot  the  humanity"  of  man. 
To  quote  from  the  testimony  of  those  who 
kne\v  him  best  in  the  years  of  his  earthly 
ministry : 

He  was  a  consummate  leader,  whose  cour- 
ageous loyalty  and  wise  counsel,  tlie  fra- 
grance and  beauty  of  whose  whole  life  placed 
him  foremost  among  his  fellowmen.  His  "was 
a  virile.  Christian,  persevering  manhood  su- 
perb with  unclouded  friendship  and  unfailing 
honesty.  Trained  by  Nature  to  guide  and  lead, 
a  stalwart  life  replete  with  undying  love 
exemplified  the  highest  type  of  citizenship, 
and  like  the  shepherd  who  leads  his  pastoral 
flock  along  the  verdant  hills  and  winding  val- 
leys where,  weary,  they  seelv  fresh  repose 
from  labor — ^such  was  Dr.  Edwards.  He  was  a 
giant  of  his  race;  fearless,  clear- visioned,  of 
god-like  attributes  and  unswerving  from  the 
path  of  duty  though  sometimes  beset  with 
earthly  ills.  The  beacon  light  he  raised  aloft 
with  loyal  affection;?  for  all  to  follow  to 
co\eted  goals — goals  that  once  appeared  as 
phantoms,  but  now  realized  and  held  as  cher- 


596 


ished  deeds.  He  was  a  modern  Moses  whose 
picturesque  life  of  spiritual  leadership,  sensi- 
tive to  every  heart  throb,  quickened  the  pub- 
lic mind  with  dynamic  force  to  truth  and 
justice,  and  thus  he  led  as  a  great  compatriot, 
with  unstinted  loyalty,  "the  hosts  of  Zion  to 
a  Promised  Land,"  respected,  revered,  honored 
and   loved   by  all. 

Thi.'5  paragraph  and  the  one  which  follows 
are  taken  from  the  memorial  book  of  the 
Welsh  Congregational  Church  at  Edwards- 
ville,  for  the  ten  years  1918-28: 

Although  Doctor  Edwards  ranked  foremost 
....  in  many  ways,  yet  as  a  servant  of 
Almighty  God  he  stood  the  nonpareil.  He  was 
the  sturdy  defender  and  builder  of  the 
Christian  life  and  faith,  an  ambassador  and 
herald  of  the  King  of  Kings,  and  a  channel 
through  which  the  blessings  of  the  Eternal 
God  flowed  to  man.  He  was  an-  eminent 
divine,  devout  with  holy  zeal,  who  proclaimed 
the  eternal  truths  to  earth  and  who  pointed 
the  way  of  redemption  to  the  wayward  sin- 
ner. His  was  a  divinely  guided  and  inspired 
life — a  life  whose  earthly  labors  for  nearly 
four  score  years  were  richly  crowned  "with 
blessings  from  heaven  above,  for  he  was  one 
of  God's  good  prophets,  an  Abraham  or  a  St. 
Paul  among  his  people.  Strong  in  faith,  pure 
of  heart,  elevated  in  thought,  wise  in  counsel 
and  fervent  in  prayer,  he  was  a  preacher  in 
daily  living  as  well  as  in  spoken  sermon — a 
noble  Christian  zealous  character  who  gave  to 
earth  a  rich  heritage  of  sublime  and  abiding 
faith,  possessing  a  consecrated  life  adorned 
by  bounteous  grace  and  dedicated  to  the  work 
of  his  Creator.  When  expounding  the  word 
of  God  he  struck  conviction  in  the  hearts  of 
men.  With  God  he  made  his  covenant  and 
hence  with  unquestioned  devotion  to  his  min- 
istry, and  with  a  heart  pulsating  with  devo- 
tion to  his  Lord,  held  sacred  and  worthy  the 
stewardship  that  was  given  to  him.  Ever 
loyal  to  the  Bible,  orthodox  and  sound  in  the 
fundamentals  of  Christian  doctrine,  tolerant 
(loved  by  preacher,  priest  and  rabbi)  a  pre- 
cursor of  more  tolerant  days,  preaching  to  all 
a  robust  evangelism.  Moreover,  as  a  minister 
his  messages  "were  fervent,  inspiring,  logical, 
forceful,  eloquent  and  convincing.  Simple  il- 
lustrative examples  of  practical  life  were 
used  to  convey  the  deeper  truths  of  Christian 
living.  His  spiritual  advice  and  peaceful  or 
emotional  propensities  marked  his  whole  pas- 
toral career.  His  sermons  were  inspired  by 
a  deep-rooted  faith  in  God  and  on  yonder 
summits  he  caught  glorious  visions  of  the 
Divine,  which  aided  him  to  strive  in  the  inner 
holy  sanctuary  of  his  life  for  a  consistent 
emulation  of  the  life  of  Christ.  Upon  the 
forge  of  life  he  welded  many  a  Christian 
character.  And  though  confronted  by  human 
frailties,  as  mortal  man  is.  yet  "w^ell  did  he 
run  the  race  set  before  him  and  win  the  prize 
of  his  high  calling."  O  thou  winner  of  pas- 
sion for  righteousness,  well  hast  thou  played 
thy  part!  Upon  God  and  godlike  men  like 
thee  we   build  our  trust! 

Always  a  scholar,  a  constant  student  from 
the  time  he  first  attended  the  Welsh  schools 
until  his  death,  Dr.  Edwards  was  a  man  of 
the  broadest  culture  in  all  the  great  fields  of 
human  knowledge.  He  was  a  master  orator, 
a  poet  of  rare  talent,  a  thorough  musician, 
and  a  leader  without  a  peer  in  the  traditional 
Welsh  festivals,  the  eisteddfods.  In  ISSl  he 
was  graduated  as  an  honor  student  from  the 
National  School  of  Elocution  and  Oratory, 
Philadelphia,  and  eight  years  later  received 
the  degree  of  Master  of  Oratory  from  the 
same  institution.  From  1880  to  1890  he  was 
professor  of  elocution  at  Wyoming  Seminary, 
where  he  firmly  established  himself  as  a  lead- 
ing elocutionist.  In  1891  the  Congregational 
College  of  Marietta,  Ohio,  conferred  upon  him 
the  honorary  degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity  in 
recognition  of  his  distinguished  career  and 
his  sure  place  in  the  affections  of  all  those 
who  knew  him. 


As  an  orator,  international  fame  and  re- 
nown were  his.  He  was  the  author  of  several 
books  on  elocution  publislied  in  Wales  and 
written  in  Welsh,  and  indeed  the  fame  of  his 
reputation  so  spread  throughout  his  native 
land  that  in  1891  he  was  called  to  serve  the 
most  important  church  of  the  country,  the 
Welsh  Congregational  Church  at  Cardiff.  He 
remained  as  pastor  of  that  church  until  1893, 
■when  he  returned  to  his  old  congregation  at 
Edwardsville,  and  this  was  the  only  interval 
in  his  long  period  of  service  here.  Dr.  Ed- 
wards had  traveled  widely,  and  drew  upon 
thi^  immense  store  of  observation  and  knowl- 
edge gained  in  these  journeys  to  illustrate 
his  remarks.  He  made  several  trips  through 
the  Holy  Land,  and  afterwards  conducted  a 
series  of  lectures  illustrated  with  slides.  The 
lectures  in  those  days  were  doubly  interest- 
ing because  the  moving  picture  had  not  come 
into  its  own  and  the  Holy  Land  was  little 
kncwn.  To  quote  again  from  the  testimony 
of  those  who  sat  spellbound  many  times  by 
his    eloquence; 

His  was  a  melodious  voice  of  silvery  tones 
— a  voice  unmatched  for  power,  resonance, 
and  clarity.  He  could  stir  to  laughter  the 
disconsolate  heart  by  his  inimitable  wit  or 
move  to  sober,  meditative  thought  and  action 
the  ecstatic,  joyous  person,  by  his  tragic 
pathos.  As  a  harpist,  he  played  upon  the  emo- 
tional strings  of  his  hearers.  His  irrefutable 
logic  taught  nothing  but  the  eternal  truth. 
With  his  comprehensive  training  and  versa- 
tile background,  widespread  in  its  scope  and 
influence,  he  was  a  colossal  figure  in  the 
community — unique  in  great  achievements, 
which  his  myriad  of  admirers  in  full  ac- 
claiined.  Dr.  Edwards  had  a  winsome  per- 
sonality that  was  graced  with  precision,  dig- 
nity, control,  and  stately  mien.  He  was  a 
master  of  himself,  of  others,  and  of  all  situa- 
tions in  whicli  he  was  placed.  His  tact,  geni- 
ality, natural  humor,  mental  alertness,  com- 
manding and  pleasant  physique,  were  all 
characteristics  of  his  personality  that  enabled 
him  to  surpass  his  contemporaries.  He  was 
a  lecturer  and  traveler  of  note,  a  convincing 
logician,  and  a  clear  thinker.  The  stories  of 
his  travels,  v^'hich  he  often  related,  extended 
to  the  Golden  West,  where  in  the  early  days 
the  rugged  life  of  the  frontier  was  seen,  or 
the  far-distant  Holy  Land  upon  which,  with 
reverent  step,  he  trod  the  soil  where  the  Son 
of  Man  proclaimed  to  earth  a  new  and  holy 
doctrine.  Of  these  he  spoke  with  convincing 
force,  making  indelible  impressions  which 
shaped  and  moulded  j'outh  and  age  by  his 
extensive  travel  lore. 

Wherever  the  great  eisteddfods  were  held. 
Dr.  Edwards  was  a  preeminent  figure.  Dur- 
ing the  two  years  of  his  ministry  in  Wales  he 
had  made  such  a  deep  impression  that  fre- 
quently in  later  years  he  was  recalled  to  con- 
duct the  national  eisteddfods,  attended  by 
thousands  and  thousands.  In  1913,  at  the  In- 
ternational Eisteddfod  in  Pittsburg,  he  was 
greatly  honored  in  his  election  as  Archdruid 
of  America  by  Dyfed,  the  Archdruid  of  Great 
Britain,  an  office  which  made  him  chief  of 
the  bardic  fraternity  in  this  country.  Cynon- 
fardd,  as  lie  was  known,  Archdruid  of  Amer- 
ica and  Bard  of  the  Cynon,  "dreamy  river  of 
his  native  Wales,"  was  a  prince  on  the  Eis- 
teddfodic  platform.  There  was  no  man  in  the 
country  more  capable  in  Eisteddfodic  gather- 
ings than  was  Dr.  Edwards.  Winning  many 
a  prize  himself,  he  attained  the  highest  rank 
as  a  judge  of  poetry  and  prose.  He  was  the 
bard  of  the  Cynon,  that  dreamy  winding 
stream  in  tlie  valley  of  the  Cynon,  where  in 
early  days  the  environment  .of  such  quaint 
and  picturesque  scenes  on  Cymric  soil  im- 
pressed itself  upon  him  and  nurtured  him  in 
the  mastery  of  the  art  of  the  beautiful.    With 


597 


carefully  measured  accents  and  solemn, 
minor,  reverential  notes,  his  hymns  proclaim 
the  important  truths  of  life,  buoying  up  the 
discouraged  and  instilling  into  youth  the  real 
joy  and  worth  of  Christian  living.  His  hymns 
were  those  of  eternal  things — of  truth,  of 
redeeming-  life,  of  Calvary,  of  Consecration, 
of  God.  His  productions  stand  as  classics 
which  many  a  poet  can  well  envy.  He  pos- 
sessed a  keen  musical  temperament,  a  fine 
discriminating  mind,  and  a  deep  appreciation 
of  every  worthy  musical  phase  in  art,  espe- 
cially in  congregational  singing.  At  all  times 
he  was  an  ardent  promoter  of  every  worth- 
while musical  enterprise.  At  one  time  he  was 
editor-in-chief  of  the  "Congregational  Hym- 
nal," and  at  another  edited  the  magazine 
"Missionary."  He  conducted  scores  of  Eis- 
teddfods, national  and  international,  and  rose 
to  the  pinnacle  of  bardic  fame,  well  worthy 
of  emulation  by  young  ambitious  men  whose 
inclinations   tend   in   this   direction. 

Dr.  Edwards'  international  reputation  is 
indicated  in  the  following  notice,  published 
in  the  North  Wales  Chronicle  at  Bangor,  and 
reprinted    in   American   papers; 

The  fact  that  "Cynonfardd,"  the  ve'teran 
eisteddfod  conductor  will  be  unable  to  attend 
the  "National"  at  Swansea  this  year,  recalls 
an  impressive  figure  in  eisteddfodic  circles 
some  years  ago.  Hardly  a  national  eisteddfod 
passed  without  the  services  of  "Cynonfardd" 
being  requisitioned,  despite  the  fact  that  he 
lived  in  the  United  States.  Apart  from  his 
likable  wit  and  genial  personality,  "Cynon- 
fardd" had  a  carrying  voice  of  remarkable 
range,  "which  served  him  well  when  a  crowd 
of  ten  to  fifteen  thousand  people  was  before 
him.  as  is  often  the  case  at  the  national  fes- 
tival on  the  chairing  day.  Another  asset  to 
him  as  a  conductor  of  eisteddfodau  was  the 
business-like  way  in  which  he  carried 
through    the    program. 

"Dr.  Edwards,"  to  quote  from  a  Pennsyl- 
vania paper  at  the  time  of  his  death,  "pos- 
sessed a  keen  musical  temperament,  a  fine 
discriminating  mind  and  consequently  a 
deep  appreciation  of  every  worthy  phase  in 
musical  art.  The  elements  that  constitute 
good  melody,  the  symmetry  and  contraction 
so  necessary  in  living,  glowing  music,  and  the 
charms  of  harmonic  construction  were  quickly 
discerned  and  admired  by  this  musically- 
minded  clergyman.  Dr.  Edwards  also  deeply 
appreciated  the  value  and  importance  of  mu- 
sic in  the  church  service,  particularly  con- 
gregational singing,  and  never  failed  to  give 
it  its  due  measure  of  time  in  the  hour  of 
divine  worship. 

And  finally,  Dr.  Edwards  was  a  poet  of  re- 
markable gifts,  adept  in  both  the  dramatic 
and  the  lyric  art.  He  wrote  and  published 
many  verses,  the  titles  of  some  of  which,  with 
their  English  equivalents,  are  here  given: 
"Gwron  Y  Conemaugh"  (The  Hero  of  Cone- 
maugh),  "T  Boreu"  (The  Morning),  "A  Lly- 
thyr  ei  fam  wrth  ei  Galon"  (His  Mother's 
Letter  Found  by  his  Heart),  "Y  Tynewydd" 
(Tynewydd  Colliery),  "Islwyn  fel  Bardd" 
(Islwyn  as  a  Poet),  "Gwyllt  Walia"  (Wild 
Wales),  "Y  Pfoadur"  (The  Fugitive),  "Nid  Da 
He  gellir  Gwell"  (None  Good  where  you  can 
Better),  "Y  Dyn  leuanc"  (The  Young  Man), 
"Y  Dyn  leuanc  yn  Gadael  ei  Gartref"  (The 
Young  Man  Leaving  his  Home). 

In  the  life  of  Edwardsville  and  the  whole 
Wyoming  Valley,  Dr.  Edwards  took  an  ex- 
tremely active  part.  He  was  generous  in  his 
support  of  every  worthy  movement  for  ad- 
vance and  progress,  whether  civic  or  benevo- 
lent in  nature.  He  fought  for  truth  and  right- 
eousness, for  decency  in  the  life  of  the  com- 
munity, and  by  the  inspiration  of  his  example 


pointed  the  way  to  higher  things.  "A  great 
champion  of  righteousness,"  the  "Times 
Leader"  wrote  of  him  at  his  death,  and,  con- 


tir 


ing: 


There  is,  of  course,  no  measure  by  which 
one  could  estimate  what  the  life  and  work 
of  Dr.  T.  C.  Edwards  have  meant  to  this  val- 
ley. A  half  century  and  more  among  the 
same  people  might  to  some  clergymen  be 
unfortunate  both  to  themselves  and  to  those 
they  serve.  But  this  is  true  only  when  the 
n  easure  of  a  man  lacks  dimension.  AVith  Dr. 
Edwards  it  was  not  the  continuance  of  rela- 
tionship that  gave  cause  for  apprehension, 
but   the  ending  of  it. 

In  spite  of  his  advanced  years  his  activity, 
his  mental  vigor,  and  his  interest  in  affairs 
of  community  seemed  like  the  prime  of  life. 
Those  who  have  known  him  best  can  prob- 
ably say  that  except  for  the  months  when  an 
affection  of  the  eyes  troubled  him,  he  gave 
no  indication  of  any  failure  of  powers.  He 
seemed  to  be  endowed  with  continued  vigor 
of   youth. 

When  one  looks  for  an  apostle  of  friend- 
ship, of  breadth  of  view,  of  charitable  con- 
struction of  motive,  he  may  cite  the  name  of 
Dr.  Edwards.  Particularly  dear  to  those  ■vvho 
saw  him  most  frequently,  he  was  held  in  honor 
and  affection  by  the  entire  community.  He 
was  a  favorite  speaker  and  always  graceful 
in  utterance  and  persuasive  before  audiences. 
To  him  the  sacred  writ,  "Knowing  these 
things  we  persuade  men"  must  have  been  a 
shibboletii.  He  cannot  ever  be  recalled  as 
morose  or  negative.  His  graciousness  never 
altered.  It  sat  upon  him  naturally  and  con- 
sistently. .  .  .  When  the  things  of  mind,  of 
heart  and  of  spirit  are  reckoned,  the  com- 
munity knows  that  a  great  champion  has 
fallen. 

On  May  4,  1S71,  Hev.  Thomas  Cynonfardd 
Edwards  married  Elizabeth  Morgan,  young- 
est daughter  of  the  Rev.  Jonah  Morgan,  of 
Cumbach,  Aberdare,  South  Wales.  They  be- 
came the  parents  of  several  children:  1. 
Gwendolen,  who  married  the  Rev.  O.  Lloyd 
Morris.  D.  D.,  vice-president  of  Coe  College, 
Cedar  Rapids,  Michigan.  They  have  the  fol- 
lowing children:  Morgan,  Margaret,  Marian, 
and  Merlin.  2.  Anne  M.,  who  married  John 
M.  Thomas,  civil  and  mining  engineer  of 
Kingston,  Pennsylvania,  and  a  teacher  in  the 
Kingston  High  School.  They  have  the  follow- 
ing children:  Cromwell  E.  and  John  M.,  Jr.  3. 
Olwen  M.,  deceased.  4.  Morgan  O.,  superin- 
tendent of  the  Susquehanna  Mines,  at  Shaft, 
Pennsylvania,  and  a  graduate  of  Princeton. 
He  has  three  sons.  Charles  S.,  Thomas  C. 
and  K.  Morgan.  5.  Frances  M.,  ■n'ho  married 
Edgar  J.  Williams,  teacher  in  the  Philadel- 
phia schools.  They  have  three  children,  Ed- 
gar J.,  and  Richard  and  Elizabeth,  twins.  6. 
Lillian  S.,  who  married  Joseph  M.  Stark,  a 
biography    of    whom    accompanies    this. 

Dr.  Edwards  died  on  March  13,  1927.  It  is 
impossible  to  indicate  "^'ith  any  adequacy  the 
deep  and  poignant  sorrow  which  his  passing 
brought  to  the  thousands  who  loved  him  ev- 
erywhere. The  high  and  the  low,  rich  and 
poor  alike  were  his  friends  and  disciples,  and 
all  poured  forth  their  tributes  to  his  fame. 
There  is  not  space  to  quote  them  here,  and 
indeed  they  could  add  nothing  to  a  reputation 
already  spotless  or  a  name  Tinown  in  all  parts 
of  the  world.  These  words  of  final  tribute, 
however,  appearing  in  a  Pittsburgh  journal, 
may  fittingly  bring  this  record  to  a  close: 

In  the  death  of  Dr.  Edwards,  the  Welsh 
people  of  the  United  States  have  sustained 
the  loss  of  the  most  versatile  Welshman  in 
the  country.  .  .  .  Today  he  is  universally, 
sincerely,  and  tearfully  mourned.  Humanity 
is  poorer  for  his  passing  .  .  .  ,  yet  richer 
indeed,  that  he  lived  and  moved  among  us. 
His  name  will  be  carved  deep  in  the  granite 
of   time. 


598 


ROBERT  DUNCAN  RAEDER — In  the  retail 
business  field  of  Kingston  a  position  of  im- 
portance is  held  by  Robert  Duncan  Raeder, 
who  from  his  boyhood  has  been  well  and 
favorably  knoTvn  by  the  people  of  this  dis- 
trict of  Pennsylvania.  For  twenty  years  he 
and  his  father  were  associated  together  in 
the  Raeder  Printing  Company  of  Wilkes- 
Barre,  founded  by  John  W.  Raeder,  who 
headed  the  enterprise,  with  his  son  as  its 
vice-president.  During  this  period  of  close 
intercourse  with  the  business  community 
both  father  and  son  were  esteeined  for  their 
high  order  of  commercial  and  social  ethics, 
a  condition  that  still  obtains  with  the  con- 
tinued activities  of  the  son  and  the  retired 
position  of  the  father.  There  has  always  been 
a  spirit  of  intense  civic  devotion  exhibited  in 
this  family,  a  trait  that  has  brought  it  into 
high  esteem  of  the  patriotic  and  progressive 
element  and  given  both  father  and  son  a 
name  of  most  commendable  repute^  as  valu- 
able  members   of  the   community. 

Robert  Duncan  Raeder  was  born  in  Wilkes- 
Barre,  October  10,  1SS4,  a  son  of  John  W.  and 
Elizabeth  (Draper)  Raeder,  the  first  named 
having  been  born  in  White  Haven,  Pennsyl- 
vania, November  S,  1S58,  and  who  founded 
the  Raeder  establishment  here  in  18S3.  He 
continued  as  its  president  until  1920  and  dur- 
ing his  active  career  served  for  one  term  as 
Jury  Commissioner  and  took  an  active  part 
in  other  civic  affairs.  Mrs.  Raeder  is  a  native 
of  Tamaqua,  where  she  was  born  in  1858, 
February  15.  Robert  D.  Raeder  was  educated 
in  the  public  schools  and  at  Harry  Hillman 
Academy,  from  which  he  was  graduated  with 
the  class  of  1901.  He  then  entered  into  busi- 
ness association  with  his  father  and  there 
remained  until  1920,  when  the  business  was 
sold  and  he  retired  as  its  vice-president.  He 
then  established  his  own  business,  opening  a 
stationery  and  office  supply  store  in  King- 
ston, which  he  continues  to  conduct,  with 
the  assistance  of  several  clerks.  In  politics 
he  is  a  Republican  and  for  ten  years  served 
as  a  member  of  the  Borough  Council  of 
Dorranceton.  His  military  record  is  substan- 
tial, he  having  commanded,  with  the  rank  of 
captain,  Company  P,  9th  Regiment,  Pennsyl- 
vania National  Guard,  for  five  years  and  hav- 
ing been  a  member  of  the  Guard  for  fifteen 
years.  During  the  World  War  he  was  a  cap- 
tain in  the  commissary  supply  department 
of  the  United  States  Army.  His  church  is 
Trinity  Lutheran  of  Kingston,  where  he  is  a 
member  of  the  official  board  and  treasurer. 
He  holds  high  rank  as  a  member  of  the 
order  of  Masonry,  being  affiliated  with  Lodge 
No.  442,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons;  Shekinah 
Chapter.  Royal  Arch  Masons;  Dieu  le  Veut 
Commandery,  Knights  Templar,  and  Irem 
Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the 
Mystic  Shrine.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the 
Drill  Patrol  of  the  Shrine. 

Robert  Duncan  Raeder  married,  February 
16,  1910,  Bertha  Kanter,  daughter  of  Henry 
and  Emma  Kanter,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  and  they 
are  the  parents  of  Irene  Ruth,  born  February 
19,  1911,  now  a  student  at  Wyoming  Semi- 
nary. 

EDAVARD  AVELbES  BIXBY,  M.  D. — Having 
engaged  in  general  practice  of  medicine  since 
1914,  Dr.  Edward  Welles  Bixby,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre,  is  among  the  foremost  medical  prac- 
titioners now  active  in  Luzerne  County.  He 
was  born  in  Wilkes-Barre,  August  3,  18S6, 
and  is  a  son  of  Charles  W.  and  Anne   (Davis) 


Bixby.  His  father,  native  of  Wyalusing, 
Pennsylvania,  was  born  December  15,  1854. 
Long  active,  he  has  since  retired.  Anne 
(Davis)  Bixby  was  born  August  6,  1857,  and 
died,  in  June,    1926. 

Dr.  Bixby  prepared  for  college  at  Harry 
Hillman  Academy,  from  which  he  took  his' 
diploma  in  1903.  He  matriculated  in  Prince- 
ton University  that  year,  received  the  degree 
of  Bachelor  of  Arts  therefrom  in  1907,  en- 
tered the  medical  school  of  the  University  of 
Pennsylvania,  graduating  with  the  class  of 
1911  with  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine. 
For  two  years  and  a  half  he  served  as  in- 
terne in  Pennsylvania  Hospital,  of  Philadel- 
phia, and  in  1914,  as  noted,  opened  offices  for 
general  practice,  at  which  he  has  been  mark- 
edly successful,  engaged  continuously  save 
for  an  honorable  period  of  war  service.  With 
the  old  3d  Pennsylvania  Field  Artillery  Dr. 
Bixby  saw  active  duty  on  the  Mexican  border 
in  1916  and  1917.  The  United  States  entered 
the  World  War  in  April  of  the  latter  year, 
and  he  then  served  with  the  109th  Field  Artil- 
lery. United  States  Army,  spending  a  year 
overseas  on  the  battle  fi'onts.  Commissioned 
a  captain  in  the  medical  corps,  he  received 
his  discharge  in  May,  1919,  and  resumed  the 
course  of  his  distinguished  career  "where  he 
dropped  for  the  common  cause.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  staff  of  Wilkes-Barre  General  Hos- 
pital; belongs  to  the  Luzerne  County,  Penn- 
sylvania State  and  American  medical  organi- 
zations, and  secretary  of  the  county  society, 
1928.  He  is  active  in  the  Wyoming  Valley 
Country  Club,  adheres  to  the  principles  of 
the  Democratic  party,  and  is  a  communicant 
of  the   Presbyterian   Church. 

Dr.  Bixby  married,  June  1,  1916,  Helen  Lea 
Miner,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  daughter  of  Colonel 
Asher  and  Hetty  (Lonsdale)  Miner.  Their 
children  are:  1.  Edward  Welles,  Jr.,  born 
October  29,  1917.  2.  Hetty  Lonsdale,  born 
February  13,  1920.  3.  Anne  D.,  born  June  12, 
1922.  4.  Helen  Lea,  named  after  her  mother, 
born  August  10,   1924. 

MAURICE  SEYMOUR  CANTOR— Among  the 
younger  legal  practitioners  of  Wilkes-Barre 
none  has  a  more  promising  future  before  him 
than  Maurice  Seymour  Cantor  who  has,  in 
the  short  period  since  he  opened  his  office  on 
September  12,  1927,  established  a  reputation 
for  the  high  percentage  of  success  he  has 
met  in  handling  the  cases  that  have  been 
entrusted  to  him.  A  Harvard  graduate  and 
member  of  various  fraternal  organizations, 
he  has  a  host  of  friends  who  are  eager  for 
his  success   in   the   career   that   is   before   him. 

Mr.  Cantor  was  born  in  Garfield,  Passaic 
County,  New  Jersey,  March  3,  1903,  the  son 
of  David  and  Ida  (Schwartz)  Cantor,  both  of 
whom  were  born  near  Kiev,  Russia.  The 
father,  who  came  to  the  United  States  in  1890, 
is  a  successful  Wilkes-Barre  florist,  having 
moved  from  Pennsylvania  to  New  Jersey  in 
1911.  In  the  public  grade  schools  and  the 
Wilkes-Barre  High  School,  from  which  he 
was  graduated  in  1920,  their  son  prepared 
himself  to  enter  the  University  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, from  which  he  was  graduated  with 
honors  in  the  class  of  1924,  with  a  Bachelor 
of  Science  degree  in  economics.  The  follow- 
ing fall  he  enrolled  in  the  Harvard  Law 
School  and  three  years  later,  in  1927,  received 
his  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Laws  from  that 
institution.  While  studying  he  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Harvard  Legal  Aid  Bureau.  Ad- 
mitted   to    the    bar    on    September    12,    of    that 


S99 


year,  he  immediately  opened  an  office  for 
general  legal  practice.  His  offices  are  in  the 
Miners    Bank    Building    in    Wilkes-Barre. 

Mr.  Cantor  is  a  member  of  the  Wilkes- 
Barre  Law  Library  Association  and  the 
Wilkes-Barre  Lawyers'  Club.  Republican  in 
his  political  belief,  he  is  fraternally  affiliated 
with  Kingr  Hiram  Lodge,  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons,  and  Tau  Epsilon  Fraternity.  He 
holds  membership  in  the  General  Alumni  So- 
ciety of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  the 
Harvard  Club  of  Philadelphia,  and  the  Har- 
vard  Law  School  Association. 


J.  FORRESTER  LABAGH — Representing 
the  third  generation  of  a  family  whose  mem- 
bers have  taught  in  the  same  Sunday  school 
of  the  Westminster  Presbyterian  Church,  of 
Wilkes-Barre,  for  more  than  sixty  consecu- 
tive years.  J.  Forrester  Labagh  is  carrying  on 
in  that  religious  occupation,  begun  by  his 
grandfather,  and  continued  until  his  death  by 
his  father.  At  the  same  time  he  has  made  for 
himself  an  enviable  reputation  for  business 
acumen,  devotion  to  his  occupation,  and  up- 
right character  throughout  the  community  in 
which  he  has  spent  his  entire  life. 

Mr.  Labagh  was  born  in  Centermoreland, 
Wyoming  County,  March  17,  1S97,  a  son  of 
James  F.  and  Christine  (Smith)  Labagh,  both 
natives  of  "n'ilkes-Barre.  For  many  years 
the  father  was  secretary  of  the  Morris  Run 
Coal  Company,  and  a  devoted  adherent  to  the 
Presbyterian  Church.  His  father  was  .John, 
and  his  mother,  Margaret  (Demarest)  Labagh. 
the  first  named  having  been  a  member  of  the 
Wilkes-Barre  City  Council,  and  street  com- 
missioner. He  was  one  of  the  organizers  of 
the  Westminster  Church,  and  taught  its  Sun- 
day school  for  more  than  forty  years,  his 
death  occurring  at  the  age  of  eighty-seven 
years. 

J.  Forrester  Labagh  was  educated  in  the 
public  schools  of  Wilkes-Barre,  graduating 
from  the  high  school  in  the  class  of  1916.  He 
then  attended  the  Wharton  Extension  Night 
School,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  and  later  took  a 
course  in  the  Alexander  Hamilton  Institute. 
When  he  was  nineteen  years  of  age  he  took 
a  position  with  the  Hanover  Bank  and  Trust 
Company,  remaining  for  two  years,  at  the  end 
of  which  business  tuition  he  became  book- 
keeper and  teller  with  the  South  Side  Bank 
and  Trust  Company.  For  three  years  he  re- 
mained in  those  posts,  then  becoming  secre- 
tary of  the  Industrial  Loan  Corporation,  of 
Wilkes-Barre,  which  position  he  still  holds. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Wilkes-Barre  Rotary 
Club,  Chamber  of  Commerce,  the  Craftsman's 
Club,  of  Landmark  Lodge,  No.  442,  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons,  Caldwell  Consistory  and 
Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of 
the   Mystic   Shrine. 

Mr.  Labagh  married,  January  1,  1920,  Kath- 
ryn  Walborn,  daughter  of  George  Walborn, 
well  known  contractor,  of  Wilkes-Barre. 
Their  children  are:  James  F.  and  George  W. 


ALBERT        WILLIAMS        JOHNSON,        JR. — 

Though  still  relatively  young,  Albert  Wil- 
liams Johnson,  Jr.,  has  practiced  law  at 
Wilkes-Barre,  with  offices  in  the  Miners'  Bank 
Building,  for  a  period  of  several  months.  He 
is  the  son  of  a  distinguished  Pennsylvania 
lawyer  and  jurist,  and  from  him  inherits  an 
aptitude  for  the  law  and  legal  talents  of  a 
high  order  which  he  has  been  at  pains 'to  de- 
velop through  intensive  training  for  his  pro- 
fession. It  is  safe  to  say  that  his  present  suc- 
cesses   foreshadow    a    brilliant    future    career. 


Mr.  Johnson  was  born  at  Lewisburg,  Penn- 
sylvania, on  July  15,  1903,  a  son  of  Albert 
Williams  and  Dora  (Miller)  Johnson,  the  lat- 
ter of  whom  was  born  at  New  Berlin,  Penn- 
sylvania, and  died  in  1909.  The  father  was 
born  in  Union  County,  Pennsylvania,  in  1872, 
was  graduated  from  Bucknell  LTniversity,  and 
is  one  of  the  trustees  of  that  institution  now. 
Following  the  completion  of  his  academic 
training  in  1896  he  took  up  the  study  of  law 
and  in  1S9S  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  the 
State.  Since  that  time  he  has  practiced  very 
successfully  at  Lewisburg.  In  1912  he  was 
elected  judge  of  Snyder  and  Union  counties, 
holding  office  until  1922.  Three  years  later, 
in  1925,  Judge  Johnson  was  appointed  Federal 
judge  for  the  Middle  District  of  Pennsylvania, 
a  position  for  which  he  was  ideally  fitted  by 
temperament  and  training,  and  to  the  duties 
of  which  he  still  devotes  himself.  He  has 
been  very  prominent  in  Pennsylvania  life, 
and  is  now  National  President  of  the  Patri- 
otic Order  Sons  of  America. 

Albert  Williams  Johnson.  Jr.,  attended  the 
public  schools  of  his  birthplace,  and  follov^^- 
ing  graduation  from  the  Lewisburg  High 
School  in  1921,  entered  Bucknell  University, 
where  his  father  had  preceded  him  years  be- 
fore. In  1925  he  was  graduated  with  the 
degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts,  and  then,  having 
also  determined  upon  a  legal  career,  he  un- 
dertook the  course  of  study  at  the  Dickinson 
La"w  School  from  which  he  received  the  de- 
gree of  Bachelor  of  Laws  in  1928.  On  Sep- 
tember 10,  1928,  he  was  admitted  to  practice 
before  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  State,  and  in 
October  of  this  year,  was  admitted  to  the 
Federal  Court.  Immediately  afterwards  he 
began  the  general  practice  of  his  profession 
at  Wilkes-Barre,  in  which  city  he  has  since 
made  his  home.  In  only  a  few  months  he  lias 
built  up  his  following  to  profitable  propor- 
tions, and  acquired  wide  reputation  in  the 
local   courts. 

Mr.  Johnson  has  been  prominent  in  fra- 
ternal affairs,  being  affiliated  with  Bucknell 
Chapter  of  the  Sigma  Chi  Fraternity,  with 
the  Patriotic  Order  Sons  of  America  at  Lewis- 
burg, the  .lunior  Order  United  American 
Mechanics,  of  Plymouth,  and  with  the  Free 
and  Accepted  Masons.  In  this  great  order  he 
is  a  member  of  Lewisburg  Lodge.  No.  144,  a 
member  of  all  bodies  of  the  Ancient  Accepted 
Scottish  Rite,  including  the  Consistory  at 
Williamsport,  and  a  member  of  Irem  Temple 
of  the  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the 
Mystic  Shrine.  In  politics  he  gives  his  sup- 
port to  Republican  principles  and  candidates, 
contributing  liberally  to  all  worthy  move- 
ments for  advance  and  progress,  whether 
civic  or  benevolent  in  nature.  Mr.  Jolmson 
worships  in  the  faith  of  the  Lutheran  Church. 

SAMliEL  M.  WOLFE,  M.  D For  thirty- 
six  years  a  physician,  and  a  member  of  the 
medical  profession  in  Wilkes-Barre  since 
1S95,  Dr.  Samuel  M.  Wolfe,  with  residence 
and  offices  at  No.  218  South  Franklin  Street, 
is  of  the  third  generation  of  the  Wolfe  family 
to  be  a  native  of  Luzerne  County.  He  was 
born  at  Muhlenburg,  Luzerne  County,  on  a 
farm,  August  22,  1868,  a  son  of  Stephen  R. 
and  Rachel  Wolfe.  Stephen  R.  '^''olfe  was  a 
son  of  Samuel  Wolfe,  also  a  resident  of  Lu- 
zerne County,  whose  father  located  there 
upon  coming  to  the  United  States  from  Eu- 
rope more  than  one  hundred  and  twenty-five 
years  ago,  member  of  a  well-known  German 
line.  Stephen  R.  Wolfe  was'born  in  1827,  and 
by  his  wife,   Rachel  Wolfe,  was  the  parent  of 


6oo 


six  children:  1.  Catherine,  deceased.  2.  Jessie, 
deceased.  3.  Chester  B.,  of  Pittsburgh,  Penn- 
sylvania. 4.  Margaret  A.,  wife  of  Eugene 
Fink,  of  Wilkes-Barre.  5.  Edward  I.,  for 
forty  years  an  instructor  in  Wyoming  Semi- 
nary at  Kingston,  Pennsylvania,  died  in  1926. 
6.   Dr.   Samuel  M.,   of  whom  further. 

Dr.  Samuel  M.  Wolfe  was  reared  on  the  old 
family  farm  in  Union  Township  and  was  edu- 
cated in  the  public  schools  and  high  school 
at  Nanticoke.  In  1891  he  entered  the  Jeffer- 
son Medical  College  at  Philadelphia  and  was 
graduated  with  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medi- 
cine with  the  class  of  1894.  Dr.  Wolfe  spent 
the  first  year  after  graduation  as  an  interne 
at  the  Jefferson  Medical  College  Hospital,  and 
in  the  spring  of  1S95  opened  an  office  at 
Wilkes-Barre,  and  has  there  been  engaged 
actively  in  the  practice  of  his  profession  dur- 
ing the  years  that  have  succeeded.  Mean- 
while, from  his  various  duties  he  has  taken 
time  for  extensive  travel,  having  covered  in 
his  journeys  much  of  the  United  States  be- 
sides visiting  Alaska,  several  countries  on  the 
Continent  of  Europe,  Egypt,  and  other  Asiatic 
and  African  countries.  He  has  been  in  four 
of  the  five  parts  of  the  world,  omitting  only 
Australia:  but  never  has  he  neglected  his 
general  practice,  always  "when  at  home  giv- 
ing it  his  major  interest.  During  the  epidemic 
of  influenza  that  swept  the  country  he  volun- 
teered for  emergency  duty  in  the  treatment 
of  the  new  and  devasting  sickness,  and  was 
stationed  at  Lancaster,  Massachusetts,  where 
his  efforts  for  humanity  won  warm  recogni- 
tion. He  is  on  tlie  staff  of  the  Mercy  Hospital 
at  Wilkes-Barre,  as  surgeon;  he  is  a  Repub- 
lican, member  of  the  Central  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church,  of  the  Luzerne  County  Medical 
Society,  Pennsylvania  State  Medical  Society, 
Lehigh  Valley  Medical  Society,  and  the 
American    Medical   Association. 

Dr.  Samuel  M.  Wolfe  married,  on  August 
22,  1903,  Bessie  Straw  of  Wilkes-Barre, 
daughter  of  Cyrus  and  Sarah  (Leach)  Straw, 
deceased.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Wolfe  are  the  parents 
of  three  children:  1.  Sarah  L.,  wife  of  George 
T.  Bell.  Jr.,  of  Wilkes-Barre.  2.  Samuel  M., 
Jr.,  a  student  at  the  Jefferson  Medical  Col- 
lege, at  Philadelphia.  3.  Rachel  M.,  a  gradu- 
ate of  the  Wyoming  Seminary  and  student  at 
Vassar   College,   at  Poughkeepsie,   New   York. 


JOHN  Bl,OSS  WOLFE,  M.  D. — Among  the 
outstanding  physicians  of  Wilkes-Barre  and 
Luzerne  County,  specializing  in  internal  med- 
icine, is  Dr.  John  Bloss  Wolfe,  who  is  of  the 
fourth  generation  of  the  family  to  reside  in 
Luzerne  County,  his  great-grandfather  hav- 
ing located  there  after  leaving  Germany 
more  than  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  years 
ago.  The  family  has  contributed  generously 
of   its  male   members  to   the   professions. 

John  Bloss  Wolfe  was  born  at  Berwick, 
Columbia  County,  Pennsylvania,  on  March  21, 
1892,  a  son  of  Edward  I.  and  Anna  (Bloss) 
Wolfe.  Edward  I.  Wolfe  was  a  son  of 
Stephen  R.  and  Rachel  Wolfe,  his  father  hav- 
ing been  a  farmer  and  native  of  Luzerne 
County.  Stephen  R.  Wolfe  was  a  son  of 
Samuel  Wolfe,  who  also  was  a  native  of  Lu- 
zerne County  and  whose  father  upon  coming 
to  the  United  States  at  the  beginning  of  the 
nineteenth  century  located  there.  Edward  I. 
Wolfe,  father  of  John  Bloss  Wolfe,  died  in 
1926  at  the  age  of  sixty-two  years.  He  was 
one  of  the  well-known  educators  of  the  dis- 
trict, having  been  instructor  in  English  and 
history  at  the  Wyoming  Seminary  at  King- 
ston   for    more    than    forty    years.      A    highly 


respected  citizen  of  Luzerne  County,  he  spent 
his  entire  career  in  the  cause  of  education. 
Edward  I.  and  Anna  Wolfe  were  the  parents  of 
three  children:  1.  Dr.  John  Bloss,  of  whom' 
later.  2.  Edward  I.,  also  a  physician.  3.  Eu- 
gene, a  student  at  Cornell  University  at 
Ithaca,  New  York,  and  later  matriculated  at 
Jefferson  Medical  College.  Edward  I.  Wolfe 
was  an  active  member  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church  at  Kingston,  and  affiliated  with 
the  Republican  party.  Mrs.  Edward  I.  Wolfe 
is  residing  at  No.  2S5  Wrigiit  Street,  King- 
ston, and  is  active  in  church  and  civic  affairs. 

Dr.  John  Bloss  Wolfe  received  his  early 
education  in  the  public  schools  of  Kingston, 
later  enrolling  in  the  Wyoming  Seminary, 
where  he  was  graduated  with  tlie  class  of 
1909,  and  then  entered  the  Jefferson  Medical 
College,  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania,  taking 
his  degree  as  Doctor  of  Medicine  in  1915.  For 
two  years  thereafter  he  served  as  resident 
physician  in  the  Episcopal  Hospital  at  Phila- 
delphia, and  on  September  6,  1917,  volunteered 
with  the  Episcopal  Hospital  Unit  and  joined 
the  United  States  Medical  Corps  with  the 
rank  of  first  lieutenant.  He  was  first  as- 
signed to  Camp  Crane,  at  AUentown,  Penn- 
sylvania, and  later  was  transferred  to  Camp 
Dix,  New  Jersey.  On  December  13,  1917,  he 
sailed  with  his  corps  for  France  on  the 
United  States  Steamship  "Leviathan"  (the 
ship's  first  voyage),  landed  in  Liverpool,  Eng- 
land, spent  Christmas  Day  in  England,  and 
on  December  26,  sailed  for  France.  He  was 
assigned  as  a  detached  officer  to  the  Blois 
Base  Hospital,  where  he  remained  until  April 
4,  1918,  when  he  rejoined  his  unit  at  Nantes, 
France,  where  he  was  located  until  April  11, 
1919.  Upon  his  return  to  the  United  States 
he  w^as  assigned  to  Camp  Dix,  Wrightstown, 
New  Jersey,  and  four  months  later  received 
his  honorable  discharge.  In  December,  1918, 
he  "was  promoted  to  captain.  Dr.  Wolfe  is  a 
member  of  the  Luzerne  County  Medical  So- 
ciety, the  Lehigh  Medical  Society,  the  Penn- 
sylvania State  Medical  Society,  and  the 
American  Medical  Association.  Though  he 
has  practiced  in  Wilkes-Barre  less  than  ten 
years  (1929),  Dr.  Wolfe,  being  of  the  fourth 
generation  of  his  family  to  reside  there,  en- 
joys a  wide  acquaintanceship  and  is  esteemed 
as  a  valuable  member  of  tlie  community  in 
whose  service  he  is  engaged  both  as  a  pro- 
fessional and  a  lay  member.  Dr.  Wolfe  is  a 
member  of  the  Franklin  Club;  Fidelity  Lodge 
No.  655,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons  of  Wilkes- 
Barre,  Dieu  Le  Veut  Commandery,  Knights 
Templar,  and  Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic 
Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine;  Wyoming 
Valley  Country  Club;  Westmoreland  Club; 
Club  Atlantic,  Atlantic  City,  New  Jersey.  He 
is  also  a  member  of  the  Wilkes-Barre-Wyo- 
ming  Chamber  of  Commerce  and  tlie  First 
Presbyterian  Church  of  Wilkes-Barre.  In 
political  matters  he  is  a  Republican. 

Dr.  John  Bloss  Wolfe  married  on  November 
3,  1917,  Violet  Eckert,  of  Lebanon,  Pennsyl- 
vania, daughter  of  Robert  and  Matilda 
(Ruth)  Eckert.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Wolfe  are  the 
parents  of  four  children:  John  Bloss,  Jr., 
Robert  Eckert,  Edward  Inman,  and  Ruth 
Anne. 


ST.4NLEY  K.  AVALBORN — To  the  growing 
city  and  its  present-day  architectural  de- 
mands. Stanley  K.  Walborn  has  turned  the 
expert  attention  of  the  trained  architect,  who 
has  specialized  in  pleasing  and  substantial 
types  and  designs,  and  whose  workshops  are 
headquarters  where  the  requirements  both  of 


6oi 


the  home  builder  and  the  business  man  are 
sought  to  be  fulfilled.  Mr.  Walborn  is  a  vet- 
eran of  the  World  War,  a  broad  observer  of 
architectural  needs  in  his  native  city  of 
Wilkes-Barre  and  the  county;  and  one  who 
is  most  popular  and  highly  esteemed  for  his 
personal  worth,  as  well  as  his  professional 
attainments. 

Stanley  K.  Walborn  was  born  April  13, 
1893,  in  Wilkes-Barre,  a  son  of  George  W.  and 
S.  Catherine  (Klingman)  Walborn.  George 
W.  Walborn  is  a  well-known  contractor,  of 
the  firm  of  Walborn  and  Barney,  who  do  a 
general  contracting  and  building  business  in 
Wilkes-Barre  and  throughout  Luzerne 
County.  George  W.  and  S.  Catherine  (Kling- 
man)  Walborn  are  the  parents  of  four  chil- 
dren: Stanley  K.,  of  whom  further;  Grace 
M.  Walborn,  who  married  W.  A.  Collitt,  of 
Wilkes-Barre:  Catherine  L..  who  married  J. 
Forester  Labagh,  of  Wilkes-Barre;  and 
Charles  Faust,  who  married  Elizabeth 
Hughes. 

Stanley  K.  Walborn  attended  the  Wilkes- 
Barre  public  schools,  and  Wyoming  Seminary, 
at  Kingston.  He  then  matriculated  at  Drexel 
Institute.  Philadelphia,  where  he  was  gradu- 
ated with  the  class  of  1914,  following  whicli 
he  entered  upon  the  duties  of  his  profession 
of  architect,  at  first  with  the  firm  of  Sturde- 
vant  and  Poggie:  and  then,  successively, 
with  George  S.  Welsh,  and  Wayne  M.  High, 
of  Reading.  After  the  World  War,  in  which 
he  participated,  Mr.  Walborn  returned  home, 
and  again  resumed  his  profession  in  the  office 
of  George  S.  Welsh,  later  with  R.  H.  Hunt 
and  Company,  in  Chattanooga,  Tennessee, 
then  with  the  Bethlehem  Shipbuilding  Com- 
pany, at  Bethlehem,  Pennsylvania. 

In  January,  1927,  Mr.  Walborn  entered  into 
partnership  with  Jacob  S.  Pettebone,  with 
offices  in  the  Second  National  Bank  Building, 
in  Wilkes-Barre.  In  June,  1927,  he  was 
elected  associate  architect  for  the  Wilkes- 
Barre  City  School  District,  being  associated 
with  Mr.   Robert   Ireland. 

Volunteering  in  the  W^orld  War,  Mr.  Wal- 
born was  at  first  assigned  to  the  Construction 
Division  of  the  United  States  Army  Air 
Service,  and  was  assigned  to  Fort  Myer,  Vir- 
ginia, then,  consecutively,  to  Camp  Morrison, 
Virginia,  Taylor  Field,  Montgomery,  Alabama, 
and  to  Southern  Field,  at  Americus,  Georgia. 
Subsequently,  Mr.  Walborn  ■s^'as  ordered  to 
the  Field  Artillery  Officers'  Training  Camp, 
Camp  Taylor,  Louisville,  Kentucky,  where  he 
was  mustered  out  November  28,   1918. 

In  his  political  view^s  a  Republican,  Mr. 
Walborn  with  his  vote  and  influence  supports 
the  principles  of  that  party.  Fraternally,  he 
is  affiliated  with  Landmark  Lodge,  No.  442, 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons;  Shekinah  Chap- 
ter, No.  182,  Royal  Arch  Masons;  Horeb 
Council,  Royal  and  Select  Ma.sters;  Dieu  le 
Veut  Commandery,  No.  45,  Knights  Templar; 
Caldwell  Consistory,  of  Bloomsburg,  Ancient 
Accepted  Scottish  Rite  of  the  thirty-second 
degree;  and  Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic 
Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Slvrine.  His  re- 
ligious faith  is  that  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church. 

Stanley  K.  "U'alborn  married,  October  30, 
1916,  Ruth  Whiteman.  of  Wilkes-Barre, 
daughter  of  Stephen  J.  and  Lydia  Ann 
(Major)  Whiteman.  They  have  one  daughter, 
Ruth  DeRemer  Walborn. 


JO.SEPH  E.  COXLOX— John  Conlon,  of  Hud- 
son, Luzerne  County,  and  his  wife,  Mary 
(Clarke)   Conlon,  who  died  in  February,   1927, 


were  the  parents  of  eleven  children:  1. 
William,  married  Catherine  Feather.stone.  2. 
May  F.,  who  married  Dr.  Leo  C.  Mundy,  of 
Wilkes-Barre.  3.  Margaret,  who  married  Dr. 
Daniel  F.  Daley,  of  Kingston.  4.  Gertrude, 
teacher  in  the  public  schools  of  Plains.  5. 
Joseph  E.,  of  whom  further.  6  and  7.  (twins) 
Peter,  married  Mary  West  of  Trenton,  New 
Jersey,  and  Paul,  married  Mary  McLaughlin 
of  Kingston.  8.  John,  a  student  at  George- 
town University.  9.  Julia,  in  school  at  George- 
ian  Court,  Lakewood,  New  Jersey.  10.  Alice, 
also   at  Georgian   Court.    11.   Charles. 

Joseph  E.  Conlon  was  born  August  6,  1896, 
in  the  Borough  of  Hudson  where  he  spent  his 
boyhood,  attending  the  public  schools  there. 
He  graduated  from  the  the  Mansfield  (Penn- 
sylvania) State  Normal  School  in  1916;  and  in 
1917  enlisted  in  Battery  D,  311th  Field  Artil- 
lery, 79th  Division,  stationed  at  Camp  Meade, 
Maryland,  until  June,  1918,  when  his  organi- 
zation embarked  at  Philadelphia  and  was 
landed  at  Barry,  Wales,  on  account  of  the 
transport  being  chased  by  submarines,  the 
men  being  then  sent  to  France  where  he 
served  until  January,  1919,  when  he  "was  re- 
turned to  the  United  States  and  discharged. 
He  tlien  matriculated  at  Lafayette  College 
from  which  he  was  graduated  with  the  class 
of  1922.  The  following  two  years  were  spent 
in  the  Harvard  Law  School,  and  in  the  spring 
of  1926  he  "was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  Luzerne 
County,  followed  shortly  by  admittance  to 
practice  before  the  State  Supreme  Court.  He 
maintains  an  office  at  226  Second  National 
Bank  Building  in  Wilkes-Barre.  He  is  solici- 
tor   for    Plains    Township    School    Board. 

Attorney  Conlon  is  a  member  of  Fox  Hill 
Country  Club,  Sigma  Nu  Greek  letter  fra- 
ternity. Black  Diamond  Post  of  the  American 
Legion,  Wilkes-Barre  Lodge,  No.  109,  Benevo- 
lent and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  and  the 
Knights  of  Columbus.  In  politics  he  is  a  Re- 
publican, and  he  is  a  communicant  of  St.- 
Mary's  P^oman  Catholic  Church,  in  Wilkes- 
Barre. 

AGNES  NELSON  FLACK,  M.  D. — Though 
one  of  the  younger  generation  of  physicians 
of  Luzerne  County,  and  just  on  the  threshold 
of  her  career.  Dr.  Flack  has  already  given 
many  signs  of  future  success  and  usefulness 
in  her  chosen  profession.  A  native  of  Luzerne 
County,  she  established  herself  in  the  active 
practice  of  medicine  at  Kingston  and  in  the 
short  time  elapsed  since  then  she  has  gained 
for  herself  a  high  reputation  as  an  able 
physician.  The  fact  that  she  devoted  herself 
assiduously  to  various  forms  of  civic  work 
during  the  World  War  indicates  her  strong 
patriotism  and  her  sincere  interest  in  the 
public  welfare. 

Agnes  Nelson  Flack  was  born  at  Plymouth, 
Luzerne  County,  a  daughter  of  Rev.  Ebenezer 
Flack,  D.  D.,  and  Sarah  (Hutcheson)  Flack. 
She  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of 
Latrobe  and  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  and,  after 
graduating  from  the  Scranton  High  School  in 
1915.  entered  Wilson  College.  Chambersburg, 
Pennsylvania,  where  she  graduated  with  the 
degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts  in  1920.  Two  years 
later  she  entered  the  Women's  Medical  Col- 
lege of  Philadelphia,  where  she  graduated 
with  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine,  in 
1926.  The  next  year  she  spent  as  an  interne 
at  the  Wilkes-Barre  General  Hospital,  ac- 
quiring further  practical  experience.  In 
August,  1927,  she  established  herself  in  the 
general  practice  of  medicine  at  No.  471  Wyo- 
ming Avenue,   Kingston,    in   which   town    she 


602 


is  rapidly  building-  up  a  successful  and  large 
practice.  During  the  World  War  Dr.  Flack 
had  charge  of  the  War  Garden  worlc  at  New- 
burgh,  New  York,  and  also  served  for  two 
years  with  the  United  States  Army  Canteen. 
She  is  a  member  of  the  Luzerne  County  Medi- 
cal Society  and  of  Alpha  Epsilon  Iota  Frater- 
nity, a  national  medical  fraternity.  Her  re- 
ligious affiliations,  like  those  of  her  family. 
are  with  the  Presbyterian  Church. 


LE  ROY  TURNER — One  of  the  well-known 
business  men  of  Kingston,  Pennsylvania,  is 
Le  Roy  Turner,  who  is  a  partner  of  Bala  S. 
Neary  in  the  ownership  and  management  of 
the  restaurant  located  at  Nos.  203-205  Wyo- 
ming Avenue,  in  Kingston,  and  of  the  cafe- 
teria which  is  conducted  in  connection  with 
the  General  Cigar  factory  at  Forty  Fort,  the 
largest  cigar  factory  in  the  world.  Mr. 
Turner  served  overseas  for  fourteen  months 
during  the  World  War. 

Le  Roy  Turner  was  born  in  Philadelphia, 
Pennsylvania,  October  29,  1S92,  only  child  of 
Samuel  and  Rebecca  (Devenay)  Turner,  both 
of  whom  came  to  this  country  from  England 
about  1S85.  He  was  brought  to  Wilkes-Barre 
by  his  mother  when  he  was  ten  years  of  age, 
and  received  his  education  in  the  public 
schools  of  Wilkes-Barre.  While  still  a  boy  he 
began  to  earn  his  way  in  life.  He  secured  a 
position  in  the  butcher  shop  of  Percy  Brown, 
with  ^vhOIn  he  remained  for  some  years,  mak- 
ing himself  useful  in  various  ways  at  the 
beginning,  and  eventually,  learning  the  busi- 
ness thoroughly.  Later  he  conducted  a  meat 
market  in  Wilkes-Barre,  for  the  Davis 
Brothers,  and  he  continued  this  market  for 
three  years.  At  the  end  of  that  time  he  came 
to  Kingston  as  manager  of  a  meat  market,  in 
the  employ  of  S.  A.  Boyd,  and  he  continued  to 
successfully  operate  this  market  for  Mr. 
Boyd  during  a  period  of  seven  years.  The 
entrance  of  the  United  States  into  the  World 
War,  however,  interrupted  his  successful 
business  operations,  and  in  April,  191S,  he 
enlisted  in  the  Motor  Transportation  Corps 
of  the  United  States  Army  as  a  member  of 
Motor  Transportation  Company,  No.  545, 
with  which  unit  he  served  in  France  for 
fourteen  months,  transporting  trucks  to  the 
various  divisions  of  the  American  Expedition- 
ary Forces.  He  was  mustered  out  of  service 
November  11,  1919,  and  soon  afterward  re- 
turned to  this  country.  Upon  his  return  he 
resumed  his  position  as  manager  of  the  meat 
market  at  Kingston,  in  the  employ  of  S.  A. 
Boyd,  but  in  the  spring  of  1920  he  formed  a 
partnership  with  Bala  S.  Neary  and  engaged 
in  the  restaurant  and  cafeteria  business  at 
Kingston  Corners,  locating  at  Nos.  203-205 
Wyoming  Avenue.  The  enterprise  has  met 
with  unqualified  success,  and  Mr.  Turner  and 
Mr.  Neary  have  extended  their  operations, 
taking  charge  of  the  cafeteria  which  is  oper- 
ated in  connection  with  the  General  Cigar 
factory,  the  largest  factory  of  its  kind  in  the 
world.  Both  of  the  partners  are  able  business 
men,  and  there  is  every  indication  that  an 
increasingly  successful  business  career 
awaits  them.  Politically,  Mr.  Turner  gives  his 
support  to  the  principles  and  the  candidates 
of  the  Republican  party.  He  is  a  member  of 
Kingston  Lodge,  No.  395,  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons;  Shekinah  Chapter,  No.  182,  Royal 
Arch  Masons;  Dieu  le  Veut  Commandery,  No. 
45,  Knights  Templar,  of  Wilkes-Barre;  and 
of  Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles 
of    the    Mystic    Shrine;    also    of    Irem    Temple 


Country  Club,  of  Wilkes-Barre.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  Lodge  No.  109,  Benevolent  and  Pro- 
tective Order  of  Elks,  of  Wilkes-Barre;  of 
Kingston  Lodge,  No.  709,  Independent  Order 
of  Odd  Fellows;  of  Black  Diamond  Post,  No. 
395,  American  Legion,  of  Kingston;  of  the 
Veterans  of  Foreig-n  Wars;  and  of  the  King- 
ston Business  Men's  Association. 

Le  Roy  Turner  was  married,  June  24,  1925, 
to  Amanda  Kresge,  of  Hanover  Green,  Penn- 
sylvania, daughter  of  Julius  and  Catherine 
Kresge. 


ERNEST     GRAY     SMITH,     M.     S.,     LL,.     B. — 

Owner  and  publisher  of  the  Wilkes-Barre 
"Times-Leader,"  Ernest  Gray  Smith  has  been 
an  important  figure  in  the  Wyoming  Valley 
for  many  years.  He  was  born  at  Martin's 
Ferry,  Ohio,  on  October  26,  1873,  a  son  of 
Hiram  Wolfe  and  Evangaline  (Lash)  Smith. 
Following  the  completion  of  his  preliminary 
education,  he  entered  Lafayette  College,  at 
Easton,  Pennsylvania,  and  was  there  grad- 
uated in  1S94  with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of 
Philosophy.  In  1S97  he  took  the  Master  of 
Science  degree  at  the  same  institution,  hav- 
ing meanwhile  completed  the  course  of  study 
at  Yale  leading  to  the  Bachelor  of  Laws 
degree. 

In  1898  Mr.  Smith  enlisted  as  a  private 
in  the  17th  United  States  Infantry,  serving 
in  Cuba,  the  Philippines,  and  China.  He  was 
commissioned  second  lieutenant  in  the  LInited 
States  Army  in  1900  but  resigned  in  1902. 
These  months  of  military  life  were  an  impor- 
tant preliminary  to  his  later  service  during 
the  period  of  the  World  War  when  he  held 
the  rank  of  major  and  lieutenant-colonel  in 
the  LTnited  States  Army  and  won  the  Dis- 
tinguished Service  Medal  for  high  merit  in 
the  discharge  of  duty.  Mr.  Smith  was  also 
made  an  Officer  of  the  Black  Star  of  France 
in  1919. 

His  career  as  a  publisher  began  in  1905 
when  with  the  late  F.  C.  Kirkendall  he 
purchased  the  Wilkes-Barre  "Leader"  later 
merging  it  with  the  "Evening  Times."  Mr. 
Smith  has  since  continued  as  the  owner  of 
this  paper.  He  is  president  of  the  Leader 
Publishing  Company,  the  Times-Leader  Print- 
ery.  Incorporated;  a  director  of  the  Second 
National  Bank;  president  of  the  Wilkes- 
Barre  Chamber  of  Commerce,  the  Wilkes- 
Barre  Airport,  and  the  Wilkes-Barre  Hotels 
Corporation.  Aside  from  his  business  con- 
nections Mr.  Smith  is  also  a  member  of  the 
Pennsylvania  State  Welfare  Commission,  and 
president  of  the  Wilkes-Barre  Playground 
and    Recreation    Association. 

On  October  14,  1913,  Ernest  Gray  Smith 
married  Marjorie  Harvey,  of  Wilkes-Barre. 
They  are  the  parents  of  three  children:  Har- 
rison Harvey,  Lois  Gray,  and  Andries  DeWitt. 
The  residence  of  the  family  is  maintained 
in    Wilkes-Barre    at    No.    4    Riverside    Drive. 


COLONEL.    ROBERT    BRIICE    RICKBTTS — 

On  October  1,  191S,  the  fiftieth  anniversary 
of  their  wedding,  Robert  Bruce  Ricketts  and 
his  wife,  Elizabeth  (Reynolds)  Ricketts,  were 
spending  the  autumn  months  at  their  sum- 
mer home,  Ganoga,  Sullivan  County,  Penn- 
sylvania. There,  a  few  weeks  later,  on 
November  13,  1918,  Colonel  Ricketts  died;  the 
shock  of  his  unexpected  death  caused  his 
widow  to  survive  him  by  only  a  few  days. 
Mrs.  Ricketts  died  at  her  home  in  Wilkes- 
Barre,    November    19,    1918. 

Colonel  Ricketts,  through  his  brilliant  mili- 
tary career  as  an  officer  of  the  Civil  War, 
and  through  his  connection  with  the  lumber- 
ing   interests,    was    well    known    in    this    city, 


6o3 


his  death  removing-  another  of  WilVtes-Barre's 
grand  old  men  upon  whose  strong-,  enduring 
character  and  personal  quality  rested  much 
of  the  city's  earliest  reputation  for  exalted 
citizenship.  It  is  a  pleasure  to  recall  the 
circle  of  intimates  who  every  week  were 
gathered  in  the  library  of  the  Ricketts  home 
in  Wilkes-Barre,  and  discussed  things  past, 
affairs  of  the  present,  and  speculated  on  what 
was  expected  of  the  future.  For  long  years 
this  was  their  practice,  and  while  the  group 
often  included  many  occasionals,  it  was  sel- 
dom that  the  parties  around  the  book-laden 
table  did  not  include  these  five:  Colonel 
nicketts,  the  host;  Judge  Stanley  Woodward; 
Thomas  Graeme;  Colonel  Beaumont,  and  H. 
W.  Palmer.  One  by  one  this  group  passed 
away,  until  finally  the  last  survivor  was  the 
long-time  host.  Time  dealt  gently  with  him 
and  he  gave  little  evidence  of  his  age  until 
a  short  time  before  the  end  of  his  years, 
seventy-nine.  The  last  few  years  of  his  life 
were  spent  largely  at  his  summer  home  at 
Lake  Ganoga  on  North  Mountain,  where  a 
substantial  stone  house,  built  long  years  ago, 
had  been  transformed  into  a  comfortable 
residence  for  all  the  year  use.  There  he 
employed  his  time  with  his  walk  and  talks, 
his  books,  and  his  communings  with  nature, 
for  he  was  a  great  lover  of  the  out-of-doors. 

Of  Mrs.  Ricketts  the  -svorld  knew  less,  of 
course,  but  as  a  young  woman  and  as  a 
matron  she  was  among  the  most  highly 
esteemed  women  of  the  Wyoming  Valley. 
She  was  at  various  times  and  through  her 
more  active  years  identified  with  many  asso- 
ciations of  religious,  charitable  and  social 
character,  and  to  these  she  gave  freely  of 
her  time  and  her  special  talents.  She  was 
a  woman  of  grace  and  charm,  made  friends 
easily,  and  held  them  to  her  by  the  strength 
of  her  womanly  character.  Her  delicate 
health  compelled  her  to  spend  the  last  years 
of  her  life  in  the  quiet  of  her  own  home, 
but  her  trained  mind  delighted  in  the  store 
of  literary  treasure  the  library  contained, 
and  as  she  had  always  been  deeply  devoted 
to  her  home  and  family,  the  society  of  her 
family  and  her  intimates  occupied  her  time. 
At  the  Ricketts  home  a  generous  hospitality 
was  dispensed,  and  there  are  none  but  will 
recall  with  pleasure  their  privileged  friend- 
ship for  the  gentle  lady  who  there  presided. 
She  was  a  glory  to  the  relationship  of  home 
and  friends,  and  always  about  her  name  will 
linger  the  most  pleasant  associations.  These 
two  comrades  of  a  lifetime  were  seldom 
separated  in  life,  and  when  the  natural  head 
of  the  family  was  taken,  the  spirit  of  the 
weaker  partner  was  broken,  and  less  than 
one    week    later   she   was   laid   by    his   side. 

Colonel  Ricketts  was  of  Scotch  and  Eng- 
lish ancestry,  and  in  the  Scotch  line  he  had 
fully  traced  his  line  of  descent.  He  had 
also  visited  ancestral  homes  in  Scotland,  in 
which  he  found  his  kith  and  kin  and  made 
many  warm  friends.  He  was  a  grandson  of 
Lieutenant  Edward  Ricketts,  who  in  17S1 
was  an  officer  of  the  Pennsylvania  militia, 
and  fought  in  the  Revolutionary  War.  He 
was  the  fifth  son  of  Elijah  Green  and  Mar- 
garet Leigh  (Lockhart)  Ricketts.  of  Orange- 
ville.    Columbia  County,   Pennsylvania. 

Robert  Bruce  Ricketts  was  born  near 
Orangeville.  Columbia  County,  Pennsylvania, 
April  29,  1839.  and  died  at  his  country  home, 
Lake  Ganoga.  North  Mountain,  Sullivan 
County.  Pennsylvania,  November  13.  1918. 
He  was  educated  at  Wyoming  Seminary  in 
Kingston,  Pennsylvania,  and  was  prepared 
for  Yale  when  the  war  broke  out.  He  chose 
the  profession  of  law  as  his  lifework.  No 
sooner   had   President  Lincoln   issued   his   call 


for  men,  for  "three  years  or  during  the  war," 
than  Robert  Bruce  Ricketts  respejndcd,  and 
he  enlisted  in  Battery  F.  43d  Regiment.  Penn- 
sylvania Light  Artillery,  and  in  June,  1861, 
was  mustered  into  the  United  States  serv- 
ice. The  following  August  he  was  commis- 
sioned first  lieutenant,  and  with  Battery  F 
assigned  to  the  .'jth  Corps,  Army  of  the 
Potoinac,  that  corps  then  being  commanded 
by  General  Nathaniel  P.  Banks.  Battery  F, 
received  its  "baptism  of  fire,"  December  20, 
1861,  and  soon  afterward  was  transferred  to 
the  1st  Corps,  3d  Division,  Army  of  the 
Potomac,  and  Lieutenant  Ricketts  named  as 
its  commander.  Battery  F.  or  as  it  was  now 
called  in  accordance  with  army  custom, 
"Ricketts'  Battery."  had  been  cited  "for 
bravery  and  efficiency."  once  in  particular. 
February,  1863,  by  General  Hunt,  chief  of 
artillery,  Army  of  the  Potomac,  who  named 
it  among  a  few  other  batteries  as  "being 
in  the  best  of  order."  In  May,  1863,  he  was 
commissioned  captain,  his  major's  commis- 
sion being  bestowed  December  1,  1864,  and 
finally,  on  March  15.  1865.  he  was  commis- 
sioned colonel  of  the  1st  Regiment.  Pennsyl- 
vania Light  Artillery.  Ricketts'  Battery  was 
one  of  the  noted  units  of  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac,  and  its  commander  won  military 
glory  with  his  battery  on  more  than  one 
battlefield.  At  Bristoe  Station,  when  the  2d 
Corps  was  in  niuch  peril,  the  battery  used 
for  the  first  time  the  new  rifled  guns  that 
amazed  the  Confederates  by  the  range  and 
accuracy  of  their  fire.  Here,  too,  it  was,  on 
October  14,  1S63,  that  "while  Brown's  Battery 
from  beyond  the  run  and  Ricketts'  Pennsyl- 
vania Battery,  which  had  made  its  way  at  a 
gallop  through  the  throng  of  infantry  to  the 
ridge  above  n-ientioned,  back  froin  the  rail- 
road, near  the  stream,  poured  in  a  rapid  and 
most  effective  fire.  'It  is  conceded,'  says 
General  Morgan,  'that  the  finest  artillery 
practice  in  the  experience  of  the  corps  -was 
witnessed  here,'"  ("History  of  the  Second 
Army  Corps,"  Francis  A.  Walker).  So  too 
at  Gettysburg  and  Spottsylvania,  in  the  Wil- 
derness and  elsewhere,  the  battery  was  in 
the  thick  of  the  fight.  At  Gettysburg.  Cap- 
tain Ricketts  and  his  battery  was  posted  on 
Bast  Cemetery  Hill,  with  Weidrick's  New 
York  Battery  on  his  right,  and  a  Rhode 
Island  battery  on  his  left.  They  stood  the 
brunt  of  the  fierce  charge  of  the  Confeder- 
ates, led  by  the  Louisiana  Tigers,  and  after 
being  almost  overwhelmed  finally  drove  the 
enemy  back  with  the  aid  of  reinforcements. 
Colonel  Ricketts  said  once,  in  describing  this 
terrific  conflict:  "How  long  it  lasted  I  couldn't 
tell,  but  I  remember  that  when  we.  were 
done  with  it  and  the  assault  was  broken 
I  looked  up  and  saw  the  full  moon  above 
the  horizon."  Later  he  came  in  wider  notice 
as  the  young  but  brilliant  commander  of  most 
of  the  artillery  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac 
before  Petersburg  and  Richmond,  and  won 
the  esteem  of  all  by  his  courage,  coolness 
under  fire  and  his  fine  executive  ability.  He 
was  retained  in  the  service  for  several 
months  after  General  Lee's  surrender,  and 
during  the  entire  period  served  as  an  artil- 
lery offlcer.  He  rose  in  rank  early  as  he 
possessed  the  qualities  which  forced  promo- 
tion, and  he  stood  high  among  the  ranking 
officers  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  After 
the  war  Colonel  Ricketts  was  intimately 
connected  -with  the  various  n-iilitary  organ- 
izations of  the  country,  his  affiliation  with 
the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  being 
through  Conyngham  Post  of  Wilkes-Barre. 
and  he  was  an  honored  member  of  that 
organization  of  Civil  War  officers.  The  Mili- 
tary Order  of  the  Loyal  Legion  of  the  United 


6o4 


States.  He  was  also  a  member  of  the  Penn- 
sylvania Gettysburg  Military  Commission, 
whose  duty  it  was  to  erect  markers  and  gen- 
erally care  for  and  develop  the  battle  area 
as    a    national    preserve. 

Colonel  Ricketts  inherited  and  purchased 
a  large  tract  of  land,  and  several  years  of 
his  life  were  spent  under  a  heavy  financial 
burden,  which  he  courageously  carried  and 
which  finally  was  lifted  through  his  lumber- 
ing operations.  His  lite  was  largely  spent 
in  the  care  and  management  of  his  estate. 
He  had  no  other  important  business  connec- 
tions, neither  did  he  hold  any  political  or 
public  offices,  save  only  one  term  as  tax 
collector,  to  which  he  was  appointed  by 
Judge  Woodward.  He  was  a  lifelong  Demo- 
crat, but  he  was  not  so  strict  a  partisan  as 
to  lose  his  independence.  When  the  free 
silver  heresy  was  rampant  in  the  party,  he 
stood  with  the  Sound  Money  Democrats  and 
supported  Palmer  and  Buckner  for  the  presi- 
dencies. In  1SS6  he  was  the  Democratic  can- 
didate for  lieutenant-governor  of  Pennsyl- 
vania. Judge  Chauncey  F.  Black  being  the 
nominee  for  governor.  He  could  have  had 
the  nomination  for  governor  when  that  office 
was  again  to  be  filled,  but  he  refused  to  allow 
his  name  to  go  before  the  State  convention. 
When  free  from  business  cares  Colonel 
Ricketts  always  sought  companionship  with 
his  books,  for  he  was  an  intense  lover  of 
good  literature.  His  library  was  his  choice 
abiding  place,  and  it  was  filled  to  overflow- 
ing with  the  treasures  of  his  own  and  other 
languages.  Next  to  his  books  he  loved  nature 
and  her  works,  and  many  were  the  happy 
hours  spent  in  the  open.  He  was  openhanded 
and  generous,  very  thoughtful  and  consider- 
ate of  others.  His  military  record  glows 
with  the  spirit  of  loyalty  to  those  under 
whom  he  served,  and  the  same  spirit  was 
manifested  in  his  friendships.  He  held  his 
honor  sacred,  and  one  could  rely  upon  his 
word  with  absolute  assurance.  He  knew  no 
middle  ground,  but  held  positive  opinions 
which  he  was  always  ready  to  defend,  but 
he  granted  every  man  the  same  freedom 
of  thought  and  conscience  which  he  demanded 
for  himself.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Wyo- 
ming Historical  Society,  and  vice-president 
of  the  original  board  of  directors  of  the 
Westmoreland  Club.  So  his  years,  seventy- 
nine,  were  spent,  and  in  the  record  there  is 
no    flaw. 

Colonel  Ricketts  married,  in  Wilkes-Barre, 
Pennsylvania,  October  1,  1868,  Elizabeth  Rey- 
nolds.born  at  Kingston,  Pennsylvania,  April 
13,  1842,  died  at  her  home  on  South  River 
Street,  Wilkes-Barre,  November  19,  1918,  sur- 
viving her  husband  but  six  days.  Mrs.  Ricketts 
was  a  daughter  of  Judge  William  Champion 
Reynolds,  and  a  granddaughter  of  Benjamin 
Reynolds.  William  Champion  Reynolds  was 
among  the  early  anthracite  coal  operators, 
and  until  1835  was  associated  with  Hender- 
son Gaylord  in  the  coal  business,  continuing 
in  the  coal  trade  until  1854,  being  one  of 
the  first  shippers  of  anthracite  from  the 
Wyoming  Valley.  He  was  also  one  of  the 
first  public-spirited  men  of  Wilkes-Barre  to 
adopt  and  foster  internal  improvement  plans 
which  included  canals,  turnpikes,  bridges  and 
postal  routes,  also  advocating  such  improve- 
ments while  a  member  of  the  Pennsylvania 
Legislature.  He  was  a  trustee  of  Wyoming 
Seminary,  a  director  of  the  W^yoming  Na- 
tional bank,  and  manager  of  the  Wilkes- 
Barre  Bridge  Company,  appointed  by  the 
attorney-general  of  Pennsylvania.  He  mar- 
ried, June  19,  1S32,  Jane  Holberton  Smith, 
daughter  of  John  French  and  Frances  (Hol- 
berton)   Smith,    of    Revolutionary    and    Colo- 


nial ancestors.  John  French  Smith  was  a 
pioneer  in  coal  mining,  who  did  more  than 
any  man  of  his  day  in  demonstrating  the 
vaiue  of  anthracite  coal  as  a  domestic  fuel. 
He  visited  many  sections  of  the  State  in  his 
missionary  tours  to  prove  that  coal  could  be 
burned  in  grates  and  to  him  is  largely  due 
the  rapid  extension  of  the  business.  He  was 
the  first  to  use  powder  for  blasting  coal, 
as  well  as  the  first  to  use  the  stationary 
steam  engine  in  Luzerne  County,  setting  the 
engine  up  himself  and  running  it.  In  1769 
representatives  of  the  Reynolds  family  came 
to  the  Wyoming  Valley.  After  the  massacre 
they  fled",  to  return  later,  but  again  were 
compelled  to  flee,  their  homes  and  barns 
being  burned  by  the  Pennamites  in  1784.  The 
family  is  also  descended  from  the  General 
Nathanael  Greene  family  and  from  Lydia 
Fuller,  wife  of  Benjamin  Reynolds,  three  of 
whose  ancestors  came  in  the  "Mayflower." 
Benjamin  Reynolds,  grandfather  of  Mrs. 
Ricketts,  was  a  justice  of  the  peace  and  a 
one-time    sheriff    of   Luzerne    County. 

MORRIS  M.  LLOYD— Important  among  the 
motor  car  dealers  of  Wilkes-Barre  is  Morris 
M.  Lloyd,  who  successfully  conducts  his  own 
enterprise  in  that  line  under  the  title  of  the 
Susquehanna-Knight,  Incorporated,  with  offi- 
ces and  salesrooms  at  No.  248  Wyoming  Ave- 
nue, Kingston,  Pennsylvania.  Prior  to  en- 
gaging in  this  business  he  had  tried  work  at 
railroading  and  as  a  traveling  salesman. 
Some  years  were  necessary  in  experimenta- 
tion before  he  discovered  his  real  calling, 
which,  once  found,  he  has  made  highly  profit- 
able. Self-made  in  all  he  has  achieved,  he  is 
one  of  the  beneficial  citizens  of  the  com- 
munity, helping  others  through  the  medium 
of  his  own  industry  and  prosperity. 

Morris  M.  Lloyd  was  born  in  Brooklyn,  New 
York,  in  February,  1877,  a  son  of  J.  O.  and 
Rosa  (Murrell)  Lloyd.  His  father's  family 
originated  in  Wales,  the  first  emigrants  to 
America  settling  on  Long  Island  in  1667  on 
land  that  is  still  occupied  by  their  descend- 
ants. J.  O.  Lloyd  had  two  sons,  Robert,  of 
New  York,  and  Morris  M.,  of  whom  further. 

Morris  M.  Lloyd  was  educated  at  Trinity 
Church  School  in  New  York  City  and  at  Stev- 
ens' Institute,  in  Hoboken,  New  Jersey.  Upon 
finishing  his  education,  he  obtained  a  posi- 
tion with  the  Erie  Railroad,  with  which  cor- 
poration he  remained  for  four  years.  He  left 
this  to  become  a  traveling  salesman  for  the 
J.  D.  Williams  Brothers  and  Company,  of 
Scranton,  remaining  with  them  for  nine 
years.  This  work  was  abandoned  that  he 
might  engage  with  the  Willys-Overland 
Automobile  Company  operating  in  North- 
eastern Pennsylvania,  working  in  the  whole- 
sale department.  In  1923  he  established  him- 
self independently  as  a  member  and  secretary 
of  the  Susquehanna-Knight,  Incorporated.  He 
is  the  founder  and  operator  of  the  first  and 
only  taxicab  line  in  Kingston  and  the  West 
Side,  which  he  established  in  1923.  In  politics 
he  is  a  Republican,  and  in  religion  a  Protes- 
tant. He  is  very  much  interested  in  fra- 
ternal organizations,  being  a  thirty-second 
degree  member  of  the  order  of  Free  and  Ac- 
cepted Masons  and  holding  membership  in 
Lodge  No.  61,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  as  well  as  in 
Keystone  Consistory,  Scottish  Rite  Masons, 
of  Scranton.  He  belongs  to  Irem  Temple. 
Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic 
Shrine,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  and  to  the  Irem 
Temple  Country  Club  and  the  Craftsman's 
Club. 

Mr.    Lloyd    married,    February    9,    1897,    Eva 


6o5 


Ellis,  of  Bloomingburgh,  New  York,  daughter 
of  William  H.  and  Amanda  (Winfield)  Kills. 
The  couple  have  three  children:  Elbert  E., 
Richard  M.,  and  William  H. 


WlblrlAM  S.  ALLAN — Few  men  in  Luzerne 
County,  or  for  that  matter  in  the  entire  State 
of  Pennsylvania,  have  followed  more  inter- 
esting careers  than  William  S.  Allan,  who,  for 
several  years,  engaged  in  the  automobile 
business  in  Wilkes-Barre.  He  has  traveled 
widely  in  this  country  and  abroad,  not  in  the 
easy  manner  of  a  tourist  bent  on  holiday  for 
relaxation,  but  to  little  known  parts  of 
South  America,  as  engineer  and  builder  of 
railroads.  This  work  led  him  into  many  ad- 
ventures, and  returning  to  the  United  States 
still  otlier  adventures  came  to  him,  as  engi- 
neer and  as  contractor.  When  he  first  went 
into  the  automobile  business  he  had  pro- 
gressed far  as  an  engineer;  and  as  a  figure  in 
commercial  spheres  he  has  likewise  suc- 
ceeded, with  honor  to  himself  and  associates. 
It  would  be  possible  to  construct  an  interest- 
ing volume  concerned  with  his  experiences,  as 
engineer  and  business  man — nor  would  it  be 
dull  reading  in  any  portion.  But  curtailed 
space  to  hand  prevents  elaboration  of  detail. 

William  S.  Allan  was  born  in  Toronto, 
Dominion  of  Canada,  October  6,  18SS,  son  of 
Selby  G.  and  Agnes  (Oliver)  Allan.  His  father 
died  at  the  age  of  seventy  years,  survived  by 
his  wife.  Both  parents  were  born  in  New- 
foundland, and  their  parents  were  natives  of 
Scotland. 

When  Mr.  Allan  was  a  child — but  two  years 
old  in  fact — he  was  brought  to  the  United 
States  by  his  father  and  mother,  who  estab- 
lished residence  in  Chicago,  Illinois.  There 
he  secured  a  good  elementary  and  secondary 
education  in  the  public  schools,  and  in  1908, 
at  the  age  of  nineteen  years,  graduated  from 
Lewis  Institute,  of  Chicago.  Thereafter  he 
entered  the  University  of  Illinois,  depart- 
ment of  engineering,  and  in  1911  was  gradu- 
ated with  the  degree  of  Civil  Engineer.  Thus 
technically  versed  and  possessed  of  an  im- 
mediate opportunity  he  embarked  in  the  fall 
of  that  year  for  South  America,  and  there 
began  the  first  chapter  of  his  experiences  as 
an  engineer  on  the  frontiers  of  civilization. 
Located  in  Brazil,  he  was  engaged  in  the  con- 
struction work  and  building  program  of  the 
Madeira  Marmose  Railroad,  remaining  two 
years  so  employed.  At  the  close  of  the  two 
years  he  returned  to  the  United  States,  again 
located  in  Chicago,  and  directly,  in  the  fall 
of  1913,  took  a  place  with  C.  A.  Chapman, 
Incorporated,  engineering  firm,  Chicago. 
Later  he  organized  an  engineering  office  with 
a  partner,  under  the  style  of  Standish  and 
Allan,  engaging  in  contracting,  construction 
and  engineering.  This  firm,  it  may  be  noted 
here,  designed  and  had  charge  of  building  the 
Attica  Bridge  across  the  Wabash  River,  at 
Attica,  Indiana;  the  Stanhope  Railway  Bridge 
at  Jollet,  Illinois;  and  the  Red  River  Bridge, 
at  Arthur  City,  Texas,  for  the  Frisco  Rail- 
road Company. 

It  was  while  he  was  in  this  business  as 
engineering  contractor,  meeting  with  success 
on  every  hand  and  faced  with  the  outlook  of 
still  more  responsible  prospects,  that  the 
United  States  declared  war  on  Germany,  in 
April,  1917.  Soon  afterward  Mr.  Allan  con- 
cluded his  affairs  sufficiently  well  to  join 
Company  I,  11th  Illinois  Infantry,  as  a  private. 
Subsequently  he  advanced  to  the  rank  of  first 
lieutenant,  which  rank  he  held  when  mus- 
tered  out  of   the   service,   in   November,    1918. 


The  war  ended,  he  resumed  the  course  of  his 

career  where   he  had   dropped  It. 

In  1922  Mr.  Allan  gave  up  the  contracting, 
engineering  and  construction  enterprise,  pro- 
ceeded to  New  Park,  Kentucky,  and  there  en- 
tered the  automobile  business,  which  he  con- 
tinued at  New  Park  until  1925,  when  he  came 
to  Wilkes-Barre,  as  member  of  the  Bell-Allan 
Motor  Company,  No.  201  Carey  Avenue.  He  is 
vice-president  and  treasurer  of  the  organi- 
zation, which  handles  Dodge  Brothers  motor 
vehicles  and  Graham  Brothers  trucks.  It  oc- 
cupes  a  two-story  brick  and  steel  service  and 
distribution  building,  fire-proof,  modern  in 
every  phase,  200x200  feet,  being  one  of  the 
largest  and  best  appointed  plants  of  the  kind 
in  the  Wyoming  Valley. 

Despite  the  heaviness  of  his  responsibilities, 
Mr.  Allan  devotes  a  great  deal  of  time  to  gen- 
eral affairs  of  interest  to  Wilkes-Barre  and 
Luzerne  County.  He  is  a  Republican,  staunch 
supporter  of  the  party's  principles,  and  in- 
fiuential  in  its  workings  locally.  Fraternally 
he  is  active  in  the  Free  and  Accepted  Masons, 
being  a  member  of  Washington  Lodge,  of 
Washington,  Indiana;  Royal  Arch  Chapter, 
Fort  Thomas,  Kentucky;  New  Post  Com- 
mandery.  No.  13,  Knights  Templar;  and  Irem 
Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the 
Mystic  Shrine,  of  Wilkes-Barre.  He  is  a 
member  of  Irem  Temple  Country  Club, 
Greater  Wilkes-Barre  Chamber  of  Commerce, 
the  National  Automobile  Dealers  Association, 
Pennsylvania  Auto  Dealers  Association,  and 
the  Forty  Fort  Progressive  Club,  of  which 
last  he  is  president.  He  is  chairman  of  the 
field  committee  of  the  Wyoming  Air  Port 
Association.  His  church  is  the  First  Presby- 
terian, Wilkes-Barre. 

Mr.  Allan  married.  January  1,  191S,  Dorothy 
Winston,  of  Washington,  Indiana,  daughter 
of  John  L.  and  Laura  (Scudder)  Winston,  her 
father  having  at  one  time  been  national 
champion  trap  pigeon  shot.  Of  this  union 
were  born  four  children:  Suzanne  Winston, 
William  S.,  Jr.,  Jean  Rutherford,  and  Mary 
Scudder.  The  family  residence  is  at  No.  1710 
Wyoming  Avenue,   Forty  Fort. 


PAUIj  sterling — A  descendant  of  one  of 
the  oldest  families  of  America,  Paul  Sterling 
is  a  prominent  figure  in  the  business  and 
industrial  life  of  Wilkes-Barre,  having  held 
since  1900  a  position  as  mechanical  engineer 
for  the  Lehigh  Valley  Coal  Company.  His  is 
an  important  place  in  the  city,  and  he  is 
highly  respected  by  all  the  residents  of  the 
community  who  have  the  honor  of  his  ac- 
quaintance. 

He  is  a  son  of  Walter  G.  and  Emma  (Elder) 
Sterling,  both  of  whom  are  deceased.  His 
ancestry  has  been  traced  back  to  David  Ster- 
lin,  Starlin,  or  Sterling,  as  the  name  vari- 
ously occurred  in  the  original  records,  who 
was  said  to  have  been  born  in  Hertfordshire, 
England,  about  1G22,  and  to  have  emigrated 
to  Charlestown,  Massachusetts,  in  1651,  and 
to  have  died  there  in  1691.  He  is  undoubtedly 
the  common  ancestor  of  the  Sterlings  of 
Bridgeport,  Connecticut,  and  of  the  Wyo- 
ming section  of  Pennsylvania.  William  Ster- 
ling, of  Haverhill,  Massachusetts,  evidently 
the  son  of  David  Sterling,  was  made  a  free- 
man in  Massachusetts  on  May  11,  16S1,  the 
town  records  showing  that  "William  Starlin" 
was  granted  two  town  lots  of  ten  acres  each, 
one  "at  the  Fishing  River  near  the  sawmill 
path"  and  an  adjoining  one  granted  to  him 
"to  set  up  a  Corn  Mill  at  Fishing  River." 
About   1703   William   Sterling  moved  with  his 


6o6 


family  to  Lyme,  where  he  died  on  January 
22.  1719.  He  was  four  times  married,  and  by 
his  second  wife,  Mary  (Blaisdell)  Sterling, 
born  March  5,  1641-42,  died  May  29,  1681, 
whom  lie  married  on  December  19.  1676,  he 
had  a  son,  Jacob.  Jacob  Sterling,  tlie  eighth 
child  of  William  Sterling,  was  born  in  Haver- 
hill, Massachusetts,  on  August  29,  167S,  and 
died  in  January  9,  1765;  he  married,  about 
1710,  Hannah  (Odell)  Seeley,  born  October 
20,  1679,  died  June  14,  1756,  the  widow  of 
Sergeant  Nathaniel  Seeley,  of  Fairfield.  Con- 
necticut, who  died  in  1698,  and  the  daugliter 
of  John  and  Joanna  (Walker)  Odell,  of  Pair- 
field,  the  former  of  ^vllom  was  a  son  of  Wil- 
liam Odell.  of  Concord,  Massachusetts.  Sam- 
uel Sterling,  of  Bridgeport,  Connecticut,  and 
Braintrim,  Pennsylvania,  born  about  1750, 
died  in  Black  Walnut,  Pennsylvania,  in  1830, 
was  doubtless  the  grandson  of  Jacob.  He  re- 
moved from  Bridgeport  with  his  family  to 
Luzerne  County.  Pennsylvania,  about  1790, 
settling  first  at  Exeter,  afterwards  in  Falls 
Township  (then  Wyalusing  Township),  and 
finally  in  Black  Walnut,  Braintrim  Township, 
all  now  in  "Wyoming  County,  where  he  bought 
large  tracts  of  land.  Warrants  were  issued 
by  Pennsylvania  to  Samuel  Sterling,  Samuel 
Sterling,  Jr.,  James  Sterling,  and  Lucy  Ster- 
ling for  four  hundred  acres  of  land  each  in 
Luzerne  County,  wliich  was  surveyed  for 
them  on  August  20,  1792.  Samuel  Sterling  had 
at  least  four  children,  of  whom  the  eldest, 
Daniel,  was  born  in  Bridgeport,  Connecticut, 
on  July  8,  1776,  and  died  in  Rock  Island, 
Illinois,  on  August  25,  1839;  and  he  was  thrice 
married,  his  third  wife,  to  whom  he  was  mar- 
ried about  1814,  having  been  Rachel  Brooks, 
a  native  of  New  York  State.  After  he  had 
come  with  his  father  to  Pennsylvania,  he 
managed  his  father's  affairs,  bought  land  on 
Sterling  (now  Meshoppen)  Creek,  near  its 
junction  with  the  Susquehanna  River,  and 
for  many  years  was  interested  in  lumbering, 
grist  milling,  merchandising  and  farming, 
until  in  1837  he  removed  to  Rock  Island, 
Illinois,  to  fill  a  contract  for  the  United 
States  Government.  Daniel  and  Rachel 
(Brooks)  Sterling  were  the  parents  of  twelve 
children,  the  second  of  whom  was  Walter  G. 
Sterling,  the  father  of  Paul  Sterling,  of  the 
present  generation. 

Walter  G.  Sterling,  who  was  born  on  No- 
vember 24,  1821,  and  died  in  Wilkes-Barre 
on  August  14,  1889,  was  one  of  that  city's 
first  bankers.  He  built  the  old  Music  Hall 
on  the  corner  of  West  Market  and  River 
streets,  where  now  stands  the  Sterling  Hotel, 
which  took  its  name  from  the  Sterling  family. 
He  came  to  Wilkes-Barre  when  he  was  a  boy 
fifteen  years  old,  at  a  time  when  the  town 
had  a  population  of  only  a  few  thousand 
people,  with  no  railroads  or  manufacturing 
activity  of  any  kind.  He  went  to  California 
as  a  "Forty-niner,"  and  sailed  around  Cape 
Horn  in  an  old-fashioned  sail  ship.  He  was 
known  as  one  of  the  leading  citizens  of 
Wilkes-Barre.  He  was  twice  married,  the 
name  of  his  first  wife  not  known:  he  married 
(second)  Emma  (Eider)  Sterling,  and  they 
were  the  parents  of  five  children  who  grew 
to  maturity:  1.  Walter  C,  who  is  a  member 
of  the  Luzerne  County  Bar.  2.  Margaret,  of 
Rochester,  New  York,  who  is  single.  3. 
Knight,  who  died  in  1899.  4.  Paul,  of  further 
mention.  5.  Leila,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  who  is 
single. 

Paul  Sterling,  their  son,  who  now  lives  in 
Wilkes-Barre,   attended   as   a   boy   the   public 


schools  of  the  city,  then  the  Harry  Hillman 
Academy,  and  finally  Yale  College,  from 
which  he  was  graduated  in  the  class  of  1900 
after  he  had  taken  a  course  in  scientific  sub- 
jects. Then  he  returned  to  Wilkes-Barre, 
where  ever  since  that  time  he  has  been  a 
meclianical  engineer  for  tlie  Lehigh  Valley 
Coal  Company.  He  is  also  a  director  of  the 
Morris  Run  Coal  Company.  Keenly  interested 
in  political  matters,  lie  shares  the  opinions  of 
the  Republican  party.  In  his  religious  beliefs 
he  adheres  to  the  Protestant  faith.  He  be- 
longs to  several  clubs  and  organizations,  in- 
cluding the  Westmoreland  Club,  the  Wyoming 
Valley  Country  Club,  the  Mining  and  Metal- 
lurgical Engineers  of  America,  and  the 
Wilkes-Barre-Wyoming  Valley  Chamber  of 
Commerce. 

On  February  12,  1914,  Mr.  Sterling  married 
Arline  Payne,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  daughter  of 
Edward  and  Elsie  (Reith)  Payne,  both  de- 
ceased. 


JOHN  B.RUSSELL,  JR.— One  of  the  younger 
business  men  of  Wilkes-Barre  is  John  B. 
Russell,  Jr.,  representing  Addressograph 
Sales.  John  B.  Russell,  deceased,  father  of 
Mr.  Russell,  was  a  resident  of  New  York  City, 
where  he  was  engaged  in  the  investment  se- 
curity business.  He  was  a  son  of  Joseph  Em- 
ory Russell,  also  a  native  of  New  York,  and 
of  a  daughter  of  John  J.  Schooley,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre.  He  married  and  was  the  father  of 
three  children:  Louise,  who  married  A.  J. 
Griffith,  of  Pittston,  Luzerne  County,  Pennsyl- 
vania; J.  E.  Russell,  of  New  York;  and  John 
E.,  Jr.,  of  further  mention. 

John  B.  Russell,  Jr.,  was  born  In  Wilkes- 
Barre,  Pennsylvania,  October  28,  1897,  and 
grew  up  in  New  York  City,  where  he  attended 
the  public  and  private  schools.  Upon  the  coiu- 
pletion  of  his  school  training  lie  was  engaged 
in  the  investment  and  security  business  for  a 
time,  but  upon  the  entrance  of  the  United 
States  into  the  World  War  he  enlisted  for 
service  in  the  Signal  Corps,  with  which  unit 
he  served  to  the  end  of  the  conflict.  After 
the  close  of  the  war  and  his  return  to  civilian 
life  lie  was  variously  employed  until  1928,  at 
which  time  he  took  charge  of  Addressograph 
Sales  in  this  territory.  Politically,  Mr.  Russell 
gives  his  support  to  the  principles  and  the 
candidates  of  the  Republican  party.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Westmoreland  Club,  and  of 
the  Wyoming  Valley  Country  Club,  and  in 
his  religious  faith  he  is  a  Protestant. 

John  B.  Russell.  Jr.,  married,  April  24,  1922, 
Lucille  Harvey,  daughter  of  H.  H.  Harvey, 
a  member  of  one  of  the  oldest  families  of 
the  Wyoming  Valley.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Russell 
are  the  parents  of  two  children:  John  B.,  3d, 
and  Jane  DeWitt. 


JOH>'  LANIiVG — The  family  of  the  surname 
Laning  of  which  John  Laning  and  his  brother, 
Augustus  C,  (q.  V.)  of  Wilkes-Barre  is  a 
member  is  of  Welsh  origin,  and  dates  back 
in  its  American  foundation  to  the  latter  part 
of  the  seventeenth  century,  with  the  arrival 
in  this  country  of  three  brothers  Laning, 
who  settled  first  on  Long  Island  and  later 
in  New  Jersey.  One  of  them,  Robert,  located 
in  what  is  Lawrenceville,  Ne"w  Jersey,  and 
married  a  Miss  Hart.  Among  their  children 
was  a  son  Daniel,  baptized  in  Lawrenceville 
in  1713,  who  married  a  sister  of  Jonathan 
Furman;  and  this  Daniel  Laning  was  a  sur- 
veyor, and  lived  near  Ewingville.  One  of  his 
sons,  Robert,  was  born  in  1779,  lived  and  died 
in  Sussex  County,  New  Jersey,  and  married 
Sarah    Coryell,    daughter    of   John    Coryell,   of 


^S^-Z-'Z-z-OC  ^ 


6o7 


French-Huguenot  extraction,  whose  lineage 
is  traced  to  the  nobility  of  France.  Among 
the  children  of  Robert  and  Sarah  (Coryell) 
Laning  was  John,  who  lived  in  Owego,  Tioga 
County,  New  York;  and  he  was  the  progenitor 
of  one  of  the  prominent  families  of  the 
"Southern  Tier"  of  New  York,  whose  descend- 
ants in  later  years  came  to  be  recognized 
among  the  foremost  families  of  the  Wyom- 
ing Valley  in  Pennsylvania.  John  Laning  of 
Owego,  New  York,  married,  in  1806,  Mary 
Ann  Deshong,  widow  of  Weimar  Godfrey 
Deshong  and  a  daughter  of  Colonel  Mathias 
Hollenback.  They  had  seven  children,  and 
of  them  Augustus  C,  who  was  born  Septem- 
ber 30,  ISOS,  and  died  May  29,  1875. 

It  was  Augustus  C.  Laning  who  removed 
from  Owego,  New  York,  and  founded  the 
family  in  Wilkes-Barre,  in  1S22.  He  made  his 
home  with  his  uncle,  George  M.  Hollenback, 
and  obtained  a  clerkship  in  the  mercantile 
establishment  of  his  grandfather.  Colonel 
Mathias  Hollenback.  For  a  time,  too,  he 
worked  in  his  uncle's  store,  and  in  1830,  after 
he  had  become  of  age.  set  up  in  business  for 
himself,  in  Kingston,  but  removed  back  once 
more  to  Wilkes-Barre  within  a  short  time, 
here,  for  a  period,  doing  business  on  the  east 
side  of  the  square.  In  1833-34  he  erected  a 
stone  building  for  an  iron  foundry,  on  the 
■w'est  side  of  the  square,  on  the  site  whert 
now  (1929)  stands  the  Laning  Building.  Here 
he  carried  on  business  with  good  success 
until  the  building  was  destroyed  by  fire,  in 
1S50;  then  he  built  again,  a  foundry  and 
machine  shop  on  the  west  side  of  the  canal, 
north  of  Market  Street,  and  there  engaged 
in  iron  manufacturing.  About  1S53  Samuel 
R.  Marshall  of  Philadelphia,  acquired  an 
interest  in  the  business,  and  the  partners 
made  it  the  foremost  of  its  kind  in  North- 
eastern Pennsylvania.  In  1SG9  they  sold  it. 
From  then  until  his  death  eight  years  later 
Mr.  Laning  devoted  his  time  to  private  inter- 
ests, notably  real  estate.  He  was  active  dur- 
ing his  career  in  all  phases  of  civic  life, 
served  in  various  offices,  and  was  a  bene- 
factor to  Wilkes-Barre  on  more  than  one 
occasion.  He  married  Amanda  Elizabeth 
Christel,  daughter  of  Dr.  Charles  Francis 
Joseph  Christel.  and  his  wife,  Elizabeth 
(Stookey)  Christel. 

John  Laning,  Sr.,  only  son  of  Augustus 
C.  and  Amanda  (Christel)  Laning,  was  born 
in  Wilkes-Barre,  September  27,  1836,  and  here 
spent  his  "U'hole  life.  He  "U'as  educated  in  the 
old  academy  that  stood  in  the  public  square, 
entered  Lafayette  College,  and  at  the  end 
of  three  years  there  matriculated  in  Union 
College,  Schenectady,  Nev^  York,  where  he 
graduated  in  1858.  at  the  age  of  twenty-two 
years.  He  was  employed  by  his  father,  in 
the  firm  of  Laning  &  Marshall,  mastered 
thoroughly  its  every  detail,  and  upon  its  sale 
in  1869  and  the  death  of  his  father  in  1875 
assisted  in  and  then  attained  to  management 
entirely  of  the  extensive  Laning  properties 
and  interests,  which  became  greatly  enlarged 
under  his  handling.  The  estate  was  never 
divided,  but  remained  intact,  as  when  Augus- 
tus C.  Laning  died.  John  Laning  was  a 
director  of  the  Miners'  Saving  Bank,  of  the 
Wilkes-Barre  Bridge  Company,  and  the 
Wyoming  Valley  Traction  Company.  He  was 
a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and 
was  prominent  in  Masonry  and  other  orders. 
He  married  Helen  Cobb  Brower,  daughter  of 
John  Gardiner  and  Sarah  (Berger)  Brower 
of  New  York.  Her  parents  removed  to  New 
Orleans  in  her  childhood,  and  on  a  steam- 
boat near  Vicksburg  she  was  wounded  in  the 
leg  by  a  bullet  from  a  Rebel's  musket.  John 
and    Helen   Cobb    (Brower)    Laning    were    the 


parents  of  children:  1.  Augustus  C,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre,  prominent  in  commercial,  fraternal 
and  social  affairs  of  the  city.  2.  Emily  B., 
born  and  died  in  1SG7.  3.  Elizabeth  V.,  born 
in  1868.  4.  Horace  P.,  died  in  infancy.  5. 
Helen  B.,  died  in  infancy;  and  6.  John,  of 
whom   follows. 

John  Laning,  sixth  child  and  third  son  of 
John.  .Sr.,  and  Helen  Cobb  (Brower)  Laning, 
was  born  in  Wilkes-Barre,  March  16,  1873, 
and  has  here  spent  his  career,  a  substantial 
and  representative  citizen  of  the  community, 
engaged  in  the  management  of  the  Laning 
real  estate  holdings,  which  are  considerable. 
He  received  his  education  in  the  public 
schools  of  Wilkes-Barre.  Pennsylvania  Mili- 
tary College  at  Chester,  Pennsylvania,  and 
in  the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  whence 
he  graduated  toward  the  forefront  of  his 
class,  in  1895,  at  the  age  of  twenty-two  years, 
the  age  at  which  his  father  had  graduated 
from  Union  College.  Soon  after  completion 
of  his  studies  Mr.  Laning  returned  to  his 
native  city,  and  lias  been  engaged  in  com- 
merce and  notably  in  real  estate  during  the 
succeeding  years  until  the  present.  He  is  a 
Republican,  like  all  of  the  men  in  his  family, 
and  is  equally  staunch  in  support  of  the  party, 
maintaining  a  considerable  voice  in  mat- 
ters of  a  political  character,  when  he  wishes 
to  exert  it.  He  is  a  communicant  of  St. 
Stephen's  Church,  Wilkes-Barre,  and  toward 
charity  is  ever  large  of  heart.  Fraternally, 
his  connections  are  extensive,  and  include 
membership  in  Lodge  No.  61  of  the  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons,  Shekinah  Chapter,  No.  182 
of  the  Royal  Arch  Masons,  Dieu  le  Veut 
Commandery  No.  45  of  Knights  Templar;  and 
he  is  a  life  meinber  of  Irem  Temple  of  the 
Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic 
Shrine,  and  of  the  Irem  Temple  Country  Club. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Pennsylvania  Society 
Sons  of  the  Revolution,  the  Pennsylvania 
Athletic  Club,  of  Philadelphia,  and  of  other 
societies.  When  the  United  States  declared 
existence  of  a  state  of  warfare  with  Ger- 
many, April  6,  1917,  Mr.  Laning  was  eager 
to  be  of  sei-vice  to  his  country's  cause,  and 
in  this  desire  was  most  active  on  the  boards 
dealing  in  war  -work,  and  in  the  Liberty  Loan 
drives. 

John  Laning  married  in  Philadelphia,  Penn- 
sylvania, April  12,  1910,  Mary  Hewson  Brad- 
ford, a  daughter  of  Dr.  T.  Hewson  and  Kath- 
erine  (Nevins)  Bradford,  great-granddaugh- 
ter of  Colonel  William  Bradford,  Attorney- 
General  in  President  George  Washington's 
Cabinet;  also  a  direct  descendant  of  William 
Bradford,  the  printer,  of  1600.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Laning  reside  at  No.  74  West  Ross  Street, 
Wilkes-Barre. 


JOHIV  H.  D-VNDO — One  of  the  leading  mem- 
bers of  the  Luzerne  County  Bar  is  John  H. 
Dando,  whose  offices  are  located  at  No.  1006 
Brooks  Building,  Wilkes-Barre,  and  who  has 
been  successfully  engaged  in  practice  here 
for  twenty-nine  years. 

Issachar  Dando,  father  of  Mr.  Dando.  was 
born  in  Wales,  and  came  to  this  country  in 
1866,  bringing  with  him  his  wife  whom  he 
had  met  and  married  in  England.  He  settled 
at  Sugar  Notch,  Luzerne  County,  Pennsyl- 
vania, "where  he  "was  engaged  as  a  miner  in 
the  employ  of  the  Lehigh  and  Wilkes-Barre 
Coal  Company  for  many  years,  and  where  he 
died  at  the  age  of  seventy-two  years.  He  was 
a  Republican  in  his  political  principles,  and 
both  he  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Issachar  Dando 
married,  in  England,  Louisa  Beams,  who  was 
born   in   England,   and   they   became   the   par- 


6o8 


ents  of  six  children:  George,  deceased; 
Charles,  deceased;  Issachar,  Jr.,  deceased; 
John  H.,  of  further  mention;  "William  S.,  of 
Wilkes-Barre  and  Albert,  deceased,  who  was 
a  soldier  in  the  World  War,  was  gassed  in 
France,  and  returned  to  the  United  States, 
where  he  died  from  the  effects  of  the  gassing; 
Martha,  the  only  daughter,  married  David 
Cairns,  of  Wilkes-Barre. 

John  H.  Dando,  son  of  Issachar  and  Louisa 
(Beams)  Dando,  was  born  at  Sugar  Notch, 
Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania,  July  7,  1872, 
and  was  reared  in  Sugar  Notch,  where  he  at- 
tended school  until  he  was  about  twelve 
years  old.  He  was  then  put  to  work  digging 
coal  in  the  Lehigh  and  Wilkes-Barre  Com- 
pany's Coal  Mines,  where  he  remained  for 
several  years,  working  all  day  and  attending 
the  night  schools  when  his  day's  work  was 
done.  Later  he  took  up  the  study  of  law  in 
the  office  of  E.  D.  Nichols,  of  Wilkes-Barre, 
Pennsylvania.  Mr.  Dando  passed  the  bar  ex- 
aminations and  was  admitted  to  the  Luzerne 
County  Bar  in  1900,  and  has  since  been  one 
of  the  active  lawyers  of  Luzerne  County.  He 
gives  his  support  to  the  principles  and  the 
candidates  of  the  Republican  party,  and  has 
served  as  chairman  of  the  Republican  County 
Committee.  He  also  served  for  one  term  as 
assistant  district  attorney  of  Luzerne  County, 
under  Abram  Salsburg,  and  he  has  served 
as  solicitor  for  Luzerne  County  for  the  past 
nine  years.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Luzerne 
County  Bar  Association,  and  is  well  known  in 
fraternal  circles,  being  a  member  of  Wilkes- 
Barre  Lodge  No.  109,  Benevolent  and  Protec- 
tive Order  of  Elks,  Wyoming  Lodge,  Inde- 
pendent Order  of  Odd  Fellows;  Byars  Lodge, 
Junior  Order  of  United  American  Mechanics; 
Patriotic  Order  Sons  of  America;  Loyal  Order 
of  Moose;  and  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  of 
Wilkes-Barre.  Mr.  Dando  is  a  self-made  man 
in  the  best  sense  of  the  word,  and  by  energy, 
ability  and  perseverance,  even  in  the  face  of 
the  seemingly  insurmountable  difficulties  of 
his  youth,  he  has  achieved  an  honorable  and 
useful  place  in  his  profession  and  in  the 
community. 

John  H.  Dando  married,  in  August,  1900, 
Wilhelmina  Firstenfield,  and  they  are  the 
parents  of  two  children;  John  H.,  Jr.,  of 
Wilkes-Barre,  and  Walter  B. 

HAYDEN  WILLIAMS — As  a  promoter  of  the 
approved  commercial  and  civic  interests, 
through  organized  efforts  of  his  associates, 
Hayden  Williams,  secretary  of  the  Wilkes- 
Barre  Chamber  of  Commerce,  which  office  he 
has  occupied  for  more  than  a  decade,  con- 
tinues to  perform  a  splendid  service  to  that 
body  and  the  community  as  well.  A  former 
newspaperman  and  city  official,  Mr.  Williams 
brought  to  his  present  position  a  broad  ex- 
perience and  a  knowledge  of  men  and  af- 
fairs, of  which  the  chamber  has  been  pleased 
to  avail  itself  as  he  discharged  his  respon- 
sibilities efficiently  and  in  so  acceptable  a 
manner.  Many  have  been  the  desirable  re- 
sults effected  through  his  official  efforts;  the 
business  community  has  been  strengthened 
and  the  local  commercial  tone  heightened, 
while  the  city  at  large  has  felt  the  influence 
of   his   activities. 

He  was  born  in  Wilkes-Barre,  January  26, 
1SS7,  the  son  of  John  M.  and  Katherine  (Mor- 
gan) Williams.  His  father,  born  in  Wales,  in 
1856,  was  a  miner,  a  member  of  the  city  police 
force  for  twenty  years  and  was  court  officer. 
He  died  November  7.  1923.    His  mother.  Kath- 


erine (Morgan)  Williams,  was  born  in  South 
Wales. 

Hayden  "U'illiams  is  a  product  of  the  local 
educational  system,  a  graduate  of  the  Wilkes- 
Barre  High  School,  class  of  1906.  In  his  early 
young  manhood  he  joined  the  staff  of  the 
Wilkes-Barre  "Record"  as  a  reporter,  and  was 
engaged  in  journalism  for  that  newspaper  for 
fourteen  years.  He  made  an  extensive  and 
valued  acquaintance  during  that  period,  and 
developed  gifts  for  organization  and  admin- 
istration. From  newspaper  work  he  entered 
the  service  of  the  city  of  Wilkes-Barre  and 
established  a  purchasing  department  as  a 
branch  of  the  local  government,  remaining  at 
its  head  for  one  and  one-half  years.  One  of 
the  most  important  turns  of  events  in  his 
career  was  reached  on  June  13,  1917,  when 
he  was  elected  secretary  of  the  Chamber  of 
Commerce  of  Wilkes-Barre,  of  which  office 
he  has  ever  since  been  the  incumbent.  The 
wisdom  of  the  membership  in  making  him 
secretary  of  its  organization  has  been  dem- 
onstrated manyfold  and  on  numerous  impor- 
tant occasions.  He  has  proved  one  of  the 
strongest  and  most  energetic  officials  the 
chamber  has  had  during  all  its  existence. 

Mr.  Williams  enters  into  the  various  activi- 
ties of  the  people  of  Wilkes-Barre  with  that 
readiness  and  cooperative  spirit  which  be- 
speak for  him  the  popular  favor  that  he  en- 
joys. In  his  political  alliance  a  Republican, 
he  is  a  loyal  party  man,  but  his  partisanship 
is  not  of  the  unwholesome  sort  that  does  not 
recognize  the  rights  of  others  of  the  opposite 
faith  to  think  and  act  for  themselves.  His 
citizenship  is  of  that  all-round  type  which 
is  desirable  in  a  community  of  complex  po- 
litical and  commercial  activities.  He  is  a 
trustee  of  the  Wyoming  Valley  Homeopathic 
Hospital.  Wilkes-Barre;  affiliated  with  Lodge 
No.  61,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons;  Keystone 
Consistory  of  the  Scottish  Rite,  Scranton; 
and  Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order 
Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine;  and  has  his  re- 
ligious fellowship  with  the  Presbyterian 
Church. 

Hayden  Williams  married.  February  2,  1907, 
Sumyra  Gertrude  Molyneaux,  daughter  of 
Jabez  M.  and  Jessie  Molyneaux,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre.  They  are  the  parents  of  a  son,  John 
Hayden.  born  June  27,  1910.  The  family  has 
its  residence  in  Kingston,  a  suburb  of  Wilkes- 
Barre.  Mr.  Williams  has  come  prominently 
to  the  fore  in  a  broad  sense  by  reason  of  his 
secretaryship  in  the  local  Chamber  of  Com- 
merce. He  is  a  leading  figure  in  the  adop- 
tion and  execution  of  the  national  programs 
of  the  National  Association  of  Commercial 
Organization  Secretaries,  and  is  a  past  presi- 
dent of  the  Pennsylvania  State  Organization 
of  Secretaries  (1922-23).  He  was  chief  of 
staff  of  the  Wilkes-Barre  Sesqui-Centennial 
celebration  held  in  July,  192S. 

THOMAS  HUNT  RIPPARD — This  name  is 
one  of  the  "well-known  names  of  Wilkes- 
Barre,  having  belonged  to  Thomas  Hunt  Rip- 
pard,  Sr.,  late  distinguished  citizen  of  this 
community,  and  now  being  honorably  borne 
by  Thomas  Hunt  Rippard,  progressive  busi- 
ness man,  greatly  interested  in  the  prosperity 
and  progress  of  the  greater  community. 

Thomas  Hunt  Rippard,  Sr.,  was  for  many 
years  in  the  forefront  of  all  musical  activities 
of  Wilkes-Barre  and  the  Wyoming  Valley.  He 
held  a  unique  place  in  the  life  of  community 
and  valley,  and  his  death,  July  23,  1923,  was 
a  severe  loss.    He  was  born  in  Wilkes-Barre, 


6o9 


June  14,  1866,  son  of  Josiah  Alexander  and 
Catherine  (Linden)  Rippard,  and  received  his 
education  at  Harry  Hillman  Academy,  now 
known  as  Willies-Barre  Academy,  and  later 
under  private  tutor  at  the  scliool  of  Alex- 
ander Newell,  an  uncle.  Meanwhile  he  had 
shown  a  decided  musical  talent,  and  had 
commenced  the  study  of  music  at  the  age  of. 
four,  when  he  played  the  violin  for  the  first 
time.  After  his  return  from  Baltimore  he  be- 
gan seriously  to  study  the  cello.  This  lie  con- 
tinued to  do  while  employed  by  the  Willtes- 
Barre  Deposit  and  Savings  Bank,  with  which 
he  vras  associated  in  various  capacities  dur- 
ing the  next  thirty-seven  years.  He  was 
acting  cashier  when  lie  resigned,  1917,  due 
to  ill  health.  Mr.  Rippard  organized  the  Rip- 
pard String  Quartet,  popular  throughout  the 
State.  He  was  active  in  tlie  Scranton  Sym- 
phony Orchestra,  and  was  extremely  gener- 
ous with  time  and  talents,  performing  at 
churcli  recitals  and  for  charitable  causes  hun- 
dreds of  times  %vithout  remuneration.  He  was 
particularly  liappy  in  giving  encouragement 
and  instruction  to  young  musicians,  who  re- 
call him  with  affection  as  friend  and  in- 
structor. When  he  left  the  bank  he  devoted 
the  greater  part  of  his  time  to  music,  and 
when  the  Snyder  Music  Company  was  organ- 
ized in  1920  he  became  its  director,  holding 
this  position  until  shortly  before  his  death. 
Keenly  interested  in  radio  broadcasting,  his 
own  musical  renditions  over  the  air  were  ap- 
preciatively received.  On  one  occasion,  when 
his  cello  music  was  picked  up  by  an  ocean 
liner  far  at  sea,  the  request  came  to  him  that 
he  repeat  the  number,  or  another.  Frater- 
nally Mr.  Rippard  was  affiliated  with  the 
Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  the 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  in  which  order 
he  belonged  to  the  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic 
Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  and  was  a 
communicant  of  the  First  Presbyterian 
Church.  Mr.  Rippard  married,  October  17,  18S8, 
Esther  Reichard,  daughter  of  Henry  Colt  and 
Jennie  (Griffin)  Reichard,  her  father  a  well- 
known  citizen  of  Wilkes-Barre,  and  of  this 
union  were  born  sons:  1.  Linden  C.  2.  Cap- 
tain Harry  C.  3.  Thomas  Hunt,  of  whom  we 
write. 

Thomas  Hunt  Rippard  was  born  in  Wilkes- 
Barre,  August  26,  1900.  He  secured  a  sound 
elementary  and  secondary  academic  prepara- 
tion in  the  local  public  schools,  and  since  his 
majority  of  years  has  been  engaged  in  the 
realty  business  here,  with  success,  now  be- 
ing a  foremost  realty  factor  in  the  city.  He 
carries  on  a  general  brokerage,  dealing  in 
all  manner  of  parcels  of  land,  and  gained  par- 
ticular recognition  through  development  of 
property  on  Pocono  Mountain.  He  has  also 
been  of  prominence  as  president  of  tlie  Na- 
tional Bond  and  Mortgage  Company,  of 
Wilkes-Barre,  as  president  of  the  Men's  Club 
of  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association,  as 
a  member  of  the  Drama  League,  and  as  an 
active  figure  among  Wilkes-Barre  Radio 
Players. 

Following  liis  academic  preparation  in 
Wilkes-Barre's  public  schools,  Mr.  Rippard 
entered  Wyoming  Seminary,  and  still  later 
matriculated  in  Lafayette  College.  He  was 
popular  among  classmates,  as  today  he  is 
popular  among  the  city's  business  men,  and 
was  a  member  of  Phi  Kappa  Psi  Fraternity, 
at  Lafayette.  When  the  United  States  entered 
the  World  War  he  went  into  the  service.  Upon 
receipt  of  his  discharge  he  followed  the 
course  of  the   career  above   outlined. 


Mr.  Rippard  has  his  offices  in  the  Miners 
Bank  Building,  and  resides  at  No.  35  West 
North  Street. 

EDWARD  A.  BEDNER — Though  still  rela- 
tively young.  Edward  A.  Bedner  is  widely 
experienced  in  the  banking  profession.  He 
has  served  in  various  capacities  with  several 
different  banks,  both  in  Pennsylvania  and  in 
New  Yorlv,  and  is  at  present  assistant  cashier 
of  the  Hanover  Bank  and  Trust  Company,  at 
Wilkes-Barre,  in  which  position  he  has  been 
very  successful.  His  careful  preparation  for 
his  career,  and  his  unusual  energy  and  ability 
mark  him  unmistakably  as  a  coming  man  in 
his  community.  He  is  a  member  of  several 
clubs  and  fraternal  organizations,  and  is 
active  In  the  civic  and  social  life  of  Wilkes- 
Barre. 

His  father,  Andrew  Bedner,  was  born  in 
Philadelphia,  and  came  to  Wilkes-Barre  as  a 
young  man.  For  over  thirty  years  he  was  a 
merchant  at  North  Wilkes-Barre,  where  he 
now  lives,  having  retired  from  business.  He 
married  Anna  Lynch,  who  died  in  1917,  at  the 
age  of  forty-nine,  and  they  were  the  parents 
of  twelve  children:  Margaret,  who  was  mar- 
ried to  Joseph  C.  Koval,  of  Nanticoke,  Penn- 
sylvania; Joseph,  of  Kingston,  Pennsylvania, 
who  is  connected  with  the  Equitable  Trust 
Company  of  New  Tork  City;  Thomas  R.,  of 
Wilkes-Barre,  employed  by  the  American 
Bridge  Company,  of  Philadelphia;  Robert  L., 
engaged  in  the  real  estate  business  at 
Wilkes-Barre;  Edward  A.,  of  whom  further; 
Martha  Gertrude,  who  was  married  to  An- 
drew Frantz,  of  Philadelphia;  Andrew,  Jr., 
who  is  now  a  student;  Emily  Irene,  a  student; 
Mary,  who  is  also  a  student;  Carl,  and  Anna, 
both  students;  and  Leopold,  who  died  in 
childhood. 

Edward  A.  Bedner  was  born  at  Wilkes- 
Barre,  on  May  30,  1900.  He  attended  the  local 
public  schools  and  the  Wilkes-Barre  High 
School,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in 
191S.  During  this  time  he  worked  a  little  in 
his  father's  store.  Later  he  took  a  course  in 
the  American  Institute  of  Banking,  and  from 
1921  until  1924  he  attended  the  Wilkes- 
Barre  branch  of  the  Wharton  Extension 
School  of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania. 
Meanwhile  his  business  career  was  well  under 
way.  He  served  for  a  time  as  paying  teller 
of  the  Irving  National  Bank,  in  New  York 
City,  and  then  returning  to  Wilkes-Barre,  he 
took  a  position  there  as  paying  teller  in  the 
Heights  Deposit  Bank.  From  1921  until  1923 
he  filled  the  same  position  at  the  Polish  De- 
posit Bank,  in  Nanticoke,  Luzerne  County, 
Pennsylvania,  and  at  the  end  of  that  time  he 
became  associated  with  the  Luzerne  County 
Bank,  at  Wilkes-Barre,  where  he  remained  as 
a  teller  until  1924,  when  this  bank  merged 
with  the  present  Miners  Bank,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre.  From  1924  until  1926  he  was  con- 
nected with  the  American  Bank  and  Trust 
Company  at  Hazleton,  Pennsylvania,  and  in 
September,  1926  he  became  the  assistant 
cashier  of  the  Hanover  Bank  and  Trust  Com- 
pany, at  Wilkes-Barre,  in  which  position  he 
has  remained  since  that  time. 

Politically,  Mr.  Bedner  supports  the  prin- 
ciples and  candidates  of  the  Republican  party. 
He  is  affiliated  fraternally  with  the  Benevo- 
lent and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  in  which 
organization  he  is  a  member  of  Wilkes-Barre 
Lodge,  No.  109.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the 
Alliance  Club,  and  of  the  Valley  Country 
Club,  at  Hazleton.  He  attends  the  Roman 
Catholic  Church. 


J.  MIIIR  CROSBY — Coming  from  two  ot  the 
older  families  active  in  the  settling  of  Lu- 
zerne County,  J.  Muir  Crosby  is  a  true  son 
of  Pennsylvania.  His  grandfather,  James 
Crosby,  married  a  daughter  of  L.  A.  Barber, 
one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Forty  Fort,  Lu- 
zerne County.  His  parents  were  George  A. 
and  Elsie  M.  (Muir)  Crosby,  the  father  re- 
ceiver for  the  Wilkes-Barre  Electric  Rail- 
road Company.  George  A.  Crosby  and  his 
wife  had  children:  Lydia,  who  died  in  child- 
hood; J.  Muir,  the  subject  of  this  sketch; 
Mildred,  who  died  in  childhood;  Kenneth,  who 
lived  to  be  sixteen  years  of  age  and  died  as 
the  result  of  being  struck  by  an  automobile, 
in  May,  1927.  George  A.  Crosby  was  well 
known  throughout  this  vicii>ity  and  is  affili- 
ated with  the  Republican  party  in  his  politi- 
cal activity  and  is  a  member  of  the  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  Church. 

J.  Muir  Crosby  was  born  at  Carbondale, 
Lackawanna  County,  Pennsylvania,  on  July 
24  1S97.  He  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools  and  graduated  from  the  Forty  Fort 
High  School  in  the  class  of  1916.  He  then 
studied  civil  engineering  and  later  took  a 
position  with  the  Glen  Alden  Coal  Company 
as  a  mining  engineer  and  held  this  position 
for  five  years.  After  this,  he  took  a  position 
as  traveling  salesman  for  the  Supple  and 
Biddle  Hardware  Company  of  Philadelphia. 
After  a  year,  he  traveled  for  the  Crew  Levick 
Oil  Company.  In  1924,  he  gave  up  traveling 
and  took  the  position  which  he  now  holds, 
that  of  bookkeeper  and  clerk  for  the  Eastern 
Pennsylvania  Supply  Company  at  No.  56 
South  Pennsylvania  Avenue,  Wilkes-Barre. 
In  1917,  during  the  World  War,  Mr.  Crosby 
joined  the  Ordnance  Department  of  the 
United  States  Army  and  was  stationed  at 
Lancaster,  Pennsylvania,  until  the  war  was 
over.  Before  the  war,  he  was  a  member  of 
the  old  109th  Regiment  of  the  National 
Guard  of  Pennsylvania.  Mr.  Crosby  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Wilkes-Barre  Lodge,  No.  109.~Be- 
nevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  and, 
on  March  6,  1928,  he  was  chosen  Exalted 
Ruler  for  the  term  of  1928  and  1929.  He  has 
never  married  and  makes  his  home  with  his 
parents. 

GEORGE  REUSING  DAVIS— Well  known 
and  highly  respected  in  the  business  circles 
of  Kingston  and  Wilkes-Barre,  George  Reul- 
ing  Davis  is  active  in  all  phases  of  endeavor, 
commercial,  political  and  fraternal,  in  the 
community  wherein  he  resides,  Kingston,  and 
is  here  accounted  a  most  progressive  citizen. 
His  principal  commercial  interest  is  in  the 
Kirby-Davis  Company,  Inc.,  dealers  in  auto- 
mobiles, at  Market  and  Gates  streets,  of 
which  company  he  is  a  founder  and  the  vice- 
president.  He  is  also  one  of  the  directors  of 
the  Davis-Craig  Company,  a  department 
store,  of  Kingston.  Mr.  Davis  was  born  in 
Wilmore,  Cambria  County,  Pennsylvania,  De- 
cember 10,  1SS7,  only  child  of  Edward  W.  and 
Emma   (Miller)   Davis. 

With  his  parents,  in  his  childhood,  Mr. 
Davis  came  to  Wilkes-Barre,  and  in  Wilkes- 
Barre  received  his  early  academic  training  in 
the  public  schools.  He  attended  the  Harry 
Hillman  Academy  and  the  Hotchkiss  School 
at  Lakeville,  Connecticut,  and  matriculated  in 
Yale  University,  at  New  Haven,  Connecticut. 
After  a  period  of  study  at  Tale  he  returned  to 
Wilkes-Barre,  and  studied  law  in  the  ofhces 
of  C.  B.  Lenahan.  He  studied  with  industry 
and    intelligence    under    the    tutelage    of    Mr. 


Lenahan,  and  in  1918  was  admitted  by  ex- 
amination to  practice  before  any  bar  in 
Pennsylvania.  During  the  four  years  that 
followed  he  attained  to  some  distinction 
among  confreres  in  the  profession  for  the 
ability  with  which  he  prepared  briefs  and 
argued  cases.  Meanwhile,  however,  in  1920. 
he  perceived  another  opportunity,  ripe  and 
awaiting  attention:  in  association  with  Mr. 
Kirby  he  formed  the  Kirby-Davis  Company, 
Incorporated,  under  the  laws  of  the  State,  to 
deal  in  automobiles:  and  after  two  years  it 
became  apparent  that,  either  Mr.  Davis  would 
have  to  discontinue  his  law  practice  or  per- 
mit the  then  thriving  business  to  suffer.  Ac- 
cordingly, since  1922,  he  has  given  his  whole 
attention  to  the  automobile  enterprise,  and 
to  incidental  business  ventures.  The  pros- 
perity of  the  Kirby-Davis  organization  dates 
from  its  founding.  It  comprises  large  show 
and  repair  space,  and  is  most  modern  in  ap- 
pointments. The  Chrysler  car,  known  nation- 
ally and  with  generous  favor  because  of  ad- 
vertising and  excellence  in  actual  perform- 
ance, is  the  make  dealt  in;  a  complete  selec- 
tion is  at  all  times  on  display  in  the  sales- 
rooms. As  vice-president  and  general  man- 
ager of  the  company  Mr.  Davis  is  known 
widely  in  Luzerne  County.  He  is  a  Republi- 
can, devoted  to  the  principles  of  government 
upheld  by  the  party,  possessor  of  a  consid- 
erable voice  in  political  questions  pertainmg 
to  Kingston  and  Wilkes-Barre,  and  judicious 
in  its  exercise,  always  supporting  those 
enterprises  of  public  character  which  he  be- 
lieves designated  for  the  greatest  good  to  the 
largest  number.  He  is  a  Protestant,  and  his 
Christianity  is  ot  the  large-hearted  and  prac- 
tical sort,  less  concerned  with  outward  ex- 
pression than  with  works.  To  charity  he  con- 
tributes substantially,  readily,  m  a  spirit 
truly  humanitarian,  without  the  narrowing 
restrictions  of  race  or  creed.  Mr.  Davis  is  a 
member  ot  the  Westmoreland  Club  and  the 
Wyoming  Valley  Country  Club. 

On  March  10,  1910,  Mr.  Davis  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Miriam  Rutter,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre,  daughter  of  James  M.  Rutter  of 
Wilkes-Barre.  To  this  union  has  been  born 
one  child,  a  daughter,  Peggy  Rutter.  They 
make  their  home  at  No.  6  Gresham  Place, 
Kingston. 


tEO  \V.  WHITE — In  the  general  practice 
of  law,  with  offices  both  in  Wilkes-Barre  and 
Pittston,  Leo  W.  White  has  secured  for  him- 
self a  place  of  steadily  increasing  activity, 
having  demonstrated  the  value  of  a  thorough 
training  combined  with  personal  abilities.  He 
has  rendered  a  service  to  his  profession  as  a 
pleader  and  counsel  in  legal  matters;  and  he 
holds  important  office,  to  the  satisfaction  of 
his  constituency  and  the  general  public. 

Leo  W.  White  was  born  February  22,  1899, 
in  Pittston,  a  son  of  William  F.  White,  Pitt- 
ston City  Commissioner,  and  one  of  its  leading 
citizens,  and  Mary  (Harrington)  White.  The 
children  of  William  F.  and  Mary  (Harring- 
ton) White:  Raymond  A.,  office  manager  for 
the  Frank  Martz  Cadillac  Automobile  Com- 
pany, at  Forty  Fort,  Pennsylvania:  he  mar- 
ried Mary  Ward,  and  they  have  three  chil- 
dren: Marion,  Raymond  Ward,  and  Ruth; 
Paul  B.,  a  foreman  for  the  Lehigh  Railroad 
Company,  at  Coxton;  he  married  Mary  O'Con- 
nor, and  they  have  one  son,  William;  Leo  W., 
of  whom  further;  Elizabeth  M.,  a  trained 
nurse  at  Wilkes-Barre. 

Leo  W.   White   on  November   IS,   1929,   mar- 


jTnirciy  c,^.;;X'. 


Tied  Jessie  L.  Dyer,  daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Frank  L.  Dyer,  of  Washington,  District  of 
Columbia,   and   Beloit,   "\\'isconsin. 

Mr.  White  attended  the  public  schools,  and 
was  graduated  at  Pittston  High  School  with 
the  class  of  1917,  and  took  a  postgraduate 
course  there  in  1918.  In  that  year,  he  enlisted 
in  the  United  States  Army,  and  was  stationed 
with  a  regiment  of  infantry  at  Washington, 
District  of  Columbia.  After  the  war,  Mr. 
White  returned  to  Pittston,  where  he  took 
a  position  as  bookkeeper  and  teller  in  the 
Dime  Bank.  An  opening  presenting  itself  in 
the  War  Department  at  Washington,  Mr. 
White  again  returned  to  that  city,  where  he 
was  employed  in  the  Audit  Department  of 
the  Interna!  Revenue.  While  there  he  matric- 
ulated in  the  Law  School  of  Georgetown 
University,  where  he  was  graduated  in  1922 
with    the   degree   of  Bachelor    of   Laws. 

Mr.  White  was  admitted  to  the  Luzerne 
County  Bar  in  1925.  returning  from  Phila- 
delphia, where  in  1924  he  was  a  member  of 
the  Claims  Board  of  the  United  States  Vet- 
erans Bureau:  and  in  1925,  he  was  admitted 
to  practice  before  the  State  Supreme  Court. 
Mr.  White  is  also  a  member  of  the  bar  of 
the  Supreme  Court  and  of  the  Court  of  Ap- 
peals of  the  District  of  Columbia.  He  is 
solicitor  for  the  School  Board,  of  Pittston, 
for  the  School  District  of  Jenkins  Township 
and  for  the  Ramson  Poor  District. 

Fraternally,  Mr.  White  is  a  member  of  the 
Corp.  John  D.  Stark  Post,  No.  542,  of  the 
American  Legion,  at  West  Pittston,  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  Phi  Alpha  Delta  Law  Fraternity. 


OSCAR  JEAVELL  HAUVEY — Oscar  Jewell 
Harvey,  of  the  ninth  generation — Elisha  B. 
VIII),  Benjamin  (VII).  Elisha  (VI),  Benjamin 
(V),  John  (IV),  John  (III),  Thomas  (II), 
Thomas  (I) — was  the  son  of  Elisha  B.  and 
Sarah  (Garretson)  Harvey,  and  was  born  in 
Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania,  Tuesday,  Sep- 
tember 2.   1851. 

He  was  prepared  for  college  at  the  school 
conducted  by  his  father,  and  during  his  last 
year  there  taught  some  of  the  primary 
classes.  In  September,  1867,  ten  days  after 
his  sixteenth  birthday,  he  entered  the  fresh- 
man class  of  Lafayette  College,  Easton,  Penn- 
sylvania. While  in  college  he  became  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Delta  Kappa  Epsilon  Fraternity, 
and  of  the  Washington  Literary  Society,  and 
was  elected  historian  of  his  class  for  lite. 
In  1870  he  was  instrumental  in  organizing 
the  D.  K.  E.  Boat  Club,  and  was  the  first 
captain  of  the  club.  He  was  graduated  from 
college  in  June,  1871,  with  the  degree  of 
Bachelor  of  Arts,  and  three  years  later  the 
degree  of  Master  of  Arts  was  conferred  on 
him. 

From  1872  to  1882  he  maintained  at  Lafay- 
ette College  "The  Harvey  Prize  for  English," 
an  annual  prize  of  twenty  dollars  in  gold 
given  to  the  student  of  the  Junior  class 
excelling  in  the  English  studies  of  the  year. 
He  also  contributed  a  collection  of  valuable 
books  to  the  college  library,  and  was  record- 
ing secretary  of  the  Alumni  Association  from 
1872  to  1882.  The  year  following  his  grad- 
uation from  college  he  spent  as  a  clerk  in 
the  office  of  his  father — then  a  practicing 
lawyer  and  a  magistrate — in  Wilkes-Barre. 

In  July,  1872,  Oscar  J.  Harvey  was  elected 
Professor  of  Mathematics  and  Higher  English 
in  the  Wyoming  Seminary,  Kingston,  Penn- 
sylvania, and  in  September  following  entered 
upon  his  duties.  He  remained  at  this  institu- 
tion until  July,  1873,  when,  owing  to  the  fact 
that  it  was  necessary  for  him  to  devote  a 
good   deal   of  time   as   acting  executor   to    the 


affairs  of  his  deceased  father's  estate,  he 
resigned  his  professorship.  In  the  follow- 
ing autumn  he  became  a  student  of  law  under 
the  direction  of  the  Hon.  Caleb  K.  Wright 
and  Isaac  P.  Hand,  Esq.,  Wilkes-Barre,  and 
in  October,  1875.  passed  his  examination  for 
admission  to  the  bar;  but  the  courts  not 
being  in  session  he  could  not  be  admitted  at 
that  time.  A  few  days  later  he  sailed  from 
New  York  for  Europe,  where  he  spent  six 
months  in  study  and  sight-seeing  in  London, 
France  and  Italy.  Returning  to  Wilkes-Barre 
May  13,  1876,  he  was  admitted  to  the  Bar 
of  Luzerne  County  three  days  later,  and  in 
April,  1879,  was  admitted  to  practice  before 
the    Supreme    Court    of    Pennsylvania. 

Mr.  Harvey  took  an  active  part  in  the 
National  political  campaign  of  1876,  and  in 
January,  1877,  was  put  forward  by  the  young 
Republicans  of  Wilkes-Barre  as  their  can- 
didate for  the  mayoralty  nomination.  He  was 
defeated  in  the  city  convention  by  four  votes, 
the  successful  candidate  being  W.  W.  Loomis, 
Esq.,  a  man  of  years  and  experience — ^vho.  a 
month   later,    was   elected   mayor   of   the    city. 

Oscar  J.  Harvey  was  made  a  Free  Mason 
in  Lodge  No.  61,  Wilkes-Barre.  May  25,  1873, 
and  was  Worshipful  Master  of  the  Lodge  in 
1879.  He  became  a  Companion  of  Shekinah 
Chapter,  No.  182,  Royal  Arch  Masons,  in  1877, 
and  the  same  year  received  the  various  de- 
grees of  Templar  Masonry,  and  was  admitted 
to  membership  in  Dieu  le  Veut  Commandery 
No.  45.  Knights  Templar,  Wilkes-Barre.  He 
held  the  office  of  Prelate  in  the  Commandery 
for  two  or  three  years.  In  1873  he  was  one 
of  the  charter  members  of  E.  B.  Harvey 
Lodge,  No.  839,  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows,  at  Wilkes-Barre,  and  subsequently 
held  the  office  of  Noble  Grand  of  the  Lodge 
two  terms.  In  1879  and  again  in  1881  he  was 
one  of  five  or  six  candidates  for  the  office 
of  Right  Worshipful  Grand  Warden  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania  (then  as  now 
the  largest  Grand  Lodge  in  the  Order),  and 
next  to  the  successful  candidate  received  at 
each  election  the  highest   number  of  votes. 

He  was  the  first  captain  of  the  Wilkes- 
Barre  Fencibles,  an  infantry  company  organ- 
ized November  28,  1878,  under  the  militia 
laws  of  Pennsylvania.  This  company  was 
the  nucleus  of  the  9th  Regiment,  National 
Guard  of  Pennsylvania,  and  in  June,  1879, 
became  Company  B  of  that  organization. 
October  17,  1879,  Captain  Harvey  was  pro- 
moted commissary  of  the  regiment,  and  this 
office  he  held  until  July  11,  1881,  when  he 
was  honorably  discharged  from  the  service, 
in  accordance  with  "the  provisions  of  section 
twenty-two  of  the  Act  approved  June  8,- 1881, 
which  directs  all  regimental  paymasters  and 
commissaries    to    be    discharged." 

The  latter  years  of  his  life  Mr.  Harvey 
gave  almost  exclusively  to  literary  work  and 
especially  to  research  in  the  rich  field  of 
local  history.  He  was  the  author  of  "A  His- 
tory of  Lodge  61,  F.  and  A.  M.,"  a  large 
octavo  volume  much  valued  by  the  Masonic 
fraternity.  For  the  dedication  of  Irem  Temple 
he  prepared  a  handsomely  illustrated  his- 
tory of  that  organization  from  its  begin- 
nings in  Wilkes-Barre.  A  booklet  of  wide 
vogue  during  the  Wilkes-Barre  Centennial 
celebration  of  1906  was  also  from  the  pen  of 
ilr.    Harvey. 

In  1907  Oscar  .1.  Harvey  published  two 
volumes  of  his  "History  of  Wilkes-Barre  and 
the  Wyoming  Valley,"  upon  which  his  fame 
as  an  historian  rests  secure.  These  volumes 
are  to  be  found  in  nearly  every  public  library 
of  the  country  and  are  accepted  as  the  most 
complete  and  most  authentic  historical 
sketches  published  of  any  locality  of  the 
United      States.       Financially,      this      history 


6l2 


proved  a  hea^'j'  loss  to  its  author  and,  while 
he  continued  with  unabated  zeal  his  studies 
of  local  events,  Mr.  Harvey  never  completed 
the  manuscript  of  many  additional  chapters 
intended  for  the  remaining  two  volumes  of 
this  important  work.  At  his  death,  his  fam- 
ily very  carefully  preserved  the  data  the 
author  had  collected  in  almost  a  half  cen- 
tury of  investigation  and  requested  Ernest 
G.  Smith,  of  Wilkes-Barre  to  accept  it  as 
a  basis  for  the  completion  or  the  work.  Colo- 
nel Smith  secured  financial  assistance  from 
various  public-spirited  citizens  who  desired 
to  see  the  work  finished  and  has  devoted 
some  six  months  of  patient  effort  to  classify- 
ing and  arranging  this  data  in  proper  order 
and  has  written  eight  chapters  in  addition 
to  the  manuscript  left  by  Mr.  Harvey  to  com- 
plete the  third  volume.  A  fourth  volume,  giv- 
ing a  running  narrative  of  events  from  the 
year  1800  to  the  present  and  concluding  with 
an  index  of  all  four  volumes  should  be  ready 
for  the  printer  by  the  end  of  the  present 
year    (1930). 

Oscar  J.  Harvey  was  united  in  marriage 
to  Fannie  Virginia  Holden,  daughter  of  Eben 
B.  and  Martha  (Smith)  Holden,  of  West 
Chester,  Pennsylvania,  June  23,  ISSO.  Five 
children  were  born  to  the  couple:  Thorndyke. 
born  at  Wilkes-Barre,  May  18,  18S1;  Ethel 
and  Helen,  twins,  born  at  Wilkes-Barre,  Sep- 
tember IS,  1883;  Ernest,  born  at  Washington, 
District  of  Columbia,  June  2,  1886;  Walter, 
born  at  West  Chester,  Pennsylvania,  October 
31,  1887.  The  youngest  child  died  in  infancy, 
the  wife  and  remaining  children  surviving 
Mr.    Harvey. 

In  1913,  Mr.  Harvey  became  historiographer 
of  the  Wyoming  Historical  and  Geological 
Society,  retaining  that  office  until  his  death. 
The  services  of  Mr.  Harvey  in  recent  years 
had  been  retained  by  the  Wilkes-Barre  Ro- 
tary Club  in  connection  with  delivering  a 
series  of  lectures  on  local  history  to  pupils 
of  the  high  school  of  the  city.  These  lectures 
were  of  a  nature  to  provoke  class  room  dis- 
cussions on  interesting  topics,  proving  as 
well  an  incentive  to  a  more  accurate  knowl- 
edge of  local  hi.story  on  the  part  of  teachers 
and  students.  As  a  consequence  they  were 
looked  forward  to  with  an  interest  not  often 
accorded  in  school  affairs  and  became  a 
source  of   enlightenment  to  all   concerned. 

Historian  Harvey  was  frequently  called 
upon  by  Historical  Societies  in  all  parts  of 
the  country  to  prepare  outlines  of  subjects 
allied  with  the  history  of  the  Wyoming  Val- 
ley, and  his  papers  have  beeh  featured  on 
programs  of  community  interest  in  several 
States.  The  last  paper  read  before  the  Wyom- 
ing Society  by  Mr.  Harvey  featured  "Early 
Newspapers  of  the  Wyoming  Valley,"  and  is 
published  in  this  volume.  For  several  years 
before  his  last  illness  Oscar  J.  Harvey  was 
a  sufferer  froin  a  complication  of  ailments. 
But  these  afflictions  he  bore  cheerfully  as 
■was  his  custom.  Of  a  gentle,  retiring  and 
studious  nature,  Oscar  J.  Harvey  made  friends 
slowly  but  held  them  by  his  geniality,  his 
loyalty  and  his  warm-hearted  consideration 
of  others. 

It  was  a  last  regret  with  him  that  cir- 
cumstances had  forced  him  to  abandon  the 
completion  of  his  history.  It  can,  therefore, 
be  a  matter  of  satisfaction  to  his  friends, 
as  it  will  be  a  memorial  to  his  name,  to 
have  this  history  published  in  its  intended 
four  volume  form  at  an  early  date  by  those 
of  the  community  who  realized  its  worth. 
Oscar  J.  Harvey  died  at  the  home  of  his 
sister,  Mrs.  L.  L.  Reese,  of  Kingston,  March 
26,    1922. 


HKR>I.\!V  B.  DE^VITT — Vice-president  of 
Deemer  c&  Company,  stationers  and  dealers  in 
office  furniture  and  fixtures,  in  Scranton, 
Wilkes-Barre,  and  Hazleton,  Herman  B.  De- 
Witt,  scion  of  one  of  the  oldest  families  in 
Luzerne  County,  occupies  a  position  of  im- 
portance in  the  business  circles  of  Wilkes- 
Barre  and  maintains  a  reputation  in  other 
walks  of  life  that  is  unimpeachable.  Enter- 
ing his  present  office  as  vice-president  after 
an  extended  period  in  other  departments  of 
his  firm,  he  was  fortified  therefor  through 
experience,  and  a  thorough  understanding  of 
the  problems  accompanying  his  new  duties. 
For  this  reason,  he  fills  this  post  with  much 
credit  to  himself. 

Mr.  DeWitt,  who  was  born  March  29,  1892, 
at  Wyoming.  Luzerne  County,  is  a  son  of 
George  M.  and  Emma  (Good)  DeWitt,  grand- 
son of  Valentine  and  Margaret  DeWitt,  and 
third  in  descent  from  John  DeWitt,  son  of 
Abraham  (2),  who  was  the  son  of  Abraham 
(1).  The  DeWitt  family  history  extends  back 
to  the  early  Dutch  settlers  of  New  Jersey, 
where  they  took  a  prominent  part  in  public 
affairs.  This  branch  moved  from  the  vicinity 
of  Harmony,  New  Jersey,  to  Wyoming  Valley. 
It  w,as  John  DeWitt  and  his  wife,  Elizabeth 
(Mutchler)  DeWitt,  who  in  1800,  purchased 
the  DeWitt  farm  in  Luzerne  County,  which 
reinains  in  possession  of  that  family.  John 
and  Elizabeth  (Mutchler)  DeWitt  had  three 
sons  and  three  daughters.  One  son,  Valen- 
tine, had  seven  sons  and  two  daughters,  of 
whom  was  George  M.,  father  of  Herman  B., 
of  this  neview:  Edmund  and  Ida. 

Herman  B.  DeWitt  was  a  student  of  the 
public  schools  at  Wyoming  and  Kingston, 
Pennsylvania.  graduated  from  Wyoming 
Seminary,  in  1913,  and  completed  his  scholas- 
tic studies  when  he  was  graduated  from 
Wharton  Extension  School,  Wilkes-Barre. 
His  school  days  were  followed  by  a  period 
of  service  as  a  salesman,  at  the  conclusion 
of  which  he  purchased  an  interest  in  the  firm 
of  Deemer  &  Company.  For  several  years  he 
functioned  as  treasurer  of  this  company,  and 
eventually  was  chosen  vice-president.  Deem- 
er &  Company  is  agreed  to  be  the  largest 
establishment  of  its  kind  in  Northeastern 
Pennsylvania,  and  in  addition  to  the  Wilkes- 
Barre  house,  operates  a  large  store  at  Scran- 
ton and  Hazleton.  The  company  handles  the 
numerous  articles  peculiar  to  a  business  of 
this  type,  furniture  and  supplies,  and,  to 
quote  their  own  slogan:  "Everything  for 
Your  Office." 

Mr.  Dewitt  is  a  Republican  in  political  aflSll- 
ations,  exercising  his  suffrage  in  support  of 
that  party,  but  only  when  he  is  convinced 
that  the  issues  and  principles  of  his  chosen 
faith  are  honest  and  well-intentioned.  His 
fraternal  associations  include  the  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons,  he  being  a  member  of 
Wyoming  Lodge,  No.  468,  of  this  organiza- 
tion. He  is  a  member  of  the  Forty  Fort 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  and  of  the  Lions' 
Club,  but  perhaps  he  is  best  known  as  one 
of  the  most  progressive  business  men  of  his 
community,  as  evidenced  by  his  "whole- 
hearted efforts  in  the  ranks  of  the  Greater 
Wilkes-Barre  Chamber  of  Commerce. 


PHILIP  L.  DRUM — The  roll  of  the  members 
of  the  legal  profession  in  Wilkes-Barre  is 
long  and  honorable  and  includes  the  names 
of  some  who  have  distinguished  themselves 
in  more  than  one  line  of  achievement,  as 
well  as  those  who  have  confined  their  atten- 


6i3 


tions  to  the  practice  of  their  profession. 
Among  tliose  who  are  descendants  of  very 
old  families  of  Luzerne  County  is  Philip  L. 
Drum,  who  has  offices  at  No.  414  Coal  Ex- 
change Building-.  Mr.  Drum  is  a  descendant 
of  two  old  families  of  this  section — Drum  and 
Hess — both    pioneers    of    Luzerne    County. 

The  Drum  family  came  to  Luzerne  County 
from  Northampton  County,  Pennsylvania,  in 
17S0,  when  George  Drum,  great-grandfather 
of  Philip  L.  Drum,  settled  here  as  one  of  the 
group  which  included  John  Balliet,  Andrew 
Maure,  and  John  Woodring.  George  Drum, 
who  was  born  in  1762,  was  a  young  man  of 
less  than  twenty  years  at  that  time,  and  the 
grout)  settled  in  Butler  Township,  on  the  site 
of  what  is  now  known  as  the  Village  of 
Drums,  situated  about  nineteen  miles  south 
of  the  city  of  Wilkes-Barre,  on  the  line  of 
the  Wilkes-Barre  and  Hazleton  Electric  Rail- 
way. George  Drum  had  a  son,  Philip  Drum, 
who  married  Magdalena  Beishline,  and  they 
were  the  patents  of  Nathan  S.  Drum,  of  whom 
further,   and   father   of   Philip   L.   Drum. 

Nathan  S.  Drum  was  born  on  the  old  Drum 
homestead  in  Butler  Township,  Luzerne 
County,  Pennsylvania,  December  29,  1837,  and 
died  May  3,  1915.  He  received  his  education 
in  the  local  schools  and  Selinsgrove  and 
Lewisburg  academies,  and  for  many  years 
was  a  merchant  in  Drums  which  was  named 
for  his  family.  He  w^as  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  He  married 
Elizabeth  Hess,  who  was  born  April  21.  1847, 
a  daughter  of  Philip  and  Hannah  Hess,  whose 
homestead,  with  that  of  the  Drum  family,  at 
Drums,  now  (1929)  comprises  the  housing  and 
most  of  the  grounds  of  the  Kis-Lyn  School  for 
Boys.  Nathan  S.  and  Elizabeth  (Hess)  Drum 
(the  latter  having  died  January  26,  1912), 
were  the  parents  of  five  children:  Philip  L., 
of  further  mention;  Elmer  E.,  deceased;  Car- 
rie May,   Nora   Alice,   Lottie   Eva. 

Philip  L.  Drum,  son  of  Nathan  S.  and  Eliza- 
beth (Hess)  Drum,  was  born  in  Drums,  But- 
ler Township,  Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania, 
January  31,  1871,  and,  after  attending  the 
local  public  schools,  continued  study  in  Wyo- 
ming Seminary,  at  Kingston.  Then  after 
teaching  two  years  in  the  public  school  at 
Upper  Lehigh,  Pennsylvania,  he  entered  the 
Bloomsburg  State  Normal  School,  from  which 
he  was  graduated  with  the  class  of  1893. 
The  following  year  he  was  a  teacher  in  the 
Carlisle  Indian  School,  at  Carlisle,  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  then  for  a  short  time  he  was  en- 
gaged in  the  lumber  business.  In  1895-96,  he 
taught  in  the  Bloomsburg  State  Normal 
School.  Then,  after  a  year  at  Lafayette  Col- 
lege, he  determined  to  enter  the  legal  pro- 
fession, and  the  following  fall  enrolled  in 
the  Law  School  of  the  University  of  Penn- 
sylvania, from  which  he  graduated  with  the 
class  of  1900,  receiving  the  degree  of  Bachelor 
of  Laws.  In  the  fall  of  1900  he  was  admitted 
to  the  Luzerne  County  Bar,  and  in  November 
was  elected,  as  a  Republican,  to  represent  his 
district  in  the  State  Legislature,  where  he 
served  during  the  session  of  1901.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Luzerne  County  Bar  Associa- 
tion, and  has  built  up  in  Wilkes-Barre  a  very 
satisfactory  clientele.  He  has  been  chairman 
of  tlie  County  Board  of  Viewers  fifteen  years 
and  is  known  especially  for  his  interest  in 
good  roads.  His  offices  are  located,  as  has  al- 
ready been  stated,  at  No.  414  Coal  Exchange 
Building.  Mr.  Drum  is  a  member  of  Land- 
mark Lodge,  No.  442,  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons;  of  the  Scottish  Rite  bodies,  in  which 
he    holds    the   thirty-second    degree    taken    at 


Keystone  Consistory,  Scranton,  Pennsylvania, 
and  is  a  member  of  Irem  Temple,  Ancient 
Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Craftsman's  Club,  and 
his  religious  affiliation  is  with  the  First  Pres- 
byterian Church  of  Wilkes-Barre,  which  he 
serves  as  a  member  of  the  board  of  deacons. 
Philip  L.  Drum  married,  December  29.  1900, 
Vida  Bowman,  of  Orangeville,  Columbia 
County,  Pennsylvania,  daughter  of  Rlghter 
and  Elizabeth  Bowman,  deceased,  the  father 
a  soldier  in  the  Union  Army  who  died  as  a 
result  of  wounds  received  in  battle.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Drum  have  one  daughter,  Elizabeth,  who 
was  born  in  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania, 
May  18,  1905,  and  is  a  graduate  (1928)  of 
Syracuse  University,  New  York  State,  where 
she  made  a  special  study  of  the  piano  and 
pipe   organ.    She   is   now    (1929)    a   teacher   of 


\VII,I.IAM  BRE«'STER  was  born  June  23, 
1877,  at  Brooklyn,  Susquehanna  County,  Penn- 
sylvania. His  father,  Charles  Miner  Brewster, 
was  ninth  in  direct  descent  from  Elder  Wil- 
liam Brewster,  who  came  on  the  "May- 
flower"; and  his  mother,  Mary  Bagley  Brew- 
ster, was  a  descendant  of  the  eighth  genera- 
tion of  Orlando  Bagley,  who  was  one  of  the 
original  proprietors  and  settlers  of  Ames- 
bury,  Massachusetts,  in  1653.  Her  grand- 
father, Orlando  Bagley,  was  one  of  the  min- 
ute men  who  fought  the  British  when  they 
retreated  from  Lexington;  and  was  a  soldier 
at  Bunker  Hill  and  Saratoga. 

William  Brewster  was  educated  at  the  East 
Stroudsburg  State  Normal  School,  and  the 
University  of  Pennsylvania,  and  was  admitted 
to  the  Bar  of  Luzerne  County  in  July,  1900. 
Previous  to  his  admission  to  the  bar,  he  was 
engaged  in  newspaper  work  for  several 
years,  being  employed  as  a  reporter  on  the 
Stroudsburg  "Daily  Times,"  the  Wilkes-Barre 
"Times,"  and  the  Wilkes-Barre  "Record."  He 
has  practiced  his  profession  at  Wilkes-Barre, 
and  is  a  resident  of  Kingston.  Mr.  Brewster 
was  a  member  of  the  school  board  of  King- 
ston Borough  for  a  number  of  years;  and  is 
a  member  of  the  Massachusetts  Society  of 
Mayflower  Descendants,  the  New  England 
Society  of  Northeastern  Pennsylvania,  and 
the  Wyoming  Historical  and  Geological 
Society. 


JUDGE  ALFRED  DARTEl — Here  we  write 
briefly  concerning  four  generations  of  the 
Darte  family,  touching  especially  on  Alfred 
Darte,  Sr,,  and  on  his  distinguished  son,  the 
late  Judge  Alfred  Darte  of  Luzerne  County, 
well  known  citizen  of  Kingston.  The  family 
is  among  the  oldest  in  the  United  States.  Be- 
fore its  appearance  in  Luzerne  County,  the 
house  was  old  in  the  State  of  Connecticut. 
Its  traditions  are  replete  of  honor;  its  ances- 
try is  the  finest.  For  the  purposes  of  this 
chronicle,  we  begin  with  Ellas  Darte,  of 
whom    further,   grandfather   of   Judge   Darte. 

(I)  Ellas  Darte,  with  six  brothers,  served 
in  the  war  of  the  Revolution.  In  line  of  duty 
he  received  a  severe  "wound  from  a  bayonet, 
at  the  attack  on  Fort  Griswold.  Native  of 
Connecticut,  he  typified  the  stern  and  upright 
courage  of  the  times.  He  had  a  son,  Alfred, 
of  whom  further. 

(II)  Alfred  Darte,  Sr.,  was  born  at  Bolton, 
Tolland  County,  Connecticut,  July  14,  1810. 
He  secured  his  education  there,  and  in  1829, 
when  nineteen  years  of  age,  settled  at  Dun- 
daff,  Susquehanna  County,  Pennsylvania. 
He     married,     December     30,     1830,     Annie     E. 


6i4 


Cone,  daughter  of  Dorastus  Cone,  himself  a 
member  of  an  old  Connecticut  line.  Alfred 
Darte,  Sr.,  was  for  many  years  a  teacher. 
In  1S44  he  took  up  the  study  of  law,  and 
later  was  admitted  to  practice  in  Kentucky, 
but  still  later,  returning  to  Susquehanna 
County,  opened  offices  at  Carbondale.  Carbon- 
dale  then  was  situated  in  Luzerne  County, 
hut  now,  through  realignment  of  county 
boundaries,  lies  in  Lackawanna  County.  Here 
he  followed  his  chosen  profession  until  the 
outbreak  of  war  between  the  States.  On  April 
IS,  1S61,  he  was  commissioned  captain  of 
Company  K,  25th  Regiment,  Pennsylvania 
Volunteer  Infantry.  On  October  30,  1S61,  he 
was  commissioned  captain  of  Company  M, 
64th  Regiment.  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  In- 
fantry, and  served  in  command  of  this  com- 
pany until  December  4,  1S62,  when  he  re- 
signed his  commission,  being  succeeded  by 
his  son.  Judge  Darte.  Alfred  Darte,  Sr.,  took 
part  in  the  great  battle  of  Antietam.  He  was 
wounded  in  that  engagement,  and  died 
August   13,   1883. 

(Ill)  Judge  Alfred  Darte,  son  of  Alfred  and 
Annie  E.  (Cone)  Darte,  was  born  at  Dundaft, 
Susquehanna  County,  Pennsylvania,  April  28, 
1S36,  and  died  at  his  home  in  Kingston,  July 
20,  1901.  He  received  his  preparatory  instruc- 
tion in  the  common  schools  and  in  Wyoming 
Seminary  at  Kingston,  then  studied  the  law 
in  his  father's  offices,  being  admitted  to  the 
bar  of  Luzerne  County,  May  12.  1859.  At 
the  start  of  the  Civil  War,  he  was  commis- 
sioned first  lieutenant  in  Company  K,  25th 
Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry,  under  his 
father's  command.  He  served  therewith  for 
three  months,  until,  August  13,  1861,  he  was 
commissioned  lieutenant  of  Company  M,  64th 
Regiment  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry. 
He  served  with  this  company  until  his  fath- 
er's resignation  in  October,  1862.  Later  he 
was  commissioned  a  captain,  served  in  the 
4th  Regiment,  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Cav- 
alry, and  was  on  active  duty  until  September 
19,  1864.  He  was  then  mustered  out  on  ac- 
count of  disability,  caused  by  wounds  re- 
ceived at  the  battle  of  Trevilian  Station,  Vir- 
ginia. His  record  as  a  soldier  was  of  the 
best.  He  saw  continuous  action  at  the  front 
for  four  years,  taking  part  in  many  of  the 
hard-fought  battles.  He  was  a  man  of  splen- 
did form  and  carriage,  above  six  feet  in 
height  with  broad  shoulders  held  squarely,  a 
perfect  specimen  of  manhood  and  a  perfect 
soldier. 

After  the  war,  Judge  Darte,  then  known  as 
Captain  Darte,  returned  to  Luzerne  County 
and  took  up  the  practice  of  ills  chosen  pro- 
fession. In  1879  he  was  elected  on  the  Re- 
publican ticket  to  the  office  of  district  attor- 
ney for  Luzerne  County,  and  filled  that  office 
with  ability.  He  later  was  justice  of  the 
peace  at  Kingston,  for  Kingston  Borough, 
and  still  later  was  elected  judge  of  the 
Orphans'  Court.  Luzerne  County.  As  judge  he 
served  with  his  usual  ability  in  all  things 
undertaken,  to  the  satisfaction  of  all  persons 
interested.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church  of  Kingston,  and  was  a  trustee 
for  many  years. 

Judge  Darte  married,  June  11,  1863,  Caro- 
line Seely,  of  Kingston,  daughter  of  Robert 
Seely,  who  was  born  in  Ireland.  Their  only 
son,  Franck  G.  Darte,  is  one  of  the  leading 
citizens  of  Wilkes-Barre  and  Luzerne  County. 

Judge  Darte  was  one  of  Luzerne  County's 
most  outstanding  citizens  through  many 
years.  He  was  a  splendid  citizen,  a  brave 
soldier,   a   good   lawyer   and  Judge,   and   while 


filling  the  several  offices  of  public  trust  con- 
ferred on  him  served  always  for  the  public 
benefit.  His  name  is  perpetuated  in  the  an- 
nals of  community,  county  and  State,  as  be- 
longing to  one  whose  life  was  lived  in  the. 
service   of   mankind. 


JOHN  HUGHES  BLACKMAH,  JR.,  was  born 
in  West  Pittston,  January  15,  1893.  His 
father,  John  Hughes  Blackman,  Sr.,  has  been 
for  years  manager  for  The  Mutual  Life 
Insurance  Company  of  New  York,  in  Eastern 
and  Central  Pennsylvania  and  Northern  New 
Jersey,  with  offices  at  Scranton.  His  ances- 
tors were  among  the  early  settlers  of  the 
valley,  his  great-grandfather,  Elisha  Bfack- 
man,  having  fought  in  the  battles  at  Wyo- 
ming in  1778.  His  mother.  May  Allen,  was 
daughter  of  William  A.  Allen,  native  of  Glas- 
gow, Scotland,  and  Amelia  (Stark)  Allen, 
whose  ancestors  were  members  of  the  Con- 
necticut Company,  settling  in  Wyoming 
County.  He  has  one  sister,  Marjory  Black- 
man,   who  resides  in  New  York   City. 

John  Hughes  Blackman,  Jr.,  was  educated 
at  Harry  Hillman  Academy,  Wilkes-Barre, 
Lawrenceville  Preparatory  School.  New  Jer- 
sey, and  Yale  University,  class  of  1914.  After 
graduation,  he  took  up  life  insurance  under 
his  father  and  is  district  manager  of  the 
company  with  offices  in  Miners'  Bank  Build- 
ing, Wilkes-Barre.  He  received  his  commis- 
sion at  the  first  officers'  training  camp  at 
Madison  Barracks,  New  York,  and  served 
with  the  109th  Field  Artillery  overseas,  par- 
ticipating in  five  major  offensives,  receiving 
a  citation.  At  present  time  he  is  captain  and 
operation  officer  of  the  regiment. 

Mr.  Blackman  married,  November  17,  1917, 
Emily  Lindsley  Fuller,  daughter  of  Judge 
Henry  A.  Fuller  and  Ruth  (Parrish)  Fuller, 
and  has  two  children,  Joan  and   Ruth. 

Mr.  Blackman  is  a  life  member  of  Wyoming 
Valley  Country  Club,  Yale  Club  of  New  York 
City,  St.  Elmo  Club  of  New  Haven,  Connect- 
icut; vice-president  of  the  Yale  Alumni  Asso- 
ciation of  Wyoming  Valley:  member  of  St. 
Stephen's  Episcopal  Church,  Wilkes-Barre, 
Black  Diamond  Post  American  Legion,  and 
Lodge  No.  442,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons: 
director  of  Dime  Bank,  Pittston;  trustee  of 
the  Wyoming  Valley  Historical  and  Geolog- 
ical Society,  and  trustee  of  Wilkes-Barre 
Institute. 


EDWARD  JAYXE  EVANS — Proof  that  the 
fortunes  of  men  are  largely  in  their  own 
hands  and  that  grit  and  determination  are 
rewarded  is  finely  illustrated  in  the  case 
of  Edward  J.  Evans,  of  Kingston,  who  rose 
from  the  humblest  of  beginnings  to  a  place 
of  high  importance  in  the  financial  field  of 
this  district  of  Pennsylvania.  Here  was  a 
boy  whose  lot  it  was  to  begin  life  picking 
slate  in  the  coal  breakers,  yet  he  managed 
to  find  time  to  attend  school  beyond  the 
elementary  grades  and  to  put  the  education 
thus  attained  to  good  advantage  in  busi- 
ness. Originating  from  a  hardy  Wels'n  and 
native  Pennsylvania  stock,  he  inherited  the 
fine  qualities  of  his  parents  and  throughout 
his  active  life  here  has  been  one  of  the  most 
energetic  and  industrious  of  our  citizens. 
Painstaking  with  his  work,  he  is  by  no 
means  a  grind,  but  finds  time  and  pleasure 
in  fraternal,  social  and  civic  associations, 
bringing  to  each  a  geniality  and  cofdiality 
that  is  one  of  his  most  engaging  qualities. 
He  is  interested  in  all  public  affairs  that 
appeal  to  the  progressive  element  and  is  one 
of  the  most  valued  citizens  of  this  community. 

He  "was  born  in  Danville,  Pennsylvania, 
a  son  of  John  J.  Evans,  born  in  Wales,  British 


31ol)n  ifterro 


6iS 


Isles,  who  came  to  the  United  States  in  his 
youth,  and  who  died  here.  His  mother  was 
Sarah  J.  (Esau)  Evans,  a  native  of  Danville, 
where  she  was  born.  After  a  common  school 
education  in  Danville  young  Edward  J. 
Evans  went  to  work  in  the  breakers  but 
remained  at  that  occupation  for  only  one 
year,  then  becoming  a  clerk  in  a  wholesale 
notion  house  in  Wilkes-Earre,  where  he  con- 
tinued for  five  years.  In  the  meantime  he 
attended  Wyoming  Seminary,  where  he  took 
the  business  course  and  on  May  10,  1S99, 
was  engaged  by  the  Kingston  Bank  and 
Trust  Company,  where  he  held  several  posi- 
tions until  his  promotion,  in  August,  1927, 
to  active  vice-president  and  his  election  as 
a  director  of  the  institution.  Ten  years 
after  he  entered  the  bank  he  was  made 
cashier,  holding  that  important  position  until 
his  appointment  to  the  vice-presidency.  For 
four  years  he  served  as  school  director  here 
and  for  several  years  was  a  trustee  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  which  he  and  his  fam- 
ily attend,  and  is  now  president  of  the  "West 
Side  Business  Men's  Association.  In  politics 
he  is  a  Republican.  Affiliated  with  the  order 
of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  he  has  been 
treasurer  of  the  association  here  for  twelve 
years,  his  lodge  being  Kingston,  No.  395. 
He  also  belongs  to  Shekinah  Chapter,  Royal 
Arch  Masons:  Dieu  le  Veut  Commandery, 
Knights  Templar;  and  Irem  Temple,  Ancient 
Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine. 

Edward  J.  Evans  married,  in  November, 
1913,  Helen  Newitt,  daughter  of  George  R. 
and  Diana    (Greene)    Newitt,   of   Kingston. 


JOHN  FIERRO — Twenty-four  years  of  con- 
tinuous service  as  alderman  of  the  Twelfth 
Ward  of  Hazleton  is  but  a  part  of  the  hon- 
orable record  of  John  Fierro.  Up  to  the  time 
of  his  election  to  the  board  of  aldermen  he 
was  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Fierro  Brothers, 
owners  of  a  flourishing  wholesale  bottling 
business,  but  he  withdrew  at  the  time  of  his 
election  to  that  office  in  1904,  and  since  that 
time  has  been  very  active  in  local  public 
affairs.  He  has  served  the  city  of  Hazleton 
with  notable  efficiency  and  has  rendered  most 
valuable  service  to  his  countrymen  and  the 
Poles  and  Slavs  and  also  Italians  of  the  city 
and  township.  He  has  brought  Italian  and 
Polish  teachers  into  the  schools  and  has  se- 
cured for  others  of  these  nationalities  respon- 
sible positions — and  the  proof  of  the  wisdom 
of  his  course  is  found  in  the  fact  that  all 
those  whom  he  has  been  influential  in  placing 
in  positions  of  trust  have  proved  worthy  of 
confidence  and  able  to  serve  the  best  interest 
of  the  city  and  of  the  township. 

Frank  Fierro,  father  of  John  Fierro,  was 
born  in  Italy  and  came  to  this  country  in 
ISSl,  locating  in  Lattimer,  Pennsylvania, 
where  he  worked  as  a  miner.  Later,  in  1S84 
he  returned  to  his  native  land,  married,  and 
remained  there  for  some  years.  In  1SS7  he 
came  again  to  America,  and  again  settled  in 
Lattimer,  Pennsj'lvania.  But  this  time  he 
came  not  as  a  stranger  in  a  strange  land,  but 
as  one  who  knew  his  way  quite  thoroughly 
and  kept  a  watchful  lookout  for  a  good 
business  opening.  Two  years  after  his  return 
to  this  country,  in  1889,  he  engaged  in  the 
wholesale  bottling  business  here  in  Hazleton, 
where  he  made  his  home  to  the  time  of  his 
death  in  1912.  He  and  his  wife,  Anna,  had 
two  sons  who  were  admitted  to  the  business 
as  soon  as  they  were  old  enough,  and  they 
organized  the  company  known  as  Fierro 
Brothers,  which  continued  and  enlarged  the 
wholesale    bottling   business. 

John  Fierro,  son  of  Frank  and  Anna  Fierro, 
was    born    in    Italy,    February    22,    1877,    and 


attended  the  schools  of  his  native  land  until 
he  was  eight  years  of  age,  when  he  came  to 
America.  The  boy  attended  the  schools  of 
Lattimer,  Pennsylvania,  until  18S8,  when  his 
father  removed  to  Hazleton,  where  the  boy 
completed  his  education.  As  soon  as  he  was 
old  enough  he  was  admitted  to  the  business, 
and  he  continued  the  association  with  his 
father  and  with  his  brother  until  1904,  when 
he  was  elected  alderman  of  the  Township  of 
Hazleton.  Since  that  time  Jlr.  Fierro  has  de- 
voted the  greater  portion  of  his  time  to  public 
work  and  has  made  tor  himself  a  high  repu- 
tation as  a  progressive  and  public-spirited 
official.  In  1914  he  served  as  acting  mayor  of 
Hazleton,  and  through  the  twenty-tour  years 
of  his  continuous  service  as  an  alderman  he 
has  been  constructive  in  his  aims,  taking  a 
deep  interest  in  the  Americanization  of  his 
fellow-countrymen  and  of  the  Poles  and  Slavs 
of  the  township  and  city.  His  personal  ex- 
perience, as  well  as  his  personal  qualifica- 
tions peculiarly  fitted  him  for  the  work  which 
he  has  done,  and  his  understanding  of  the 
problems  of  those  who  come  to  this  country 
from  another  land  has  enabled  him  to  serve 
both  the  newcomers  and  the  city  and  town- 
ship in  which  they  settled.  He  has  been  very 
active  in  the  affairs  of  tlie  Republican  party, 
but  in  September,  1927,  he  was  nominated  on 
the  Socialist  ticket  and  elected  by  eight  hun- 
dred and  twenty-six  Socialist  votes,  a  fine 
testimonial  to  the  character  of  the  work 
^vhich  Mr.  Fierro  had  done  as  a  Republican. 
It  was  he  who  first  saw  the  advantage  of 
placing  in  the  schools  of  the  township,  "which 
were  attended  by  foreign-born  children  or  by 
children  of  foreign-born  parents.  Italian  and 
Polish  teachers  to  "work  side  by  side  with  the 
American  teachers  in  the  public  schools  of 
Hazleton  Township.  It  was  he.  too,  who  first 
secured  the  appointment  of  Italian  teachers 
in  the  public  schools  of  Hazleton.  He  also 
secured  the  appointment  of  the  first  Italian 
policemen  in  the  city  of  Hazleton,  thus  giving 
the  Italian  people  a  definite  share  in  the 
responsibility  of  maintaining  law  and  order. 
Furthermore,  it  "was  John  Fierro  who  went 
further  than  civic  affairs  and  was  instru- 
mental in  securing  the  award  of  free  scholar- 
ships to  Polish  and  Italian  students,  thus 
offering  an  incentive  to  advanced  scholarship 
and  also  opening  a  way  for  those  who  could 
not  afford  such  opportunities.  He  was  also 
the  pioneer  in  securing  the  first  position  in 
the  city  government  for  Slavs  and  Italians, 
and  secured  for  theni  positions  in  the  city 
banks.  Thus  through  the  efforts  of  Mr.  Fierro 
the  foreign-born  and  children  of  foreign- 
born  parents  are  taking  their  places  as  in- 
tegral parts  of  the  civic,  business,  and  intel- 
lectual life  of  the  land,  and  are  becoming  true 
American  citizens.  It  is  worthy  of  note  that 
in  each  case,  to  the  present  time,  those  se- 
lected by  Mr.  Fierro  for  positions  of  trust 
iiave  proved  worthy  of  the  confidence  placed 
in  them  and  are  rendering  genuine  service  to 
the  city  and  to  the  township.  The  fact  that 
these  men  are  holding  positions  of  honor  and 
trust  is  in  itself  an  incentive  to  their  fellow- 
countrymen,  and  the  Italian,  Polish  and  Slavic 
officials,  and  teachers  have  been  able  to  help 
as  no  others  could  do  in  the  task  of  smooth- 
ing the  way  to  un-hyphenated  Americanism. 
Mr.  Fierro's  brother,  Joseph,  has  continued 
the  wholesale  bottling  business  successfully, 
and  as  a  progressive  business  man  is  also 
contributing  a  valuable  share  to  the  life  of 
the  city.  Since  1898  John  Fierro  has  been 
interested  in  political  affairs,  and  thirty  years 
of  experience  have  made  him  expert  in  the 
splendid  kind  of  public  work  which  he  is 
doing. 

John  Fierro  was  married  in  Hazleton,  Octo- 


6i6 


ber  36,  1904,  to  Anna  Hanisck,  of  Hazleton. 
She  died  in  1920,  leaving  four  children:  Gene- 
va, Anna,  Frank  and  George.  Since  1S92  Mr. 
Pierro  has  made  his  home  at  No.  645  North 
Vine  Street,  in  Hazleton.  His  offices  are 
located   in   the  Markle   Bank   Building. 


senting  building  material  concerns  and  has 
beeen  chosen  commander  of  the  American 
Legion  Post  of  Kingston 


WII,I.IS  H.  MILLER — One  of  the  energetic 
and  outstanding  business  men  of  Kingston 
and  "Wilkes-Barre  is  Willis  H.  Miller,  sales 
representative  and  manager  of  the  district 
unit  of  the  American  Radiator  Company.  He 
was  born  at  Archbald,  Lackawanna  County, 
on  May  14,  1S69,  and  educated  in  the  public 
schools  of  that  place,  until  the  family  re- 
moved to  Kingston,  when  he  attended  the 
Wyoming  Seminary.  His  mother,  Anna  C. 
(McLeodI  Miller,  daughter  of  Captain  Evander 
McLeod,  was  born  in  Carbondale,  in  1843  and 
died  in  May,  1910.  Mr.  Miller's  father,  H.  C. 
Miller  had  been  a  prosperous  business  man 
of  Kingston  for  forty  years,  when  he  died 
in  1912,  he  was  identified  in  the  furniture  and 
undertaking  business  on  the  West  Side,  a 
business  established  by  him,  and  which  one 
of  his  sons,  Albert  B.  Miller,  carried  on  after 
his  death.  Both  father  and  son  were  deeply 
intere.sted  in  civic  affairs,  were  counted 
as  useful  citizens  and  served  the  community 
in  various  of  its  town's  activities,  notably  on 
the  School  Board  and  in  the  Council.  The 
elder  Mr.  Miller  was  born  in  Germany  in  1836 
but  was  brought  to  this  country  when  he  was 
a  lad  of  thirteen.  Willis  H.  Miller  became 
identified  in  the  early  part  of  his  business  life 
with  the  B.  G.  Carpenter  Company  in  plumb- 
ing and  heating  construction  work.  He  was 
still  a  young  man  when  he  was  taken  into 
the  American  Radiator  Company,  manufac- 
turers of  boilers  and  radiators,  as  a  sales  rep- 
resentative and  has  steadily  advanced  in  re- 
sponsibility in  that  organization  and  now, 
after  almost  twenty-five  years  with  them,  he 
is  manager  of  this  important  unit,  which 
covers  a  particularly  fertile  industrial  ter- 
ritory, and  as  a  result  many  of  the  impor- 
tant buildings  and  residences  throughout  our 
valley  are    equipped    with   this   product. 

Mr.  Miller  is  counted  an  able  citizen  of  the 
town,  and  acts  in  the  Council  of  the  Borough 
of  Kingston  and  in  all  ways  takes  a  keen 
interest  in  matters  that  pertain  to  the  best 
advantage  of  Kingston  and  its  civic  growth. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Craftsman's  Club,  the 
Franklin  Club,  the  United  Commercial  Trav- 
elers and  of  the  Benevolent  and  Protective 
Order  of  Elks.  He  belongs  to  the  Kingston 
Lodge,  No.  395,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons; 
the  Shekinah  Chapter,  Royal  Arch  Masons; 
the  Dieu  le  Vent  Commandery,  Knights  Tem- 
plar; and  Irem  Temple  Ancient  Arabic  Order 
Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  He  and  his 
family  are  members  of  the  First  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church. 

In  1893  Willis  H.  Miller  married  Harriet 
M.  Pettebone,  daughter  of  Noah  and  Jane 
(Renard)  Pettebone  of  Kingston,  Pennsyl- 
vania. The  Pettebone  family  is  of  old  Penn- 
sylvania ancestry  and  has  been  active  in 
Wyoming  Valley  for  generations.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Willis  H.  Miller  have  one  son,  Robert 
M.,  who  was  born  in  June,  1895.  He  attended 
the  West  Barre  High  School  and  the  Bethle- 
hem Preparatory  School,  and  was  active  in 
athletics,  being  captain  of  the  football  team 
during  his  school  years.  When  the  World 
War  started  he  was  a  student  at  the  State 
College,  and  immediately  enlisted  in  tlie 
United  States  Navy  and  served  throughout 
the  war.    He   is  at  present  engaged  in  repre- 


JOHBf  PETRO — A  Story  of  earnest  purpose, 
hard  work,  and  steady  persistence,  rewarded 
by  successful  achievement,  is  the  record  of 
John  Petro,  cashier  of  the  North  End  State 
Bank  of  Wilkes-Barre.  Born  of  Czecho- 
Slovakian  parents  who  came  to  this  country, 
he  early  became  inured  to  hard  work,  and  as 
a  boy  began  to  earn  his  living  in  the  break- 
ers of  Pine  Ridge  Colliery.  ^Vhile  he  worked 
hard,  however,  he  also  found  opportunity  to 
study  hard,  and  by  the  time  he  was  twenty- 
seven  he  was  holding  a  responsible  position 
in  one  of  the  well-known  banks  of  this  city. 
P.ince  December  1,  1926,  he  has  been  cashier 
of  the  North  End  State  Bank,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre.  He  is  prominent  in  the  activities  of 
the   Greek   Catholic   Church. 

John  and  Anna  Petro,  parents  of  Mr.  Petro, 
were  born  of  sturdy  Czecho-SIovakian  stock 
and  throughout  their  lives  have  upheld  the 
standards  of  industry,  frugality,  and  thrift, 
which  is  usual  with  their  countrymen.  The 
father,  born  in  Czecho-Slovakia  in  1S63,  was 
one  of  the  enterprising  men  who  had  the 
initiative  and  the  courage  to  leave  his  native 
land  and  begin  life  in  a  strange  country, 
where  language,  customs,  and  habits  of 
thought  were  different  from  his  own.  He 
settled  here  in  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  at 
Miners  iSlills,  where  he  worked  as  an  outside 
checking  boss  to  the  time  of  his  death,  which 
occurred  September  14,  1919.  His  wife,  Anna, 
born  in  Czecho-Slovakia,  survives  him   (1930). 

John  Petro,  son  of  John  and  Anna  Petro, 
was  born  at  Miners  Mills,  Luzerne  County, 
Pennsylvania,  August  28,  1892,  and  received 
his  early  education  in  the  public  schools  of 
that  place  and  of  Hanover.  Though  it  was 
necessary  that  he  become  a  wage  earner  at 
an  early  age,  he  had  no  intention  of  remain- 
ing a  mere  workman.  He  intended  to  enter 
the  business  world,  and  while  working  in  the 
Pine  Ridge  Colliery,  as  a  breaker,  he  found 
opportunity  to  take  a  commercial  course  in 
the  Wilkes-Barre  Business  College.  After 
finishing  his  commercial  course  he  still  con- 
tinued in  the  colliery  until  he  had  rounded 
out  a  period  of  eight  years  there,  serving  in 
the  office  for  one  year.  He  then  secured  a 
position  as  clerk  in  the  employ  of  the  Penn- 
sylvania Bank  and  Trust  Company,  thus  be- 
ginning his  permanent  connection  with  the 
banking  business  in  general,  though  that  par- 
ticular association  was  not  to  be  permanent. 
His  stay  there  was  not  a  short  one,  however, 
and  his  ability  and  trustworthiness  were 
recognized  and  rewarded  with  promotions 
until,  in  1919,  he  was  made  assistant  cashier 
of  the  bank.  Three  years  later,  in  1922,  he 
left  the  Pennsylvania  Bank  and  Trust  Com- 
pany to  accept  the  position  of  assistant  cash- 
ier of  the  Liberty  State  Bank,  now  the  Lib- 
erty State  Bank  and  Trust  Company,  of 
Liberty,  Pennsylvania.  That  position  he  filled 
with  marked  ability  until  December  1,  1926, 
when  he  became  cashier  of  the  North  End 
State  Bank,  where  he  is  still  (1930)  located. 
The  qualities  of  character  which  have  en- 
abled Mr.  Petro  to  overcome  all  difficulties 
and  to  remain  faithful  to  early  trusts  are 
making  him  a  valuable  factor  in  the  develop- 
ment of  the  business  interests  of  the  bank 
with  which  he  is  now  identified,  and  he  is 
much  trusted  and  respected  by  his  associates. 

As  the  North  End -State  Bank  was  an  in- 
fant,   only    little    more    than    two    years    old. 


6i7 


when  Mr.  Peti'o  became  identified  witli  its 
interests  as  cashier,  he  will  have  an  oppor- 
tunity to  grow  with  it.  The  bank  was  organ- 
ized in  October,  1925,  and  opened  for  business 
April  1,  1926,  just  eight  months  prior  to  the 
coming  of  Mr.  Petro  as  cashier.  Its  first  offi- 
cial personnel  was  as  follows:  President, 
Richard  A.  Ward;  vice-president,  Daniel  J. 
Craj'i  second  vice-president,  Gustave  A.  John- 
son; third  vice-president,  Robert  W.  Johnson; 
with  E.  Arthur  Aston  as  secretary  of  the 
official  board;  Ralph  J.  Stout  as  cashier;  and 
Rodger  O.  O'Donnell,  as  solicitor.  At  the 
present  time  (1930)  Daniel  J.  Cray  is  presi- 
dent; Gustave  A.  Johnson,  first  vice-president; 
Robert  W.  Johnson,  second  vice-president; 
George  M.  Yencha,  third  vice-president:  John 
Petro,  cashier;  Walter  A.  Bromtield,  assist- 
ant cashier;  with  the  solicitor  and  the  sec- 
retary of  the  board  remaining  as  before. 
The  bank  is  located  at  No.  438  North  Main 
Street,  and  has  already  taken  its  place 
among  the  well  established  financial  insti- 
tutions of  the  city  of  Wilkes-Barre.  It  was 
not  by  chance  that  Mr.  Petro  entered  the 
banking  world  after  the  completion  of  his 
commercial  cour.se.  He  knew  what  he 
wanted  and  made  definite  preparation  for 
a  successful  career  as  a  banker  by  adding  to 
his  commercial  course,  a  course  in  the  Ameri- 
can Institute  of  Banking,  taken  while  he  was 
holding   a   minor   bank    position. 

Mr.  Petro  is  a  Republican  in  his  political 
sympathies,  and  he  is  one  of  the  responsible 
citizens  who  take  a  part  in  bearing  the  bur- 
dens of  local  public  office,  his  contribution  in 
this  direction  being  six  years  of  service  as 
auditor  of  Miners  Mills.  He  is  active  in  the 
work  of  the  Greek  Catholic  Church  of  North 
Wilkes-Barre,  which  he  served  as  secretary 
for  two  years  and  as  vice-president  in  1927. 
He  is  secretary  of  the  St.  Nicholas  Society,  a 
branch  of  the  Greek  Catholic  Union,  and  is  a 
member  of  the  Tatra  Club. 

John  Petro  was  married,  October  12,  1919, 
to  Julia  Bobick.  of  Homestead,  Pennsylvania, 
daughter  of  John  and  Mary  Bobick,  and  they 
are  the  parents  of  three  children:  Mildred 
M.,  born  November  17,  1920;  Myron  J.,  born 
March  10,  1922;  and  Loretta  D.,  born  March 
1,  1925.  The  family  home  is  located  at  No.  15 
East  Main  Street,   in  Wilkes-Barre. 

PRESTON   J.    STURDEVANT,   D.   D.    S. — One 

of  the  skillful  and  successful  dentists  of  Lu- 
zerne County  is  Preston  J.  Sturdevant,  D.  D, 
S.,  who  in  the  period  of  slightly  more  than  a 
decade  in  which  he  has  been  practicing  his 
profession  has  acquired  a  host  of  friends  and 
loyal  patients  who  rely  upon  his  work  im- 
plicitly and  come  to  him  for  their  dental 
advice  and  treatment.  Practicing,  with  offices 
in  Forty  Fort,  Dr.  Sturdevant  is  widely 
known  among  his  fellow-citizens,  and  is  at 
the  same  time  more  than  ordinarily  active 
in  the  social  and  civic  life  of  his  community. 
He  was  born  in  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsyl- 
vania, on  June  3.  1896,  a  son  of  Clarence  W. 
and  Lucy  (Swan)  Sturdevant.  His  father, 
who  was  born  in  Binghamton,  New  York,  in 
1865,  is  engaged  in  the  fire  insurance  business 
in  Wilkes-Barre,  where  he  is  a  member  of 
the  firm  of  Thompson.  Derr  and  Brothers; 
while  the  mother,  Lucy  (Swan)  Sturdevant, 
•was  born  at  Skinners  Eddy,  Pennsylvania,  in 
1872,  and  died  in  February,  1920.  His  early 
days  Preston  J.  Sturdevant  spent  in  Wilkes- 
Barre,  where  he  attended  the  public  and  high 
schools,  having  been  graduated  from  high 
school  in  the  class  of  1914.    He  then  went  for 


his  professional  work  to  the  Univer.sity  of 
Pennsylvania,  which  graduated  him  in  1918 
with  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Dental  Surgery. 
Since  that  time  Dr.  Sturdevant  has  practiced 
his  calling  in  Forty  Fort,  where  he  has  fine 
up-to-date  offices  and  is  taking  care  of  a  con- 
stantly   increasing    practice. 

In  the  course  of  his  work  he  has  come  to 
be  regarded,  and  truly  so,  as  one  of  the  most 
active  men  of  Forty  Fort  in  all  public  affairs. 
He  is,  in  his  political  views,  a  Republican, 
and  supports  regularly  the  policies  and  can- 
didates of  his  party.  He  holds  membership  in 
the  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  in  which 
order  his  affiliation  is  with  the  Wyoming 
Lodge.  No.  4  lis.  He  keeps  a  close  eye  upon 
the  newest  developments  in  his  profession, 
which  he  studies  through  the  medium  of  the 
Luzerne  County  Dental  Society,  the  Penn- 
sylvania State  Dental  Society  and  the  Ameri- 
can Dental  Association.  His  religious  affilia- 
tion is  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

In  1920,  Dr.  Sturdevant  married  Damaris 
Metsker,  of  Plymouth,  Indiana,  daughter  of 
Clay  W.  and  Nellie  (Camp)  Metsker.  By  this 
union  there  have  been  three  children:  1. 
Stephen  Allen,  born  in  April,  1921.  2.  Gwyneth 
Jean,  born  in  August.  1924.  3.  Preston  J.  Jr., 
born   in  November,  1927. 

•WILLIAM  H.  McCarthy — a  business  man 
of  proved  ability  and  long  experience,  Wil- 
liam H.  McCarthy  is  sole  proprietor  of  "Mac's 
Garage,"  situated  at  No.  192-200  Wyoming 
Street,  Wilkes-Barre.  From  the  time  of  its 
establishment,  this  venture  proved  highly 
successful  and  under  Mr.  McCarthy's  able 
direction  its  business  is  constantly  expand- 
ing. The  general  service  which  he  offers  is 
one  of  an  unusually  high  type,  of  which  many 
local  motorists  take  advantage,  while  his  is 
the  official  Wilkes-Barre  service  for  Dodge, 
Pontiac  and   Oakland   cars. 

Mr.  McCarthy  was  born  in  Wilkes-Barre 
on  September  10,  1876.  a  son  of  Dennis  J. 
McCarthy,  born  in  Susquehanna  County, 
Pennsylvania,  died  in  1915,  and  of  Catherine 
(Dunn)  McCarthy,  a  member  of  the  pioneer 
family  of  that  name  in  this  section,  who  died 
in  1910.  The  father  was  foreman  for  forty 
years  for  the  Delaware  and  Hudson  Coal 
Company,  and  during  the  period  of  the  Civil 
War  saw  service  with  the  109th  Pennsylvania 
"Volunteers,  serving  "with  distinction  under 
General   George   H.   Thomas. 

William  H.  McCarthy  attended  the  public 
schools  of  his  birthplace,  and  later  com- 
pleted a  special  course  at  Mansfield  Normal 
School,  in  Tioga  County,  Pennsylvania.  Be- 
ginning his  business  career,  he  entered  the 
employ  of  the  Dela'ware  and  Hudson  Coal 
Company,  advancing  to  foreman  in  this  com- 
pany, a  position  which  he  held  to  the  com- 
plete satisfaction  of  its  executive  officers  for 
a  period  of  eighteen  years.  For  four  years  of 
this  time,  during  the  World  War,  Mr.  Mc- 
Carthy was  in  charge  of  the  guard  and  of 
employment  at  Matheson  Plant  of  the  Inter- 
national Fabricating  Manufacturers.  In  1921, 
however,  he  established  himself  independ- 
ently in  the  garage  business,  erecting  his  first 
building  at  No.  200  Wyoming  Street.  With 
the  growth  of  his  business  he  built  his  pres- 
ent brick  garage,  which  runs  from  No.  192 
to  No.  200  on  Wyoming  Street,  a  completely 
modern  structure  in  every  detail.  To  assist 
him  in  this  enterprise  Charles  Sponseller  is 
conducting   the   repair   shop. 

Politically  he  supports  the  principles  and 
candidates    of   the    Democratic    party,    taking 


6i8 


an  active  part  in  many  movements  for  the 
promotion  of  civic  vi^elfare  and  the  progress 
of  the  community.  He  was  one  of  the  or- 
ganizers and  is  now  a  member  of  the  board 
of  directors  of  the  North  End  Banlc  of 
Wilkes-Barre.  Mr.  McCarthy  has  also  served 
for  one  term  as  a  member  of  the  school  board 
of  Miners  Mills. 

Mr.  McCarthy  is  himself  a  veteran  of  the 
United  States  Army  service,  answering  the 
call  to  arms  in  1S9S,  at  the  time  of  the 
declaration  of  war  against  Spain.  In  the 
progress  of  the  campaigns,  he  participated  in 
several  of  the  most  important  engagements 
of  the  war.  He  worships  in  the  faith  of  the 
Roman  Catholic  Church,  and  is  a  devoted 
member  of  St.  John  the  Divine,  at  Wilkes- 
Barre. 


XAVIER    KTIEHN    COLLMANN,    M.   D. — The 

city  of  Wilkes-Barre  may  well  be  proud  of 
its  long  list  of  able  men  of  the  medical  pro- 
fession, many  of  whom  were  born  and  reared 
here  and  have  given  all  the  years  of  their 
mature  life  to  the  city  of  their  birth.  Among 
those  who  were  born  here  and  received  their 
professional  education  in  Philadelphia  is  Dr. 
Xavier  Kuehn  Collmann,  who  served  his  in- 
terneship  in  the  Wilkes-Barre  General  Hos- 
pital, and  has  been  engaged  in  general  prac- 
tice here  since  1919.  He  has  his  offices  at  No. 
387  North  Main  Street.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  staff  of  Wilkes-Barre  General  Hospital 
and  of  the  various  medical  associations  and 
has  made  for  himself  an  assured  place  among 
his  professional  colleagues. 

Adolph  E.  R.  Collmann,  father  of  Dr.  Coll- 
mann. was  born  in  Germany  in  1863,  but  was 
one  of  the  many  Germans  of  his  time  who 
decided  to  leave  the  land  of  his  birth  and 
come  to  this  country  where  opportunity  was 
greater  and  restrictions  and  handicaps  fewer. 
Being  a  man  of  ability  and  of  education,  as 
well  as  a  good  business  man,  he  chose  the 
business  of  the  retail  druggist,  which  he  fol- 
lowed successfully  in  AVilkes-Barre  for  many 
years.  He  is  still  living  here  (1930)  retired, 
and  as  the  years  have  passed  he  has  made 
for  himself  an  honored  place  among  those 
with  whom  he  has  been  associated.  He  mar- 
ried Lydia  Keuhn,  a  native  of  Elmville,  Ohio, 
who  was   born   in   1863,   and   is  still  living. 

Dr.  Xavier  K.  Collmann,  son  of  Adolph  E. 
R.  and  Lydia  (Kuehn)  Collmann,  was  born 
in  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania,  October  19, 
1890,  and  received  his  early  and  preparatory 
education  in  the  public  schools  of  this  city, 
graduating  from  the  high  school  with  the 
class  of  1909.  His  father's  business  as  a  re- 
tail druggist  had  interested  him  in  the  medi- 
cal profession,  and  when  his  high  school 
course  was  finished  he  decided  to  become  a 
physician.  With  this  end  in  view  he  entered 
the  Medico  Chirurgical  College  in  Philadel- 
phia, where  he  finished  his  course  and  was 
graduated  with  the  class  of  1916,  receiving 
at  that  time  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine. 
Being  desirous  of  preparing  himself  as 
thoroughly  as  possible  for  the  responsibilities 
of  general  practice,  he  then  served  a  three- 
year  interneship  in  the  Wilkes-Barre  General 
Hospital,  thus  giving  himself  the  advantages 
of  an  unusually  long  preliminary  hospital 
training.  In  1919  he  opened  an  office  for  gen- 
eral practice  here  in  Wilkes-Barre,  and  since 
that  time,  a  period  of  more  than  ten  years, 
he  has  been  successfully  building  up  a  large 
and  still  growing  practice.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Medical  Staff  of  Wilkes-Barre  General 
Hospital,    and    has    for     several    years     now 


(1930)  been  known  as  one  of  the  able  and 
successful  physicians  of  the  city.  He  holds 
membership  in  the  Luzerne  County  Medical 
Society,  the  Pennsylvania  State  Medical  So- 
ciety, and  the  American  Medical  Association, 
and,  has  from  the  beginning  of  his  profes- 
sional career  given  evidence  of  more  than 
average  ability.  During  his  four  years  train- 
ing in  Medico  Chi  he  received  highest  honors, 
for  which  he  was  awarded  four  gold  medals, 
one  for  each  year.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
Omega  Epsilon  Phi  Fraternity. 

During  the  period  of  the  participation  of 
the  United  States  in  the  World  War,  Dr. 
Collmann  who  was  then  serving  in  the  Wilkes- 
Barre  General  Hospital,  was  commissioned  a 
first  lieutenant,  but  he  was  not  called  for 
active  service,  other  than  the  service  which 
he  was  already  rendering  here  at  home.  Po- 
litically, he  supports  the  principles  of  the 
Republican  party,  and  his  fraternal  connec- 
tion is  with  Lodge  No.  442,  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons;  Dieu  le  Veut  Coramandery,  Knights 
Templar,  No.  45,  and  Irem  Temple,  Ancient 
Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine. 
He  is  a  member  of  the   Presbyterian   Church. 

Dr.  Xavier  K.  Collmann  was  married,  April 

28,  1920,  to  Lillian  Howe,  of  Wilkes-Barre, 
Pennsylvania,  daughter  of  Evan  P.  Howe, 
who  was  born  in  England  in  1870,  but  came 
to  this  country  and  settled  in  Wilkes-Barre, 
Pennsylvania,  where  he  is  engaged  in  busi- 
ness as  a  contractor,  and  of  Gertrude  (Johns) 
Howe,  who  was  born  in  Cornwall,  England, 
in  1872,  and  is  still  living  (1930).  Dr.  and 
Mrs.  Collmann  have  three  sons:  1.  Warren  X., 
born  February  27,  1921.  2.  Reid  L.,  born  Sep- 
tember 5,   1922.    3.   Spencer  Howe,   born  April 

29,  1924. 


WILLIAM  JAMES  PHUiLIPS — Active  in  the 
business  life  and  the  civic  affairs  of  Forty 
Fort,  Pennsylvania,  William  James  Phillips 
is  one  of  the  leading  figures  of  this  munici- 
pality, where  he  conducts  a  general  store  and 
holds  directorships  in  other  local  enterprises. 
There  is  no  question  or  project  of  public 
importance  in  which  Mr.  Phillips  does  not 
take  a  pronounced  interest,  while  he  is  gen- 
erous of  his  time  and  energies  in  the  support 
of  institutions  and  movements  which  he  be- 
lieves beneficial  to  the  community  and  its 
people.  It  is  only  natural  that  he  should  have 
acquired  a  wide  circle  of  friends  and  ac- 
quaintances, both  in  Forty  Fort  and  through- 
out Luzerne  County  and  the  Wyoming  Val- 
ley, especially  in  view  of  his  genial  and  ami- 
able personality,  which  has  been  such  a  fac- 
tor in  building  up  the  strong  business  house 
which  he  conducts  here  today. 

He  was  born  in  Kingston,  Pennsylvania, 
on  February  28,  1876,  a  son  of  Thomas  B.  and 
Mary  Anne  (Fitz)  Phillips.  His  father  was 
borii  in  England  in  1846,  while  the  mother 
was  born  in  that  land  in  1844.  Throughout 
the  most  active  years  of  his  career,  Thomas 
B.  Phillips  was  a  merchant  in  Kingston, 
Pennsylvania,  where  he  died  in  1906;  and  the 
mother,  also  a  resident  of  Kingston  over  a 
long  period,  died  there  in  1905. 

William  James  Phillips  received  his  early 
education  in  the  public  schools  of  Kingston, 
his  birthplace,  and  subsequently  became  a 
student  at  the  Wyoming  Seminary.  When  he 
finished  a  bookkeeping  course  he  became 
weighmaster  at  Colliery  No.  4  Of  the  Dela- 
ware, Lackawanna  and  Western,  in  Kingston, 
where  he  remained  for  one  year.  At  the  end 
of  that  time  he  became  bookkeeper  with  the 
Scouton    and    Lee    Lumber    Company,    in    Par- 


/ii^^i^^^  /i^ U^^^4^^l4^  /hi^ . 


6i9 


sons,  Pennsylvania,  with  which  company  he 
continued  in  this  capacity  for  four  and  one- 
lialf  years.  Then,  in  1900,  he  formed  the 
partnership  of  Phillips  and  Young,  a  retail 
grocery  establishment  and  general  store, 
which  he  conducted  until  1906.  At  that  time 
Mr.  Phillips  sold  his  interest  in  the  enter- 
prise, and  went  into  business  under  his  own 
name.  Since  then  he  has  been  the  proprietor 
of  the  general  store  whicli  he  now  conducts, 
an  institution  which  employs  five  persons  and 
which  stands  high  in  the  business  life  of  the 
Wyoming  Valley.  Mr.  Phillips  has  shown 
remarkable  ability  and  talent  for  organizing 
and  developing  this  store,  and  for  so  calcu- 
lating his  services  that  they  exactly  fit  the 
needs  of  the  community  in  which  he  has  so 
long  lived  and  worked  and  whose  require- 
ments he  has  so  diligently  studied. 

In  addition  to  his  activities  with  this  gen- 
eral store,  Mr.  Phillips  takes  part  in  a  num- 
ber of  other  enterprises  prominent  in  his 
community,  both  in  its  business  and  social 
life.  He  is  a  director  of  the  Wyoming  Roofing 
Products  Company,  of  Wyoming,  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  of  the  Wyoming  Baking  Company, 
also  of  that  place.  In  his  political  views  he 
is  identified  "with  the  Republican  party,  whose 
policies  and  candidates  he  consistently  sup- 
ports. He  is  a  member  of  the  Patriotic  Order 
Sons  of  America.  He  is  a  director  of  the 
Forty  Fort  State  Bank,  and  is  a  member  of 
the  Forty  Fort  Board  of  Health.  His  religi- 
ous affiliation  is  with  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  in  which  he  is  a  member  of  the 
board  of  trustees. 

In  1904,  William  James  Phillips  married 
Cora  Mae  Nelson,  of  Luzerne  County,  daugh- 
ter of  Sornson  and  Mary  Nelson.  By  this 
union  there  is  one  daughter,  Olive,  born  in 
November,  1909,  who  was  graduated  from  the 
Forty  Fort  High  School  and  Wyoming  Semi- 
nary, and  iSi  now  attending  the  Bloomsburg 
Normal  School. 


HUGH  HUGHES — A  resident  of  Plains, 
Pennsylvania,  for  many  years,  Hugh  Hughes 
is  now  engaged  as  funeral  director  and  em- 
balmer  here,  in  a  very  successful  way.  He 
carries  a  complete  line  of  the  most  modern 
equipment  obtainable,  while  his  ready  tact 
and  fine  spirit  of  service  have  won  him  many 
friends  in  the  community,  in  whose  general 
life  he  also  takes  an  important  part. 

Mr.  Hughes  was  born  on  October  IS,  1S79, 
in  Wales,  a  son  of  Thomas  Hughes,  a  stone- 
cutter, born  in  Wales  in  1S50,  and  of  Anne 
(Jones)  Hughes,  also  born  in  Wales  in  1S56, 
died    in   1923.     The   father   is   still   living. 

Hugh  Hughes  attended  the  public  schools 
of  Wales,  and  later  has  taken  courses  of  the 
International  Correspondence  School,  and  also 
Young  Men's  Christian  Association  ■wrork.  At 
the  age  of  nine,  he  began  work  as  an  appren- 
tice barber,  following  his  trade  in  both  Liver- 
pool, England,  and  in  the  United  States,  to 
which  he  came  as  a  young  man.  Through  his 
own  energy  and  ability,  Mr.  Hughes  was  able 
to  set  up  his  own  shop  in  Plains,  ■which  he 
operated  for  fifteen  years,  and  also  one  in 
Wilkes-Barre,  to  which  he  devoted  his  at- 
tention for  a  period  of  four  >'ears.  In  1908, 
Mr.  Hughes  was  graduated  from  the  Eckles 
School  of  Embalming,  and  in  1915,  he  gave 
up  work  as  a  barber  to  become  a  funeral 
director  and  embalmer,  a  profession  "which 
he  had  carried  on  along  with  his  other  work 
for  several  years.  Since  1915  he  has  operated 
in    both    Plains    and    Kingston,    Pennsylvania, 


his  services  in  this  respect  being  most  satis- 
factory. 

Politically,  Mr.  Hughes  is  a  member  of  the 
Republican  party,  and  he  is  affiliated  frater- 
nally with  the  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  in 
which  organization  he  is  a  member  of  Land- 
mark Lodse.  Xo.  4)2;  .Shekinah  Chapter,  No. 
182,  Royal  Arch  Masons;  Dieu  le  Veut  Com- 
mandery,  No.  45,  Knights  Templar:  and  Irem 
Temple,  of  the  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles 
of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  He  is  also  a  member 
of  Wyoming  Lodge  of  the  Independent  Order 
of  Odd  Fellows;  a  member  of  the  Knights  of 
Malta,  the  Loyal  Order  of  Moose,  and  of  the 
local  Motor  Club.  He  is  a  member  and  a 
liberal  supporter  of  the  Plains  Methodist 
Epi.'^copal  Church,  serving  on  the  official  board 
of  the  church,  and  he  is  also  a  member  of 
the  executive  committee  of  the  Orpheus  Glee 
Club,  of  Wilkes-Barre. 

In  1911,  Hugh  Hughes  married  Edith  Mer- 
ritt,  of  Plains,  daughter  of  Henry  and  Mary 
(Rodda)  Merritt,  of  this  place.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Hughes  are  the  parents  of  one  child,  H.  Jler- 
ritt,  born  January  10,  1917.  The  Hughes 
family  home  is  at  No.  51  East  Carey  Street, 
Plains,  Pennsylvania. 


JOSEPH    FRAXCIS    SHERIDAIV,    D.    D.    S. — 

Though  the  beginning  of  his  professional 
career  as  a  dentist  was  delayed  for  almost 
two  years  as  the  result  of  Dr.  Sheridan's 
active  military  service  overseas  during  the 
World  War,  he  has  made  for  himself  in  the 
ten  years,  during  which  he  has  been  engaged 
in  the  practice  of  his  profession  in  Wilkes- 
Barre,  a  very  high  reputation  as  an  able 
dentist.  He  is  active  also  in  a  number  of 
fraternal,  professional,  social  and  religious 
organizations  and  in  every  way  represents 
the  highest  type  of  useful  and  progressive 
citizenship. 

Joseph  Francis  Sheridan  was  born  at  Plym- 
outh, Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania,  August 
4,  1S94,  a  son  of  Arthur  T.  and  Anna  (Lynch) 
Sheridan.  His  father,  a  blacksmith  by  trade, 
is  a  native  of  Danville,  Pennsylvania,  his 
mother  of  Larksville,  Pennsylvania.  Dr. 
Sheridan  was  educated  in  the  public  grammar 
and  high  schools  of  his  native  town  and,  after 
graduating  from  Plymouth  High  School,  in 
1914,  entered  Temple  University,  Philadel- 
phia, from  which  he  "U'as  graduated  with  the 
degree  of  D.  D.  S.  in  1917,  having  taken  the 
full  course  in  that  institution's  Dental  School. 
This  country  in  the  meantime  having  entered 
the  World  War,  Dr.  Sheridan  postponed  the 
start  of  his  professional  career  and  enlisted 
in  the  military  service  of  the  United  States. 
Commissioned  a  first  lieutenant  in  Dental 
Corps,  he  served  in  the  United  States  five 
months  and  overseas  for  nineteen  months 
with  the  1st  Army  Artillery  and  various  base 
hospitals,  seeing  a  great  deal  of  fighting  on 
the  Meuse-Argonne  and  St.  Mihiel  fronts. 
He  received  his  honorable  discharge  Septem- 
ber 8,  1919,  and  immediately  afterwards 
established  himself  in  the  general  practice 
of  dentistry  at  Wilkes-Barre,  in  which  he 
has  continued  since  then  with  great  success, 
his  office  in  recent  years  being  located  at 
No.  2  West  Northampton  Street.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  American,  Pennsylvania  State 
and  Luzerne  County  Dental  societies,  as  well 
as  of  the  American  Legion,  the  Fox  Hill 
Country  Club,  Lodge  No.  109,  Benevolent  and 
Protective  Order  of  Elks,  and  Knights  of 
Columbus.  In  politics  he  is  a  supporter  of 
the  Democratic  party,  while  his  religious 
afliliation  is  with  the  Roman  Catholic  Church, 
and  more  particularly  "with  St.  Mary's 
Church  of  Wilkes-Barre. 


620 


Dr.  Sheridan  married,  June  20,  1925,  Mary 
E.  Brennan,  of  Larksville,  Pennsylvania,  a 
daughter  of  Thomas  J.  and  Anna  (Keating) 
Brennan.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Sheridan  malfe  their 
home  at  No.  20  Sheldon  Street.  Willves-Barre. 


irLRICH    D.    RUMBAUGH,    B.    D.,    M.    D.— 

Active  in  medical  circles  in  Kingston,  Ulrich 
D.  Rumliaugh  here  conducts  a  general  prac- 
tice of  medicine  and  surgery,  and  is  regarded 
as  a  leader  in  the  civic  and  social  life  of 
his  coiTimunity.  Not  only  is  he  sltilled  in 
his  "worlv  beyond  tlie  ordinary  degree,  but 
devotes  his  time  tirelessly  to  the  activities 
in  wiiich  lie  is  engaged,  sparing  no  effort 
to  give  needed  aid  to  a  patient  even  tliough 
his  service  involves  all  sorts  of  personal 
sacrifices  on  his  own  part.  Also  a  participant 
in  the  public  and  civic  affairs  of  Kingston 
and  the  Wyoming  Valley,  he  is  affiliated  with 
several  influential  fraternal  orders  and  or- 
ganizations important  to  the  development  of 
his   city  and   county. 

Dr.  Rumbaugh  was  born  in  Millerstown, 
Pennsylvania,  on  November  27,  1SS6,  a  son 
of  Cleophas  and  Elizabeth  (Auker)  Rum- 
baugh. Both  his  father  and  mother  were 
natives  of  Perry  County,  Pennsylvania, 
where  they  were  born  in  1S59.  Mrs.  Cleophas 
Rumbaugh  died  in  October,  1925.  Cleophas 
Rumbaugh  was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  and 
is  now  living  retired. 

Ulrich  D.  Rumbaugh,  who  now  practices 
his  profession  in  Kingston  and  resides  in 
Luzerne,  attended  the  public  schools  of  his 
birthplace,  Millerstown,  and  then  studied  at 
the  State  Normal  School  in  Shippensburg, 
Pennsylvania,  from  which  he  was  graduated 
in  the  class  of  1907.  For  three  years  he 
taught  school  in  Perry  and  Cumberland 
counties,  and  then  took  up  further  academic 
work  at  Collegeville,  Pennsylvania,  from 
which  he  was  graduated  in  the  class  of  1914 
with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts.  He 
then  went  to  Drew  Theological  Seminary,  in 
Madison,  New  Jersey,  which  granted  him  the 
degree  of  Bachelor  of  Divinity  in  1917.  After 
three  years  in  the  ministry  in  Pennsylvania 
and  Southern  Iowa,  he  attended  Jefferson 
Medical  College,  in  Philadelphia,  from  which 
he  was  graduated  in  1923  with  the  degree 
of  Doctor  of  Medicine.  He  then  served  as 
interne  at  the  Wilkes-Earre  General  Hos- 
pital for  a  year,  since  which  time  he  has 
practiced  in  Kingston.  Here,  engaged  in  a 
general  practice  of  medicine.  Dr.  Rumbaugh 
has  gained  the  esteem  and  confidence  of  a 
large  number  of  people,  and  has  succeeded 
in  building  up  a  most  enviable  and  lucrative 
practice.  Both  his  skill  and  gentle  personal- 
ity qualify  him  for  the  work  that  he  per- 
forms, and  mark  him  as  a  leader  in  the 
local  activities  of  the  medical  profession. 

In  addition  to  his  own  practice.  Dr.  Rum- 
baugh keeps  in  active  touch  with  the  affairs 
of  his  profession  and  his  colleagues,  espe- 
cially through  his  active  membership  in  the 
Luzerne  County  Medical  Society,  the  Penn- 
sylvania State  Medical  Society  and  the  Amer- 
ican Medical  Association.  He  also  belongs 
to  the  American  Electro-Therapeutic  Associa- 
tion, and  the  American  Congress  of  Physical 
Therapy.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons,  in  which  his  affiliations 
are  with  Lodge  No.  3S5,  the  Caldwell  Con- 
sistory of  the  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish 
Rite  at  Bloomsburg,  and  Ireni  Temple  of  the 
Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic 
Shrine.  His  political  views  are  those  of  the 
Republican  party,  whose  policies  and  candi- 
dates he  regularly  supports.  His  religious 
affiliation  is  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,    Dr.    Rumbaugh    being    a    member    of 


the    official    board    of    the    Luzerne    Methodist 
Episcopal    Church. 

In  1917,  Dr.  Rumbaugh  married  Marguerite 
McKechnie.  of  Luzerne,  Pennsylvania,  a 
daughter  of  Charles  and  Margaret  (Williams) 
McKechnie,   prominent   citizens   of  this   place. 


JOHX  MORGAX  MILES — A  native  of  Scran- 
ton,  Pennsylvania,  but  a  resident  of  Kingston 
since  his  early  childhood  days,  Mr.  Miles  is 
one  of  the  most  widely  known  and  most 
prominent  citizens  of  .the  Wyoming  Valley. 
For  many  years  he  has  been  prominently 
active  in  its  civic,  fraternal,  social  and  reli- 
gious activities,  while  his  keen  interest  in 
politics  has  made  him  one  of  the  political 
leaders  of  the  Republican  party  in  Luzerne 
County.  He  enjoys  to  an  unusual  extent,  the 
liking  and  confidence  of  his  fellow-citizens 
and  in  every  way  represents  the  best  type 
of  modern,  useful  and  progressive  citizen- 
ship. In  business  circles,  too,  he  has  made 
for  himself  an  enviable  reputation  as  an 
able  executive  in  his  position  of  sales  man- 
ager of  an  important  Wilkes-Barre  firm,  with 
which  he  has  been  connected  uninterruptedly 
for  almost   a   quarter  of  a  century. 

John  Morgan  Miles  was  born  in  Scranton, 
Pennsylvania,  May  5,  18S6,  a  son  of  Evan 
M.  and  Mary  (Williams)  Miles.  His  father, 
who  was  born  in  South  Wales  in  1853,  lived 
the  greater  part  of  his  life  in  this  country, 
where  he  was  engaged  in  mercantile  pur- 
suits. He  died  in  April.  1914.  His  mother 
was  born  in  Wales  in  1863  and  is  still  liv- 
ing. Mr.  Miles  has  also  three  brothers  and 
two  sisters:  David  W.,  Walter  M.,  and 
Thomas  E.  Miles,  and  Mrs.  Mildred  (Miles) 
Ralston  and  Mrs.  Rachael  (Miles*  Porter. 
What  little  formal  schooling  Mr.  Miles  en- 
joyed as  a  child  was  gained  in  the  public 
schools  of  Kingston.  Like  so  many  children 
of  that  period  he  left  school  at  an  early 
age  to  help  in  the  support  of  the  family. 
When  he  was  only  eight  years  of  age,  he 
started  work  as  a  breaker  boy  in  a  coal 
mine,  continuing  there  for  three  years.  He 
then  became  connected  with  Edwards  and 
Company  of  Kingston,  with  which  firm  he 
remained  for  five  years  as  an  elevator  opera- 
tor and  teamster.  At  the  age  of  sixteen 
years  he  took  up  the  plumbing  and  heat- 
ing trade,  but  a  year  later  became  a  clerk 
for  Edwards  and  Company  and  A.  J.  Roat 
Hardware  Concerns.  This  type  of  work  he 
followed  for  the  next  year  and  a  half.  In 
1904  he  became  an  employee  of  the  Eastern 
Pennsylvania  Supply  Company  of  Wilkes- 
Barre,  with  which  firm  he  has  remained  ever 
since  then.  Starting  as  a  clerk  in  its  ware- 
house, he  gradually  gained  a  very  thorough 
knowledge  of  this  concern's  business.  His 
ability  and  strict  attention  to  his  duties 
gained  him  frequent  promotions  to  different 
positions  of  ever  increasing  responsibility 
and  importance.  Eventually  he  transferred 
to  his  firm's  sales  force  and  in  this  new 
field  he  met  with  such  success  that  in  1916 
he  was  appointed  sales  manager,  which  posi- 
tion he  continues  to  hold  and  in  .which  he 
has  materially  contributed  to  the  growth 
and  prosperity  of  the  business.  How  highly 
he  is  regarded  by  his  business  associates, 
is  proven  by  the  fact  that  he  is  also  a  mem- 
ber of  the  board  of  directors  of  the  com- 
pany. He  is  also  a  director  of  the  First 
National  Bank  of  Kingston.  Though  he  him- 
self had  not  found  it  possible  to  attend 
school  in  his  youth  for  any  considerable 
period  of  time,  his  interest  in  the  cause  of 
education  has  always  been  very  great  and 
for  fourteen  years  (1911-25)  he  was  a  mem- 
ber  of    the    Board    of    Education    of    Kington. 


o,  cHu 


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621 


of  which  body  he  has  also  been  the  sec- 
retary for  seven  years  (1913-20).  Other 
civic  affairs,  too,  receive  much  of  his  atten- 
tion, and  every  movement  tending  to  advance 
the  growth  and  welfare  of  Wyoming  Valley 
and  its  people  can  always  count  on  his 
enthusiastic  and  effective  support.  In  poli- 
tics he  is  a  staunch  supporter  of  the  Repub- 
lican party  and  its  principles,  and  for  many 
years  he  has  stood  ver>'  hi^h  in  the  coun- 
cils of  his  party  in  Luzerne  County.  He 
has  served  for  two  years  as  secretary  and  for 
the  same  period  of  time  as  treasurer  of  the 
Republican  County  Committee,  and  in  1928 
was  a  member  of  the  advisory  board  of  this 
body.  In  1924  he  had  the  honor  of  serving 
as  Presidential  Elector  from  Luzerne  County, 
casting  his  vote  for  President  Coolidge.  In 
spite  of  these  many  and  varied  activities 
he  has  also  found  time  and  energy  to  be 
very  active  in  fraternal  and  social  matters. 
He  is  a  member  of  Kingston  Lodge.  No. 
395,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons:  Shekinah 
Chapter,  Royal  Arch  Masons;  Dieu  le  Veut 
Commandery,  Knights  Templar;  Irem  Temple 
of  Wilkes-Barre,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles 
of  the  Mystic  Shrine;  Caldwell  Consistory  of 
Bloomshurg,  Pennsylvania,  thii-ty-second  de- 
gree, Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite;  Patri- 
otic Order  Sons  of  America;  Lodge  No.  109, 
Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks; 
Franklin  Club;  Kiwanis  Club;  Craftsman's 
Club;  Irem  Country  Club,  of  the  Country 
Club  Committee  of  which  he  is  also  a  mem- 
ber; Orpheus  Glee  Club,  of  which  he  is  presi- 
dent; Pennsylvania  Wholesale  Hardware  As- 
sociation; and  Young  Men's  Christian  Asso- 
ciation. Mr.  Miles  is  one  of  the  trustees  of 
the  Community  Welfare  Federation,  and  has 
been  very  active  since  its  inception.  His 
religious  afHliations  are  with  the  Congrega- 
tional Church  and  more  particularly  with 
the  Welsh  Congregational  Church  of  Edwards- 
ville.   Pennsylvania. 

Mr.  Miles  was  married  October  28,  1914, 
to  Martha  Davies  of  Edwardsville,  Pennsyl- 
vania, a  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Mary 
(Davies)  Davies.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Miles  make 
their  home  at  No.  227  Butler  Street,  Kingston. 


E.  HUMPHREY  OWEN — The  Welsh  race, 
which  claims  as  one  of  its  prominent  mem- 
bers in  Pennsylvania  E.  Humphrey  Owen, 
proprietor  of  the  Caxton  Press,  No.  21  South 
Franklin  Street,  Wilkes-Barre,  has  preserved 
its  autonomy  better  than  any  of  the  several 
hordes  of  people  who  have  swept  over  Eng- 
land from  the  Continent,  and  is  more  deserv- 
ing of  recognition  as  an  autonomous  or  un- 
mixed entity  than  the  Anglo-Saxon  tribe.  In 
fact,  the  term  Anglo-Saxon  is  somewhat  of 
a  misnomer,  and  'twere  better  Americans 
were  called  Anglo-Celts  from  the  fact  that 
Saxon  blood  came  less  generally  out  of  the 
southern  part  of  England  than  did  the  Celtic. 
As  the  great  native  W^elshman.  David  Lloyd 
George,  forcibly  pointed  out,  the  Welsh  ante- 
dated not  only  the  Saxons  but  the  Normans 
under  William  the  Conqueror,  and  thus  have 
a  prior  claim  to  territory  in  England,  and 
pricrity  in  the  arts  and  sciences  as  well.  Need- 
less to  say,  their  accomplishments  in  this 
country  have  been  considerable,  and  their 
representatives  have  played  a  leading  part 
in  community  life  wherever  they  have  settled 
to   make   their   homes. 

E.  Humphrey  Owen,  subject  of  this  writing, 
is  descended  from  Sir  Hugh  Owen,  member 
of  Parliament,  and  who  was  created  first 
baronet  of  Orielton  in  1641.  He  was  born 
April  17,  1S66,  in  Bangor,  North  Wales,  a  son 
of  William  and  Anna  (Humphrey)   Owen,  also 


natives  of  the  little  rugged  country  in  the 
southwest  corner  of  England.  Mr.  Owen  spent 
his  young  manhood  in  his  native  land,  and 
received  his  education  at  Welsh  schools  and 
was  a  well-known  in  and  outdoor  athlete. 
He  learned  the  craftsmanship  of  type  setting, 
printing,  presswork  and  bookbinding  at 
Bethesda.  Thence  he  went  to  Caernarfon, 
and  to  London,  where  for  eighteen  years  he 
held  official  positions  with  some  of  the  larg- 
est printers.  His  father,  native  of  Wales, 
classic  scholar,  particularly  adept  in  Greek, 
was  author  of  a  Welsh  grammar  and  of 
various  religious  books.  He  died  in  1898. 
The  mother  also  native  of  Wales,  died  in 
1894.  A  brother,  W.  Mark  Owen,  deceased, 
achieved  fame  as  a  writer.  During  the  years 
in  the  printing  and  publishing  trade  in  Eng- 
land Mr.  Owen  achieved  prominence  as  a 
singer,  and  was  soloist  at  St.  Mark's,  Middle- 
ton  Square,  All  Saints,  West  Dulwich,  and  St. 
Stephen's,  Clapham  Park,  London.  He  sang 
under  Sir  Frederick  Bridge  and  other  famous 
conductors,  and  for  years  was  a  member  of 
the  famous  Handel  choir  of  London  under 
Augustus  Mann. 

He  was  married  in  St.  Barnabas  Church, 
King's  Square,  London,  October  4,  1889,  to 
Emma  Burden,  native  of  that  city,  and  their 
union  has  been  blessed  with  four  children:  1. 
Florence,  who  married  Samuel  Lloyd  of 
Kingston,  Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania, 
and  they  have  a  son,  Donald  Judson.  A 
daughter,  Doris  May,  died  in  infancy.  2.  Anna 
May,  married  Jack  Sewell  of  Forty  Fort,  Lu- 
zerne County.  Of  their  three  children:  Ber- 
nard died;  Doreen  and  Gladys  survive.  3. 
Emma  Helen,  married  John  O'Malley  of  King- 
ston, and  they  have  a  son  Jack.  4.  Dorris 
Evelyn,   died  in   childhood. 

Mr.  Owen  came  to  the  United  States  in  1912 
and  was  employed  with  the  Raeder  concern 
for  three  years.  In  1906  he  founded  the 
Caxton  Press,  which  has  since  had  its  meas- 
ure of  prosperity.  Changes  due  to  expansion 
brought  this  concern  to  the  present  location. 
No.  21  South  Franklin  Street,  where  it  oc- 
cupies the  entire  ground  floor,  and  where 
with  complete  and  modern  equipment  they  do 
a  general  printing  and  binding  business.  Mr. 
Owen  was  among  the  first  to  do  engraving 
work  without  dies,  and  was  also  one  of  the 
first  in  this  country  to  publish  the  old  Welsh 
and  English  hymnal.  This  product  has  been 
so  well  received  that  the  hj'mns  are  now 
used  in  the  various  Congregational  churches 
of  the  United  States  and  Canada.  He  is  in 
politics  a  Republican.  He  has  been  promi- 
nent in  Masonic  affairs,  and  is  a  member  of 
Kingston  Lodge  No.  395,  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons;  of  the  Keystone  Consistory  of  Scran- 
ton,  is  a  thirty-second  degree  Mason;  mem- 
ber of  the  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of 
the  Mystic  Shrine,  and  of  the  Knights  of 
INIalta.  He  is  also  a  valued  adjunct  of  the 
Chamber  of  Commerce  and  of  the  Crafts- 
man's Club.  He  has  held  important  posts 
with  church  and  other  music  in  the  com- 
munity, and  served  for  a  time  as  president 
of  the  JIason  Glee  Society.  He  has  also  been 
active  in  the  formation  and  regulation  of 
societies,  having  for  a  mission  the  keeping 
alive  of  Welsh  tradition. 

In  church  matters  Mr.  Owen  is  an  Anglican. 
His  native  associations  were  with  that  an- 
cient church,  called  on  this  side  the  Episco- 
palian. He  has  been  one  of  the  leaders  in  the 
formation  of  the  parish  of  The  Prince  of 
Peace  at  Trucksville,  a  mission  branch  of 
Grace,   Kingston,   and   he   is   a   vestryman   and 


622 


junior  warden  and  a  licensed  layman  in  the 
newly  formed  parish.  It  should  be  stated 
that  Mr.  Owen  stands  prominent  among  his 
brethren  of  Wales  who  liave  over  here  cher- 
ished their  ancient  traditional  attitude  in 
regard  to  music  and  the  arts,  and  who  in  the 
land  of  their  adoption  have  fared  well  in  the 
estimation  of  all  people.  And  with  them  he 
has  also  shown  an  active  concern  in  all 
things  which  have  to  do  with  civic  and  com- 
munity betterment,  and  has  willingly  under- 
taken his  share  of  the  burdens  that  fall  upon 
intelligent  and  well  disposed  people. 


FRAIVKLIN  DAVID  COOPER — Vice-presi- 
dent of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Wyoming, 
of  which  institution  he  is  also  a  director, 
Franklin  D.  Cooper  is  one  of  the  foremost 
figures  in  the  financial  circles  of  the  valley, 
for  he  has  been  connected  in  some  capacity 
with  the  banking  interests  of  this  section 
for   over  a  quarter  of   a   century. 

Mr.  Cooper  is  a  native  of  Kingston,  hav- 
ing been  born  here  on  March  28,  1879,  the 
son  of  Robert  and  Sophia  A.  Cooper,  the 
former  a  native  of  Aberdeen,  Scotland,  where 
he  was  born  in  1850,  and  by  trade  a  builder 
of  locomotives.  The  mother  of  Mr.  Cooper 
was  born  in  Kingston,  Luzerne  County,  in 
1S4S,  and  died  in  the  month  of  January,  1920. 
Mr.  Cooper  received  his  early  education  in 
the  public  schools  of  Kingston,  and  later 
entered  the  W^•oming  Seminary,  from  which 
he  graduated  with  the  class  of  1897.  For 
two  years  he  held  a  clerical  position  with  the 
Wyoming  Valley  Traction  Company,  and  he 
then  entered  the  employ  of  the  Wyoming 
National  Bank,  at  Wilkes-Barre.  He  was 
with  this  institution  in  various  capacities  for 
eleven  years,  in  1911  becoming  associated 
witii  the  First  National  Bank  of  Wyoming,  as 
cashier,  which  position  of  trust  and  respon- 
sibility he  held  until  July,  1929,  when  he  was 
made  vice-president,  becoming  a  member  of 
the  directorate  in  1918.  In  politics  Mr.  Cooper 
is  a  Republican,  and  his  religious  affiliations 
are  with  the  Presbyterian  Church.  He  is 
very  prominent  in  the  Masonic  fraternity, 
being  a  member  of  Kingston  Lodge,  No.  395, 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons;  of  Shekinah 
Chapter,  Royal  Arch  Masons,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre:  of  Dieu  le  Veut  Commandery,  No.  45, 
Knights  Templar,  and  of  Irem  Temple, 
Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic 
Shrine.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Crafts- 
man's Club,   of  Wilkes-Barre. 

On  October  9,  1912,  Mr.  Cooper  married 
Ruth  Goff,  daughter  of  Simon  D.  and  Mary 
(Dow)  Goff,  of  'Wilkes-Barre,  both  deceased. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cooper  are  the  parents  of  three 
children:  1,  F.  David,  born  February  26, 
1914.  2.  William  G.,  born  June  24,  1917.  3. 
Katherine  M.,  born  June  27,  1925.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Cooper  and  family  reside  at  No.  43 
Pierce    Street,    Kingston. 


J.  FRAMv  REINIG — As  justice  of  the  peace 
and  alderman  representing  the  Tenth  Ward 
of  the  city  of  Wilkes-Barre,  J.  Frank  Reinig 
holds  a  place  prominent  in  the  ranks  of  the 
leading  citizens  of  this  place.  There  is  almost 
no  civic,  social  or  business  enterprise  in  the 
city  with  which  Mr.  Reinig  is  not  familiar, 
while  he  is  willing  to  devote  his  time  and 
energies  without  stint  to  any  project  which 
he  believes  will  lead  to  the  advancement 
of   prosperity    among   his    fellowmen. 

Mr.  Reinig  was  born  in  Wilkes-Barre, 
Pennsylvania,  on  June  2,  1882,  a  son  of  John 
C.  and  Katharine  C.  (Rinemann)  Reinig. 
His  father  was  born  near  Frankfort,  Ger- 
many,   in   1854,   came   to   the   United   States   in 


early  life,  owned  a  retail  meat  market  in 
Wilkes-Barre  for  a  number  of  years,  and 
later  became  engaged  in  farming.  He  was 
city  meat  inspector  for  many  years,  and  is 
now  living  retired.  The  mother,  Katharine 
C.  (Rinemann)  Reinig,  was  born  in  Wilkes- 
Barre  in  1860,  and  died  on  January  21,  1921. 
She  was  a  daughter  of  the  late  Justice  Rine- 
mann and  Mary  (Aubel)  Rinemann,  the 
former  of  whom  was  a  large  truck  farmer  in 
this  region,  as  well  as  the  owner  of  consid- 
erable property. 

J.  Frank  Reinig  received  his  early  educa- 
tion in  the  public  schools  and  the  high  school 
here,  from  the  latter  of  which  he  was  grad- 
uated in  the  class  of  1900.  He  then  took 
post-graduate  work  at  the  Wilkes-Barre  High 
School,  studying  legal  stenography,  a  type  of 
activity  in  which  he  was  engaged  for  about 
eight  years  with  different  lawyers  in  Wilkes- 
Barre.  In  April,  1908,  he  was  appointed  clerk 
of  the  police  court  here  by  the  late  Hon. 
Lewis  P.  Kniffen,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  and  in 
this  capacity  he  continued  to  serve  until  1915, 
when  he  was  elected  alderman  of  the  Tenth 
Ward  of  the  city.  He  is  now  serving  in  his 
third  term  (1928)  as  alderman,  and  since  1915 
has  been  a  justice  of  the  peace.  His  knowl- 
edge of  city  affairs,  his  large  acquaintance 
with  the  business  people  of  this  place  and 
his  grasp  of  the  problems  of  municipal  ad- 
ministration render  Mr.  Reinig  a  most  valu- 
able public  servant  and  cause  him  to  stand 
high    in    the    estimation    of    his    fellows. 

In  addition  to  his  public  activities,  Mr. 
Reinig  is  active  in  many  other  ways.  He 
naturally  holds  a  prominent  place  in  the 
councils  of  the  Republican  party,  on  whose 
ticket  he  was  elected  to  the  office  of  alder- 
man. He  is  a  member  of  the  Benevolent  and 
Protective  Order  of  Elks,  in  which  his  affil- 
iation is  "with  Lodge  No.  109.  He  also  is  an 
honorary  life  member  of  the  American  Fed- 
eration of  Musicians,  the  Luzerne  County 
Insurance  Exchange,  the  Pennsylvania  In- 
surance Agents'  Association  and  the  National 
Association  of  Insurance  Agents.  His  affil- 
iation with  these  insurance  groups  is  a  result 
of  the  fact  that  since  1917  he  has  transacted 
a  general  insurance  business  under  his  own 
name,  and  is  active  in  this  business.  His 
talent  as  a  musician  has  brought  him  to  the 
fore  in  musical  circles  in  this  part  of  Penn- 
sylvania, and  he  belongs  to  several  musical 
organizations  and  clubs  in  Wilkes-Barre.  For 
a  number  of  years  he  played  professionally. 
Mr.  Reinig's  religious  faith  is  that  of  the 
Lutheran  Church,  he  being  a  communicant 
of  St.  John's  English  Lutheran  parish. 


BERT  H.  JONES — Perhaps  one  of  the  best 
recommendations  that  may  be  put  forward 
on  behalf  of  Bert  H.  Jones  of  Wilkes-Barre 
lies  in  the  fact  that  he  has  represented  his 
ward  on  the  Board  of  Aldermen  here,  of 
which  he  first  became  a  member  in  1922, 
through  appointment  of  former  Governor 
Sproul  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania.  Wilkes- 
Barre,  which  is  one  of  the  Keystone  State's 
leading  centers  of  industry  and  mining,  and 
has  a  population  of  approximately  one  hun- 
dred thousand,  has  been  faced  with  many 
difficult  civic  problem.s  during  the  time  Mr. 
Jones  has  assisted  officially  in  the  city's 
affairs,  and  that  he  has  acquitted  himself 
well  is  the  consensus  of  opinion  through- 
out the  community.  His  commercial  endeav- 
ors, which  have  included  clerical  work,  affilia- 
tion with  transportation  and  a  laundry,  are 
narrowed  down  to  the  conduct  of  his  flourish- 
ing real  estate  and  insurance  business. 

Mr.   Jones    was   born   November   26,    1875,   at 


623 


Plymouth,  Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania,  son 
of  David  and  Sarah  R.  (Rogers)  Jones.  David 
Jones,  a  native  of  Wales,  having  been  born 
in  that  province  of  Great  Britain  in  1S35, 
later  came  to  Plymouth,  was  a  substantial 
merchant,  and  here  died,  in  1S98.  Sarah  R. 
(Rogers)  Jones,  also  born  in  Wales,  in  1S41, 
survived    her    husband    until    December,    1918. 

Bert  H.  Jones  first  attended  the  common 
schools  in  Plymouth,  and  completed  his  scho- 
lastic work  in  the  public  schools  of  Wilkes- 
Barre.  His  first  full-time  employment  there- 
after came  when  he  associated  himself  with 
Liueder  Brothers,  remaining-  with  this  retail 
grocery  firm  as  cashier  and  bookkeeper  for 
two  and  one-half  years.  Severing  his  con- 
nection with  Lueder  Brothers  at  the  expiration 
of  that  period,  Mr.  Jones  followed  this  with 
another  three  years  in  the  capacity  of  driver 
for  Bailey's  Bus  Service.  His  next  position 
was  with  the  Wilkes-Earre  Laundry  Com- 
pany, and  for  twenty-three  years  thereafter 
jlr.  Jones  was  associated  with  this  "well 
known  concern.  In  1920,  he  was  appointed 
Alderman  from  the  Twelfth  Ward  here,  this 
appointment  coming  from  the  then  Governor 
Sproul.  This  was  to  fill  a  term  that  expired 
in  1922,  and  in  that  year  Mr.  Jones'  con- 
stituents were  so  well  pleased  with  his  ad- 
ministration that  they  elected  him  to  rep- 
resent them  on  the  Wilkes-Barre  Aldermanic 
Board.  This  second  term  expired  in  1927,  but 
Mr.  Jones  was  not  permitted  to  give  up  his 
official  duties,  for  he  was  reelected  Alderman 
from  the  Twelfth  Ward.  Being  a  man  of 
varied  talents  and  large  capacity  for  work, 
he  is  a  conspicuous  figure  in  commercial 
life  here,  through  his  success  in  real  estate 
and  insurance  activities,  a  field  in  which  he 
is  engaged  in  his  own  name,  "with  offices  at 
No.  -166  River  Street.  Mr.  Jones  is  a  Repub- 
lican, and  ever  has  been  a  supporter  of  his 
party's  principles  and  candidates.  His  reli- 
gious devotion  is  given  through  his  member- 
ship in  the  Baptist  Church.  While  Mr.  Jones' 
business  and  official  interests  naturally  have 
caused  him  to  participate  in  public  "welfare 
proposals  and  plannings,  his  connection  with 
such  work  was  made  long  before  he  assumed 
his  present  rank  among  the  citizenship  of 
Wilkes-Barre,  and  has  ever  been  a  loyal  sup- 
porter and  a  liberal  devotee  to  such  move- 
ments. 

Bert  H.  Jones  married,  June  19,  1907, 
Jean  McParlane  of  Larksville,  Pennsylvania, 
daughter  of  Thomas  and  Agnes  McFarlane, 
and  this  union  has  been  blessed  by  two  chil- 
dren: 1.  Agnes  M.,  born  April  14,  190S.  2. 
Eleanore  R.,  born  May  15,  1910.  The  build- 
ing owned  by  Mr.  Jones,  and  the  one  in  which 
he  and  his  family  resided  at  one  time,  was 
known  as  Arndt's  Tavern,  and  has  a  most 
interesting  history.  This  structure,  which  is 
about  one  hundred  and  thirty  years  old, 
sheltered  royal  fugitives  from  France,  among 
them  Louis  Phillippe,  later  King  of  France, 
and  his  two  brothers.  Many  other  notable 
characters  at  one  time  or  another  enjoyed 
the  hospitality  of  Arndt's  Tavern,  which  since 
has  been  remodeled  into  a  comfortable 
dwelling    house. 

HAROLD  TIPPETT — Cashier  of  one  of  the 
soundest  financial  institutions  of  the  Wyo- 
ming Valley  when  scarcely  turned  t'.iirty-two 
years  of  age,  Harold  Tippett,  of  Kingston,  is 
one  of  the  best  examples  of  our  younger  cit- 
izenship, industrious,  progressive  and  de- 
voted to  the  continued  prosperity  of  the  com- 
mercial machinery  of  which  he  is  an  impor- 
tant part.  Deciding  upon  a  financial  career 
during  his  school  days,  he  continued  his  edu- 
cation   in    technical    institutions    and    made    a 


careful  preparation  before  venturing  into  the 
contest  with  others  already  established.  Ap- 
preciation of  his  efforts  was  shown  by  busi- 
ness men  by  whom  he  was  engaged,  an  atti- 
tude that  he  reciprocated  by  returning  value 
received  in  the  good  work  that  he  did.  Points 
of  this  character  in  the  make  up  of  .a  young 
man  are  productive  of  desirable  results,  both 
to  himself  and  to  his  associates,  and  to  this 
rule  there  has  been  no  exception  in  the  case 
at  hand.  He  has  shown  himself  to  l)e  a  most 
desirable  citizen,  with  a  bright  future  in  the 
business  world  of  the  district. 

He  was  born  in  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsyl- 
vania, January  31,  1895,  a  son  of  Alfred  Tip- 
pett, a  carpenter,  and  Mary  (Tabb)  Tippett, 
natives  of  Cornwall,  England,  where  they 
were  both  born  in  the  same  year — lSfJ5.  His 
education  was  attained  in  the  public  schools, 
after  which  he  took  a  business  course  in 
Wilkes-Barre  and  then  attended  the  Amer- 
ican Institute  of  Banking.  With  this  prepara- 
tion he  became  engaged  by  the  Miner-Hil- 
lard  Milling  Company,  with  which  enterprise 
he  remained  as  a  clerk  from  October,  1909, 
until  March,  1914.  He  then  went  to  the  Dime 
Bank  Title  &  Trust  Company  of  Wilkes- 
Barre,  "where  he  did  clerical  work  for  five 
years,  then  being  made  teller  and  continuing 
in  that  capacity  until  September.  1924,  when 
he  became  assistant  treasurer  of  the  West 
Side  Trust  Company,  of  Kingston,  and  in 
January,  1926,  its  treasurer.  In  September, 
1927,  this  organization  was  merged  with  the 
Kingston  Bank  &  Trust  Company  and  he  was 
appointed  cashier  of  the  ne^w  institution.  Mr. 
Tippett  is  also  a  director,  secretary  and 
treasurer  of  the  Mortgage  Investment  and 
Guaranty  Company  of  Kingston:  secretary 
and  director  of  the  West  Side  Building  and 
Loan  Association,  and  Great  Victory  Oil  Com- 
pany, Kingston.  During  the  participation  of 
the  United  States  in  the  World  War,  he  was 
a  member  of  the  Air  Service  and  was  with 
the  Headquarters  Division,  with  station  in 
Paris,  France,  for  eighteen  months,  being 
discharged  in  May.  1919.  He  is  a  Republican 
in  politics  and  a  member  of  the  Dorrenceton 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  "where  he  is  a 
member  of  the  official  board.  Fraternally,  he 
is  affiliated  "with  the  Wilkes-Barre  Lodge, 
No.  655,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons;  Keystone 
Consistory,  thirty-second  degree,  including 
all  bodies;  Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order 
Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine;  and  is  a  mem- 
ber of   Irem  Temple   Country   Club. 

Harold  Tippett  married,  in  June,  1919, 
Emilie  J.  Stevens,  of  Wilkes-Barre.  daughter 
of  James  and  Ellen  Stevens.  Their  children 
are:  1.  James  H.,  born  May  14,  1921..  2.  Rob- 
ert J.,  born  July  24,  1924. 


RICHARD  PHILLIPS,  JR. — In  the  Wilkes- 
Barre  area  are  many  persons  of  Welsh  origin, 
from  the  strong  stock  which  in  early  days 
supplied  the  local  mines  with  men.  Born  in 
Wales,  March  21,  ISSl,  Richard  Phillips,  Jr., 
is  the  son  of  Richard  and  Jane  (Evans)  Phil- 
lips. Both  are  living,  his  father,  a  miner, 
having  been  born  in  Wales  in  1852,  and  his 
mother  in   1857. 

Mr.  Phillips  was  brought  to  the  United 
States  by  his  parents  when  he  "was  but  three 
years  old — 1884.  The  family  was  then  estab- 
lished in  Wilkes-Barre.  and  here  has  been 
represented  since.  Mr.  Phillips  secured  his 
academic  instruction  in  the  local  public 
schools,  and  for  three  years  worked  in  the 
mines  as  breaker:  In  1896  he  left  the  mines 
to  becoi"ne  identified  "with  the  Wilkes-Barre 
Lace  Mill  Company,  with  which  organization 
he  has  been  associated  continuously  through 


624 


the  more  than  three  decades  that  have  suc- 
ceeded, as  a  skilled  lace  weaver,  a  master  of 
the  craft. 

Aside  from  his  work,  Mr.  Phillips  has  al- 
ways shown  a  lively  interest  in  general  af- 
fairs of  the  city  and  its  environs.  He  is 
known  well  for  his  public  spirit,  and  has  con- 
tributed to  many  movements  designed  for  the 
public  weal.  Fraternally  active,  he  belongs 
to  Lodge  No.  39,  of  the  Independent  Order  of 
Odd  Fellows,  and  in  the  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons  belongs  to  Landmark  Lodge,  No.  442; 
Shekinah  Chapter,  No.  1S2;  Mt.  Horeb  Council, 
No.  34,  Royal  and  Select  Masters;  Dieu  le 
Veut  Commandery,  No.  45,  Knights  Templar, 
and  Irem  Temple  (as  life  member),  Ancient 
Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Craftsman's  Club,  and 
a  communicant  of  the  Memorial  Presby- 
terian Church,  of  which  he  is  a  deacon.  A 
Republican,  he  supports  consistently  the  prin- 
ciples and  candidates  of  the  party.  He  helped 
to  found  and  is  now  a  director  of  the  North 
End  State  Bank  of  Wilkes-Barre,  and  owns, 
in  addition  to  this  financial  interest,  a  num- 
ber of  holdings  that  have  increased  materi- 
ally in  value  through  the  years.  During  the 
World  War  he  was  of  valued  assistance  in 
the  campaigns  of  the  Liberty  Loan,  Red 
Cross  and  War  Savings  Stamps. 

Mr.  Phillips  married,  in  1909,  Esther  Jen- 
kins, of  Wilkes-Barre,  daughter  of  Thomas 
and  Ann  Jenkins,  and  they  reside  in  the  city 
proper,  at  No.   372  Madison  Street. 

JACOB  S.  ENGBL — As  business  man,  citizen 
and  philanthropist,  Jacob  S.  Engel  has  con- 
tributed to  the  welfare  of  the  Wilkes-Barre 
area  through  a  number  of  years,  and  his  ef- 
forts have  tended  to  augment  with  time, 
rather  than  to  decrease.  He  is  today  one  of 
the  foremost  men  of  Wilkes-Barre  proper, 
and  of  Forty  Fort,  developer  of  realty,  and 
gentleman   of  al^airs. 

The  family  of  which  Mr.  Engel  is  a  dis- 
tinguished member,  is  particularly  well 
known  in  Williamsport,  Pennsylvania.  For 
fifty  years,  until  1918,  when  his  death  oc- 
curred, his  father,  Jacob  S.  Engel,  Sr.,  engaged 
as  a  merchant  in  that  city.  He  "was  a  man  of 
dominant  position  in  Williamsport  move- 
ments, deeply  beloved  by  all  who  came  in 
contact  "With  him.  His  passing  brought  an 
intense  feeling  of  sadness  to  the  people  of 
all  walks  who  had  had  dealings  of  any  sort 
with  him.  Jacob  S.  Engel,  Sr.,  married 
Matilda  Glosser,  native  of  Pottsville  (he  him- 
self was  born  in  Williamsport,  1S54),  born  in 
1857;  and  she  died  in  1922,  having  survived 
her  beloved  husband  four  years. 

Son  of  Jacob  S.  Engel,  Sr.,  and  Matilda 
(Glosser)  Engel,  Mr.  Engel  was  born  in  Wil- 
liamsport, March  24,  1S90,  and  received  his 
earliest  education  in  the  schools  of  that  com- 
munity. He  graduated  from  St.  Joseph's 
High  School  with  the  class  of  1908,  matricu- 
lated in  Potts  College,  studied  there  two 
years,  tlien  left  books  behind  for  actual  par- 
ticipation in  life's  work.  He  became  agent 
for  the  Prudential  Insurance  Company,  lo- 
cated at  Williamsport,  carrying  on  this  repre- 
sentation two  years.  In  1913  he  came  to 
Wilkes-Barre,  as  manager  of  the  local  office 
of  the  Remington  Typewriter  Company,  from 
which  he  resigned  in  1925,  purchasing  a  tract 
of  land  from  Richard  B.  Raillay  known  as 
the  Colonel  Nathan  Dennison  Estate.  This 
old  homestead  tract  is  of  early  times,  the 
homestead  house  liaving  been  erected  in  1790, 
and  still  standing  (1928).  General  Sullivan, 
on  his  retreat,  buried  one  of  his  cannon  in 
the  homestead  yard,  and  Mr.  Engel  has  taken 


advantage  of  the  historic  interest  and  beauty 
of  the  place  to  offer  it,  in  realty  development, 
to  the  people  of  this  vicinity  for  home  sites. 
It  is  called  Englewood  Terrace,  and  affords 
choice  locations  to  those  requiring  unusually 
tasteful  sites.  Aside  from  this  business  in- 
terest, Mr.  Engel  is  a  director  of  the  Susque- 
hanna Building  and  Loan  Association. 

Mr.  Engel  was  the  originator  of  Wilkes- 
Barre's  municipal  Easter  egg  hunt,  which  has 
since  become  an  annual  event,  entertaining 
about  ten  thousand  children  every  year.  He 
is  president  of  the  Pennsylvania  State  Soci- 
ety of  Crippled  Children,  and  a  member  of 
the  directorate  of  the  International  Society. 
Charter  member  of  the  city's  Rotary  Club, 
he  is  on  the  Crippled  Kiddies  Committee  of 
this  organization.  Fraternally  he  is  affiliated 
with  Lodge  No.  109,  Benevolent  and  Protec- 
tive Order  of  Elks,  in  which  he  serves  on  the 
Christmas  Charities  Committee.  He  is  a 
communicant  of  St.  Mary's  Roman  Catholic 
Church. 

Mr.  Engel  married,  January  29,  1914,  Pearl 
A.  Garrison,  daughter  of  George  and  Pearl 
Garrison,  of  Wilkes-Barre.  They  have  chil- 
dren: 1.  Kenneth  W.,  who  was  born  November 
11,  1915.  2.  Betty  Jean,  born  March  14,  1920. 
The  family  residence  is  in  Forty  Fort.  Mr. 
Engel's    offices    are    in    Wilkes-Barre. 


PATRICK  F.  LANGAN— More  than  forty- 
four  years  ago,  a  ten-year-old  lad  of  Irish 
descent  applied  for  employment  in  a  Wilkes- 
Barre  colliery,  and  was  put  to  \vork  at  pick- 
ing slate  from  the  breakers.  This  boy,  listed 
on  the  payroll  as  Patrick  F.  Langan,  since 
has  grown  to  manliood,  and  has  not  only 
attained  material  financial  success,  but  at  the 
same  time  has  gained  the  honor  and  admira- 
tion of  his  native  community  and  occupies  a 
position  of  trust  in  official  ranks,  serving  as 
alderman  in  Wilkes-Barre,  representing  the 
Fourteenth  Ward.  Mr.  Langan's  career  en- 
compasses a  period  of  fourteen  years  in  the 
mines,  and  a  like  period  in  the  insurance  field. 
He  combines  the  duties  of  Alderman  with  the 
conduct  of  large-scale  real  estate  operations 
in  Willies-Barre,  and  is  a  power  in  political 
circles. 

Mr.  Langan  was  born  April  6,  1874,  at 
Wilkes-Barre,  son  of  Mrs.  Winifred  (Gal- 
lagher) Langan.  His  father,  a  miner  during 
his  mature  life,  was  born  in  1843,  in  Lacka- 
wanna County,  Pennsylvania,  and  died  In 
1879.  Winifred  (Gallagher)  Langan,  a  native 
of  Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania,  was  born 
in  1845,  and  survived  her  husband  until  1911. 

Patrick  F.  Langan's  father  died  when  he 
was  about  five  years  of  age,  and  thus  it  was 
that  Mr.  Langan  was  compelled  to  become 
self-supporting  at  an  early  age,  with  the 
result  that  his  education  was  limited  to  the 
local  public  schools.  Shortly  after  his  tenth 
birthday,  in  1884,  he  began  work  as  a  breaker- 
boy,  and  for  four  years  thereafter  was  so 
occupied.  In  18S9  he  entered  the  Franklin 
colliery  of  the  Lehigh  Valley  Coal  Company, 
and  so  applied  himself  to  his  labors  and  dis- 
played such  loyalty  to  his  firm,  that  eventu- 
ally he  was  appointed  outside  loader  boss. 
Mr.  Langan  was  in  the  employ  of  the  Lehigh 
Valley  (3oal  Company  for  fourteen  years, 
during  which  he  had,  through  private  study 
and  unceasing  endeavor,  overcome  the  obsta- 
cle of  lack  of  theoretical  training  in  child- 
hood. At  the  end  of  his  long  period  of  serv- 
ice with  the  mining  industry,  he  abandoned 
this  work  and  entered  the  general  insurance 
business  under  his  own  name.  This  was  the 
vocation  that  was  to  be  his  for  another  four- 
teen-year period,  until  1928,  and  one  in  which 


625 


he  has  been  quite  successful.  In  the  last- 
named  year  (February,  192S),  Mr.  Langan 
was  honored  by  appointment  to  the  Wilkes- 
Barre  Board  of  Aldermen,  representing  the 
Fourteenth  Ward  therein.  Long  residence 
in  his  native  community,  which  had  gained 
for  him  the  confidence  of  his  constituents, 
and  which  also  had  enabled  him  to  familiarize 
himself  with  the  wants  of  his  district,  have 
aided  Mr.  Langan  to  serve  the  Fourteenth 
Word  efficiently.  A  Democrat  in  political 
convictions,  he  exercises  considerable  influ- 
ence in  local  affairs  of  this  party.  He  is  a 
devout  member  of  St.  Patrick's  Roman  Cath- 
olic Church,  and  has  been  liberal  in  his  con- 
tributions to  the  benevolences  of  the  local 
parish. 

Patrick  F.  Langan  married,  in  1901.  Helen 
Black,  of  Ashley,  Pennsylvania,  daughter  of 
George  and  Helen  Black.  Mrs.  Langan  died 
July  4,  1914,  survived  by  her  husband  and 
four  children:  1.  Mrs.  Bernedett  (Langan) 
Thomas.  2.  William  L.  3.  Patrick  F.,  Jr.  4. 
Marian.  Mr.  Langan  also  has  two  grand- 
children: Bernedett  Thomas,  and  Florence 
Langan.  His  business  address  is  No.  504 
Hazle  Street,  while  his  home  is  located  at 
No.   602   Hazle   Street,   Wilkes-Barre. 


VERY  REV.  ANTHOXV  REPEIil, A — Rector 
of  St.  John's  Russian  Orthodox  Greek  Catholic 
Church,  No.  93  Zerbey  Avenue.  Edwardsville, 
the  Very  Rev.  Anthony  Repella  lias  charge 
of  one  of  the  largest  parishes  in  this  area. 
The  church  was  organized  by  the  Rev.  Basil 
Oranoski,  "who  gathered  'round  him  a  con- 
gregation prior  to  1911,  when  the  churcli 
edifice  was  completed.  The  church  structure 
is  of  fine  pressed  brick,  and  has  capacity  for 
six  hundred  persons.  The  parish  is  composed 
of  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  families,  num- 
bering some  eiglit  hundred  members.  Before 
1919  this  parish  and  church  were  served  by 
the  Rev.  Isidor  Salko,  then  Father  Repella 
was  called  into  charge,  and  has  served  with 
signal  benefit  to  parishioners  and  the  Catholic 
Order  thence  onward  through  the  years  suc- 
ceeding. During  his  rectorsliip  many  im- 
provements have  been  incorporated  into 
church    and    parish. 

Rev.  Anthony  Repella  was  born  in  Galicia, 
Austria-Hungary  (now  Poland),  January  23, 
1SS3,  son  of  John  and  Mary  Repella,  who  were 
the  parents  of  nine  children:  Theodosia, 
Theckla,  the  Very  Rev.  Anthony,  of  whom 
follows;  Basil,  who  is  also  a  Rev.  of  the 
Russian  Orthodox  Greek  Church  at  Mayfleld, 
Pa.:  Demitrius,  Anestasia,  Peter,  John  and 
Paul. 

Following  training  in  literary  and  purely 
academic  courses  in  Austria-Hungary,  Rev. 
Repella  came  to  the  United  States,  in  1904, 
at  the  age  of  twenty-one  years.  He  received 
his  theological  training  at  the  South  Canan 
Monastery,  of  Wayne  County,  Pennsylvania, 
and  was  ordained  a  deacon  by  tlie  late  Patri- 
arch Tickhon.  in  1906.  On  February  16,  1908, 
he  was  ordained  priest,  by  Archbishop  Platon. 
His  first  service  for  the  church  was  as  a 
missionary  in  the  United  States,  for  one  year. 
Thereafter  he  was  called  to  the  pastorship 
of  St.  Michael's  Russian  Orthodox  Greek 
Catholic  Church  at  Jermyn,  Pennsylvania, 
where  he  remaiaed  from  1909  to  1914.  His 
next  call  was  to  Wilkes-Barre,  to  the  Holy 
Resurrection  Church,  and  in  1915  he  was 
transferred  to  Portage,  Pennsylvania,  tliere 
to  become  pastor  of  St.  Michael's  Church, 
wherein  he  served  until  1917.  In  that  year 
he  was  again  transferred,  as  pastor  of  St. 
Michael's  Church  at  Mt.  Carmel,  Pennsylvania. 
In    1917    he    was    called    to    the    pastorate    of 


Cyrill  and  Methodius  Church,  Terryville,  Con- 
necticut, and  finally,  in  1919,  as  noted,  to  the 
rectorship  of  St.  John's  Russian  Orthodox 
Greek  Catholic  Church,  of  Edwar.isville.  Rev. 
Repella  has  now  a  rank  of  Archimandrite,  a 
title  of  honour  very  like  the  Latin  Monsignor, 
it  gives  the  right  to  wear  mitre,  epigonation 
and   pastoral    staff. 

Rev.  Repella  is  a  Republican,  and  maintains 
diversified  interests  which  are  concentrated 
on  the  welfare  of  the  people  at  large  and  his 
parish  in  particular.  Among  his  praise- 
worthy undertakings  is  the  conduct  of  a 
church  school,  in  his  parish.  Of  this  he  is 
the  teacher.  He  is  beloved  of  parishioners 
and    those    of   other   denominations    alike. 


PETER  MATHER— No  other  industry  of 
this  section  of  Pennsylvania  has  contributed 
more  to  the  growth  and  development  of 
Wilkes-Barre,  and  unquestionably  this  same 
industry  has  provided  the  city  and  its  envi- 
rons with  a  majority  of  its  public  officials 
and  successful  men.  An  outstanding  example 
of  this  condition  is  provided  through  the  life 
of  Peter  Mather,  who  started  his  career  in 
early  boyhood  as  a  slate  picker  in  a  coal- 
breaker,  and  through  inborn  talent  and  un- 
ceasing devotion,  lias  assumed  a  high  position 
in  Wilkes-Barre,  where  he  is  serving  as  a 
member  of  the  Board  of  Aldermen,  represent- 
ing the  Fifth  Ward. 

Mr.  Mather's  parents  were  John  and  Han- 
nah (Flynn)  Mather,  both  natives  of  the  Key- 
stone State,  and  now  deceased.  John  Mather, 
born  in  1853,  at  Wilkes-Barre,  was  a  station- 
ary engineer,  and  was  occupied  as  such  until 
his  demise,  on  December  4,  1915.  Hannah 
(Flynn)  Mather,  who  was  born  in  1855,  at 
Port  Griffith,  Luzerne  County,  survived  her 
husband  until  August  29,  1924.  John  and 
Hannah  (Flynn)  Mather  had  twelve  children, 
six  sons  and  six  daughters,  of  whom  Peter 
Mather  was  the  fifth. 

Peter  Mather  was  born  in  Wilkes-Barre,  on 
June  9,  1883,  and  since  lias  made  his  home  in 
this  city.  He  obtained  a.  somewhat  meager 
education  in  the  local  public  schools,  but,  like 
many  other  boys  of  his  time,  was  forced  to 
abandon  his  studies  and  assist  in  the  main- 
tenance of  his  family  at  an  early  age.  Mr. 
Mather  was  twelve  years  old  when  he  first 
went  to  work  in  a  coal-breaker  here.  He 
continued  as  an  employee  of  collieries  for 
about  four  and  a  half  years,  but  was  not 
satisfied  with  this  line  of  endeavor,  and  when 
about  seventeen  years  of  age,  abandoned  it. 
He  then  took  a  position  with  the  Sheldon 
Axle  Works,  a  concern  with  which  he  was 
destined  to  remain  for  twenty-one  years  and 
three  months.  During  these  long  years,  Mr. 
Mather  was  variously  employed  with  the  axle 
manufacturing  company,  attaining  the  re- 
spect and  esteem  of  his  employers  and  of  his 
fellow-craftsmen.  His  personality,  combined 
with  talents  of  leadership  and  executive  abil- 
ity, long  ago  had  brought  him  to  the  fore  in 
public  and  civic  matters,  and  this  resulted  in 
his  being  drafted  for  public  office.  In  1921, 
Mr.  Mather  was  chosen  by  voters  of  the  Fifth 
Ward  to  represent  them  on  the  Board  of 
Aldermen,  and  he  proved  himself  so  capable 
and  so  devoted  to  the  welfare  of  this  ward 
that  he  was  reelected  Alderman  in  1927.  It 
is  of  significance  that  Mr.  Mather  was  unop- 
posed for  this  office  at  the  time  of  his  last 
election.  Mr.  Mather  is  a  Democrat  in  polit- 
ical beliefs  and  enjoys  considerable  prestige 
in  local  spiieres  of  this  organization.  In  the 
fall  of  1927,  upon  the  organization  of  the 
Magistrates'  Association  of  Northeastern 
Pennsylvania,   Mr.   Mather  was   elected   presi- 


626 


dent  and  continues  each  successive  year  by 
acclamation.  He  and  liis  family  are  com- 
municants of  the  Catholic  faith,  and  Mr. 
Mather  has  contributed  "with  liberality  to  the 
support  and  benevolences  of  St.  Mary's 
Roman  Catholic  Church  of  this  city. 

Peter  Mather  married,  August  29,  1910, 
Martha  Geiger,  native  of  Wilkes-Barre,  and 
daughter  of  Charles  and  Anna  Geiger.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Mather  have  three  children:  1. 
Irene,  born  March  9,  1915.  2.  John,  born  Au- 
gust 19,  191S.  3.  Clara,  born  June  13,  1925. 
Alderman  Mather's  office  is  located  at  No. 
42  Public  Square,  and  the  Mather  family  home 
is  at  No.  16  East  Jackson  Street,  Wilkes- 
Barre. 


FRED  W.  HOSLER — Education  as  a  profes- 
sion has  long  held  its  appeal  to  men  of  large 
intellectual  capacity  and  vision.  Fred  W. 
Hosier,  head  of  the  public  schools  of  Hat- 
boro,  has  chosen  this  field,  and  already  has 
had  an  extensive  experience.  Meanwhile  he 
is  completing  higher  studies  at  Columbia 
University,  New  York  City. 

Fred  W.  Hosier  was  born  at  Scranton, 
Pennsylvania,  February  19,  1898,  son  of  "Wil- 
liam C.  Hosier,  who  was  a  native  of  Jones- 
town, this  State,  for  many  years  an  internal 
revenue  agent  in  charge  of  Eastern  Pennsyl- 
vania, died,  1921,  and  Emma  (Hartman) 
Hosier,  born  at  Benton,  Pennsylvania,  who 
survives  her  husband.  In  the  schools  of 
Benton,  Mr.  Hosier  secured  his  elementary 
and  secondary  instruction,  graduated  from 
Benton  High  School  in  1915  with  scholastic 
honors,  matriculated  in  Dickinson  College, 
studied  there  three  years,  then  went  into  our 
country's  service  for  duty  in  the  World  War. 
He  was  with  the  Chemical  Warfare  Corps,  in 
charge  of  the  mustard  gas  plant  at  Edgewood 
Arsenal,  and  was  discharged  in  December, 
1918.  He  is  now  commissioned  first  lieuten- 
ant. Chemical  Warfare  Service,  United  States 
Army.  Meanwhile,  following  this  discharge, 
resuming  studies,  he  was  graduated  from 
Pennsylvania  State  College  in  1920,  and  is 
now,  as  noted,  taking  advance  "work  at 
Columbia  University.  His  first  experience  at 
teaching  was  as  supervising  principal  of  the 
schools  of  Petersburg,  Pennsylvania,  1920 
to  1923.  From  that  year  until  1926  he  held 
a  like  post  with  the  schools  of  Millville,  Penn- 
sylvania, and  in  1926  became  supervisory 
Principal  at  Shickshinny.  Since  July  1,  1928, 
Mr.  Hosier  has  been  serving  as  head  of  the 
public  schools  of  Hatboro,  Pennsylvania,  a 
beautiful  suburban  town  a  few  miles  from 
Philadelphia.  Mr.  Hosier  anticipates  spend- 
ing the  summer  of  1930  with  a  group  of  edu- 
cators in  Europe,  where  a  great  many  prom- 
inent officials  will  be  met  and  interviewed. 
He  was  chosen  among  twenty  public  school 
men    in   this   country   to   make   the   trip. 

A  Republican,  he  has  interested  himself  in 
major  political  issues,  supporting  the  prin- 
ciples of  the  party  consistently.  Fraternally 
he  is  affiliated  with  the  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons,  in  which  he  is  a  member  of  Lodge 
No.  667,  Bloomsburg  Consistory,  of  the  An- 
cient Accepted  Scottish  Rite,  and  Jaffa  Tem- 
ple, Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the 
Mystic  Shrine,  Altoona,  Pennsylvania.  He  be- 
longs to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fel- 
lows, Lodge  No.  ISO,  Sigma  Alpha  Epsilon 
college  fraternity,  the  Sons  of  Veterans,  and 
American  Legion.  His  church  is  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal. 

Mr.  Hosier  married,  in  1921,  Grace  Seely,  of 
Benton,  Pennsylvania,  daughter  of  Charles 
and  Phoebe  Seely,  and  they  have  a  son,  Xen 
Seely,  who  was  born  March  27,   1923. 


MARVIX  CLARK  JOHNSON,  M.  D Among 

the  homeopathic  physicians  of  the  Wyoming 
Valley,  Dr.  Marvin  Clark  Johnson  takes  high 
rank.  Since  his  establishment  in  practice  in 
Kingston.  1912,  he  has  won  a  high  reputation 
throughout  the  entire  community,  and  is  re- 
garded as  a  professional  man  of  distinction 
and  a  public-spirited  citizen  of  high  worth 
to   the  body  politic. 

He  was  born  in  West  Pittston.  Pennsylva- 
nia, February  11,  ISSS,  a  son  of  Dr.  Theodore 
M.  Johnson,  who  was  born  in  Carlisle,  Penn- 
sylvania, in  1854,  graduated  from  Hahne- 
mann Medical  College  with  the  class  of  1878 
and  has  long  been  a  practitioner  in  West 
Pittston.  Mrs.  Johnson's  maiden  name  was 
Levina  De  Mott,  of  Philadelphia,  where  she 
was  born  in  1853. 

Dr.  Marvin  Clark  Johnson  was  educated  in 
the  public  schools  of  West  Pittston  and  grad- 
uated from  the  high  school  in  1906,  then  at- 
tending the  Hahnemann  Medical  College, 
from  which  he  was  graduated  with  the  class 
of  1910,  receiving  his  degree  of  Doctor  of 
Medicine.  This  was  followed  by  a  year  as 
an  interne  in  Hahnemann  Hospital  in  Scran- 
ton, after  which  he  practiced  for  two  years 
in  West  Pittston  and  then  removed  to  Kings- 
ton, where  he  has  since  been  established. 
Dr.  M.  C.  Johnson  is  consulting  surgeon  to 
Nesbitt  Memorial  Hospital.  He  is  on  the 
staff  and  a  trustee  of  the  Wyoming  Valley 
Homeopathic  Hospital;  a  member  of  the  State 
and  County  medical  societies  and  the  Homeo- 
pathic Society.  In  politics  he  is  a  Repub- 
lican and  in  fraternal  circles  is  affiliated  with 
the  Kingston  Lodge,  Independent  Order  of 
Odd  Fellows.  His  church  is  the  Methodist 
Episcopal. 

Dr.  Marvin  Clark  Johnson  married,  in  1913, 
Mary  Blair,  of  Plymouth,  Pennsylvania, 
daughter  of  the  Rev.  Williams  T.  and  Mary 
(Strickland)  Blair. 


REV.  PAUL,  SILAS  HEATH — As  pastor  of 
the  First  Presbyterian  Church,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre,  the  Rev.  Paul  Silas  Heath  has  won 
the  deserved  reputation  of  being  a  leader  in 
the  religious  life  of  the  community,  devot- 
ing his  time  and  attention  liberally  to  the 
interests  of  his  congregation.  This  church  is 
no'w  one  of  the  largest  and  most  influential 
religious  institutions  in  the  entire  Wyoming 
Valley.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Heath  accepted  the 
call  to  become  pastor  of  it  in  1924,  since 
which  time  he  has  proved  himself  to  be  one 
of  the  outstanding  men,  not  only  in  his  own 
congregation,  but  in  the  social  life  of  Wilkes- 
Barre.  He  takes  an  interest  at  all  times  in 
public  affairs,  being  ready  to  support  any 
cause  or  movement  that  he  believes  will  be 
beneficial  to  the  people  here  or  will  improve 
conditions. 

He  is  descended  from  old  and  distinguished 
families  of  the  United  States,  being  a  nephew 
of  the  late  Elbert  Hubbard,  and  on  his  father's 
side  of  the  house  he  is  related  to  the  Ritten- 
house  family,  of  Philadelphia.  He  is  a  son  of 
William  R.  and  Mary  (Hubbard)  Heath,  the 
former  of  whom  was  of  English  descent  and 
the  latter  of  Scotch.  He  is  one  of  a  family 
of  five  children:  1.  Horton  Hubbard,  of 
Scarsdale,  New  York.  2.  Paul  Silas,  of  further 
mention  in  this  article.  3.  Evelyn  (Mrs.  Wil- 
mot  Jacobsen),  a  physician  in  Buffalo,  New 
York.  4.  Thomas,  "who  is  a  minister  in  the 
Congregational  Church  at  Bronxville,  New 
York.  5.  Clark  Wright,  a  physician  in  Bos- 
ton,  Massachusetts. 

Paul  Silas  Heath  was  born  in  Hudson,  Il- 
linois, on  July  23,  1892,  and  until  he  was  ten 
years   old   he  was   reared   in  Chicago,   Illinois. 


627 


Then  his  parents  removed  to  Buffalo,  New 
York,  where  he  grew  to  manhood.  While  a 
boy,  he  attended  the  public  schools:  later  be- 
came a  student  at  the  Lawrenceville  School, 
In  New  Jersey,  from  which  institution  he  was 
graduated  in  the  class  of  1910;  and  finally 
went  to  Princeton  University,  from  which  he 
was  graduated  in  the  class  of  1914  with  the 
degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts.  He  engaged 
then  for  two  years  in  the  manufacturing  busi- 
ness, but  in  1917  he  entered  the  Auburn 
Theological  Seminary,  of  New  York,  where 
he  remained,  with  the  exception  of  the  war 
period,  until  1921,  in  which  year  he  was  grad- 
uated. In  1917  he  joined  the  United  States 
Coast  Guard  Heavy  Artillery,  in  which  he 
served  until  the  close  of  the  World  War  at 
the  fort  in  Narragansett,  Rhode  Island.  After 
the  war.  he  returned  to  his  studies,  and  was 
graduated  in  theology  from  the  Auburn  The- 
ological Seminary  in  the  class  of  1921.  In 
that  year,  he  went  to  England,  where  he  took 
a  year  of  post-graduate  work  at  Oxford  Uni- 
versity. Returning  in  1922  to  the  United 
States,  he  took  charge  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  in  North  Tonawanda,  New  York. 
Then,  in  1924,  he  accepted  the  call  to  Wilkes- 
Barre,  where  he  has  come  to  be  highly  re- 
spected as  pastor  of  the  First  Presbyterian 
Church. 

Mr.  Heath  married,  September  18,  1915, 
Elizabeth  Bradford  Hubbell,  a  daughter  of 
Clifford  and  Grace  (Woodward)  Hubbell.  She 
is  a  member  of  old  American  families  which 
have  played  important  parts  in  the  history 
of  the  United  States  since  the  country's 
earliest  days.  The  Rev.  Paul  Silas  Heath 
and  Elizabeth  (Bradford)  Heath  are  the  par- 
ents of  four  children:  Elizabeth  Woodward, 
William  Rittenhouse,  Mary  Hubbard  and  Rob- 
ert Hubbell. 


JAY  C.  TREAT — ^One  of  the  esteemed  resi- 
dents of  Forty  Fort,  Pennsylvania,  who  for 
years  has  been  sales  agent  in  this  region  of 
the  Wyoming  Valley  for  the  National  Biscuit 
Company,  is  Jay  C.  Treat,  who  has  acquired  a 
wide  circle  of  friends  and  acquaintances  here 
and  whose  activities  in  civic  affairs  and  the 
social  life  of  his  community  are  many  and 
widespread.  There  is  scarcely  any  phase  of 
civic  development  in  this  part  of  the  State  in 
which  he  is  not  keenly  interested  and  in  many 
instances  an  active   participant. 

Mr.  Treat  was  born  in  Honeoye  Falls.  Mon- 
roe County.  New  York,  on  February  7,  18S4. 
a  son  of  Fi-ed  A.  and  Ida  (Featherstone) 
Treat.  His  father,  born  in  Mendon,  Monroe 
County,  New  York,  died  May  23,  1925,  was  for 
the  greater  part  of  his  life  a  real  estate  oper- 
ator; w'hil3  his  mother,  who  is  still  living,  is 
a  native  of  Middleport,  Niagara  County,  New 
York. 

Their  son,  Jay  C.  Treat,  of  whom  this  is  a 
record,  attended  the  public  schools  of  his 
birthplace,  Honeoye  Palls,  New  York,  and 
then  went  to  the  Mechanics  Institute  in 
Rochester,  New  York,  from  which  he  was 
graduated  in  the  class  of  1902.  He  then  went 
with  the  Eastman  Kodak  Company,  having 
been  stationed  at  that  corporation's  main 
ofhce  in  Rochester.  There  he  remained  until 
1906,  when  he  went  with  the  National  Biscuit 
Company  as  a  salesman.  Selling  the  product 
of  this  organization  until  1911,  he  built  up  a 
laige  and  desirable  custom  in  the  territories 
that  he  covered.  Then,  in  1911,  he  became 
sales  agent  for  the  company  in  Hazleton, 
Pennsylvania,  where  he  remained  until  Feb- 
ruary 1,  1913,  when  he  came  to  Forty  Fort  as 
sales  agent  in  this  region  of  Pennsylvania. 
Here  his  success  has  been  most  marked,  and 


his  fifteen  years  in  this  place  have  brought 
him   not  only  customers  but  friends. 

So  it  is  that  he  takes  an  important  part  in 
the  affairs  of  his  town  and  community,  and 
is  requested  from  time  to  time  to  give  to 
others  the  value  of  his  wisdom  acquired  with 
the  passing  years  of  business  life.  Keenly 
interested  in  political  matters,  he  is  identi- 
fied closely  with  the  Republican  party,  whose 
policies  and  candidates  lie  has  for  years  sup- 
ported. In  1925  he  \vas  ciiosen  as  a  member 
of  the  town  council  of  Forty  Fort,  a  position 
which  he  has  filled  with  credit  and  with  ad- 
vantage to  his  fellow-citizens  since  that  time. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Free  and  Accepted  Ma- 
sons in  which  his  afFLliation  is  with  the  Wilkes- 
Barre  Lodge,  No.  655;  while  he  also  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Shekinah  Chapter  of  Royal  Arch 
Masons:  the  Dieu  le  Veut  Commandery  of 
Knights  Templar:  and  Irem  Temple  of  the 
Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic 
Shrine.  He  holds  membership  in  the  Frank- 
lin Club,  while  his  religious  affiliation  is  with 
the  First  Presbyterian  Church,  of  Forty  Fort. 

In  March,  1909.  Mr.  Treat  married  Mabel 
E.  Merlan.  of  Rochester,  New  York,  daughter 
of  George  M.  and  Carrie  E.  Merlan.  By  this 
marriage  there  have  been  two  sons:  1.  Mer- 
lan Jay.  born  in  June.  1913.  2.  Charles  Dean, 
born   in   September.    1919. 


JOHX  W.  SARPOLIS,  M.  D. — The  younger 
group  of  professional  men  in  Luzerne  County 
have  an  able  representative  in  Dr.  John  W^. 
Sarpolis,  well  known  medical  practitioner  at 
Olen  Lyon,  who  has  come  rapidly  to  the  front 
since  he  received  his  degree  some  ten  years 
ago.  Born  in  Wanamie  of  his  native  county, 
March  22,  1896,  Dr.  Sarpolis  is  the  son  of 
Peter  and  Elizabeth  (Machalonis)  Sarpolis, 
his  father  born  in  Russia,  in  1865,  is  a  mer- 
chant in  Luzerne  County,  served  as  school 
director  of  Newport  Township  for  two  terms 
totaling  ten  years;  the  mother,  born  in  Russia 
in  1870.  died  in  November,  1920.  John  W.  Sar- 
polis attended  the  public  schools  of  his  native 
village  of  Wanamie.  inclusive  of  three  years 
in  the  high  school  there.  He  next  entered  the 
Lake  High  School.  Chicago.  Illinois,  from 
which  he  was  graduated  in  1914.  He  was  now 
on  the  road  to  a  college  degree  for  which  he 
had  aimed  when  making  choice  of  the  medical 
profession.  He  took  his  pre-medical  course 
at  Loyola  University.  Chicago,  and  then 
matriculated  at  Loyola  Medical  College,  from 
which  he  was  graduated  in  the  class  of  1919 
with  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine.  His 
interneship  was  served  at  the  Robert  Burns 
Hospital,  Chicago,  where  he  was  stationed 
for  twenty-two   months. 

Dr.  Sarpolis  entered  upon  actual  practice 
in  his  own  name  at  Chicago,  where  he  re- 
mained for  two  years.  Then  he  returned  to 
his  native  borough  of  Wanamie  and  gave  of 
his  skillful  and  sympathetic  ministrations  to 
his  own  people  for  four  years,  in  the  mean- 
while developing  into  one  of  the  best-known 
physicians  of  the  community  and  county.  In 
1926  he  felt  that  he  had  received  a  call  to  the 
larger  and  more  important  field  of  Glen  Lyon 
and  transferred  his  practice  to  that  village, 
where  he  has  since  labored  most  efficiently, 
growing  in  the  favor  and  popularity  of  the 
people  there.  Further  proof  of  his  standing 
in  the  county  is  had  in  the  fact  of  his  having 
been  elected  a  member  of  the  auxiliary  staff 
of  Nanticoke  Hospital.  His  professional  quali- 
fications could  have  no  better  attest  than 
arises  from  his  selection  as  a  member  of  the 
American  Medical  Association,  Pennsylvania 
State  Medical  Society  and  Luzerne  County 
Medical  Society.  In  his  politics  he  throws  his 
strength  to  the  candidates  and  policies  of  the 


628 


Republican    party,    of    which    he    is    a    loyally 
enthusiastic  member. 

Dr.  John  W.  Sarpolis  married,  in  May.  1921, 
Hazel  Clutter,  of  Springfield,  Illinois,  daugh- 
ter of  Archibald  and  Laura  Clutter,  and  they 
are  the  parents  of  a  son,  John  Bennett,  born 
in   October,    1922. 


HO«rARD  ALLEN  STULL — In  1921  Howard 
A.  Stull  formed  a  partnership  with  his 
brother,  Willard  S.  Stull,  and  together  they 
opened  the  Stull  Brothers  motorcycle  and 
battery  business  at  Nos.  15-17  Union  Street 
in  Kingston.  The  business  has  steadily  and 
rapidly  grown  under  consistent  good  man- 
agement and  the  brothers'  conscientious  ap- 
plication to  their  work  until  no\v  it  employs 
nine  people. 

Mr.  Stull  was  born  June  3,  1900,  at  Court- 
dale,  the  son  of  Samuel  L.  and  Anna  (Wil- 
liams) Stull.  The  mother,  who  was  born  at 
Luzerne,  died  January  14,  1914.  The  father, 
who  was  born  at  Springbrook,  is  a  black- 
smith and,  helping  his  father  about  the  forge 
and  anvil,  tlie  elder  son  early  developed  a 
knack  for  handling  metals  and  wood  that  has 
stood  him  in  good  stead  in  the  work  he  has 
made  his  vocation.  After  attendance  of  the 
Courtdale  public  schools  and  graduation  from 
the  Larksville  High  School,  Mr.  Stull  associ- 
ated himself  with  an  automobile  accessories 
concern  where  he  remained  four  years,  learn- 
ing the  business  which  iie  planned  to  enter. 
He  then  formed  the  partnership  with  his 
brother.  The  concern  is  distributor  for  the 
Indian  Motorcycles  in  Luzerne  County  and 
does  a  general  repair  business,  handling 
motorcycles,  batteries,  auto  tires  and  motor 
boats  (Indian).  Mr.  Stull  is  a  member  of 
Kingston  Lodge,  No.  395,  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons;  Caldwell  Consistory,  Ancient  Ac- 
cepted Scottish  Rite,  and  Irem  Temple,  An- 
cient Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic 
Shrine.  He  is  a  Republican  and  holds  mem- 
bership in  Snyder  Council,  Junior  Order 
United  American  Mechanics. 

On  March  29,  1923,  Mr.  Stull  married  Nellie 
Tinklepaugh,  of  Hanlocks  Creek,  daughter 
of  Harry  and  Catharine  (Craugle)  Tinkle- 
paugh. They  have  one  daughter,  Betty  Jane, 
born  November  23,   1924. 


WILLARD  SAMUEL  STULL  has,  with  his 
brother,  Howard  A.  Stull  (see  accompanying 
biography),  built  up  a  thriving  motorcycle 
and  battery  bu.siness,  since  1921,  and  they  are 
located  at  Nos.  15-17  Union  Street  in  King- 
ston. Although  both  brothers  are  still  under 
thirty,  they  have  made  notable  accomplish- 
ments in  their  work  and  their  business  is 
looked   upon   as   an   outstanding   success. 

Born  at  Courtdale,  Luzerne  County,  June 
21,  1902,  Mr.  Stull  is  the  son  of  Samuel  L. 
Stull,  born  at  Springbrook,  and  Anna  (Wil- 
liams) Stull,  born  at  Luzerne,  died  January 
14,  1914.  The  father  is  a  blacksmith  and  in 
his  shop  the  sons  at  an  early  age  developed 
their  taste  for  and  ability  to  handle  machin- 
ery. The  subject  of  this  sketch  attended  the 
public  schools  of  Courtdale  and  Luzerne  and 
upon  completion  of  liis  Luzerne  High  School 
course,  spent  four  years  working  ^vith  a  local 
automobile  accessory  house.  In  1921  he  and 
his  brother,  Howard  Allen  Stull,  formed  a 
partnership  to  operate  their  own  shop.  Stull 
Brothers  are  distributors  for  the  Indian 
Motorcycles  in  Luzerne  County  and  have 
their  own  shop  for  general  repair  business. 
They  are  also  distributors  for  tiie  U.  S.  L.  Bat- 
teries. Willard  Samuel  Stull  is  a  Scottish 
Rite  Mason  and  member  of  the  Shrine.  He 
belongs     to     Kingston     Lodge,    No.    935,    Free 


and  Accepted  Masons;  the  Caldwell  Con- 
sistory, Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite,  and 
Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles 
of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Junior  Order  United  American  Mechanics  and 
is    Republican    in   his   political   faith. 

Mr.  Stull  married,  October  15,  1923,  Althea 
H.  Lyons,  daughter  of  Harvey  and  Bessie 
Lyons  of  Kingston.  They  have  two  sons:  1. 
Dean  L..  born  November  11,  1924.  2.  Wayne 
A.,   born   April  15,    1927. 


CHARLES  B.  D.  WOOD — President,  man- 
ager and  founder  of  the  Pressed  Steel  Com- 
pany, Charles  B.  D.  Wood  has  been  a  figure  of 
prominence  in  financial  and  industrial  circles 
of  the  Wilkes-Barre  area  through  a  score  of 
years.  As  head  of  this  large  organization  he 
contributes  directly  to  the  prosperity  of  the 
people  in  contact  "with  it  as  workers,  and  to 
the  general  communal  whole  indirectly, 
through  bringing  money  into  the  market.  He 
is  widely  known  in  the  industry  as  a  man  of 
talent,  and  in  the  city  of  Wilkes-Barre,  and 
in  Kingston,  where  he  makes  his  residence, 
is  looked  upon  as  a  constructive  force  of 
value  to  civic,  economic  and  social  enterprises. 
He  supports  all  worthy  projects  designed 
for  the  public  benefit. 

Mr.  Wood  was  born  in  Wilkes-Barre,  July 
25,  1884,  son  of  John  Gore  and  Emmaline  E. 
(Drake)  Wood.  His  father  was  also  a  native 
of  this  community,  born  in  1S3S,  died  in 
Mai'ch,  1903.  He  engaged  for  many  years  as  a 
manufacturer  of  paper,  and  as  a  realtor.  Em- 
maline E.  (Drake)  Wood  was  born  in  Wilkes- 
Barre  in   1S47,  and  died  in   1S90. 

After  he  had  secured  his  elementary  and 
secondary  academic  instruction  in  the  pub- 
lic schools  of  Wilkes-Barre,  Mr.  Wood  ma- 
triculated in  Wyoming  Seminary,  from  which 
he  graduated  with  the  class  of  1904.  Next  he 
studied  at  Cornell  University.  On  November 
17,  1909,  he  founded  the  Pressed  Steel  Com- 
pany, for  the  manufacture  of  metal  products 
and  pressed  steel  shapes.  He  was  president 
from  the  outset  of  operations,  and  to  him,  in 
major  share,  is  due  the  prosperity  and  aug- 
mented business  of  the  organization.  It  em- 
ploys between  fifty  and  sixty  workers  the 
year  'round  on  an  average.  The  plant,  repre- 
senting the  best  to  be  seen  for  work  of  this 
special  category,  was  built  especially  for  the 
company  under  Mr.  Wood's  direction.  All 
kinds  of  pressed  steel  products  are  turned  out 
today,  with  emphasis  on  specialties,  there  be- 
ing a  large  number  of  special  dies  for  a  num- 
ber of  great  contracts.  Stainless  steel  serv- 
ing trays,  for  example,  are  one  product.  Five 
thousand  tons  of  steel  are  used  annually.  Be- 
sides Mr.  Wood,  other  officers  of  the  corpora- 
tion are:  W.  C.  Boyd  (q.  v.),  treasurer  and  sec- 
retary, and  S.  W.  Rort,  vice-president.  Jos- 
eph H.  MacVeigh  (q.  v.),  who  has  been  with 
the   company  since   1917,   is  sales   manager. 

Actively  interested  in  general  affairs,  Mr. 
Wood  is  a  Republican,  loyal  supporter  of  the 
party's  principles.  Fraternally  he  is  affiliated 
with  Kingston  Lodge,  No.  395,  Free  and  Ac- 
cepted Masons;  Caldwell  Consistory,  at 
Bloomsburg,  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite: 
Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of 
the  Mystic  Shrine;  and  belongs  to  the  West- 
moreland Club  and  Wyoming  Valley  Country 
Club.  He  is  a  communicant  of  the  Blethodist 
Episcopal  Church,  assists  in  the  work  of  the 
denomination,  and  gives  liberally  to  all 
charitable  causes  which  come  to  his  atten- 
tion. During  the  World  War  he  put  his  plant 
to  work  as  the  Government  wished,  offering 
the  full  scope  of  its  resources  to  the  common 
cause,    and   was   of  valued    aid    in   the   several 


629 


campaigns  of  patriotic  appeal.  He  is  a- direc- 
tor of  the  Kingston  Bank  and  Trust  Company. 
Mr.  Wood  married,  in  1908,  Florence  A. 
Newell,  of  Kingston,  daughter  of  I.  L.  and 
Mary  (Edwards)  Newell.  Their  children  are: 
Theodore  N.,  Mary  Eleanor,  Margaret  E., 
Mary  Edwards,  Augustin  Newell,  and  Ruth 
Newell.  The  family  residence  in  Kingston  is 
at  No.  840  Market  Street.  Mr.  Wood's  offices 
in  the  Pressed  Steel  Company  are  on  North 
Pennsylvania    Avenue,    Wilkes-Barre. 


JOSEPH  H.  MaeVEIGH — Sales  manager  of 
the  Pressed  Steel  Company,  Joseph  H.  Mac- 
Veigh  has  contril^uted  greatly  to  the  success 
of  this  great  organization,  and,  through  it,  to 
the  development  of  the  Wilkes-Barre  area. 
He  is  one  of  the  city's  well  known   men. 

Mr.  MacVeigh  was  born  January  28,  1SS7, 
at  Covington,  Kentucky,  son  of  Peter  and 
Carrie  Lee  (Handlan)  MacVeigh.  His  father 
was  born  in  Covington,  1860,  and  survives  to 
the  present  time  (1928),  having  spent  many 
years  as  coffee  broker  in  St.  Louis,  Missouri. 
His  mother  was  born  at  Wheeling,  West  Vir- 
ginia,  in   1862,   and   she   too   survives. 

Mr.  MacVeigh  attended  the  public  schools 
of  St.  Paul,  Minnesota,  matriculated  in  the 
University  of  Minnesota,  and  from  it  was 
graduated,  1907,  with  the  degree  of  Civil  En- 
gineer. For  two  years  thereafter  he  was 
identified  with  railroad  building  in  Alabama, 
for  a  coal  company.  Then  he  was  employed 
by  the  Tennessee  Coal,  Iron  and  Railroad 
Company,  "with  offices  at  Birmingham,  Ala- 
bama, for  five  years,  as  construction  engineer. 
Next,  for  three  years,  he  was  with  the  Bir- 
mingham Railway,  Light.  Heat  and  Power 
Company  as  construction  engineer,  was  trans- 
ferred to  New  York  City  as  industrial  engi- 
neer for  the  United  Gas  and  Electric  Corpo- 
ration, and  in  1917  came  to  the  Pressed  Steel 
Company  as  sales  manager.  He  has  been 
with  this  organization  through  the  years  that 
have  followed. 

Active  in  general  affairs  and  particularly 
in  those  that  touch  engineering  and  business 
as  applied  to  steel,  Mr.  MacVeigh  is  a  mem- 
ber of  several  engineering  societies,  the  Wyo- 
ming Valley  Country  Club,  and  is  affiliated 
with  Lodge  No.  61,  Free  and  Accepted  Ma- 
sons, Caldwell  Consistory  at  Bloomsburg  of 
the  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite,  and  Irem 
Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the 
Mystic  Shrine.  He  is  a  communipant  of  the 
Presbyterian    Church. 

Mr.  MacVeigh  married,  in  1910,  Charlotte 
Warman,  of  Cullman,  Alabama,  daughter  of 
Cyrus  and  Ida  Warman.  They  reside  at  No. 
376  Ridge  Avenue,  Kingston. 


BENJAMIIV  H.  RHYS — In  the  Wilkes-Barre 
Exide  Company  of  Nos.  28-30  East  Ross 
Street,  of  which  he  is  sole  owner  and  propri- 
etor, Benjamin  H.  Rhys  has  developed,  in  a 
comparatively  few  years,  a  thriving  business 
that  places  him  among  the  more  successful 
of  the  city's  lousiness  men.  However,  he  does 
not  spend  all  his  time  in  his  battery  and 
repair  shop  but  devotes  much  energy  to  dis- 
charging the  duties  of  his  public  offices  and 
taking  part  in  the  activities  of  the  numerous 
organizations  of  which  he  is  a  member.  Tak- 
ing over  the  office  that  had,  been  filled  for  six 
years  by  his  father,  Mr.  Rhys  became  tax  col- 
lector of  the  borough  of  Warrior  Run,  in 
which  he  makes  his  home  at  No.  374  Chestnut 
Street,  eighteen  years  ago,  and  in  the  period 
since  has  faithfully  made  the  stipulated  col- 
lections. On  May  1.  1928,  he  acquired  in  addi- 
tion to  this  office  that  of  deputy  county  comp- 
troller,  serving  under  Harry  I.   Butts.    To  all 


his  work  for  ths  people  Mr.  Rhys  gives  the 
same  conscientious  attention  that  he  devotes 
to  his  own  private  affairs. 

Mr.  Rhys  was  born  in  Warrior  Run,  Lu- 
zerne County,  September  4,  1888,  the  son  of 
Welsh  parents.  His  father,  Thomas  H.  Rhys, 
a  miner,  was  born  in  1855,  died  in  July,  1911, 
and  his  mother,  Elizabeth  (Jones)  Rhys,  is 
still  living.  After  he  had  completed  the  pub- 
lic school  courses  Mr.  Rhys  entered  the  busi- 
ness world  as  a  clerical  worker,  then  spent 
twelve  years  as  teller  for  the  Wyoming  Val- 
ley Trust  Company.  It  was  in  March,  1925, 
that  he  established  his  garage  business  on 
Ross  Street.  Here,  with  the  aid  of  three  em- 
ployees, he  handles  Exide  batteries  and  does 
a  general  automobile  repair  business.  Mr. 
Rhys  is  Republican  in  his  political  affiliations 
and,  as  stated  previously,  has  served  as  tax 
collector  for  nearly  two  decades,  and  also  as 
deputy  county  comptroller.  He  is  a  member 
of  Ashley  Lodge,  No.  474,  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons;  Shekinah  Chapter,  Royal  Arch  Ma- 
sons; Dieu  le  Veut  Commandery  No.  45, 
Knights  Templar;  Irem  Temple,  Ancient 
Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine; 
the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and 
Junior  Order  United  American  Mechanics.  He 
also  holds  membership  in  tlie  Wyoming  Val- 
ley Country  Club  and  the  Craftsman's  Club. 
Mr.  Rhys  is  a  member  of  the  Welsh  Presby- 
terian Church  of  Warrior  Run. 

In  October,  1915,  Mr.  Rhys  married  Cora 
Jones,  daughter  of  William  E.  and  Elizabeth 
(Lewis)  Jones,  of  Warrior  Run.  They  became 
the  parents  of  two  children:  Cora  Elizabeth, 
born  in  July,  1917,  and  Ruth  Janet,  born  in 
September,   1920. 


WILLIAM  B.  RICHARDS— Prominently  iden- 
tified with  the  building  business  of  the  Wyo- 
ming Valley  for  years,  William  B.  Richards, 
of  Wilkes-Barre,  is  one  of  our  most  reputable 
citizens  and  holds  a  very  dignified  position  in 
the  commercial  world  of  Pennsylvania.  Skilled 
in  carpentry  and  general  building,  he  is  also 
known  as  a  keen  minded  business  operator, 
at  all  times  intent  upon  giving  full  value  for 
work  accomplished,  and  demanding  of  others 
reciprocal  treatment.  There  exists  in  busi- 
ness life  certain  high  codes  of  ethics  based 
upon  fairness  and  cooperation  for  mutual 
benefit.  Mr.  Richards  not  only  understands 
this  but  operates  upon  such  lines  and  by  so 
conducting  his  enterprises  has  won  the  ad- 
miration and  esteem  of  all  with  whom  he 
has  made  contact  during  his  career.  He  is  a 
man  of  sociable  nature  and  has  made  a  host 
of  friends  in  and  out  of  his  working  world, 
is  deeply  interested  in  the  good  of  the  people 
and  at  all  times  holds  himself  ready  to  lend 
his  aid  in  any  public  activities  which  may  be 
promulgated  for  the  general  benefit.  Such 
are  the  qualifications  of  a  good  citizen,  which 
is  a  title  to  which  he  is  fully  deserving. 

He  was  born  in  Wilkes-Barre.  Pennsyl- 
vania, January  2S,  1886,  a  son  of  Edward 
Richards,  also  a  native  of  this  city,  wliere  he 
was  born  in  1856,  and  where  he  operated  as 
a  painting  contractor,  and  of  Clara  (Boehl- 
mer)  Richards,  who  was  born  in  Hazleton, 
Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania,  in  1855.  Ed- 
ward Richards  died  in  February,  1908. 

Their  son,  William  B.  Richards,  was  edu- 
cated in  the  local  public  schools  and  then 
engaged  in  the  practical  study  of  carpentry, 
following  that  trade  for  a  number  of  years 
and  then  establishing  himself  in  the  business 
of  general  contract  building.  He  has  special- 
ized in  the  erection  of  stores  and  schools, 
having  constructed  several  of  each,  among 
them    being    the    Liberty    Bank    building,    the 


630 


Kresge  store  and  others.  He  employs  an 
average  ot  seventy  men.  In  politics  lie  is  a 
Republican  and  in  religion  a  Lutheran.  He 
belongs  to  Lodge  No.  109,  Benevolent  and 
Protective  Order  of  Elks,  and  to  the  Franklin 
and  Craftsman's  clubs.  Fraternally  he  is 
affiliated  with  Lodge  No.  442,  Free  and  Ac- 
cepted Masons;  Shekinah  Chapter,  Royal 
Arch  Masons:  Dieu  le  Veut  Commandery,  No. 
45,  Knights  Templar,  and  Irem  Temple,  An- 
cient Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic 
Shrine. 

William  B.  Richards  married,  in  June,  1913, 
Anna  Grosehke,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  daughter  of 
August  and  Wilhelmina  Grosehke.  Their 
children  are:  1.  Marion  E.,  born  in  January, 
1915.  2.  Edward  William,  born  in  April,  1916. 
3.  Dorothy  M.,  born  in  May,  1917.  4.  Arthur 
E.,   born   in  August,   1921. 


HOR.iCE  H.  SCHOSER — Engaged  in  the 
contracting  business  in  one  of  the  essential 
branches  of  the  construction  trade,  heating 
and  plumbing,  Mr.  Schoser  has  become  one  of 
the  stable  figures  of  commercial  Kingston. 
A  native  Pennsylvanian,  he  was  born  in 
Philadelphia  on  October  26,  1SS3,  a  son  of 
Vincent  and  Anna  (Nicholas)  Schoser.  His 
father  was  born  in  Germany  and  settled  at 
Riverton,  Ne'w  Jersey,  as  a  shoe  manufacturer. 
His  mother  was  born  in  Illinois. 

After  attending  the  public  schools  at  Riv- 
erton, where  the  family  was  then  living, 
Horace  H.  Schoser  entered  Spencerian  Busi- 
ness College  in  Philadelphia  and,  subse- 
quently, learned  the  technical  trade  of  heat- 
ing and  plumbing.  He  was  employed  in  Phila- 
delphia in  his  trade  for  about  five  years  and 
then  returned  to  Riverton  and  engaged  in 
work  at  that  place.  In  1906,  he  came  to 
Kingston  and  worked  for  a  local  concern  for 
nearly  two  years  and  then  was  placed  in 
charge  of  all  of  the  outside  work  for  the  Lu- 
zerne County  Gas  and  Electric  Company, 
with  plant  at  Mahanoy  City.  Always  improv- 
ing his  position  and  adding  to  his  responsi- 
bilities in  the  work  with  each  change,  he 
then  went  to  Berwick  and  finally  back  to 
Kingston,  "where  he  started  in  business  for 
himself,  under  his  own  firm  name.  The  busi- 
ness has  prospered  and  he  has  fulfilled  the 
contracts  for  heating  and  plumbing  of  many 
public  buildings,  notably  the  Miners  Bank 
Building  at  Wilkes-Barre,  the  Dime  Bank 
Building  at  the  same  place,  the  Nanticoke 
High  School  and  the  Georgetown  school 
building.  Mr.  Schoser  is  a  loyal  citizen  and 
at  all  times  holds  the  interests  of  his  com- 
munity at  heart  and  serves  them  in  his  pub- 
lic dealings  with  the  civic  government,  to  its 
best  advantage.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Patri- 
otic Order  Sons  of  America,  the  Kingston 
Lodge  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fel- 
lows, and  a  regular  attendant  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church.  Mr.  Schoser  is  a 
keen  hunter  and  fisherman  and  has  a  re- 
markably fine  kennel  of  thoroughbred  setters, 
and  is  an  authority  on  the  raising  and  breed- 
ing of  this  attractive   type   of  dog. 

Horace  H.  Schoser  was  married,  in  1905,  to 
Blanche  Paddock,  daughter  of  George  E.  and 
Vargie  (Prince)  Paddock,  of  Kingston.  Mr. 
Paddock  is  a  well-known  glass  manufacturer. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Schoser  have  four  children:  1. 
Grace  Margaret,  who  has  married  a  Mr.  Pec- 
cone  of  Kingston.  2.  Ruth  Evelyn,  who  at- 
tends the  Westchester  Normal  School,  pre- 
paratory to  taking  up  the  vocation  of  teach- 
ing.   3.  Donald  Paddock.    4.  "Virginia  Elizabeth. 


among  the  community's  citizens  of  most  loyal 
public  enterprise.  His  record  is  one  to  inspire 
respect,  comprising  as  it  does  a  replete  suc- 
cess at  all  endeavors,  and  commencing  to- 
ward the  close  of  the  last  century,  when  Mr. 
Bryant  first  went  to  work  as  a  boy  in  the 
mines.  From  that  beginning  he  has  come  to 
be  one  of  the  well-known  figures  of  Luzerne 
County. 

Mr.  Bryant  was  born  at  Edwardsville,  Penn-" 
sylvania,  September  23,  1S82,  a  son  of  Conn 
and  Margaret  (Williams)  Bryant.  His  father, 
"Who  was  born  in  Wales,  in  1S47,  w^as  a  miner, 
and  plied  that  occupation  after  coming  to  the 
coal  fields  of  Pennsylvania.  His  death  oc- 
curred in  1910.  Margaret  (Williams)  Bryant 
was  also  a  native  of  Wales.  She  was  born  in 
1S4S,  and  died  in  June,  1922. 

Fortune  was  good  to  Mr.  Bryant  in  that  it 
gave  him  a  good  home,  a  sufficient  course  in 
school  upon  which  to  base  higher  and  inde- 
pendent technical  studies,  and  early  experi- 
ence which  taught  him  the  value  of  well  di- 
rected effort  and  tenacity  of  purpose.  As  re- 
lated, he  went  to  work  in  the  mines  while 
a  lad,  then  engaged  in  the  electrical  trade,  as 
emploj^ee.  In  1911  he  started  in  the  electrical 
contracting  business  under  his  own  naine,  in 
Luzerne,  and  as  such  a  contractor  has  con- 
tinued with  augmented  success  through  the 
years  succeeding.  As  a  rule  he  employs  two 
assistants,  and  his  offices  at  No.  55  Evans 
Street,  Luzerne,  transact  a  sizable  voluine  of 
trade  annually. 

While  business  has  engaged  the  principal 
course  of  effort  and  has  taken  the  greater 
part  of  his  time,  Mr.  Bryant  has  none  the  less 
been  active  in  the  community's  general  af- 
fairs. A  Republican,  he  supports  the  candi- 
dates and  principles  of  the  party,  and  since 
1911  has  been  a  director  of  Pringle  Borough 
School  Board.  He  is  interested  in  diverse 
financial  enterprises,  having  been  a  director 
of  the  Merchants  and  Miners  Bank  since  its 
foundation.  Fraternally  he  is  perhaps  most 
known  in  the  Free  and  Accepted  Masons, 
and  a  member  of  Lodge  No.  395,  In  this  order: 
of  Kingston  Chapter,  Royal  Arch  Masons; 
Dieu  le  Veut  Commandery,  Knights  Templar, 
of  Wilkes-Barre:  and  Irem  Temple.  Ancient 
.\rabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine. 
Further,  he  is  affiliated  with  the  Patriotic 
Order  Sons  of  America,  the  Junior  Order 
United  American  Mechanics,  Order  of  Eagles, 
and  Lodge  No.  109,  of  the  Benevolent  and 
Protective  Order  of  Elks.  During  the  World 
War  Mr.  Bryant  subscribed  liberally  to  all 
patriotic  campaigns.  He  is  a  communicant  of 
the   Welsh   Congregational   Church, 

Mr.  Bryant  married,  in  1902,  Phoebe  A. 
Morgan,  of  Pringle  Borough,  daughter  of 
Philip  and  Ann  Morgan.  They  have  one 
daughter,  Anna  A.,  born  SepFember  5,  1904, 
graduate  of  Bloomsburg  State  Normal  School, 
also  a  graduate  of  Marywood  College,  Scran- 
ton,  Pennsylvania,  having  received  her  de- 
gree B.  S.  of  Education,  in  June,  1929;  now  a 
teacher  in  Pringle  Borough. 


JOSEPH  F.  BRYANT — Identified  with  the 
commercial  and  fraternal  life  of  Luzerne  for 
many    years,    Joseph   F.    Bryant    is     numbered 


REV.  JOHN  SZABO.  born  in  Vulsinka, 
County  Ung,  Hungary,  April  15,  1861,  received 
his  early  training  in  his  native  country  In 
the  college  and  seminary,  and  was  ordained 
a  priest  in  the  Greek  Catholic  Church,  1S86. 
After  six  years  of  work  as  pastor  he  came 
to  the  United  States,  arriving  July  4,  1892. 
He  proceeded  to  Hazleton,  where  he  visited 
his  friend,  the  Rev.  Eugene  Volkay.  In 
gratitude  to  the  Lord  for  his  safe  passage 
across  the  sea,  and  for  meeting  once  more 
persons  of  his  native  land,  he  said  a  Mass 
in  thanks.  It  followed  that  he  removed  to 
Trenton,   New    Jersey,    to    organize    a   parish 


ST.  MARY'S  GREEK  CATHOLIC  CHURCH 
HAELETON.  PA. 


631 


of  the  Greek  Catholic  faith,  remained  there 
two  years  thus  engag-ed,  and  afterward  went 
to  Punxsutawney,  Pennsylvania,  where  he 
spent  eight  years  in  organizing  various 
parishes  throughout  the  State.  In  1898,  at 
Brockwayville  Court.  .Jefferson  County,  he  be- 
came a  naturalized  citizen.  During  the  years 
1901-07  he  was  pastor  of  St.  John's  Church, 
712  Carson  Street,  Pittsburgh,  Pennsylvania, 
then  went  to  Toronto,  Eastern  Ohio,  where 
he  had  charge  of  St.  Joseph's  Church  for 
eight  years,  from  where  he  was  transferred 
to  Duquesne,  Pennsylvania.  He  established 
Greek  Catholic  societies  and  congregations 
in  Pennsylvania,  Ohio,  West  Virginia,  and  has 
carried  on  this  work  as  far  to  the  south  as 
Alabama,  to  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  and  to  Den- 
ver, Colorado.  Following  this  protracted 
period  as  organizer  in  the  church,  he  returned 
to  Western  Pennsylvania,  worked  in  and 
around  Pittsburgh,  and  in  February,  1927, 
was  assigned  by  Right  Reverend  Bishop  Basil 
Takacs  to  Hazleton.  Since  that  month  and 
year  he  has  been  pastor  of  St.  Mary's  Greek 
Catholic  Church,  Hazleton.  Here  he  is  in 
charge  of  a  large  number  of  parishioners, 
at  the  head  of  one  of  the  most  historic  church 
organizations  in  tlie  Nation,  largely  composed 
of  persons  whose  origin  and  family  origin 
was  in  Hungary  and  Galicia,  now  Podkar- 
patska  Rus  in  Czecho-SIovakia.  About  1x75 
many  of  these  people  immigrated,  and,  landed 
in  New  York,  found  that  satisfactory  employ- 
ment could  be  obtained  in  the  mining  dis- 
tricts around  Hazleton.  Here  their  migra- 
tions ceased,  until  in  later  days  many  removed 
still  farther  to  the  West.  Rev.  Father  Szabo 
is  at  the  head  of  an  important  parish  com- 
posed of  some  two  hundred  families  and  more 
than  one  thousand  souls.  He  is  known  for 
his  kindly  leadership  of  liis  people,  and  for 
his  constructive  interest  in  the  promotion  of 
Hazleton's  general  welfare. 

Rev.  Father  John  Szabo  married,  in  1886, 
Amelia  Danilovics,  the  oldest  daughter  of 
seven  children  of  a  Greek  Catholic  Priest, 
Father  Nikolay  Danilovics,  in  Hungary.  Of 
this  union  were  born  eight  children:  1.  The 
Rev.  Father  Nicholas,  pastor  of  tlie  Hungarian 
Magyar  Church,  at  Homestead.  2.  Jolan,  wife 
of  the  Rev.  Father  Constantine  Roskovics, 
who  is  a  director  of  the  Greek  Catholic  Or- 
phanage, at  Elmhurst,  Pennsylvania.  3. 
Alexius,  an  artist  of  New  York  City.  4.  Den- 
nis, a  physician  in  the  United  States  Public 
Health  Service.  5.  Irene,  wife  of  the  Rev. 
Father  George  Chegin,  pastor  of  St.  Michael's 
Church.  Donora.  6.  ilagdalina,  wife  of 
George  Puliak,  attorney,  of  Hazleton.  7. 
John,  graduate  at  law,  Georgetown  Catholic 
University,  Washington,  District  of  Colum- 
bus.    8.  One  deceased. 

Rev.  Father  John  Szabo  is  a  loyal  and 
patriotic  citizen,  and  has  continuously  taken 
a  deep  interest  in  tlie  American  civic,  social 
and  economic  evolution.  He  was  present  at 
the  inauguration  of  President  McKinley,  and 
at  that  of  President  Roosevelt.  On  the  oc- 
casion of  tlie  latter's  inauguration.  Rev.  Szabo 
was  presented,  and  has  always  held  the  great 
American's  memory  in  admiration. 

St.  Mary's  Greek  Catliolic  CliureU — Known 
as  the  "mother  of  all  Greek  Catholic  churches 
in  the  Anthracite  region,"  St.  Mary's  Greek 
Catholic  Church  of  Hazleton,  at  the  inter- 
section of  Cedar  and  Beach  streets,  was 
founded  in  1SS9,  during  the  month  of  July, 
with  a  small  congregation,  and  has  grown 
steadily  to  present  size,  no%v  (1929)  having 
within  the  parish  two  hundred  families.  The 
church  was  founded  by  the  Rev.  Volyanski 
and  the  Rev.  Andruchovics,  missionaries  from 


Galicia.  They  erected  a  small  chapel  on  the 
site  of  the  parish  house  of  today,  and  the  first 
regular  priest  was  the  Rev.  Nicholas  Sztec- 
zovics,  the  second  Rev.  Eugene  Volkay.  There 
have  been  many  changes  in  the  pastorate, 
Rev.  John  Szabo  being  the  twenty-sixth  to 
hold  charge  in  forty  years.  He  has  filled  the 
charge  since  February.  1927.  The  church  as 
it  is  seen  at  tlie  present  time  was  constructed 
in  1893.  It  is  one  of  fine  architectural  de- 
sign, as  will  be  noted  from  the  illustration  on 
another  page  of  this  volume,  and  was  re- 
modelled in  1926,  under  the  pastorate  of  the 
Rev.  Simon  Szmandray,  D.  D.  Detail  has  been 
kept  in  harmony  with  the  original  design,  in 
order  that  no  part  of  the  historic  significance 
of  St.  Mary's  might  be  lost. 


WATKISr    MORGAN    WATERS,    D.    D.     S. — 

Intimate  knowledge  of  the  dental  profession, 
reached  through  careful  education  and  prac- 
tical experience,  has  brought  Dr.  Watkin 
Morgan  Waters,  of  Wyoming,  to  a  prominent 
position  among  the  practitioners  of  the  Wyo- 
ming Valley  of  Pennsylvania.  Esteemed  for 
his  value  to  the  community,  he  is  popular 
because  of  his  personality  and  attractive 
qualities  both  in  and  out  of  business  life:  he 
has  served  well  when  called  upon  by  his 
country  in  time  of  its  need  and  bears  a  high 
reputation  among  his  associates  in  the  sev- 
eral fraternal  organizations  with  which  he  is 
connected.  These  attributes  make  for  sound 
citizenship,  a  title  to  which  Dr.  Waters  is 
eminently  entitled.  Not  satisfied  with  any 
result  less  than  the  best,  he  has  drawn  about 
him  a  large  clientele  and  made  a  host  of 
admiring  and  staunch  friends  through  his 
devotion  to  this  principle  of  professional 
guidance. 

He  was  born  in  Nanticoke,  Pennsylvania, 
June  10,  ISSS,  a  son  of  Ivor  J.  and  Catherine 
(Sims)  Waters,  both  natives  of  Wales.  His 
father,  deceased  in  1919,  was  a  mine  foreman 
and  the  son's  education  -was  begun  in  the 
local  public  schools  of  the  district.  After  his 
graduation  from  high  sciiool  he  attended 
Keystone  Academy  at  Factoryville,  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  was  graduated  witli  the  class  of 
1913.  He  then  took  up  the  study  of  dentistry, 
graduating  from  Temple  University  in  1916, 
with  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Dental  Surgery. 
For  the  first  eight  years  of  his  professional 
woi  k  he  chose  Npnticoke,  then  removing  to 
Wyoming,  where  he  has  since  been  located. 
During  the  participation  of  the  United  States 
in  the  World  War,  he  held  the  commission  of 
first  lieutenant  and  was  attached  to  the  den- 
tal staff  of  Walter  Reed  Hospital,  in  Wash- 
ington, District  of  Columbia,  being  honorably 
mustered  out  of  the  military  service  Decem- 
ber 24,  1918.  He  is  a  member  of  the  National 
Dental  Society  and  of  the  American  Legion 
and  is  fraternally  affiliated  with  the  Knights 
of  Pytliias;  Junior  Order  United  An>erican 
Mechanics;  Palestine  Lodge  of  Philadelphia, 
No.  470,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons;  Caldwell 
Consistory,  of  Bloomsburg,  Ancient  Accepted 
Scottish  Rite  Masons,  and  Irem  Temple,  An- 
cient Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic 
Shrine.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Wyoming 
Business  Men's   Club. 


HERMAN  RALPH  NAGLE — In  1913,  after 
several  years'  experience  in  the  general  mer- 
cantile business,  Herman  Ralph  Nagle  came 
to  Shickshinny,  Pennsylvania,  and  estab- 
lished here  the  retail  store  which  he  has 
since  operated.  Mr.  Nagle's  energy  and  abil- 
ity brought  him  immediate  success  in  his 
venture,  and  in  the  years  \vhich  have  passed 
sini^e  1913,  the  volume  of  his  business  has 
constantly  expanded.    Keeping  pace  with  this 


632 


growth,  he  has  enlarged  the  scope  of  his  store 
and  now  offers  to  the  community  a  service 
in  general  merchandise  of  the  highest  quality. 

Mr.  .Nagle  was  born  on  November  S,  1SS9,  at 
Raven  Creek,  Columbia  County,  Pennsylvania, 
a  son  of  Mathias  Franklin  Nag-Ie,  born  at 
Benton,  Columbia  County,  in  1866,  died  in 
1906,  and  of  Ellen  (Carey)  Nagle,  born  in 
1S69,  in  Pine  Creek,  Columbia  County,  who 
is  still  living.  His  father  was  a  farmer  until 
the  time  of  his  death. 

Herman  Ralph  Nagle  attended  the  public 
schools  of  Berwick,  Pennsylvania,  and  when 
he  completed  his  education,  engaged  in  vari- 
ous occupations  in  that  place,  until  he  en- 
tered the  employ  of  the  local  store  of  the  At- 
lantic and  Pacific  Tea  Company,  with  whom 
he  remained  for  two  years.  At  the  end  of 
that  time,  in  1913,  Mr.  Nagle  came  to  Shick- 
shinny,  and  though  still  a  young  man,  estab- 
lished his  own  store,  dealing  in  a  small  way 
in  retail  provisions.  The  high  quality  of  his 
merchandise  and  his  own  business  ability 
insured  success,  and  the  subsequent  expan- 
sion forced  a  move  into  larger  quarters.  Mr. 
Nagle  now  occupies  a  two-story  building, 
fifty-four  feet  long  and  sixty  feet  wide.  He 
has  in   his  employ  four  clerks. 

Politically,  Mr.  Nagle  is  a  member  of  the 
Democratic  party,  and  he  is  active  in  the 
civic  and  social  life  of  Shickshinny,  being  a 
member  of  the  local  Chamber  of  Commerce. 
He  is  affiliated  fraternally  with  the  Patriotic 
Order  Sons  of  America,  the  Junior  Order  of 
United  American  Mechanics,  the  Woodmen  of 
the  World,  and  Lodge  No.  ISO  of  the  Inde- 
pendent Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  He  is  also  a 
member  of  the  National  Protective  Associa- 
tion, and  of  the  Shickshinny  Presbyterian 
Church,  of  which  he  is  a  member  of  the  of- 
ficial board. 

In  1911,  Herman  Ralph  Nagle  married 
Anna  Lola  Oplinger,  daughter  of  Philip  and 
Angeline  Oplinger,  and  of  this  marriage  there 
are  five  children:  Elizabeth,  Maxine.  Ralph, 
Jr.,   Franklin,  and  Janice  Elaine. 


GUSTAV  A.  JOHNSOIV — A  member  of  the 
firm  of  Johnson  Brothers,  electrical  con- 
tractors of  No.  407  North  Main  Street,  Wilkes- 
Barre,  Gustav  A.  Johnson  is  not  only  highly 
competent  in  liis  profession,  but  by  his  able 
management  of  the  executive  details  con- 
nected with  his  business  has  won  for  himself 
a  reputation  as  a  progressive  and  eflicient 
business  man.  He  has  been  instrumental  in 
supplying  to  Wilkes-Barre  an  electrical  con- 
tracting service  of  high  quality,  and  his  ef- 
forts in  this  direction  have  resulted  in  a 
constantly    increasing    volume    of    business. 

Mr.  Johnson  was, born  at  Wilkes-Barre,  on 
August  6,  1S89,  a  son  of  John  E.  Johnson,  who 
was  born  in  Sweden  in  1S52,  and  died  in  Feb- 
ruary, 192S,  and  of  Johanna  (Bale)  Johnson, 
also  born  in  Sweden,  in  1853,  and  died  in 
March,  1927.  His  father  was  well  known  as 
a  carpenter  at  Wilkes-Barre  until  the  time 
of  his  death. 

Gustav  A.  Johnson  attended  the  public 
schools  of  his  birthplace,  and  when  he  com- 
pleted his  education,  learned  the  electrical 
trade  which  he  followed  until  1918.  In 
that  year,  in  association  with  his  brother, 
Louis  Johnson,  he  established  the  electrical 
contracting  firm  of  Johnson  Brothers,  to 
which  he  has  devoted  his  attention  since  that 
time  with  complete  success.  The  Main  Street 
headquarters  includes  a  retail  store  and  show 
room,  and  the  company  now  employs  five 
men. 

Politically,  Mr.  Johnson  supports  the  prin- 
ciples   and     candidates     of     the     Republican 


party,  while  in  various  movements  to  pro- 
mote the  civic  welfare  he  has  been  very 
active.  He  is  affiliated  with  the  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  Lodge  No.  139;  and 
the  Fraternal  Order  of  Eagles,  and  is  also  a 
member  of  the  Fritzoft  Society,  an  organiza- 
tion interested  in  the  study  of  Scandinavian 
culture  and  institutions.  Among  the  societies 
of  the  men  of  his  profession,  he  is  a  member 
of  the  Wilkes-Barre  Contracting  Association, 
and  the  National  Electrical  Association.  Mr. 
Johnson's  sound  judgment  in  business  mat- 
ters is  highly  respected,  and  he  was  one  of 
the  organizers,  and  is  now  a  director  and 
vice-president  of  the  North  End  State  Bank, 
of   Wilkes-Barre. 

In  1916,  Gustav  A.  Johnson  married  Bertha 
Pyatt,  of  Parsons,  Pennsylvania,  daughter  of 
Fred  and  Anna  Pyatt,  of  that  place.  Of  this 
marriage  there  is  one  child,  Lillian  Claire, 
born  March  7,  1925.  Mr.  Johnson  and  his  fam- 
ily worship  in  the  Lutheran  faith  and  are 
members  of  Trinity  Church  of  that  denomina- 
tion at  Wilkes-Barre. 


CHARLES  HOOPER — Business  activities  of 
Charles  Hooper  have  been  many,  and  of  di- 
versified character.  He  is  today  one  of  the 
foremost  business  figures  of  the  town  in 
which  he  was  born — Shickshinny,  Luzerne 
County — and  widely  known  in  business 
spheres  of  this  center's  environs.  From  small 
beginnings  he  has  created  extensive  holdings. 
Charles  Hooper  was  born  July  8,  1880,  son 
of  William  and  Annie  (Harry)  Hooper,  both 
of  whom  were  natives  of  Wales.  His  father 
was  a  miner,  and  he  came  to  Shickshinny  as 
a  young  man,  here  spent  the  balance  of  his 
years,  and  died,  May  31,  1897.  His  mother 
survived,    her   death    occurring   in    1912. 

After  he  had  secured  a  basic  academic  edu- 
cation in  the  public  schools  of  Shickshinny, 
Mr.  Hooper  went  to  work  in  the  mines,  work- 
ing there  in  all  some  seven  years,  after 
which  period  he  took  up  the  trade  of  car- 
penter and  plied  it  two  and  a  half  years 
further.  Meanwhile  he  had  accumulated  a 
small  capital,  and  he  next  went  into  business 
as  owner  and  proprietor  of  a  retail  confec- 
tionery store  under  his  own  name.  This  he 
conducted  successfully  for  two  and  a  half 
years.  For  thirteen  years  he  owned  and 
operated,  successfully,  the  Hooper  Hotel,  and 
in  1923  constructed  the  present  Hooper  Build- 
ing, which  houses  a  cineina  called  the  "Peo- 
ple's Theater,"  at  No.  29  Main  Street.  It 
also  contains  apartments,  an  ice  cream  par- 
lor, and  a  store  space.  Mr.  Hooper  operates 
the  store  and  theatre  and  leases  the  apart- 
ments at  a  round  income.  In  1914  he  became 
interested  in  the  coal  and  ice  business,  at 
which  he  continiied  until  1923,  under  the  style 
of  his  own  name.  All  things  he  has  touched 
of  financial  nature  have  turned  out  well.  He 
is  a  director  of  the  Farmers'  State  Bank  of 
Shickshinny,  maintains  other  substantial 
connections  of  the  sort,  is  a  Democrat,  and 
was  for  eight  years  a  member  of  the  Town 
Council.  Fraternally  he  is  affiliated  with  the 
Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  in 
which  order  he  is  a  member  of  Lodge  No.  1138. 
During  the  war  he  was  of  valued  assistance 
in  the  several  campaigns  of  patriotic  appeal. 
He  is  a  communicant  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church. 

Mr.  Hooper  married,  December  18,  1915,  Kit 
Shaffer,  of  Shickshinny,  daughter  of  Charles 
and  Esther  (Miller)  Shaffer.  Her  father,  a 
carpenter,  was  born  in  Shicksiiinny,  1S44,  and 
died  here  March  11,  192S.  Her  mother,  also  a 
native  of  the  town,  was  born  in  1S4S  and  died 
in  June,  1917.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hooper  have  chil- 
dren:   Beach,  Daisy,  and  Lillie. 


633 


AI-EXANDER  ARTHUR  DUNN — A  resident 
of  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania,  for  many 
years.  Alexander  Arthur  Dunn  has  become 
known  as  one  of  the  ablest  of  the  commu- 
nity's business  men.  At  present  district  rep- 
resentative for  the  Leader  Manufacturing 
Company,  he  has  been  very  successful  in  this 
work,  discharging  all  the  duties  of  his  posi- 
tion to  the  complete  satisfaction  both  of  his 
company  and  of  the  party  whom  it  serves. 
In  various  other  phases  of  Wilkes-Barre  life, 
he  has  also  taken  an  active  part. 

Mr.  Dunn  was  born  In  Wales,  on  July  20, 
ISSl,  a  son  of  John  G.  Dunn,  who  was  born  in 
England  in  1S52,  and  died  in  1922,  and  of  Ann 
(Smith)  Dunn,  born  in  Wales,  in  1851,  died 
in  1900.  The  father  was  a  lampman  for  many 
years  in  the  employ  of  the  Lehigh  Valley 
Coal   Company. 

Alexander  Arthur  Dunn  came  with  his  par- 
ents to  the  United  States  in  the  year  follow- 
ing his  birth,  and  grew  up  in  and  about 
Wilkes-Barre.  He  attended  the  public  schools 
of  this  place  and  later  also  undertook  the 
course  of  study  in  the  Wharton  School  of 
Business,  connected  with  the  University  of 
Pennsylvania.  Beginning  his  business  career 
at  the  completion  of  this  work,  he  became 
connected  with  the  Wyoming  Valley  Lace 
Mills,  with  whom  he  remained  for  a  period  of 
eight  years,  winning  gradual  ad^'ancement 
for  his  meritorious  services.  At  the  end  of 
this  time,  however,  he  formed  the  association 
with  the  Leader  Manufacturing  Company, 
■which  has  proved  so  satisfactory.  Entering 
the  employ  of  this  house  in  1908,  he  has  been 
district  representative  at  Wilkes-Barre  since 
that  time,  and  has  creditably  served  in  that 
capacity  throughout  his  connection. 

Politically  a  member  of  the  Republican 
party,  Mr.  Dunn  is  active  in  party  councils, 
and  for  the  past  sixteen  years  has  served  as 
Republican  registrar  of  the  First  District, 
First  Ward,  at  Wilkes-Barre.  He  is  affiliated 
fraternally  with  Lodge  No.  109.  Benevolent 
and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  and  is  also  a 
member  of  the  United  Commercial  Travelers 
and  the  Commercial  Travelers  of  LTtica.  Mr. 
Dunn  is  president  of  the  North  Wilkes-Barre 
Tennis  Club,  and  has  actively  supported 
"worthy  enterprises  designed  to  promote  the 
growth  and  welfare  of  the  community.  He 
was  one  of  the  organizers  and  is  now  a  direc- 
tor of  the  North  End  State  Bank,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre. 

In  July,  1918,  Alexander  Arthur  Dunn  mar- 
ried Laura  C.  Hoffman,  of  Wilkes-Barre, 
daughter  of  Mathias  and  Margarethe  Hoff- 
man. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dunn  are  members  and 
active  workers  in  the  affairs  of  Calvary 
Protestant  Episcopal  Church. 

ROBERT  W.  JOHJfSON — As  city  editor  of 
the  Wilkes-Barre  "Record,"  Robert  W.  John- 
son plays  an  important  part  in  the  journal- 
istic and  newspaper  life  of  this  part  of 
Pennsylvania,  ■while  his  interest  in  public 
affairs  and  in  the  furtherance  of  prosperity 
in  his  community  and  county  renders  him  a 
more  than  ordinarily  valuable  citizen  for  the 
type  of  work  in  which  he  is  engaged.  Mr. 
Johnson  is  a  native  of  this  State,  and  here 
has  many  friends,  while  he  is  thoroughly  con- 
versant with  local  conditions  as  a  result  of 
his  long  residence  in  this  region. 

He  was  born  in  Ashley,  Pennsylvania,  on 
May  29,  18S8,  and  received  his  early  training 
in  the  Ashley  High  School,  from  which  he 
was  graduated.  He  then  studied  at  the 
Wilkes-Barre  High  School,  where  he  took 
advanced  studies,  and,  in  1904,  he  became  a 
member    of    the    staff     of     the    Wilkes-Barre 


"Record."  From  then  until  1911  he  made  a 
marlied  impression  upon  his  superiors  be- 
cause of  the  excellent  work  that  he  did  as  a 
reporter,  and  in  1911  he  was  advanced -to  the 
city  editorship  of  the  paper,  a  position  which 
he  has  creditably  filled  since  that  year.  Al- 
though newspaper  work  is  his  primary  inter- 
est, Mr.  Johnson  is  closely  connected  with 
the  business  affairs  of  his  community  and 
State,  being  a  vice-president  of  the  North 
End    State   Bank. 

Also  interested  intensely  in  political  and 
civic  matters,  it  is  perhaps  only  natural  that 
he  should  be  identified  with  the  Republican 
party,  whose  policies  and  candidates  he  has 
consistently  supported.  He  served  for  one 
term  as  vice-chairman  of  the  Republican 
County  Committee,  while,  since  191S,  he  has 
been  chairman  of  publicity  for  the  Repub- 
lican party's  local  organization  in  Luzerne 
County.  He  is  secretary  of  the  Salvation 
Army  Committee  and  also  secretary  of  the 
Ashley  Taxpayers'  Association.  His  ne^ws- 
paper  interests  extend  beyond  the  borders  of 
his  community  and  county,  for  he  is  the 
Luzerne  County  correspondent  of  the  Phila- 
delphia "Public  Ledger."  He  is  also  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Craftsman's  Club  and  the  Greater 
Wilkes-Barre  Chamber  of  Commerce.  In  the 
Free  and  Accepted  Mason:5,  of  which  he  is  a 
staunch  member,  he  belongs  to  the  Coalville 
Lodge,  No.  474;  Keystone  Consistory,  the  An- 
cient Accepted  Scottish  Rite:  and  Irem  Tem- 
ple of  the  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the 
Mystic  Shrine. 


JOSEPH  CHARLES  ASZUK,  M.  D. — A  prac- 
ticing physician  at  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsyl- 
vania, for  several  years,  Joseph  Charles  As- 
zuk  has  "won  the  complete  confidence  of  the 
community  through  his  work,  and  has  built 
up  an  extensive  following  throughout  the 
city  as  the  demands  on  his  services  have  con- 
stantly increased.  He  has  been  active  at  all 
times  in  the  care  of  the  sick  and  injured, 
counting  his  personal  convenience  or  safety 
as  nothing  vyhen  opposed  to  his  professional 
duties,  and  for  his  allegiance  to  the  highest 
ideals  of  his  calling  he  has  gained  the  affec- 
tionate esteem  of  the  people  of  this  city  and 
the   vicinity. 

Dr.  Aszuk  was  born  at  Nanticoke,  in  Lu- 
zerne County,  Pennsylvania,  on  April  1,  1S96, 
a  son  of  Charles  and  Anna  Aszuk,  who  had 
come  to  the  United  States  from  Lithuania. 
The  father,  formerly  a  hotel  keeper,  is  now 
retired. 

Joseph  Charles  Aszuk  attended  the  public 
schools  of  Wilkes-Barre  and  was  graduated 
from  the  high  schools  here  in  1914.  For  a  few 
years  he  was  variously  employed  in  local 
enterprises,  and  then,  deciding  upon  a  career 
in  medicine,  he  undertook  the  course  of  study 
at  Temple  University,  from  which  he  was 
graduated  in  1926,  with  the  degree  of  Doctor 
of  Medicine.  During  1926  and  1927  he  was 
attached  to  Mercy  Hospital  at  Wilkes-Barre 
as  an  interne  and  member  of  the  general  staff 
but  witli  the  completion  of  tliis  period,  he 
began  the  immediate  practice  of  his  profes- 
sion in  the  city,  extending  his  practice  widely 
in  a  very  short  time.  Dr.  Aszuk  has  kept  well 
abreast  of  every  latest  development  in  the 
medical  sciences  by  constant  reading  and 
study,  bringing  to  the  community  a  general 
medical  service  of  the  finest  type,  of  which 
the  people  of  the  city  have  been  quick  to 
avail  themselves. 

Among  the  various  associations  of  the  men 
of  his  profession.  Dr.  Aszuk  takes  an  active 
part  in  the  work  of  Luzerne  County  Medical 
Society,  the  Pennsylvania  State  Medical  Soci- 


634 


ety,  and  the  American  Medical  Association, 
holding  membership  in  each  of  these  org-ani- 
zations.  Politically  he  supports  the  Democrat 
party.  •  He  is  also  a  member  ot  the  Phi  Chi 
medical  fraternity  at  Temple,  "while  in  relig- 
ious affiliation  he  worships  in  the  faith  of  the 
Roman  Catholic  church,  attending  Holy  Trin- 
ity Church  at  Wilkes-Barre.  Dr.  Aszuk's  ad- 
dress at  Wilkes-Barre  Is  No.  107  Hillside 
Street,   and  here  he   may  always  be  reached. 


children  are:  Russell  Conwell,  born  in  June, 
1921;  and  Robert  McLean,  born  in  January, 
1924. 


AUGUST  \V.  M.  GREBE — Realty  develop- 
ment in  Wilkes-Barre  and  its  environs  during 
very  recent  years  has  been  given  a  striking 
impetus  through  the  energy  and  unflagging 
activities  of  August  W.  M.  Grebe,  whose  oper- 
ations here  have  commanded  the  favorable 
attention  of  the  people,  "who  are  all  directly, 
or  indirectly,  benefited  by  all  community 
progress.  Naturally  equipped  with  an  artistic 
nature,  he  added  largely  to  it  through  asso- 
ciation in  the  field  of  landscape  gardening 
prior  to  the  World  War  and  during  that  con- 
flict gained  much  further  knowledge  in 
France,  where  he  "was  intimately  associated 
with  the  interment  of  the  soldier  dead.  He  is 
a  man  ■who  takes  a  deep  interest  in  the  ar- 
tistic development  of  natural  resources  and 
in  the  creation  of  attractive  locations  for  the 
erection  of  homes,  an  artist  in  his  field  and  a 
citizen  of  the  highest  character  and  value  to 
the  population,  "with  a  legion  of  friends  and 
the  complete  faith  and  esteem  of  the  commu- 
nity. Greatly  interested  in  public  affairs,  he 
has  displayed  much  talent  in  several  fields  of 
endeaiVor,  is  a  good  churchman  and  a  popular 
member  of  society  and  a  number  of  standard 
fraternal   organizations. 

He  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania, 
August  26,  1S95,  a  son  of  August  A.  Grebe,  a 
native  of  Berlin,  Germany,  who  came  to  the 
United  States  in  1SS5,  establishing  himself  in 
the  wholesale  meat  business,  and  of  Anna 
(Zimmerman)  Grebe,  a  native  of  Switzerland. 
His  education  was  acciuired  in  the  Philadel- 
phia public  schools  and,  following  his  gradu- 
ation from  high  school  in  1912,  he  became  en- 
gaged in  landscape  gardening,  at  which  he 
worked  for  five  years.  With  the  entrance  of 
the  United  States  into  the  World  War,  he 
entered  the  service  and  -was  assigned  assist- 
ant to  the  senior  chaplain  of  the  79th  Divi- 
sion, serving  in  that  capacity  overseas  with 
the  American  Expeditionary  Forces  for  thir- 
teen months  and  engaged  in  burial  of  the 
dead.  He  was  honorably  mustered  out  of  the 
military  service  in  June,  1919,  and  came  to 
Wilkes-Barre,  where  he  was  given  charge  of 
the  Government  surplus  food  sale,  an  occupa- 
tion in  which  he  spent  ten  months.  For  the 
following  eighteen  months  he  managed  the 
country-wide  tour  of  Russell  H.  Conwell  and 
in  1922  established  himself  in  the  real  estate 
and  insurance  business  here.  His  principal 
developments  have  been  in  South  Wilkes- 
Barre  in  what  is  known  as  Grebe  Place  and 
the  McLean  Tract.  He  also  has  developed  the 
Denison  Estate  in  Forty  Fort  and  the  Denison 
Cemetery  there,  of  which  last  named  organi- 
zation he  is  vice-president.  He  is  also  one 
of  the  organizers  and  now  president  of  the 
Susquehanna  Building  &  Loan  Association 
and  a  life  member  of  the  American  Associa- 
tion of  Cemetery  Superintendents.  He  belongs 
to  the  American  Legion;  Lodge  No.  109,  Be- 
nevolent and  Protective  Order  of  Elks;  Wyo- 
ming Lodge,  No.  39,  Independent  Order  of 
Odd  Fellows;  and  Lodge  No.  12S,  Loyal  Order 
of  Moose.  His  church  is  the  Presbyterian  of 
Wilkes-Barre. 

August  W.  M.  Grebe  married,  in  1920,  Mar- 
iorie  Deibel,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  daughter  of 
Christian   J.  and  Mary    (Kropp)   Grebe.    Their 


REV.  JOSEPH  IvORM.\N — During  the 
twelve  years  of  his  ministry  as  pastor  of  St. 
John's  Roman  Catholic  Church,  of  Freeland, 
Rev.  Father  Joseph  Korman  has  enabled 
the  parish  to  achieve  distinction  in  several 
respects.  One  of  the  largest  church  bells  in 
the  State  of  Pennsylvania  calls  the  people 
of  St.  John's  to  "worship,  and  can  be  heard 
eighty  miles  away  when  "weather  conditions 
are  good;  the  church  building  itself  is  one 
of  beautiful  design  and  of  architectural  dis- 
tinction; the  interior  is  one  of  the  most 
elaborate  in  this  part  of  the  State;  and  the 
organ,  with  its  seventeen  hundred  pipes, 
floods  the  building  "with  majestic  harmonies 
of  sound  unsurpassed  in  any  church  build- 
ing. The  erection  and  furnishing  of  the 
church  and  of  the  beautiful  parish  house  are 
tlie   work   of  Father  Korman. 

Rev.  Joseph  Korman  was  born  in  Czecho- 
slovakia, March  7,  1SS2,  son  of  George  and 
Anna  Korman,  both  of  whom  died  in  their 
native  land.  Father  Korman  received  his 
education  in  the  Benedictine  College,  at  Lisle, 
Illinois,  and  in  St.  Mary's  Seminary,  at  Balti- 
more, Maryland,  graduating  from  the  last 
named  institution  with  the  class  of  1912.  He 
was  ordained  at  Scranton,  in  1913,  by  Bishop 
Michael  Hoban,  and  then  for  three  months 
was  located  at  St.  Anthony's  Church,  at 
Larksville,  Pennsylvania.  His  next  assign- 
ment was  to  the  Holy  Rosary  Church,  Ashley, 
Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania,  but  after 
seven  months  there  he  was  assigned  to  Holy 
Trinity  Church,  at  Hazleton,  Pennsylvania, 
where  he  remained  for  a  period  of  two  years. 
At  the  end  of  that  time  he  came  to  St.  John's 
'hurch,  In  Freeland,  taking  charge  of  the 
parish,  October  15,  1916.  Since  that  time  he 
has  worked  earnestly  for  the  progress  and 
the  spiritual  and  material  development  of  the 
parish,  and  how  well  he  has  succeeded  is 
clear  to  all  who  see  the  beautiful  church  and 
parish  house  which  he  has  erected.  Almost 
as  soon  as  he  was  made  pastor  of  St.  John's 
he  began  to  plan  for  the  building  of  a  suitable 
church  structure,  and  the  result  of  his  plan- 
ning and  his  work  is  the  beautiful  granite 
building   which    now    graces    the    borough. 

The  parish  was  organized  in  1S92  with  a 
memliership  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  fam- 
ilies, and  as  soon  as  possible  after  organiza- 
tion a  small  frame  building  "was  erected  at 
the  corner  of  Luzerne  and  Ridge  streets. 
That  building  was  one  in  use  when  Father 
Korman  took  charge,  and  as  the  parish  had 
already  somewliat  outgrown  the  old  edifice, 
he  at  once  went  to  work.  In  1917  the  pres- 
ent church  building  was  erected  on  the  corner 
of  South  and  Vine  streets,  at  a  cost  of  $100,- 
000,  and  since  that  time  all  indebtedness 
has  been  removed.  Tlie  church  is  well  de- 
signed, built  of  granite,  and  accommodates 
some  nine  hundred  and  thirty  people.  As 
has  already  been  stated,  one  of  the  largest 
church  bells  in  the  State  is  hung  in  the 
belfry  of  St.  John's,  and  all  who  step  inside 
the  church  are  impressed  with  the  magnifi- 
cence nf  its  interior  furnisliings  and  its  finish. 
It  is  said  that  tlie  interior  is  one  of  the  most 
elaborate  in  this  part  of  the  State,  and  cer- 
tainly, he  who  looks  may  see  for  himself 
that  no  effort  and  no  expense  have  been 
spared  in  the  work  of  making  the  interior  of 
St.  John's  one  of  the  most  attractive  and 
pleasing,  as  well  as  one  of  the  richest  church 
interiors.  The  organ,  which  is  one  of  the 
finest  built,  contains  seventeen  hundred  pipes, 
from     which    come    harn"ionies    calculated    to 


633 


raise  the  human  spirit  to  heights  of  religious 
feeling  and  understanding.  When  one  re- 
members that  the  erection  of  the  church 
building,  its  finishing,  and  its  furnishing,  all 
were  accomplished  under  the  direct  super- 
vision of  Father  Korman,  one  recognizes  the 
fact  that  this  beautiful  church  building  is  in 
expression  of  his  taste,  his  personality,  and 
his  deep  religious  devotion.  It  is  also  a 
monument  to  his  practical  executive  ability, 
for  after  building  the  church  at  a  cost  of 
$100,000  Father  Korman  not  only  raised  the 
money  to  clear  the  building  of  debt,  but  in 
1923  erected  the  parish  house  at  a  cost  of 
J55,000. 

Father  Korman  is  a  man  of  unusual  culture 
-nd  of  pleasing  personality,  and  he  has  spent 
some  months  m  travel,  visiting  the  Holy 
Land,  where  he  was  engaged  in  archaeolog- 
ical research,  and  also  going  to  Africa, 
whence  he  returned  through  Italy  to  Ger- 
many, into  Czecho-SIo v-akia.  his  native  land, 
and  thence  to  France.  While  in  the  Holy 
Land  he  secured  some  much  prized  relics 
which  no'w  have  a  place  upon  the  altar  in 
his  church.  Father  Korman  also  said  Mass 
at  Calvary,  in  the  Garden  of  Gethsemane,  and 
at  the  place  of  Christ's  nativity.  Father 
Korman  speaks  and  writes  six  languages: 
Hebrew,  Slovak,  English,  Latin,  Polish  and 
Bohemian.  He  has  the  affection  of  his 
parishioners,  as  well  as  their  deep  respect, 
and  in  addition  to  the  material  achievements 
mentioned  has  also  greatly  developed  the 
spiritual  life  of  his  parish.  The  community 
at  large,  as  well  as  the  four  hundred  fam- 
ilies of  his  parish  liold  Father  Korman  in 
high   esteem. 


RALPH  H.  HOOD — One  of  the  pioneer  fam- 
ilies of  Luzerne  County  vpas  that  of  the  Roods, 
of  which  Ralph  H.  Rood,  cashier  of  the  Dime 
Bank  Title  &  Trust  Company  of  Wilkes- 
Barre  and  a  resident  of  Dallas,  Luzerne 
County,  is  a  representative.  The  first  of  the 
family  came  to  Luzerne  County  in  ISOO  from 
Scotland,  when  the  section  in  which  the  mem- 
bers settled  was  practically  a  wilderness,  in- 
fested  with   wild   animals   and    Indians. 

Mr.  Rood  was  born  in  Bloomingdale,  Lu- 
zerne County,  July  9,  1877,  the  son  of  Craw- 
ford and  Hulda  (Wiant)  Rood,  the  former 
born  in  Ross  Township.  Luzerne  County,  Octo- 
ber 8,  1842,  died  October  2,  1927.  His  wife, 
the  mother  of  Ralph  H.  Rood,  was  born  in 
Fairmount  Township,  Luzerne  County,  De- 
cember 4,  1847.  The  early  education  of  Mr. 
Rood  was  acquired  in  the  public  schools  of 
Bloomingdale  and  in  the  Pleasantdale  Acad- 
emy. He  afterwards  took  a  course  in  Woods 
Business  College,  at  Wilkes-Barre,  and  later 
attended  the  State  Normal  School  at  Strouds- 
burg,  Monroe  County,  from  which  he  gradu- 
ated in  1899.  Returning  to  Luzerne  County, 
between  his  courses  at  Woods  Business  Col- 
lege and  the  State  Normal  School,  Mr.  Rood 
taught  in  the  schools  here,  and  in  1903  he  was 
appointed  to  the  charge  of  the  school  in  Dal- 
las. This  post  he  retained  until  1906,  when  he 
resigned  in  order  to  enter  the  First  National 
Bank  of  Dallas,  as  teller.  In  July,  1917,  Mr. 
Rood  became  cashier  of  the  First  National 
Bank,  remaining  with  that  institution  until 
August,  1924,  when  he  resigned  in  order  to 
take  his  present  important  and  responsible 
office  with  the  Dime  Bank  Title  &  Trust  Com- 
pany of  Wilkes-Barre.  Politically,  Mr.  Rood 
is  a  Republican.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
School  Board  of  Dallas,  with  -whicii  body  he 
officiates  as  secretary.  He  is  affiliated  with 
Oneida  Lodge,  No.  388,  Independent  Order  of 
Odd  Fellows.  His  religious  affiliations  are 
with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  of  Dal- 


las, with  which  he  has  been  general  superin- 
tendent of  the  Sunday  school  for  over  a  score 
of  years.  He  is  also  choir  leader  with  that 
church. 

On  August  15,  1900,  Mr.  Rood  married  Eliz- 
abeth Williams,  of  Lake  Township,  Luzerne 
County,  daughter  of  David  M.  and  Rachael 
AVilliams.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rood  are  the  parents 
of  three  children:  1.  Ralph  Harold,  born  Au- 
gust 9,  1901.  2.  Graydon  L.,  born  January  23. 
1905,  died  October  7,  1924.  3.  Lillian  Frances, 
born  November  14,   1911. 


FREDERICK  R.  PRITCHARD — In  the  mer- 
cantile, community  and  civic  affairs  of  Lu- 
zerne, Frederick  R.  Pritchard  holds  a  fore- 
most position.  Mr.  Pritchard  is  owner  of  one 
'  of  the  largest  drug  stores  in  Luzerne,  and 
also  has  a  branch  establishment  at  Forty 
Fort,  Luzerne  County.  He  is  prominent  in 
fraternal  circles,  and  his  popularity  with  all 
classes  has  given  him  an  assured  position  in 
commercial  and  social  life  of  Luzerne  County. 

Mr.  Pritchard  was  born  in  Edwardsville, 
Luzerne  County,  August  21,  1897,  the  son  of 
Samuel  and  Esther  (Leakey)  Pritchard,  the 
former  a  native  of  Wales  who  came  to  Lu- 
zerne County  in  his  youth  and  attained  the 
post  of  foreman  of  the  Glenn  Alden  Coal 
Company.  The  mother  of  Frederick  R.  Prit- 
chard was  a  native  of  Edwardsville. 

The  latter's  early  education  was  acquired 
in  the  public  and  liigh  schools  of  Edwards- 
ville. and  he  later  attended  the  Philadelphia 
College  of  Pharmacy,  graduating  from  the 
science  class  in  1918  with  the  degree  of  Grad- 
uate in  Pharmacy.  He  then  became  assistant 
manager  for  the  Liggett,  Riker  &  Hegeman 
drug  store  in  Wilkes-Barre,  where  he  re- 
mained for  t'tt'O  years.  He  then  came  to  Lu- 
zerne and  for  a  year  managed  the  drug  store 
of  George  H.  Ross,  at  the  end  of  which  time 
he  purchased  a  half  interest  in  the  establish- 
ment. Three  years  later,  on  the  death  of  Mr. 
Ross,  he  purchased  the  entire  business,  which 
he  has  since  continued  to  operate  under  his 
own  name.  In  May,  1926,  Mr.  Pritchard 
opened  his  branch  establishment  at  Forty 
Fort.  He  employs  a  total  of  thirteen  people 
in  the  two  establishments  and  in  both  places 
has  a  steadily  increasing  clientele.  In  poli- 
tics Mr.  Pritchard  is  a  Republican  but  he 
has  never  sought  for  nor  held  office.  In  fra- 
ternal circles  he  is  affiliated  with  Kingston 
Lodge,  No.  395,  Free  and  Accepted  ^lasons; 
with  Shekinah  Chapter,  No.  182,  Royal  Arch 
Masons:  with  Dieu  le  Veut  Commandery, 
Knights  Templar,  and  with  Irem  Temple, 
Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic 
Shrine.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Junior 
Order  of  United  American  Mechanics.'  He  is 
an  active  member  of  the  Reciprocity  Club, 
and  belongs  to  the  Fire  Company  of  Luzerne. 
His  religious  affiliations  are  with  the  Meth- 
odist  Episcopal   Church. 

On  February  25,  1920,  Mr.  Pritchard  mar- 
ried Jane  Davis,  daughter  of  Dr.  and  Mrs. 
E.  M.  Davis,  of  Glenlyon,  Luzerne  County.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Pritchard  are  the  parents  of  two 
children:  1.  Louise  Hazel,  born  July  22,  1921. 
2.  Ruth  Esther,  born  June  4,  1927. 


FRED  J.  ■WILLIAMS — Interrupted  in  his 
professional  career  by  the  World  War,  in 
which  he  served  with  distinction,  Fred  J.  Wil- 
liams, of  Wyoniing,  Luzerne  County,  returned 
to  the  scene  of  his  early  efforts  and  con- 
tinued his  work  to  such  purpose  that  today 
he  has  firmly  established  himself  as  one  of 
the  representative  business  men  of  the  com- 
munity. He  comes  of  sturdy  stock,  both  par- 
ents being  natives  of  Wales,  and  is  the  for- 
tunate   possessor    of  a    natural    industry    that 


636 


brings  its  reward.  His  education  for  the 
"Work  he  has  undertaken  was  complete  in  its 
fundamentals  and  he  has  added  to  it  by  con- 
stant study  of  the  practical  side  during  his 
daily  labors.  He  is  thus  equipped  in  full 
measure  to  administer  to  the  wants  of  the 
community  in  his  special  line  and  has  built 
up  a  clientele  that  is  both  friendly  and  valu- 
able. His  citizenship  has  been  shown  to  be 
of  the  highest  quality,  while  his  professional 
and  moral  codes  leave  nothing  to  be  added, 
for  they  have  been  attested  to  their  full 
meaning  and  found  complete  in  their  defini- 
tion of  honorable  dealing. 

Mr.  Williams  was  born  in  Meeker,  Luzerne 
County,  Pennyslvania,  October  17,  1SS7,  a 
son  of  Dr.  R.  J.  Williams,  a  native  of  Wales, 
and  a  practicing  physician  of  Plymouth  until 
his  death,  November  1.  1907,  at  the  age  of 
flfty-one  years,  and  of  Mary  Bertha  Williams, 
who   was   born    in   Wales.   September   19.    1S5S. 

Fred  J.  Williams  received  his  early  educa- 
tion in  the  elementary  public  schools  of 
Plymouth  and  then  attended  Hillman  Acad- 
emy, at  Wilkes-Barre,  from  which  institu- 
tion he  was  graduated  with  the  class  of  1907. 
This  preliminary  education  was  followed  by 
a  course  at  the  Medico-Chirurgical  College  at 
Philadelphia,  from  which  he  was  graduated 
with  the  class  of  1916  with  the  degree  of 
Pharmaceutical  Graduate.  He  then  became  a 
clerk  in  various  drug  stores  in  Wilkes-Barre, 
Scranton  and  Pittston  prior  to  taking  his  last 
course  of  instruction  and  upon  completion  of 
that  and  obtaining  his  degree  came  to  Wyo- 
ming, where  he  worked  until  October,  1917, 
when  he  entered  the  service  of  the  United 
States.  During  the  World  War  he  was  at- 
tached to  Battery  B,  311th  Field  Artillery, 
79th  Division,  and  served  with  distinction,  be- 
ing discharged  at  the  conclusion  of  hostilities 
in  1918.  Returning  to  Wyoming,  he  became 
associated  with  H.  T.  Gregory,  with  whom 
he  established  a  retail  pharmacy  at  No.  340 
Wyoming  Avenue,  the  partnership  continu- 
ing until  May  2S,  1921,  when  he  purchased  the 
share  of  Mr.  Gregory  and  has  since  continued 
the  work  independently.  In  politics  he  is  a 
Republican  and  he  attends  the  First  Baptist 
Church.  He  is  a  member  of  John  D.  Stark 
Post,  No.  542,  American  Legion,  and  is  affili- 
ated with  the  Masonic  Order,  having  the  thir- 
ty-second degree.  His  memberships  in  this 
fraternal  organization  include  Blue  Lodge  No. 
468,  of  Wyoming;  Wyoming  Valley  Com- 
mandery.  No.  57,  Knights  Templar,  and  Irem 
Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the 
Mystic  Shrine. 

Fred  J.  Williams  married,  in  1918,  Salina 
Williams,  daughter  of  Alfred  and  Margaret 
Williams,  of  Wyoming.  They  have  one  child, 
Fred,  Jr.,  born  July  20,  1919. 


JOSEPH  P.  SEELY — Progressiveness  is  the 
watchword  that  has  brought  success  to  Jos- 
eph F.  Seely,  of  Wyoming,  who  grasped  the 
opportunity  that  knocked  fit  his  door  and 
today  is  firmly  established  in  a  growing  busi- 
ness, recognized  as  one  of  the  leaders  of 
motor  car  distribution  in  this  section  of 
Pennsylvania. 

He  was  born  in  Shickshinny.  Pennsylvania, 
June  11,  1894,  a  son  of  J.  Frank  Seely,  born  in 
Beach  Haven,  Luzerne  County,  in  1868,  a 
blacksmith  by  trade,  and  Lydia  (Banks) 
Seely,  of  Shickshinny,  both  still  living.  He 
was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Plym- 
outh and  went  to  work  first  witli  the  Plym- 
outh Water  Company,  Wilkes-Barre,  where  he 
remained  for  three  years,  then  engaging  with 
the  City  Auto  Company,  of  Wilkes-Barre, 
where   he  remained  for  eleven  years  as  fore- 


man. In  1921  he  secured  the  agency  for  Ford 
and  Lincoln  cars  in  Wyoming,  organized  the 
Seely  Motor  Company  and  has  since  con- 
tinued that  work,  being  distributor  of  the 
cars  named  for  this  district.  He  employs  four 
men  and  carries  a  complete  line  of  parts,  do- 
ing his  own  repairing.  He  is  a  Republican 
in  politics  and  attends  the  Plymouth  Christian 
Church.  He  is  afflliated  with  the  order  of 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  Lodge  No.  395,  of 
Wyoming:  Caldwell  Consistory,  Ancient  Ac- 
cepted Scott'sh  Rite  Masons,  and  Irem  Tem- 
ple, Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic 
Shrine.  He  is  also  a  meinber  of  Plymouth 
Lodge,  No.  137,  Patriotic  Order  Sons  of 
America. 

Joseph  F.  Seely  married,  in  1916,  Mabel 
Lamoreaux,  of  Plymouth,  daughter  of  Owen 
and  Lillian  Lamoreaux.  Their  children  are: 
1.  Dorothy,  born  October  2.  1917.  2.  Jeane, 
born  June  18,  1923.  3.  Josephine,  born  Decem- 
ber  23,    1925. 


'WIL.LI.'VM  L,.  DAVIS — Division  superintend- 
ent of  the  Hollenback  Empire  and  Stanton 
Collieries,  at  Wilkes-Barre,  for  the  Lehigh 
and  Wilkes-Barre  Coal  Company,  William  L. 
Davis  has  spent  his  whole  career  to  the 
present  time  in  Luzerne  County.  He  was  born 
at  Jone.'sville,  November  21,  1880,  son  of  Ed- 
ward and  Elizabeth  (Thomas)  Davis.  Edward 
Davis  was  by  trade  a  coal  miner,  and  both  he 
and  his  wife  were  born  in  Wales.  They  came 
to  the  United  States  "w^hen  young  in  years, 
about  1875,  lived  for  a  period  at  Jonesville, 
and  later  removed  to  Plymouth.  Edward 
Davis  died  at  the  age  of  fifty-two  years;  his 
wife  at  thirty-five.  They  had  two  children: 
1.  Anna,  wife  of  William  Buckley,  of  Sunbury, 
Pennsylvania.  2.  William  L,  of  whom  follows. 

William  L.  Davis  was  a  child  when  his  par- 
ents moved  from  Jonesville  to  Plymouth,  and 
in  the  latter  community  attended  the  public 
schools  until  he  was  eleven  years  of  age.  At 
that  time  he  started  to  work  in  the  mines,  as 
breaker  boy,  for  the  Lehigh  and  Wilkes-Barre 
Coal  Company,  working  in  their  holdings  at 
Plymouth.  When  he  was  twelve  he  became  a 
door  boy  in  the  mines,  and  later  a  miner. 
From  such  beginnings  he  advanced  steadily 
to  the  honorable  and  responsible  position  that 
is  his  today,  as  division  superintendent.  In 
Wilkes-Barre  he  is  interested  in  diverse  af- 
fairs directed  toward  the  common  welfare  of 
the  people.  He  is  a  Republican,  loyal  in  sup- 
port of  the  party,  and  fraternally  is  affiliated 
with  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  as  member  of 
Plymouth  Lodge,  No.  178.  He  is  a  communi- 
cant of  the  Plymouth  Congregational  Church. 

When  the  United  States  entered  the  World 
War  Mr.  Davis  ^^•as  of  valued  assistance  in 
campaigns  of  the  Liberty  Loan,  War  Savings 
Stamps,  and  Red  Cross,  while  he  assisted  also 
in  the  works  of  various  committees  and 
boards  charged  with  wartime  duties.  He  did 
all  things  within  his  power  for  the  speedy 
culmination  of  the  conflict,  serving  as  only 
possible  for  a  citizen  whose  patriotism  is  true. 

Mr.  Davis  married.  Thanksgiving  day,  No- 
vember 26.  1903,  Edith  Pearce.  of  Plymouth, 
daughter  of  John  and  Maria  (Duncan) 
Pearce,  both  deceased.  Of  this  union  were 
born  four  children:  1.  Anna,  wife  of  Malcolm 
Scott,  and  they  have  two  children:  Malcolm, 
Jr.,  and  Lenora.  2.  Edith  Maria,  who  died 
July  26,  1926,  having  been  the  wife  of  Preston 
Scott  and  the  mother  of  a  son,  Preston  Scott, 
Jr.  3.  Edward  William.  4.  John  Pearce.  Both 
sons  are  students  in  Wilkes-Barre  High 
School.  The  family  residence  is  at  No.  247 
Parrish  Street,  Wilkes-Barre. 


•girir^JEiP^g'^^ 


^^  ^  ^^^^-^^^/^^^^^^ 


t>37 


KEV.  ANTHONY  J.  DUDKIEWICZ — Among 
the  olerijy  of  Plains  and  of  Luzerne  County, 
Pennsylvania,  the  Rev.  Anthony  J.  Dudkie- 
wicz  stand.s  out  as  a  leader,  being-  pastor  of 
the  Church  of  Sts.  Peter  and  Paul,  in  Plains, 
where  he  takes  an  Important  part  in  the 
spiritual  affairs  of  his  community.  Esteemed 
and  loved,  not  only  by  the  members  of  his 
own  flock  but  by  all  whose  privilege  it  is  to 
know  him,  Father  Dudkiewicz  has  grown  to 
be  a  gentle  and  kindly  influence  among  the 
people  of  Plains  as  his  length  of  residence 
hric  has  increased;  and,  although  he  came 
to  this  church  as  recently  as  1919,  he  has  done 
much  to  build  it  up  until  it  is  one  of  the 
foremost  parishes  in  this  part  of  the  State. 
The  new  cliurch  home  was  completed  in  1926, 
three  decades  after  the  establishment  of  the 
parish  of  Sts.  Peter  and  Paul.  The  church 
itself  was  founded  in  1S98,  when  it  had  only 
fifty  families.  The  first  priest  was  Father 
Jacob  Chalcarz,  who  administered  the  affairs 
of  the  church  until  January  29,  1S99,  when 
Father  Constance  Brzoska  took  charge;  he 
continued  the  work  until  December  10,  1903, 
and  in  February,  1904,  the  Rev.  B,  Walter 
assumed  charge  of  the  church  of  which  he 
was  pastor  until  August  14,  of  that  year; 
then,  from  1904  until  August  15,  1919,  the 
pastor  jvas  Father  Joseph  Kloss.  It  was  in 
1919  that  Father  Dudkiewicz  became  pastor; 
and  since  that  time  the  church  has  grown 
until  today  it  has  eight  hundred  families  as 
its  niembers,  as  "n'ell  as  its  own  school  with 
six  hundred  childien  and  twelve  sisters  as 
teachers.  This  school  is  a  graded  institution, 
and  takes  an  important  part  in  the  educa- 
tional development  of  the  town  of  Plains  and 
nearby  communities.  The  church  also  has 
excellent  facilities  for  social  work,  including 
its  own  club  rooms,  with  bowling  alleys, 
pool  tables  and  provisions  for  recreations  of 
all   sorts. 

Its  pastor,  the  Rev.  Father  Anthony  J. 
Dudkiewicz.  was  born  in  Poland  on  January 
1,  1890,  and  there  attended  the  public  schools 
until  1904.  In  1904  he  came  to  the  United 
States,  settling  first  in  Dixon  City,  and  here 
he  received  further  schooling  in  St.  Mary's 
School,  Detroit,  Michigan,  where  he  also  went 
to  high  school  and  then  to  college.  His  grad- 
uation from  college  took  place  in  1910,  and 
he  received  first  the  Bachelor  of  Science  de- 
gree and  then  that  ut  Master  of  .\rts.  Becom- 
ing thereupon  a  student  at  St.  Cyrillus  and 
Methodius  Seminary,  at  Orchard  Lake,  Michi- 
gan, he  studied  both  philosophy  and  theol- 
ogy, and  was  graduated  in  the  class  of  1915. 
On  July  15,  1915,  he  was  ordained  priest  in 
the  Roman  Catholic  Church  by  the  Right 
Rev.  Michael  J.  Hoban,  of  Scranton.  Then 
he  served  for  one  year  as  curate  at  St.  Mary's 
Visitation  Church,  Dixon  City,  and  for  two 
and  one-half  years  was  pastor  at  St.  Joseph's 
Church,  in  Wyoming.  Pennsylvania.  OnAugust 
15,  1919,  as  recorded  above  in  connection 
with  the  history  of  the  Church,  he  came  to 
Plains  to  take  charge  of  the  work  of  the 
Church  of  Sts.  Peter  and  Paul.  Here  he  has 
been  constantly  active  in  every  movement 
designed  to  advance  the  church  that  he  repre- 
sents, and  has  succeeded  in  increasing  the 
size  of  the  parish  and  its  number  of  com- 
municants, as  well  as  in  improving  and 
extending  the  value  of  its  activities.  Also 
active  in  local  civic  work,  Father  Dudkie- 
wicz is  keenly  interested  in  politics,  being 
a  staunch  supporter  of  the  Republican  party 
and  a  man  whose  opinions  are  sought  on 
ciufstions  of  local  importance.  During  the 
late  World  War,  he  was  in  Wyoming,  and 
there  rendered  valuable  service  to  his  coun- 
try  and   its   cause.      In   addition    to    his   mem- 


bership in  several  Polish  fraternal  organiza- 
tions, he  belongs  to  the  Benevolent  .and  Pro- 
tective Order  of  Elks,  in  which  his  affiliation 
is  with  Lodge  No.  109.  His  value  to  the 
community  is  especially  great  because  of  his 
Influence  among  the  foreign  population  of 
Plains  and  Luzerne  County;  for  Father  Dud- 
kiewicz is  a  linguist  of  considerable  note, 
speaking  five  different  languages. 

Descended  from  an  important  family  in 
Poland,  Father  Dudkiewicz  is  a  son  of  John 
Dudkiewicz,  who  was  born  in  that  country 
in  1848  and  who  still  lives  there,  a  landowner 
widely  known  and  respected  in  his  commun- 
ity, and  of  Frances  (Siciarska)  Dudkiewicz, 
also  a  native  of  Poland,  who  died  on  Decem- 
ber   19,    1912. 


REV.  WILLIAM  H.  LITTEBR.tXDT,  D.  D. — 

Assistant  rector  of  St.  Stephen's  Protestant 
Episcopal  Church  of  Wilkes-Barre,  largest  in 
the  Diocese  of  Bethlehem,  Rev.  Dr.  William 
H.  Littebrandt  was  born  in  Yonkers,  New 
York,  on  November  12,  1874,  a  son  of  -lohn  J. 
and  Mary  (Morris)  Littebrandt,  deceased,  the 
only  son  and  child  of  this  union. 

Dr.  Littebrandt  received  his  early  educa- 
tion in  the  public  schools  of  Yonkers,  and 
matriculated  in  Wesleyan  University,  at  Mid- 
dletown,  Connecticut,  whence  he  graduated 
with  the  class  of  1899,  holder  of  the  degree  of 
Bachelor  of  Arts.  He  had  planned  his  course 
for  the  ministry  while  in  Wesleyan,  and  upon 
completion  of  studies  there  entered  the  Union 
Theological  Seminary,  New  York  City,  and 
took  his  degree  as  Doctor  of  Divinity  in  1902, 
having  established  for  himself  an  irreproach- 
able and  temperate  conduct  befitting  the  min- 
istry and  distinguished  himself  for  the  bril- 
liance with  which  he  performed  original  re- 
search into  questions  of  theology,  winning 
alike  the  warm  esteem  of  professors  and 
classmates,  who  admired  him  for  his  high 
character  and  intellect.  In  1902,  then.  Dr. 
Littebrandt  was  ordained  a  minister  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  in  this 
church  served  five  years;  but  in  1908  he  \vas 
ordained  into  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church 
by  Bishop  Burgess  of  Garden  City,  New  York, 
and  became  assistant  rector  of  the  Church  of 
the  Good  Shepherd  in  Brooklyn,  New  York. 
Here,  as  assistant,  he  remained  but  one  year, 
after  which  period  he  was  elevated  to  full 
pastorship  of  the  Church  of  the  Redeemer,  in 
Met  rick,  Long  Island,  where  he  served  for 
sixteen  years.  In  this  time  Dr.  Littebrandt 
became  a  figure  in  the  community  of  Merrick 
and  was  constantly  allied  in  works  for  the 
spiritual  and  material  welfare  of  its  inhabit- 
ants, beloved  by  his  parishioners,  who  were 
reluctant  to  see  him  leave,  when  he  heard  the 
call  from  Wilkes-Barre.  Thus  did  Dr.  Litte- 
brandt consider  it  his  duty  and  his  privilege, 
notwithstanding  the  affection  in  which  he 
bore  the  Merrick  parishioners,  to  depart  that 
post  for  the  newer  one,  leaving  the  office  of 
rector  for  that  of  assistant  in  a  larger  church. 
During  the  comparatively  brief  period  in 
which  he  has  been  in  St.  Stephen's  Church  of 
Wilkes-Barre,  he  has  accomplished  much, 
purveying  His  word  and  works  in  a  divine 
faith  that  has  brought  him  close  indeed  to 
the  parish. 

While  his  whole  devotion  lies  in  theology. 
Dr.  Littebrandt  has  taken  part  in  many  of  the 
public  enterprises  launched  for  the  material 
progress  of  Wilkes-Barre,  and  has  contrib- 
uted liberally  of  ideas  and  time  to  these  pro- 
jects. He  is,  therefore,  accounted  one  of  the 
forward-looking  citizens  of  the  common- 
wealth. Fraternally,  too,  he  is  active.  He  is  a 
member  of  Keystone  Consistory  at  Scranton 
of    the    Ancient    Accepted    Scottish    Rite    Ma- 


sons  of  the  thirty-seconcj  degree,  and  Irem 
Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  tlie 
Mystic  Shrine. 

Dr.    Littebrandt   has   never    married. 


THOMAS  J.  CAL1.AHAN — Through  his  ex- 
tensive connections  in  the  business  and  gen- 
eral affairs  of  the  Wyoming  Valley,  Thomas 
J.  Callahan  has  become  a  prominent  citizen 
of  Wilkes-Barre.  In  addition  to  his  own  per- 
sonal business  as  real  estate  operator  and 
insurance  agent,  with  offices  at  Suite  104  in 
the  Second  National  Bank  Building,  he  is  a 
contractor  and  builder,  a  member  of  the 
board  of  directors  of  the  West  Side  Bank  and 
Trust  Company,  at  Kingston,  Pennsylvania; 
director  of  the  West  Side  Building  and  Loan 
Association,  president  of  the  West  Side  Mort- 
gage Company,  of  Kingston,  and  tax  col- 
lector for  Swoyersville,  Luzerne  County, 
Pennsylvania. 

Thomas  J.  Callahan  was  born  at  Forty  Fort, 
Luzerne  County,  September  23,  18S4.  son  of 
Anthony  and  Belinda  (Devers)  Callahan,  de- 
ceased, the  fatiier  having  died  at  the  age  of 
flfty-two  and  the  mother  at  the  age  of  seven- 
ty-one years.  Anthony  and  Belinda  Callahan 
were  of  Irish  stock,  and  the  parents  of  three 
children:  Thomas  J.,  of  whom  later;  Anna, 
wife  of  Joseph  Tale,  of  Forty  Fort;  and  Mary, 
wife    of   Eugene   Boyle,    of   Swoyersville. 

Thomas  J.  Callahan  grew  to  maturity  at 
Forty  Fort,  there  attending  the  public  schools 
and  the  Wyoming  Seminary,  at  Kingston,  and 
upon  graduation  from  the  seminary  matric- 
ulated in  St.  Michael's  College  at  Toronto, 
Canada,  where  he  studied  for  tliree  years.  He 
then  returned  to  Swoyersville  and  took  a 
place  with  the  American  Car  and  Foundry 
Company,  in  the  mechanical  and  drafting  de- 
partment; and  after  a  year  of  this  became  a 
teacher  in  Swoyersville,  retaining  the  in- 
structorship  for  two  years,  when  he  was  em- 
powered as  agent  of  the  Prudential  Life  In- 
surance Company,  at  Wilkes-Barre.  He  wrote 
nsurance  for  four  years,  and  in  1909  started 
n  the  real  estate  business,  maintaining  an 
nsurance  office  in  conjunction,  and  also  en- 
gaging in  contracting  and  building.  In  his 
varied  enterprises  Mr.  Callahan  has  been  suc- 
cessful, has  made  for  himself  a  respected 
place  among  the  more  prominent  members  of 
the  community,  and  is  high  in  the  estimation 
of  those  with  whom  he  has  come  in  contact. 
At  the  age  of  nine  years  Mr.  Callahan  went 
to  work  as  breaker  boy  in  the  mines,  picking 
slate  from  the  coal,  grading  it,  and  laying  the 
foundation  for  his  future;  member  of  a  fam- 
ily not  endowed  with  an  abundance  of  worldly 
goods,  but  inheriting  that  more  priceless 
possession,  character,  he  "went  courageously 
ahead,  and  has  done  for  himself  honorably. 
Mr.  Callahan  is  a  Republican,  member  of  the 
Catholic  Church,  and  is  affiliated  with  the 
Fraternal  Order  of  Eagles  and  the  Fox  Hill 
Country  Club. 

Thomas  J.  Callahan  married,  in  1905,  Edith 
Boyle,  daughter  of  James  and  Helen  Boyle, 
and  is  the  father  of  Thomas  J.,  Jr.,  teacher 
in  the  schools  of  Swoyersville;  Agnes,  teacher 
at  Swoyersville;  Anthony;  Margaret;  Marie; 
Edith;  Leonard;  Grace;  and  Jule. 


FRED  H.  GATES — For  more  than  forty 
years  Fred  H.  Gates,  now  city  clerk  of 
Wilkes-Barre,  has  served  as  assistant  and 
clerk,  and  thus  enjoys  the  distinction  of  hav- 
ing been  in  public  office  longer  than  any  other 
man  in  Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania.  He 
was  born  in  Wilkes-Barre,  September  20,  1866, 
son  of  H.  C.  and  Jane  A.  Gates,  deceased,  and 
a  member  of  one  of  the  fine  old  families   in 


Luzerne  County.  The  American  progenitor  of 
the  Gates  family  came  from  England  in  Colo- 
nial days  and  settled  in  Connecticut.  The 
father  of  City  Clerk  Gates  was  a  foundry 
man.  His  children  were:  Grizzle,  widow  of 
James  M.  Norris.  of  Wilkes-Barre;  Fred  H., 
subject  of  this  record,  of  further  mention; 
Estella  G.,  wife  of  Phillip  Stauffer,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre,  a  mining  engineer  associated  with  the 
Hudson  Coal  Company;  Mary  Carlisle  Gates, 
residing  in  Wilkes-Barre;  and  Charles,  who 
died   in  childhood. 

The  education  of  Fred  H.  Gates  was  ac- 
quired in  the  public  schools  of  Wilkes-Barre. 
While  still  a  boy,  he  found  employment  in 
the  office  of  the  Lehigh  and  Wilkes-Barre 
Coal  Company  at  Wanamie,  Luzerne  County, 
under  the  management  of  James  M.  Norris. 
When  Mr.  Norris  was  elected  prothonotary 
for  Luzerne  County,  he  made  Mr.  Gates  a 
clerk  in  his  office.  This  served  as  Mr.  Gates' 
introduction  to  public  service,  for  while  still 
a  prothonotary's  clerk,  he  was  elected  assist- 
ant city  clerk  of  Wilkes-Barre,  May  3,  1887. 
Fourteen  years  later,  in  1901,  he  was  chosen 
city  clerk  of  Wilkes-Barre  by  the  City  Coun- 
cil and  has  since  remained  in  office.  His  is  a 
unique  record  in  the  county  and  one  char- 
acterized by  sincere  devotion  to  the  public 
welfare.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republican.  He 
is  a  communicant  of  St.  Clement's  Episcopal 
Church  of  Wilkes-Barre  and  for  many  years 
has  been  vestryman.  His  fraternal  affilia- 
tions are  with  Lodge  No.  61,  Free  and  Ac- 
cepted Masons;  Shekinah  Chapter,  No.  182, 
Royal  Arch  Masons;  Dieu  le  Veut  Command- 
ery,  No.  45,  Knights  Templar;  Irem  Temple, 
Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic 
Shrine.  He  also  belongs  to  the  Irem  Temple 
Country  Club  and  to  the  Franklin  Club.  A 
self-made  man,  of  broad  public  interests  and 
engaging  personality,  Mr.  Gates  is  one  of  the 
leading  citizens  of  Wilkes-Barre,  where  he  is 
highly  respected. 

Fred  H.  Gates  married  Lillian  Rinehimer 
of  "SV^ilkes-Barre,  daughter  of  John  Rinehimer 
of  that  city.  Children:  Ralph  C.  Gates,  ac- 
countant for  the  Boston  Store  of  Wilkes- 
Barre;  John  Gates,  deceased;  and  F.  Carleton 
(^ates,  with  the  Pennsylvania  Power  and 
Light  Company  of  Wilkes-Barre. 


WILLIASI  VALE  DAVIS — Tragedy  marked 
the  childhood  days  of  the  little  son  of  a  Lu- 
zerne County  coal  miner,  his  father  having 
met  death  in  an  explosion  when  he  "was  six 
years  of  age.  Two  years  later  he  became  a 
breaker  boy,  and  for  ten  years  at  that  "work 
and  as  a  real  miner  he  remained.  He  saved 
his  pennies,  invested,  and  set  himself  up  in 
business.  Today  that  boy  is  proprietor  of  one 
of  the  n"iost  pretentious  automobile  distrib- 
uting plants  in  Eastern  Pennsylvania,  a 
power  in  finance,  a  citizen  of  the  highest  rep- 
utation. He  is  William  Vale  Davis,  of  King- 
ston. His  integrity,  his  industry,  his  percep- 
tion of  the  intricate  details  of  large  affairs, 
have  brought  to  him  selection  for  preferment 
in  n"iany  fields,  all  illustrative  of  the  regard 
of  his  fellow-citizens  and  of  the  governing 
body.  Still  far  from  the  prime  of  life,  he  may 
confidently  visualize  larg-^r  fields  for  his 
labor.  That  he  \vill  conquer  "where  he  en- 
gages is  the  undivided  opinion  of  the  commu- 
nity   that    knows    him    so    well    and    happily. 

William  Vale  Davis  was  born  in  Edwards- 
ville,  Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania,  October 
17,  1S87.  His  father  was  Thomas  B.  Davis  and 
his  mother  Jane  (Vale)  Davis.  Thomas  B. 
Davis  was  working  as  a  miner  for  the  King- 
ston Coal  Company  when,  in  1893,  he  was 
killed    by    an    explosion,    leaving    his    widow 


6.39 


with  five  small  children  to  support.  They  all 
went  to  work,  as  they  had  always  worked, 
and  all  have  made  successes  of  life.  At  this 
writing-  the  mother  still  lives,  at  the  age  of 
seventy-one  years.  Of  her  other  children, 
Margaret  is  the  wife  of  Richard  Lloyd,  of 
Edwardsville:  Elliott  V.  is  a  drug  manufac- 
turer, of  Allentown,  operating  under  the 
name  of  the  Vale  Chemical  Company;  Thomas 
V.  is  a  partner  of  his  brother,  William  V.,  of 
whom  further;  and  Rachel  is  the  wife  of 
Warden  Kunkle,  of  Kunkle,  Pennsylvania. 

William  V.  Davis  had  hardly  time  to  regis- 
ter as  a  pupil  in  the  pul>lic  schools  before  he 
was  called  to  the  mines  to  assist  in  the  work 
of  taking  care  of  the  family.  However,  he 
did  get  two  years  of  education  therein.  The 
rest  he  has  taught  himself  and  he  has  been 
a  successful  teacher  and  scholar.  By  the  time 
he  was  eighteen  years  of  age,  through  most 
persistent  self-denial,  he  had  saved  a  small 
sum  of  money  and  with  this  he  engaged  in 
business,  establishing  himself  in  a  cigar  and 
confectionery  enterprise  at  Edwardsville.  He 
had  learned  how  to  work  and  for  nine  years 
his  business  prospered.  In  1914  he  was  ap- 
pointed assistant  deputy  revenue  collector 
for  the  Twelfth  District  of  Pennsylvania,  ac- 
cepted and  continued  in  that  office  for  eight 
years.  During  this  period  he  began  his  work 
in  the  automobile  distributing  business  at 
Edwardsville,  locating  at  his  present  head- 
quarters in  Kingston  in  1921.  All  this  time 
his  industry  was  being  rewarded  and,  in 
1925,  he  erected  the  fine  building  at  No.  303 
Wyoming  Avenue,  which  houses  the  Davis 
Brothers  Auto  Company,  William  V.  and 
Thomas  V.  Davis,  proprietors.  The  building 
is  one  of  the  finest  examples  of  its  class  in 
the  Wyoming  Valley,  100  by  150  feet  in 
superficial  area,  built  of  yellow  pressed  brick 
upon  a  steel  skeleton  and  containing  every 
modern  facility  for  the  work  it  has  to  do. 
The  principal  business  of  the  company  is  the 
distribution  of  the  Paige  six  and  eight-cyl- 
inder motor  cars,  with  side  lines  of  every 
automobile  accessory.  William  Vale  Davis  is 
a  Republican  in  politics.  He  is  a  director  of 
the  Kingston  Bank  and  Trust  Company,  one 
of  the  three  largest  financial  institutions  in 
the  Wyoming  Valley;  is  president  of  the 
Shawnee  Clothing  Company,  of  Plymouth, 
Pennsylvania;  was  formerly  the  owner  of 
Sandy  Bathing  Beach,  at  Harvey's  Lake,  Lu- 
zerne County,  and  is  a  charter  member  of  the 
Kingston  Fire  Company.  His  fraternal  afBlia- 
tions  include  membership  in  the  Wilkes-Barre 
Lodge,  No.  109,  Benevolent  and  Protective 
order  of  Elks,  and  the  Loyal  Order  of  Moose. 
He  also  belongs  to  the  Wyoming  Valley  Motor 
Club. 


JUSTIiV  BBRGMAJV — In  the  Wilkes-Barre 
section  of  Pennsylvania  there  is  no  more 
modern  or  better  conducted  department  store 
than  is  the  one  owned  and  operated  by  Justin 
Bergman.  Located  at  Nos.  40-42  South  Main 
Street,  in  Wilkes-Barre,  the  Bergman  De- 
partment Store  serves  a  very  large  number  of 
the  people  of  the  city  and  its  environs,  and 
during  the  twelve  years  since  Mr.  Bergman 
engaged  in  business  here  iie  has  established 
among  those  who  have  traded  with  him,  an 
enviable  reputation  for  efficient  service  and 
lionorable  dealing.  Beginning  his  active  busi- 
ness life  as  a  clerk  in  a  dry  goods  store  in 
Chicago  at  the  age  of  fourteen  years,  Mr. 
Bergman  has  made  himself  thoroughly  famil- 
iar with  all  the  various  phases  of  the  busi- 
ness, and  has  gained  his  experience  in  sev- 
eral different  localities.  He  has  been  located 
in  this  city  for  fourteen  years,  and  is  a  di- 
rector of  the  Wilkes-Barre  Deposit  and  Sav- 


ings Bank  and  of  tiie  Royen  Foundry,  at 
Kingston. 

Justin  Bergman  was  born  in  Germany, 
March  3,  ISSO.  but  as  a  boy  of  fourteen  years 
he  came  to  this  country,  locating  in  Chicago, 
Illinois,  where  he  found  employment  in  a 
dr.v  goods  store.  There,  as  a  clerk,  he  re- 
mained until  1902,  in  which  year  he  made  a 
change,  removing  to  Altoona,  Pennsylvania. 
Tliere  he  made  his  first  venture  In  business 
for  himself,  establishing  a  dry  goods  store, 
which  he  successfully  operated  until  1911,  a 
period  of  about  nine  years.  Johnstown  was 
the  scene  of  his  ne.xt  venture,  and  there  he 
continued  as  proprietor  of  a  thriving  depart- 
ment store  until  1916,  when,  having  accumu- 
lated sufficient  capital,  he  resolved  to  come  to 
Wilkes-Barre  and  establish  a  larger  depart- 
ment store  in  a  locality  where  there  was 
plenty  of  opportunity  for  expansion.  In  his 
present  location,  at  Nos.  40-42  South  Main 
Street,  he  has  for  the  past  fourteen  years 
been  iDuilding  up  one  of  the  modern,  and 
progressive  department  store  concerns  in 
this  city.  In  fact,  the  Bergman  Department 
Store  ranks  among  the  best  in  the  Wyoming 
Valley.  The  business  occupies  four  floors 
and  a  basement,  the  latter  being  given  over 
to  the  very  large  and  excellent  stock  of  shoes, 
and  here  may  be  found  all  lines  of  dry  goods, 
also  men's,  women's,  and  children's  "wearing 
apparel.  The  ability  of  Mr.  Bergman  is  well 
known  among  his  associates,  and  since  his 
coming  to  Wilkes-Barre  he  has  greatly  ex- 
tended his  business  operations.  In  addition 
to  the  operation  of  his  prosperous  department 
store,  he  is  a  member  of  the  board  of  direc- 
tors of  the  Wilkes-Barre  Deposit  and  Sav- 
ings Bank,  also  of  the  Royen  Foundry,  at 
Kingston,  Pennsylvania,  in  both  of  which 
connections  he  is  contributing  the  benefits  of 
his  long  business  experience.  Fraternally,  he 
is  identified  with  Wilkes-Barre  Lodge,  No. 
109,  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks; 
also  with  Lodge  No.  61,  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons;  and  Shekinah  Chapter,  No.  1S2,  poyal 
Arch  Masons.  Politically,  he  supports  the 
principles  of  the  Republican  party.  He  is 
highly  esteemed  among  his  many  associates, 
and  is  one  of  the  active  and  progressive  cit- 
izens  of  the   city   of   W'ilkes-Barre. 

Justin  Bergman  was  married,  January  7. 
1915,  to  Josephine  Isaac,  daughter  of  Louis 
and  Carrie  Isaac,  of  New  York  City,  and  they 
are  the  parents  of  one  son,  Justin  Bergman, 
Jr.,  who  was  born  December  9,   1919. 


REl'BEN  \V.  KIiXTZER — During  nearly 
thirty  years  of  active  work  in  the  Wyoming 
Valley  of  Pennsylvania,  all  of  which  have 
been  identified  with  the  telephone  industry, 
Reuben  W.  Kintzer,  of  Kingston,  started  in 
the  humblest  of  positions  in  that  field  to  be- 
come manager  and  district  manager  for  the 
Bell  Telephone  Company,  with  control  over 
its  lines  throughout  several  counties  of  the 
Northeastern  section  of  the  State.  Gifted  with 
an  alert  and  keen  mind,  and  a  capacity  for 
hard  work,  Mr.  Kintzer's  career  has  com- 
bined a  substantial  success  as  beneficial  to 
this  community  as  to  his  private  fortune.  He 
is  an  able  and  valued  citizen.  Broad  in  in- 
terests, alert  to  everything  of  definite  benefit 
to  otliers,  he  is  foremost  in  all  progressive 
movements,  has  a  host  of  friends,  holds  the 
respect  and  affection  of  his  associates  in  all 
the  spheres  of  his  activities. 

Reuben  W.  Kintzer  w^as  born  in  Werners- 
ville,  Berks  County,  Pennsylvania,  January 
11,  18S0,  a  son  of  John  A.  and  Adeline  S. 
(Rutli)  Kintzer,  deceased.  The  father  w'as  a 
farmer  and  member  of  one  of  the  pioneer 
families    of     Berks     County.      He     eventually 


established  himself  in  the  hotel  business  and 
lor   n.any    years    conducted   the    old   Werners- 
ville  Hotel.     R.  W.  Kintzer  acquired  his  edu- 
cation  in  the  local  public  schools,  graduating 
from    hish     school     and     then     attending    the 
State  Normal   School,  at  West  Chester.    Upon 
completing    this    course    he    was    engaged    by 
the    Pennsylvania    Telephone   Company    as   an 
installer  and   "trouble  man"   and   was  located 
at   Reading   for   several  years.      He  was   then 
transferred    to    Easton,     Honesdale.     Carbon- 
dale,    Bloomsburg    and    other    places    success- 
ively    eventually    becoming    manager    at    the 
Wilkes-Barre   ofHce  in   1910.    He  continued   m 
thi«^    post   until    May,    1927,    when   he    was    ap- 
pointed   manager    of    the    district    of    severa 
counties,  in  whica  position  he  continued  until 
he    resigned    August    1,    1928,    to    become    con- 
nected   with    the     Commonwealth    Telephone 
Company  as  vice-president  and  general  man- 
ager, with  headquarters  at  Forty  Fort.  Penn- 
sylvania   The  Commonwealth  Telephone  Com- 
pany   is    an    independent    company,    having    a 
connection  with  the  Bell   system  and   operat- 
ing in  Luzerne,   Wyoming,   Lacl^awanna,   Sul- 
livan    Susquehanna,    Bradford,    and    Columbia 
counties,   in  fact  all   of  the  northeastern  sec- 
tion of  Pennsylvania.     In  politics  he  is  a  Re- 
publican   and    attends    the    Reformed    Church. 
He     is     aflSliated    fraternally    with     Kingston 
Lodge,    No.    709,    Independent    Order     of     Odd 
Fellows;    Junior    Order    of    United    American 
Mechanics;    Landmark    Lodge,    No.    442     Free 
and     Accepted     Masons;     Shekinah     Chapter, 
Roval  Arch  Masons;   Dieu  le  Veut  Command- 
ery    Knights  Templar;   Irem   Temple,  Ancient 
\rabic    Order    Nobles    of    the    Mystic    Shrine, 
knd  the  Irem  Temple  Country  Club.     He  also 
belongs   to    the    Craftsman's   Club    of   Wilkes- 
Barre,     the     Rotary     Club     of    Wilkes-Barre, 
is   a    director    of    the    Wilkes-Barre-Wyommg 
Valley    Chamber    of   Commerce,    a   member    of 
the   Telephone    Pioneers   of   America,    and   the 
Independent   Telephone   Pioneers   of   America. 
Mr    Kintzer  married,  in  August,  1903,  Mayme 
A     Senior,    of    Reading,    Pennsylvania.     They 
are  the  parents  of  three  children;  1.  Mae  Ade- 
line,   an    artist    employed    by    the    Isaac    Long 
department    store    in    Wilkes-Barre.      2.    John 
Senior,  a  student  at  the  Philadelphia  College 
of       Pharmacy,      class      of      1930.        3.      Claire 
Katherine. 


LOU  F.  MITTEN — Within  a  few  months, 
Lou  F.  Mitten,  manager  of  the  power  and 
mining  department  of  the  Vulcan  Iron  Works, 
of  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania,  will  have 
completed  thirty  years  of  continuous  service 
with  that  well  known  concern.  He  learned 
his  trade,  that  of  machinist,  in  the  shops  of 
the  Vulcan  Iron  Works,  of  which  his  father 
was  superintendent  for  many  years,  and  re- 
mained in  West  Pittston,  where  the  shops  are 
located,  until  1903,  since  which  time  he  has 
been  in  Wilkes-Barre.  Mr.  Mitten  completed 
his  academic  education  in  the  Susquehanna 
Collegiate  Institute,  at  Tamaqua,  Pennsyl- 
vania. 

Thomas  B.  Mitten,  father  of  Mr.  Mitten, 
was  born  In  Bradford  County,  Pennsylvania, 
of  Scotch-Irish  parentage.  About  1SS2,  he  re- 
moved from  Bradford  County  to  Luzerne 
County  and  located  at  West  Pittston.  He  was 
a  machinist  by  trade,  and  for  many  years  was 
the  efficient  superintendent  of  the  Vulcan 
Iron  Works,  in  West  Pittston.  He  was  a 
man  of  ability  and  of  public  spirit,  giving  his 
support  to  the  Republican  party,  and  for  sev- 
eral terms  he  served  as  burgess  of  West 
Pittston.  He  was  a  faithful  member  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  active  in  promoting  its 
activities,  and  much  loved  and  respected  by 
his  associates.      He  married  Emma  A.   Fuller, 


also  deceased,  and  they  became  the  parents  of 
one  child,  Lou  F.,  of  further  mention. 

Lou  F    Mitten,  son  of  Thomas  B.  and  Emma 
A      (Fuller)     Mitten,    was     born    in      Herrick, 
Bradford  County,  Pennsylvania,  April  3,  1879, 
but    was    reared    in   West   Pittston,    where    he 
attended    the   public   schools.      Later,    he    con- 
tinued   his    studies    in    the    Susquehanna    Col- 
legiate  Institute,    at    Tamaqua,    Pennss'lvania, 
and  then  returned  to  West  Pittston,  where  he 
began   to  learn  the   trade   of  the  machinist  in 
the    shops   of   the   Vulcan   Iron   Works.      That 
was  in  1899,  when  he  was  twenty  years  of  age, 
and    he    continued    at    his    trade    '"    this    con- 
nection for  a  period  of  four  years.     In  1903  he 
came   to  Wilkes-Barre   and   entered   the   sales 
department   of   the  Vulcan   Iron   Works     Pro- 
motions were  the  reward  of  able  and  faithful 
work,   and   through   various   responsible   posi- 
tions   he    has    been    advanced    to    the    position 
of  manager  of  the  power  and  mining  depart- 
ment   of    the     Vulcan     Iron    Works.       Nearly 
thirty   years   of   continuous   service   with   this 
concern  have  made  him  a  valuable  member  of 
the  big  force  of  employees,   and  his  faithful- 
ness   and    loyalty    to    the    firm    have    brought 
mutual  understanding  and  appreciation.    LiKe 
his    father   before   him,    Mr.    Mitten    is    a    sup- 
porter   of    the    Republican    party.       He     is    a 
member    of  Valley   Lodge,   No.    499,    Free    and 
Accepted  Masons,   of  West  Pittston,   Pennsyl- 
vania; Shekinah  Chapter,  No.  182,  Royal  Arch 
Masons,   of  Wilkes-Barre;  Dieu  le  Veut  Com- 
mandery,    Knights    Templar;    Keystone    Con- 
sistory    Ancient    Accepted    Scottish    Kite,    at 
Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  in  which  he  holds  the 
thirty-second    degree;    and    of    Irem    Temple, 
Arcient    Arabic    Order    Nobles    of    the    Mystic 
Slirine,  of  Wilkas-Barre.     He   is  also  a  mem- 
ber   of    Irem    Country    Club,    the    Craftsman  s 
Club,   Westmoreland   Club,   and  the   Wyoming 
Valley    Club.      Professionally,   he    is   identified 
with    the    American    Institute    of    Miners    and 
Metallurgical    Engineers.      He    takes    a    very 
active   interest   in   the   general   affairs   of   the 
city  of  Wilkes-Barre,  and  is  serving  as  vice- 
president  of  the  Greater  Wilkes-Barre  Cham- 
ber   of    Commerce.      He    is    a    member    of    the 
Engineers'    Society   of   Northeastern   Pennsyl- 
vania,   and   his   religious   membership    is   with 
the   First  Methodist  Church  of  Wilkes-Barre. 
Lou     F.    Mitten    was    married,    in     1906,    to 
Helen  Louise  Hemstreet,  daughter  of  Obadiah 
and    Augusta    (Wentz)     Hemstreet,    and    they 
are    the    parents   of   one    daughter,    Louise    A., 
who   is    a   student    in    Wyoming    Seminary,    at 
Kingston,  Pennsylvania. 

THOMAS  P.  THOMAS— Always  interested 
in  sales  promotion  through  the  medium  of 
advertising,  it  is  a  logical  outcome  of  the 
early  commercial  days  of  Mr.  Thomas,  that 
he  should  turn  to'  and  develop  splendidly,  a 
large  and  live  business  of  manufacturing  dis- 
play signs.  He  is  looked  upon  as  one  of  the 
progressive  and  alert  business  men  of  the 
city  of  Wilkes-Barre. 

Thomas  P.  Thomas  was  born  in  the  town  of 
Taylor,  Lackawanna  County,  March  13,  1888, 
a  son  of  John  G.  and  Susan  (Price)  Thomas 
both  of  whom  were  born  in  Schuylkill 
County.  He  attended  the  public  schools  of  that 
place.  For  three  years  thereafter  he  worked 
in  the  mines  of  the  district  and  then  found  a 
position  as  a  clerk  in  a  department  store  in 
Taylor  where  he  imbibed  his  first  conceptions 
of  "advertising  as  a  sales  force.  He  then  be- 
came window  trimmer  and  advertising  man 
for  the  men's  clothing  store  of  Lauer  and 
Marks  in  Scranton.  His  next  move  was  to 
associate  himself  with  the  Hub  Clothing 
Store  of  Wilkes-Barre.  This  was  m  1906  and 
he   stayed  with  the  company  for  three  years. 


641 


developing  his  taste  in  window  dressing  and 
adding  to  liis  knowledge  of  advertising.  In 
1910  he  ventured  into  the  making  of  display 
signs,  and  the  business  lias  grown  to  the 
extent  that  it  now  occupies  a  two-story  build- 
ing for  its  own  housing  and  has  acquired  a 
reputation  for  originality,  and  is  steadily 
growing  in  the  volume  of  its  output  and  in 
its  contacts.  Mr.  Thomas  is  actively  inter- 
ested in  tlie  community  life  of  Kingston, 
where  he  makes  his  home,  and  belongs  to  the 
Kiwanis  Club.  He  gives  his  support,  politic- 
ally, to  the  Republican  party  and  fraternally 
is  a  Mason,  belonging  to  all  the  bodies  of 
the  Masonic  order,  and  of  the  Bloomsbury 
Consistory  of  the  Sublime  Princes  of  the 
Royal  Secret;  and  to  the  Benevolent  and  Pro- 
tective  Order  of  Elks. 

In  1909,  Thomas  P.  Thomas  married  Mabel 
Morris,  of  Old  Forge,  a  daughter  of  George 
B.  and  Lottie  Morris.  They  have  one  daugh- 
ter,  Faye,   who   was   born   in  July,   1912. 


DR.  VINCENT  G.\LLIZZI — Having  been 
the  recipient  of  honors  accorded  to  few  men 
in  his  native  land.  Dr.  Vincent  Gallizzi,  of 
Pittston,  is  one  of  the  younger  physicians 
who  has  already  established  a  reputation  for 
unusual  ability  and  skill  in  the  exercise  of 
his  profession  in  Northeastern  Pennsylvania. 
Dr.  Gallizzi  came  to  Pittston  in  August.  1927, 
and  at  once  engaged  in  general  medical  prac- 
tice in  the  city,  opening  his  office  at  78  South 
Main  Street,  and  since  then  he  has  acquired 
a  clientele  which  is  a  splendid  tribute  to  his 
accomplishments.  He  practiced  in  Italy  for  a 
few  years  but  always  the  desire  to  come  to 
the  United  States  persisted,  due  to  his  con- 
tacts with  the  American  Red  Cross  at  the 
time  of  the  war.  and  also  due  to  the  accounts 
he  had  received  from  his  father  who  had 
worked  with  this  great  American  organiza- 
tion at  the  time  of  the  terrible  catastrophe 
in  Sicily,  in  190S,  when  the  earthquake  de- 
stroyed the  cities  of  Messina,  Reggio  and 
Calabria. 

Dr.  Gallizzi  was  born  in  Southern  Italy,  son 
of  Dr.  Dominic  Gallizzi,  a  physician  and  sur- 
geon of  San  Calogero,  Province  of  Catanzaro, 
Southern  Italy,  August  17,  1S97.  He  received 
his  early  education  in  the  schools  of  his 
native  town,  high  school  in  Monteleone, 
Province  of  Calabro,  and  later  entered  the 
Royal  University  at  Naples,  where  he  applied 
himself  to  the  medical  course  which  he  com- 
pleted and  was  graduated  with  the  class  of 
1921.  He  at  once  engaged  in  practicing  his 
profession  in  Italy  and  continued  until  1923, 
when  he  sailed  for  the  United  States,  and 
became  an  interne  at  the  Easton  Hospital, 
Easton,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  remained 
until  1926,  when  he  took  his  examinations 
before  the  Pennsylvania  State  Board  and  "was 
certified  as  a  medical  practitioner.  He  con- 
tinued his  connection  with  the  Easton  Hos- 
pital after  passing  his  certification  require- 
ments in  January,  1926,  until  August,  1927, 
when  he  removed  to  Pittston  and  inaugurated 
his  present  independent  practice.  Dr.  Gallizzi 
continues  to  receive  the  heartiest  commenda- 
tion and  approval  of  his  fellow-townsmen 
who  recognize  and  appreciate  his  thorough 
devotion  to  his  profession  and  his  remark- 
able erudition  which  he  has  exhibited  on  so 
many  occasions.  He  is  a  constant  student  in 
matters  of  medical  science  and  keeps  abreast 
of  every  modern  discovery  and  is  ever  ready 
to  adopt  new  methods  and  ideas  when  they 
have  been  demonstrated  to  be  of  value  in 
treating  patients  for  whom  he  is  ever  con- 
cerned. He  is  active  in  the  organizations  con- 
nected with  his  profession,  being  a  member 
of  the  Luzerne  County  and  Pennsylvania 
Medical    societies    and    the    American    Medical 


.Association.  In  civic  and  social  affairs,  he 
is  prominent  and  ever  ready  to  work  for  the 
good  of  his  community  and  its  people  and 
every  campaign  finds  in  him  an  earnest  and 
enthusiastic  supporter.  He  is  a  popular 
member,  founder  and  first  president  of  the 
Century  Club  of  Pittston,  and  his  religious 
affiliations  are  with  Mount  Carmel  Roman 
Catholic  Church.  He  is  an  accomplished  lin- 
guist,  spealting  French,   Italian   and   English. 

While  practicing  in  Italy,  Dr.  Gallizzi  re- 
ceived from  King  Victor  Emmanuel,  the  Cross 
of  Chivalry  of  the  Crown  of  Italy.  January 
7,  1923.  it  being  conferred  upon  him  for  spe- 
cial service  at  the  time  when  he  was  but 
twenty-six  years  of  age,  one  of  the  youngest 
men  ever  to  receive  such  an  honored  decora- 
tion. During  the  World  War,  he  served  in 
the  Medical  Department  of  the  Italian  Army, 
enlisting  in  September,  1916,  and  remaining 
in  service  until  January,  1919,  when  he  was 
mustered  out  with  the  rank  of  first  lieuten- 
ant. While  serving  in  the  army,  he  came  in 
contact  with  the  American  Red  Cross  Society 
and  became  most  favorably  impressed  with 
their  methods  and  activities  and  thus  was 
implanted  the  desire  which  eventually 
brought  him  across  the  Atlantic.  His  father, 
Dr.  Dominic  Gallizzi  was  a  member  of  the 
Italian  Red  Cross  and  at  the  time  o(  the 
great  Sicilian  earthquake  was  called  to  the 
scene  of  the  disaster,  where  he  rendered 
heroic  service  and  while  there,  worked  side 
by  side  with  the  men  of  the  American  Red 
Cross,  who  did  such  noble  work,  and  he  told 
of  the  philanthropic  performance  of  the 
Americans  to  his  son  who  was  but  a  child  at 
that  time.  The  memory  of  this  occasion  was 
another  link  in  the  chain  of  circumstances 
which  induced  him  to  come  to  the  United 
States.  Dr.  Gallizzi  has  two  brothers  and 
three  sisters:  1.  Anthony,  an  attorney  in 
Messina.  2.  Patsie,  a  medical  student  at  the 
Royal  University  in  Rome.  3.  Carmen.  4. 
Chiara.     5.    Antoinette. 

Dr.  Vincent  Gallizzi  married,  October  IS. 
1926.  Lina  Matteucci,  of  Pittston,  and  they 
reside  at  No.  129  William  Street,  Pittston. 


JOSEPH  A.  MUI.LEIV — One  of  the  able  busi- 
ness men  of  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania,  is 
the  present  owner  and  proprietor  of  the 
Clover  Restaurant  on  North  Market  Street, 
who  is  no  other  than  the  individual  whose 
name  heads  this  review.  He  was  born  in 
Nanticoke,  Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania, 
May  27.  1S95.  the  son  of  Patrick  and  Mary 
(Martin)  Mullen.  His  father,  a  native  of 
Ireland,  came  to  this  country  to  seek  a  live- 
lihood, and  locating  in  the  coal  mining  sec- 
tion of  Nanticoke.  found  employment  in  the 
coal  mines.  His  death  occurred  in  1S98,  and 
that  of  his  wife.  Joseph  A.  Mullen's  mother, 
who  was  a  native  of  New  York  City,  in  1924. 

Joseph  A.  Mullen  was  given  only  such  edu- 
cation as  the  public  schools  of  the  neighbor- 
hood afforded,  and  at  the  age  of  fifteen  began 
working  in  and  around  the  mines  where  his 
father  was  employed.  When  he  was  eighteen 
years  of  age  he  decided  to  venture  out  for 
himself,  and  going  to  Wilkes-Barre,  he  found 
employment  with  the  Atchison  Bread  Com- 
pany. With  this  concern  he  remained  six 
years,  during  which  time  he  became  a  valu- 
able salesman.  His  ability  as  a  salesman  be- 
came recognized  and  caused  him  to  sever 
his  connection  with  this  company  for  a  more 
remunerative  one  with  the  Kolb  Bread  Com- 
pany. In  1922  he  started  in  business  for  him- 
self, opening  a  wholesale  provision  and  pro- 
duce market,  which  he  continued  until  1924 
under  the  title  Quality  Food  &  Products  Com- 
pany,   Mr.    Mullen    being    the    sole    owner    and 


642 


managrer.  During  this  same  time  he  did  a 
small  business  in  catering,  and  in  1924  took 
over  the  catering:  business  ot  the  Clover  Res- 
taurant, in  Wilkes-Barre.  Mr.  George  H. 
Brayford  was  at  that  time  the  owner  of  the 
Clover  Restaurant,  and  in  1925  took  in  Mr. 
Mullen  as  a  partner.  This  partnership  con- 
tinued until  1928,  when  Mr.  Mullen  purchased 
Mr.  Brayford's  interest.  He  has  since  con- 
tinued the  rest.aurant  alone,  and  is  doing  a 
thriving  business,  a  force  of  thirty  employ- 
ees carrying  out  his  well-planned  instruc- 
tions. Mr.  Mullen  is  a  young  man  who  de- 
serves much  credit  for  his  rise  in  the  busi- 
ness  world. 

During  the  World  War  he  served  with  the 
99th  Division,  having  received  training  at 
Camp  Lee,  Virginia,  and  Camp  Wheeler, 
Georgia.  When  the  Annistice  was  signed  and 
he  was  later  honorably  discharged  from  the 
army,  he  held  the  rank  of  sergeant.  Mr. 
Mullen  is  a  member  ot  the  Fraternal  Order  of 
Eagles,  and  the  Order  of  Owls.  His  religious 
affiliation  is  with  St.  Mary's  Roman  Catholic 
Church. 


PAIiCONER  R.  GILBERT — An  educator  for 
several  years  and  more  recently  the  superin- 
tendent of  the  schools  of  Larksville,  Mr.  Gil- 
bert has  had  a  splendid  pedagogic  training, 
well  fitting  him  for  executiveship  in  the  field. 
Mr.  Gilbert  is  not  a  Pennsylvanian  by  birth, 
having  been  born  in  Bainbridge.  New  York, 
on  February  22,  1895,  son  of  Don  A.  and 
Emma  (Reese)  Gilbert,  the  latter  born  In 
Luzerne  County  and  the  former  at  Bainbridge. 
The  elder  Gilbert  is  at  present  law  librarian 
at  (he  Luzerne  County  Court  House. 

Falconer  R.  Gilbert  attended  the  public 
schools  through  the  high  school  of  Wilkes- 
Barre,  graduating  in  1912,  and  then  matric- 
ulated at  Hamilton  College  at  Clinton,  New 
York.  He  graduated  from  that  college  in 
1917  with  his  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts  and 
then  went  to  the  University  of  Wyoming  for 
a  further  course,  graduating  from  Wyoming 
in  1921.  Between  these  dates  the  World  War 
called  most  of  the  young  men  of  our  country 
to  military  service  and  Mr.  Gilbert  was  one 
of  those  to  enter  Into  training  at  once.  He 
"was  at  the  officers'  training  camp  at  Madison 
Barracks,  New  York,  in  1917,  and  emerged 
from  there  with  the  rank  of  first  lieutenant 
of  infantry.  He  went  overseas  with  the  7th 
Army  Corps  Headquarters,  on  detached  serv- 
ice with  the  16th  Engineers.  He  was  over 
there  for  thirteen  months,  seeing  active 
service  at  the  Meuse  and  Argonne  offensives 
and  then  joining  the  Army  of  Occupation  in 
Germany.  He  received  his  discharge  in  1919 
and  it  was  then  that  he  went  to  the  Univer- 
sity of  Wyoming,  at  Laramie.  He  taught  at 
that  institution  for  two  years  until  called  to 
act  as  principal  of  the  West  Pittston  High 
School.  He  remained  there  for  two  years  and 
then  assumed  charge  of  the  Larksville  schools 
where  he  has  been  since  1923,  filling  that  posi- 
tion wifn  eminent  ability  and  earning  the 
esteem  and  liking  of  the  community.  Mr. 
Gilbert  is  a  Republican  in  his  political  con- 
victions and  votes  for  that  party's  candidates 
at  all  elections.  He  belongs  to  the  American 
Legion,  the  Kiwanis  Club  of  Plymouth,  Lu- 
zerne County,  and  to  his  college  fraternity, 
the  Chi  Psi.  He  and  his  wife  are  regular  at- 
tendants of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

In  July,  1917,  Falconer  R.  Gilbert  was  mar- 
ried to  Cecelia  Cahill,  daughter  of  James  F. 
and  Mary  Cahill  of  Utica,  New  York.  They  are 
the  parents  ot  two  children:  Falconer  Rob- 
ert, born  April  13,  1921,  and  Don  C,  born 
November  15,  1924. 


A3VGELO  liUIGI  L,rrCHI,  M.  D. — Specializing 
in  problems  of  internal  inedicine,  Angelo 
Luigi  Luchi,  M.  D.,  holds  an  outstanding  place 
in  his  profession  in  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsyl- 
vania, where  he  has  exercised  his  talents  to 
the  advantage  of  the  genera!  public,  both 
in  his  own  private  practice  and  in  hospital 
work.  He  is  keenly  interested  in  all  the  civic 
and  social  affairs  of  this  city  and  of  Luzerne 
County,  and  is  generally  held  as  one  of  the 
Wyoming  Valley's  most  esteemed  and  hon- 
ored  citizens. 

Dr.  Luchi  was  born  in  Cardoba,  Argentine, 
South  America,  on  March  2,  1894,  a  son  of 
Henry  and  Catherine  Luchi.  His  father,  a 
business  man  in  South  America  and  Italy, 
was  born  in  1864;  while  his  mother  was  born 
in  1874  in  Romallo,  Province  of  Trent,  Italy. 
His  early  academic  training  Angelo  Luigi 
Luchi  received  at  the  Imperial  Royal  Gym- 
nasium, in  Trent,  which  he  attended  from 
1904  to  1912.  This  work  corresponds  to  what 
is  generally  given  In  the  United  States  in 
preliminary  school,  high  school  and  the  first 
two  years  of  college.  From  1912  to  1914  he 
was  a  student  at  the  Imperial  Royal  Univer- 
sity, at  Innsbruck,  Austria,  and  subsequently 
he  was  graduated  from  the  Royal  University 
of  Pavia,  Italy,  in  1920,  receiving  the  degree 
of  Doctor  of  Medicine.  For  six  months  he 
was  junior  assistant  at  the  Medical  Clinic  of 
the  University  of  Pavia,  and  for  one  year 
was  chief  resident  physician  at  the  White 
Haven  Sanatorium,  in  White  Haven,  Pennsyl- 
vania. For  one  year  he  also  served  as  interne 
at  Mercy  Hospital  in  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsyl- 
vania. On  September  15,  1922,  he  was  licensed 
to  practice  in  Pennsylvania,  and  since  then 
he  has  been  practicing  in  Wilkes-Barre.  In 
1927  and  1928  he  took  post-graduate  work  at 
the  Mayo  Clinic,  Rochester,  Minnesota,  and 
at  the  Massachusetts  General  Hospital,  Bos- 
ton, Massachusetts.  He  has  consistently 
worked  along  his  own  special  line,  devoting 
his  principal  attentions  to  the  problems  of 
treating  internal  diseases.  In  addition  to  his 
work  as  physician,  Dr.  Luchi  is  a  keen  stu- 
dent of  the  newer  developments  in  medicine, 
and  keeps  in  close  touch  with  the  affairs  of 
his  profession  through  his  memberships  in 
the  Luzerne  County  Medical  Society,  the  Penn- 
sylvania State  Medical  Society  and  the  Amer- 
ican Medical  Association.  He  is  a  valued 
member  of  the  staff  of  Mercy  Hospital,  in 
Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  is  in 
charge  of  a  medical  service. 

In  addition  to  his  activities  in  his  own  pro- 
fession. Dr.  Luchi  is  keenly  interested  in  pub- 
lic life  generally,  being  a  member  of  the  Re- 
publican party.  He  is  affiliated  with  the 
Knights  of  Columbus,  in  which  he  holds  the 
Fourth  Degree,  and  is  active  in  the  Italo- 
American  Society,  as  well  as  in  the  Sons  of 
Italy.  Dr.  Luchi  is  an  American  citizen,  and 
his  church  affiliation  is  with  St.  Mary's 
Church.  He  finds  recreation  from  his  profes- 
sional   duties    in    music,    art    and    languages. 

Dr.  Angelo  Luigi  Luchi  married,  May  3, 
1923,  Mary  Pearl  Rocereto,  born  January  15, 
1896,  in  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania,  daugh- 
ter of  Peter  and  Rose  Rocereto.  Peter  Ro- 
cereto came  from  Italy  about  half  a  century 
ago,  being  among  the  first  Italian  settlers  of 
Wilkes-Barre.  Mrs.  Luchi  received  a  liberal 
education  in  the  Parochial  School  of  St. 
Mary's,  the  Westchester  Normal  School,  and 
graduated  from  the  State  Teachers'  College 
at  West  Chester,  with  the  class  of  1916,  after- 
wards teaching  in  Edwardsville  and  Wilkes- 
Barre,  Pennsylvania.  She  is  actively  inter- 
ested in  church  affairs,  being  a  member  of  the 
Ladies'  Auxiliary  of  the  Italo-American  Soci- 


643 


ety,  and  the  Catholic  Council  of  St.  JIary's 
Church,  and  Is  a  member  of  the  Senior  Aux- 
iliary of  Mercy  Hospital.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Luchi 
are  the  parents  of  two  children:  1.  Irma  Jane, 
born  May  18,  1924.  2.  Robert  John,  born 
March   3,   192S. 


Mary  Jane.     The   family   residence   Is   located 
at  No.  375  South  Franklin  Street. 


MARK  I..  BITRKE — Engaged  in  the  drug 
business  in  Wilkes-Barre  for  almost  two  dec- 
ades, Mr.  Burke  is  one  of  that  city's  best 
known  and  most  popular  business  men.  His 
store  having  been  located  throughout  the 
greater  part  of  that  period  in  one  and  the 
same  place,  it  has  become  widely  known,  not 
only  amongst  the  people  of  Wilkes-Barre, 
but  also  amongst  those  from  the  many  sur- 
rounding towns,  for  which  Wilkes-Barre  is 
the  trading  center.  Though  it  has  been 
moved  in  recent  years  to  a  new  location,  it 
has  lost  nothing  of  its  popularity  and  it  is 
considered  today  to  be  one  of  the  finest  and 
best  equipped  of  the  city's  drug  stores.  Mr. 
Burke  is  also  active  in  the  social  and  fra- 
ternal life  of  the  community  and  in  every 
way  is  representative  of  the  highest  type  of 
useful   and   progressive   citizenship. 

Mark  L.  Burke  was  born  at  Shenandoah, 
Pennsylvania,  January  25,  1SS6,  a  son  of 
Mark  and  Mary  (Loftus)  Burke.  Both  his 
parents  were  born  in  Ireland,  came  to  the 
United  States  in  1S65  and  settled  in  Schuyl- 
kill County,  Pennsylvania,  "where  the  family 
has  long  been  favorably  and  well  known.  His 
father,  who  died  in  January,  1924,  was  suc- 
cessfully engaged  in  Shenandoah  in  the  coal 
and  contracting  business  for  forty-five  years. 
Mr.  Burke  himself  was  educated  in  the  public 
grammar  and  high  schools  of  his  native  city 
and  then  entered  the  Philadelphia  College  of 
Pharmacy,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in 
1905.  In  the  same  year  he  commenced  his 
career  as  a  druggist  with  the  Burke  Chain 
Prescription  Drug  Stores  of  Shenandoah  and 
Nesquehoning.  Four  years  later,  in  1909,  he 
came  to  Wilkes-Barre  and  there  opened  a 
drug  store  of  his  own  at  No.  19  South  Wash- 
ington Street.  He  was  the  first  to  enter  busi- 
ness on  this  old-time  residential  street  and 
he  continued  in  the  same  location  for  seven- 
teen years.  In  1926  he  purchased  the  prop- 
erty adjoining  his  store  at  No.  21  South  Wash- 
ington Street  and  moved  the  store  to  it.  In 
the  meantime  the  residential  character  of  the 
street  had  completely  changed  and  this  thor- 
oughfare had  become  one  of  the  city's  lead- 
ing business  streets.  An  advantageous  op- 
portunity to  dispose  of  the  property  offering 
itself  to  Mr.  Burke  in  1927,  he  sold  it  to  the 
Comerford  Amusement  Company  for  a  theatre 
site  and  purchased  a  new  property  at  No.  9 
Bast  Market  Street,  where  his  store  has  been 
located  since  then.  He  is  also  president  of 
the  Sek-Rub  Company,  which  he  founded  in 
1910  for  the  compounding  and  production  of 
certain  preparations.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Pennsylvania  PhErmaceutical  Society  and  the 
Druggist  Research  Bureau  of  New  York.  He 
is  also  a  member  of  the  Wyoming  Valley 
Country  Club,  the  Fox  Hill  Country  Club,  the 
Wilkes-Barre  Exchange  Club,  the  Alhambra 
Caravan,  the  Knights  of  Columbus,  and 
Wilkes-Barre  Lodge,  No.  109,  Benevolent  and 
Protective   Order   of  Elks. 

Mr.  Burke  married,  October  2,  1912,  Mabel 
S.  Clarke,  a  daughter  of  P.  J.  and  Mary  Jane 
(Moore)  Clarke.  Mrs.  Burke's  father,  now 
deceased,  formerly  one  of  the  heads  of  the 
Sheldon  Axle  Company,  "was  for  many  years 
active  in  civic  affairs  and  served  as  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Wilkes-Barre  City  Council.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Burke  are  the  parents  of  four  chil- 
dren:   Mark  C,  J.  Clarke,  Elizabeth   Ann   and 


EUW.VRD  L.  CRISMAN — Born  in  Blalrs- 
tovvn,  Warren  County,  New  Jersey,  Mr.  Crls- 
man,  since  coming  to  Kingston,  has  closely 
affiliated  himself  with  the  business  life  of 
the  city  and  has  done  a  great  deal  to  further 
its  growth  and  actual  development.  He  was 
born  on  his  father's  farm  in  New  Jersey  in 
May,  1S67,  and  received  his  education  in 
Blairstown  in  the  public  school  and  later  at 
Blairs  Hall,  remaining  in  that  locality  until 
twenty-one,  when  he  came  to  Kingston  and 
worked  as  a  clerk  in  various  of  the  local 
companies  until  he  was  ready  to  open  his 
o'wn  office  as  real  estate  operator.  His  opera- 
tions have  been  wide  and  have  necessitated 
an  office  in  Wilkes-Barre  also.  The  Crisman 
Realty  Company  has  been  responsible  for  the 
development  of  much  of  the  west  side  of 
Kingston  and  the  residential  section,  known 
as  the  Elm  Park  Plot,  is  one  that  was  entirely 
conceived  and  exploited  by  Mr.  Crisman.  In 
all  his  operations,  he  has  shown  a  remark- 
able vision  and  foresight,  qualities  that  have 
worked  for  the  prosperity  of  his  own  organi- 
zation and  also  very  definitely  for  the  ad- 
vantage  of   the    city, 

Mr.  Crisman  takes  a  vital  interest  in  civic 
matters  and  at  all  times  is  ready  to  be  of 
service  in  furthering  its  best  economic  plans, 
and  as  member  of  the  City  Council  for  over 
thirteen  years,  he  has  had  an  influential  voice 
in  town  affairs.  He  votes  for  the  Republican 
ticket  always  and  is  a  member  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church  and  on  its  official 
board.  Fraternally,  he  is  affiliated  with  the 
Kingston  Lodge,  No.  709,  of  the  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows. 

Edward  L.  Crisman  was  married,  in  1890,  to 
Emma  A.  Coursen,  a  daughter  of  Andrew  J. 
and  Sarah  E.  Coursen,  and  three  children 
have  been  born  to  the  union:  Russell  H.: 
Lewis  R.;  and  Emily  A.,  who  married  James 
D.  Hutchinson,  a  Luzerne  County  farm  agent, 
and  they  reside  in  Kingston. 


CAVALIERE      NICOLA      CIOTOLA— One      of 

the  leading  business  men  of  Hazleton,  Penn- 
sylvania, Cavaliere  Nicola  Ciotola  represents 
that  excellent  Italian  stock,  of  whom  so  many 
families  have  come  in  the  last  generation  to 
the  United  States  from  their  native  land,  and 
have  here  made  their  fortunes  and  done  much 
to  enrich  the  life  of  their  adopted  country. 
There  is  no  phase  of  public  life  in  which  they 
have  not  been  engaged,  and  Mr.  Ciotola,  of 
whom  this  is  a  record,  has  been  for  many 
years  a  private  banker,  steamship  passenger 
agent  and  notary  public  in  Hazleton. 

He  was  born  on  December  15,  1S73,  in  St. 
Nazario  Community,  St.  Mauro,  la  Bruca, 
County  of  Salerno,  Italy.  He  received  his 
early  education  in  the  schools  of  his  native 
land,  and  it  was  in  1S90  that  he  came  to  the 
United  States.  On  May  7  of  that  year  he  ar- 
rived in  New  York  City,  and  on  the  following 
day  went  from  New  York  to  Lattimer,  Penn- 
sylvania, where,  on  May  13,  five  days  after- 
ward, he  went  to  work  as  a  slate  picker.  In 
that  capacity  he  earned  eighty  cents  a  day, 
working  a  ten-hour  day:  and,  although  he  did 
not  long  remain  a  slate  picker,  he  worked 
in  the  same  community  for  twenty  years, 
serving  in  different  positions  around  the  Lat- 
timer mines,  being  associated  with  the  firm 
of  Pardee  Brothers.  Soon  he  was  in  charge 
of  the  work,  and  from  that  time  he  advanced 
rapidly  until  he  quit  the  mines  entirely  in 
1911.  He  thereupon  established  his  own  busi- 
ness  as   private   banker,   steamship   passenger 


644 


agent  and  notary  public,  taking-  quarters  at 
No.  13  East  Diamond  Street,  where  lie  has 
remained  to  this  day.  His  personality,  un- 
usually pleasing  and  attractive  to  those  with 
whom  he  deals,  has  done  much  to  bring  him 
many  friends  and  customers  and  to  build  up 
his  business  in  Hazleton,  while  his  careful 
and  thorough  study  of  his  work  and  the  dif- 
ferent branches  of  community  life  with  which 
it  is  connected  has  placed  him  in  an  excel- 
lent position  to  become  a  leader  in  the  af- 
fairs of  his  city, 

In  addition  to  his  activities  in  the  mines 
and  since  then  in  the  business  affairs  of  Ha- 
zleton, Mr.  Ciotola  has  taken  part  extensively 
in  civic  movements  in  his  city  and  community. 
He  became  a  citizen  of  the  United  States  in 
1896,  and  forthwith  became  a  staunch  sup- 
porter of  the  Republican  party  and  a  leader 
in  its  ranks  in  his  own  neighborhood.  When 
Italy  first  became  a  party  to  the  late  World 
War,  Mr.  Ciotola  solicited  funds  for  the  aid 
of  sufferers  and  sent  a  number  of  young 
Italians  back  to  fight  for  their  native  land. 
Then,  when  the  United  States  entered  the 
war,  he  took  part  extensively  in  the  Liberty 
Loan  and  Red  Cross  campaigns,  as  well  as  in 
the  work  of  the  Salvation  Army  and  other 
relief  groups.  What  he  did  for  Italy  and  the 
Italians  was  of  such  magnitude  and  so  pro- 
nounced in  its  effect  that  he  was  made  a 
Chevalier  of  the  Crown  of  Italy  by  King  Vic- 
tor Emmanuel  III,  the  decoration  having  been 
conferred  upon  him  personally  after  the  war 
by  Ambassador  Rolando  Ricci,  Cav.  Uff.  F. 
Tiscar,  Royal  Italian  Consul,  having  come  on 
from  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  for  the  purpose. 
A  testimonial  dinner  was  given  at  that  time 
in  honor  of  the  recipient  of  this  distinction, 
the  banquet  having  taken  place  at  the  Hotel 
Laughran,  at  which  the  Italian  consul  in 
Scranton,  Cavaliere  Fortunato  Tiscar  pre- 
sided. In  his  religious  faith  Mr.  Ciotola  is  a 
devout  Roman  Catholic.  He  is  also  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  the  Benevo- 
lent and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  the  Order 
of  Owls,  the  Fraternal  Order  of  Eagles,  the 
Sons  of  Italy  and  several  other  lodges,  and 
has  recently  been  made  a  director  of  the 
Markle  Banca  and  Trust  Company  of  Hazleton. 
Mr.  Ciotola  married,  in  Lattimer,  Pennsyl- 
vania, on  November  7,  1907,  Anna  Sidari,  of 
that  place.  They  are  the  parents  of  the  fol- 
lowing children:  1.  Costantino,  born  March 
7,  1910,  2.  Antonio,  born  May  20,  1912.  3. 
Agostino,  born  August  7,  1914.  4.  Giovanni 
born  February  18,   1922. 


REV.  FRA.\CIS  MOLINO— Under  the  able 
administration  of  the  Rev.  Francis  Molino 
since  1921  pastor  of  the  Roman  Catholic 
Church  of  the  Most  Precious  Blood,  of  Hazle- 
ton, the  various  units  of  the  organization 
have  been  consolidated,  improvements  made 
and  a  line  progress  noted  in  this  parish 
Father  Molino  is  a  man  of  unusual  force  of 
character  and  possessed  of  a  high  order  of 
organizing  ability,  one  who  understands  the 
characteristics  of  his  people  and  their  deeply 
religious  nature  and  who  has  been,  by  virtue 
of  that  comprehension,  able  to  build  up  his 
pastorate  and  to  bring  to  it  a  dignity  and 
usefulness  that  reflect  great  credit  upon  him 
as  a  leligious  leader.  He  also  has  been  a  con- 
siderable force  in  secular  matters,  taking  an 
active  interest  in  civic  affairs  and  lending  his 
aid  in  every  activity  wherein  he  has  felt 
justified  in  introducing  his  efforts.  Organiza- 
tion of  the  youth  of  his  parish  and  consolida- 
tion of  activities  have  brought  about  a  revo- 
lution in  the  work  this  parish  is  doing  among 
the  people  of  Italian  blood,  giving  peace  and 


harmony  to  a  highly  progressive  religious 
body. 

He  was  born  in  Asti,  Italy,  February  26, 
1S77,  a  son  of  Stephano  and  Dominica  Molino, 
was  educated  in  the  seminary  there  and  or- 
dained in  the  priesthood  in  1902.  He  then 
taught  for  four  years  in  the  seminary  at 
Fossano,  Italy,  associated  witli  Monsignor 
Masera,  chaplain  to  the  Princess  Clotilde,  by 
whom  he  was  held  in  high  esteem.  In  1911 
he  came  to  America  as  a  missionary  and 
traveled  extensively  throughout  the  Eastern 
and  Middle  Western  States,  being  called  to 
the  pastorate  of  the  Most  Precious  Blood  in 
1921  by  the  late  Right  Reverend  Michael  J. 
Hoban.  bishop  of  the  diocese,  his  assistant 
being  the  Rev.  Pietro  Cantino.  The  congre- 
gation of  his  church  comprises  eight  hundred 
families.  Among  his  activities  are  interests 
in  the  societies  of  the  Children  of  Mary  and 
Holy  Angels,  the  Christian  Mothers,  St.  Aloy- 
sius,    St.    Gerad    and    Holy    Name. 

The  Church  of  the  Most  Precious  Blood 
was  organized  in  1SS7  as  an  apostolic  mis- 
sion and  the  Rev.  Joseph  Girimondi  appointed 
to  care  for  the  religious  "welfare  of  the  num- 
erous Italians  who  at  that  period  were  com- 
ing to  Hazleton  and  the  district  in  large 
numbers.  The  first  church  edifice  was  erected 
in  1S8S,  was  built  of  wood  and  "was  de- 
stroyed by  fire.  As  the  development  of  the 
organization  continued  property  was  acquired 
and  other  l^uildings  erected,  with  kinder- 
garten, parochial  schools,  a  cemetery  and 
convent  for  the  nuns  of  the  church,  by  far 
the  greater  part  of  these  improvements  hav- 
ing been  made  under  the  pastorate  of  Father 
Molino. 


LEWIS  J.  DAVIES — Born  in  Wales  and 
resident  of  that  country  until  he  had  at- 
tained manhood,  Lewis  J.  Davies  came  to 
America  at  the  age  of  twenty-two,  and  in 
this  country  continued  the  vocation  which  he 
had  followed  in  Wales,  that  of  mining.  Pos- 
sessed of  ambition  and  initiative,  since  coming 
to  Pennsylvania  Mr.  Davies'  career  has  been 
one  of  steady  progress,  until  he  occupied  an 
important  position  with  the  Lehigh  &  Wilkes- 
Earre  Coal  Company,  having  served  this  con- 
cern as  superintendent  for  more  than  twenty 
years.  Mr.  Davies,  who  now  resides  in  Nan- 
ticoke,  is  looked  upon  as  one  of  the  best 
informed  characters  identified  with  coal  min- 
ing in  this  vicinity,  and  in  view  of  the  fact 
that  he  came  to  this  country  after  having 
attained  manhood,  his  advancement  has  been 
all  the  more  remarkable.  Forced  to  abandon 
many  of  the  practices  that  he  had  followed 
in  the  mining  industry  of  his  native  country, 
and  at  the  same  time  to  accustom  himself 
to  American  methods,  he  has  accomplished 
all  of  this  through  perseverance  and  unquench- 
able ambition.  He  assumes  all  the  duties  of 
citizenship  in  his  adopted  country,  and  de- 
votes himself  freely  to  plannings  and  pro- 
posals designed  for  the  benefit  of  his  com- 
munity.   State,   and    Nation. 

Mr.  Davies  was  born  in  May,  1861,  in  Wales, 
son  of  William  Davies,  a  stationary  engineer, 
who  died  in  December,  1899,  and  of  Mariah 
(Jenkins)  Davies,  who  passed  away  in  1912. 
Lewis  J.  Davies  received  his  education  in  the 
national  schools  of  the  British  Empire.  His 
school  days  over,  he  entered  the  mines  and 
was  employed  in  various  positions  in  this 
industry  until  he  was  twenty-two  years  of 
age.  At  this  time,  in  1883,  he  migrated  to 
the  United  States,  located  in  Luzerne  County, 
and  obtained  a  position  with  the  Lehigh  & 
Wilkes-Barre  Coal  Company,  the  firm  that 
had  since  held  his  allegiance.  His  ability 
and    loyalty    brought    him    steady    promotion 


645 


and  in  1SS9  officers  of  this  company  appointed 
him  fire  boss.  He  held  this  position  for  more 
than  ten  years,  and  in  189S  was  promoted  to 
foreman.  So  well  did  he  perform  the  duties 
of  this  position  that  further  advancement 
came  to  him  in  190S.  when  he  was  made 
superintendent.  In  this  important  office  he 
remained  until  his  retirement  in  August,  1929. 
although  having  served  as  superintendent  of 
various  collieries  owned  by  the  Lehigh  & 
Wilkes-Barre  Coal  Company.  Mr.  Davies  be- 
lieves in  the  principles  of  the  Republican 
party  and  is  ever  loyal  to  the  issues  and 
candidates  of  this  political  organization.  He 
evidences  a  deep  interest  in  other  organiza- 
tions and  movements  which  contribute  to  the 
upbuilding  of  Luzerne  County,  and  is  a  de- 
vout member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

Le%vis  J.  Davies  married,  in  1S90,  Phoebe 
Lloyd,  native  of  Wales,  and  a  daughter  of 
William  Lloyd.  Mrs.  Davies  died  in  March, 
1923.  There  was  one  child  to  this  marriage, 
Gladys  L.  Mr.  Davies  resides  at  No.  124 
Christian  Street,  Nanticoke. 


MELVIN  G.  BOBBINS — Well  known  in 
banking  and  business  circles  in  Wilkes- 
Barre,  Melvin  G.  Robbins  holds  the  position 
of  assistant  cashier  of  the  Miners'  Bank,  of 
this  city.  He  is  thoroughly  conversant  with 
local  industrial  and  social  conditions,  having 
spent  the  greater  part  of  his  life  in  this  com- 
munity, during  most  of  which  time  he  has 
been  engaged  in  the  banking  industry. 

He  is  the  son  of  William  J.  and  Ella  (Soult) 
Robbins,  deceased,  and  the  descendant  of  an 
early  Colonial  family.  His  great-great-grand- 
father. Captain  Jonathan  G.  Robbins,  who 
was  a  soldier  in  the  War  of  the  Revolution, 
led  the  American  troops  from  Warren  and 
Essex  counties  when  the  British  Army  in- 
vaded New  Jersey.  William  J.  Robbins,  the 
father  of  Melvin  G.  Robbins,  was  a  coal  dis- 
patcher for  many  years  for  the  Lackawanna 
and  Bloomsburg  Railroad,  a  prominent  Re- 
publican, and  a  member  of  the  Presljyterian 
Church;  and  he  and  Ella  (Soult)  Robbins 
were  the  parents  of  one  child,  Melvin  G. 
Mary  Drake  Robbins,  the  paternal  grand- 
mother of  Melvin  G.  Robbins,  who  was  the 
descendant  of  an  old  New  Jersey  family  and 
a  native  of  that  State,  had  ancestors  "who 
fought  in  the  War  of  the  Revolution  for  the 
separation  of  the  Colonies  from  the  mother 
country. 

Melvin  G.  Robbins,  who  was  born  in  North- 
umberland, Pennsylvania,  on  September  15, 
1876,  was  only  four  years  of  age  when  his 
parents  came  to  Kingston,  Luzerne  County, 
Pennsylvania.  As  a  boy  he  attended  the 
public  schools,  and  later  went  to  Wyoming 
Seminary,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in 
the  class  of  1892.  Then  he  came  to  Wilkes- 
Barre,  where  he  took  a  position  as  runner 
boy  for  the  Anthracite  Savings  Bank.  Here 
he  built  the  foundation  for  his  future  career, 
so  that  when  this  bank  -was  merged  into  the 
Miners'  Bank  he  was  retained  as  a  teller.  In 
1922  he  became  assistant  cashier  of  the  Min- 
ers' Bank,  a  position  which  he  has  occupied 
efficientb'  and  creditably  since  that  time.  In 
his  political  affiliations  he  is  identified  with 
the  Republican  party.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Kingston  Presbyterian  Church.  He  also  is 
active  in  a  fraternal  way,  being  a  member 
of  the  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  in  which 
order  he  is  affiliated  with  the  Kingston  Lodge, 
No.  395;  the  Shekinah  Chapter,  No.  182,  Royal 
Arch  Masons;  the  Dieu  le  Veut  Commandery, 
No.  45,  Knights  Templar;  the  Caldwell  Con- 
sistory, at  Bloomburg,  Pennsylvania,  Ancient 
Accepted  Scottish  Rite,  in  which  he  holds  the 
thirty -second    degree;     Irem    Temple     of    the 


Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic 
Shrine,  in  Wilkes-Barre;  and  the  Shrine 
Country  Club.  He  also  is  atfiliated  with  the 
Lions'  Club,  of  which  he  is  treasurer;  the 
Greek   letter   fraternity  of  Alpha  Phi. 

He  has  been  twice  married.  His  present 
wife  was  before  her  marriage,  Mary  Margaret 
Miller,  a  daughter  of  Charles  W.  Miller,  of 
Wilkes-Barre.  By  his  first  marriage  he  is 
the  father  of  one  daughter,  Mary  M.,  the  wife 
of  Edson  L.  Mott,  of  Kansas  City.  Missouri. 
Melvin  O.  and  Mary  Margaret  (Miller)  Rob- 
bins are  the  parents  of  two  children:  Charles 
M.,  and  Melvin  G.,  Jr.,  both  of  whom  are  liv- 
ing at  home  with  their  parents. 

The  Robbins  home  is  at  No.  55  Pierce 
Street,  Kingston,  Luzerne  County,  Pennsyl- 
vania. 


MASON  BEACH  CrRWOOD — .Active  for 
years  in  the  mining  industry  in  Shickshinny, 
Pennsylvania,  Mason  Beach  Curwood  has 
been  a  foreman  in  the  mines  here  since  1913. 
Before  that  time  he  held  various  positions  in 
mining  work,  having  begun  his  active  career 
in  this  field  as  early  as  ten  years  of  age. 
He  is  widely  known  and  highly  respected  by 
a  large  number  of  friends  and  acquaintances 
in  Shickshinny  and  the  surrounding  com- 
munities of  Luzerne  County,  and  active  in 
the  public  affairs  of  the  community  in  which 
he   lives. 

He  was  born  in  Shickshinny,  Pennsylvania, 
on  March  6,  1884,  a  son  of  Samuel  Curwood, 
who  was  born  in  England  in  1838,  was  a 
coal  miner  in  this  vicinity  of  Pennsylvania 
when  he  came  to  the  United  States  to  live, 
and  died  in  1910;  while  the  mother  of  Mason 
Curwood,  whose  maiden  name  was  Stella 
Drum,  was  born  in  Luzerne  County,  Penn- 
sylvania, in  1852,  and  died  here  in  1924. 
Mason  Beach  Curwood  received  his  early  edu- 
cation in  the  public  schools  here,  and  when 
he  was  only  ten  years  old  took  his  first 
work  in  the  coal  mining  industry  here.  Since 
then  he  has  held  a  number  of  different  posi- 
tions in  the  mines,  and  since  1913  has  been 
a   foreman. 

In  addition  to  his  mining  activities,  Mr. 
Curwood  has  always  taken  a  great  interest 
in  the  public  affairs  of  his  city  and  com- 
munity. He  is  a  keen  student  of  political 
developments  and  problems,  and  is  himself 
affiliated  "with  the  Republican  party,  whose 
policies  and  candidates  he  regularly  sup- 
ports. He  has  served  for  twelve  years  on  the 
borough  council  of  Shickshinny,  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  for  four  years,  from  1921  until 
1925,  was  burgess  of  the  town.  He  has  mem- 
berships in  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows,  in  which  he  is  identified  with  Lodge 
No.  180;  and  in  the  Sons  of  Veterans.  His 
religious  affiliation  is  with  the  Methodist 
Episcopal   Church. 

In  1904,  Mason  Beach  Curwood  married 
Getha  Thompson,  of  Shickshinny,  Pennsyl- 
vania, daughter  of  Albert  Henry  and  Mary 
(Hummell)  Thompson.  Her  father  was  born 
in  Weatherly,  Pennsylvania,  in  1851,  was  a 
miner  throughout  his  active  life,  and  died 
in  1914;  while  her  mother.  Mary  (Hummell) 
Thompson,  was  born  in  Beach  Haven.  Penn- 
sylvania, in  1852.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Curwood  have 
two  children:  1.  Mary,  born  December  20, 
1905,  who  was  graduated  from  the  Blooms- 
burg Normal  School  in  the  class  of  1925.  and 
is  now  a  teacher  in  the  Shickshinny  public 
schools.  2.  Robert  Mason,  born  January  23, 
1917. 


GEORGE  T.  BASKETT.  M.  D. — Superinten- 
dent of  the  Mental  Hospital  at  Retreat,  Dr. 
Baskett  is  doing  a  splendidly  useful  work  in 


646 


the  community,  and  is  a  man  with  a  par- 
ticularly fine  training  to  bring-  to  the  posi-  . 
tion.  Born  in  Gainesville,  Texas,  on  January 
9,  1882,  a  son  ot  Dr.  George  W.  and  Mary 
G.  (McLean)  Baskett,  he  has  traditions  in  the 
medical  profession  to  maintain.  His  father, 
a  practicing  physician  in  Texas,  is  a  grad- 
uate of  the  University  of  Louisville,  Ken- 
tucky. 

George    T.    Baskett    was    educated    at    the 
public    schools    of    his    home    town    until    he 
entered   college,   and   after   taking  his   degree 
of    Bachelor    of    Arts    at     the    University    of 
Texas,    he    went    into    the    medical    school    of 
the    University    of    Michigan    where    he    took 
his    medical    degree    in    1908.     He    has    had    a 
long     practical     experience     in     institutional 
work,    beginning    as    an    interne    at    the    St. 
Peter,   Minnesota,   Hospital,   and   then   accept- 
ing   the    post    ot    assistant    superintendent    at 
the     State     Mental    Hospital,     located     at     St. 
Peter.     He    remained    there    for    fifteen    years, 
leaving   that   institution   to   take   the   position 
of  superintendent  at  another  Minnesota  State 
hospital,    at    Willmar,     in    October,     1925.      In 
March,   1927,  Dr.   Baskett   came   to  Retreat   to 
take  up  the  heavy  responsibility  of  the  large 
hospital    for    the    mentally    distraught.     This 
was  opened   in   1900   as  a  hospital   for  mental 
diseases   under    the    direction    of   the    Central 
Poor     District     of     Luzerne     County.       It     is 
licensed    by    the    State    under    the    Bureau    of 
Mental    Health    of    Welfare    Department,    and 
inspected    annually    by    the    director    ot    the 
Bureau    ot    Mental    Health.     It    is    supported 
by  taxation  and  receives  partial  aid  from  the 
State,   the   Commonwealth,  for   instance,   pay- 
ing   two    dollars    a    week    for    each    indigent 
patient,   although   the  actual   cost  per  person 
was    shown    to    be    in    1927    seven    dollars    a 
week.       The      first      superintendent      installed 
there    was     Dr.     Charles    B.     Mayberry,     who 
remained   until   his   retirement    in   1923,    to   be 
followed   by    Dr.    H.    S.    Seiwell   and,    upon   his 
death  in   1926,  Dr.   Baskett  was  invited   to  fill 
the  post.    At  the  present  time  there  are   over 
eight    hundred    persons    under    treatment    at 
the   institution,  with  a  staff  of  four  graduate 
physicians,   including  the  superintendent  and 
a    dentist,    forty-three    male    attendants    and 
thirty-seven   women   nurses.    The   department 
of    occupational    therapy    has   for    its    head   a 
graduate     of     a     recognized     school     of     this 
branch    of   medical    knowledge,    and   has    four 
women  and  three  men  on  its  staff.    The  total 
value    of    the    hospital    property    is    $1,802,068, 
and    it    is    rated    as   one   of    the    outstandingly 
complete   hospital   institutions  of  this  sort   in 
the  country.    Dr.  Baskett  is  well  fitted  for  his 
work    and   has   proved   the    good   judgment   of 
the  board  of  directors  who  called  him  to  the 
position,    by    his    able    executiveship     in    the 
short   time  that  he  has  been   in  charge. 

Dr.  Baskett  holds  membership  in  the  Lu- 
zerne County.  Pennsylvania  State,  and  the 
American  Medical  associations.  Also  in  the 
Lehigh  Valley  Medical  Society,  the  Pennsyl- 
vania Hospital  Association  and  the  American 
Psychiatric  Association.  He  belongs  to  the 
college  fraternity  of  Alpha  Tau  Omega  and 
the  medical  school  fraternity  of  Phi  Alpha 
Sigma.  A  Mason,  he  belongs  to  the  Nicollet 
Lodge  of  St.  Peter,  Minnesota,  the  De  Payen 
Commandery  Knights  Templar  of  Willmar, 
Minnesota,  and  of  the  Osman  Temple,  Ancient 
Arabic  Order  Nobles  ot  the  Mystic  Shrine, 
at  St.  Paul.  Dr.  Baskett  is  also  a  member 
of  the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of 
Elks,  belonging  to  the  Willmar  branch  of 
this  brotherhood  and  a  member  of  the 
Kiwanis  Club  of  Nanticoke  and  the  Crafts- 
man's Club  of  Wilkes-Barre.  He  is  a  Re- 
publican by  political  afliliation  and  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 


In  August,  1910,  Dr.  George  T.  Baskett 
married  Olive  Thorne,  daughter  of  Alonzo 
M.  and  Ida  B.  Thorne  of  Lansing,  Michigan. 
Mrs.  Baskett  is  also  a  physician,  graduate 
from  the  University  of  Cincinnati,  in  the 
class  of  1906.  and  has  specialized  in  mental 
and  nervous  diseases.  She  is  attached  to  the 
staff   of  the   Retreat  Hospital. 


CONRAD  F.  GOERIXGER — The  various  in- 
terests of  Conrad  F.  Goeringer  rank  him 
among  the  leading  construction  contractors 
and  electrical  contractors  of  the  Wyoming 
Valley.  Besides  the  C.  P.  Goeringer  Con- 
struction Company,  he  is  president  of  the 
Bertels  Metalware  Company  of  Kingston, 
president  of  the  Davis  Electrical  Company  of 
Wilkes-Barre.  owner  of  the  Pond  Hill 
Crushed  Stone  Company  with  quarries  at 
Pond  Hill.  Pennsylvania,  and  owner  of  the 
Moosic  Sand  and  Gravel  Company  ot  Moosic, 
Pennsylvania.  Of  these  interests,  the  C.  P. 
Goeringer  Construction  Company  is  the  larg- 
est, employing  approximately  .500  men  and 
being  equipped  with  the  most  elaborate  and 
modern  motorized  transportation  facilities 
and  working  equipment.  Not  only  has  this 
company  executed  most  of  the  large  sewer 
and  paving  contracts  in  "Wilkes-Barre  and 
Luzerne  County  in  recent  years,  but  has  had 
an  equal  success  further  afield.  For  the  city 
of  Dover,  New  Jersey,  and  the  city  of  Jersey 
City,  New  Jersey,  the  firm  recently  completed 
a  million-dollar  sewer  contract.  They  com- 
pleted sewer  work  for  Hanover  Township, 
Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania,  costing  $1.- 
500.000.  In  the  last  eight  years  Mr.  Goeringer 
and  his  contracting  organization  have  done 
practically  all  the  street  paving  for  the  city 
of  Wilkes-Barre,  as  well  as  for  Hanover 
Township.  During  the  same  period,  more- 
over, he  had  done  paving  and  sewer  con- 
struction in  every  borough  and  township  in 
Luzerne  County.  One  of  the  main  reasoris 
for  Mr.  Goeringer's  success  has  been  his 
insistence  on  adequate  and  modern  equip- 
ment. Few  firms  in  the  country  can  boast 
as  complete  machinery  and  tools.  In  1927 
he  built  what  is  one  of  the  most  modern 
asphalt  plants  in  the  United  States,  on  Scott 
Street,   Wilkes-Barre. 

Mr.  Goeringer  is  a  member  of  the  Benevo- 
lent and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  Fraternal 
Order  of  Eagles,  United  States  Chamber  of 
Commerce.  Lehman  Rod  and  Gun  Club  and 
the  National    Road   Builders'   Association. 

He  was  born  in  Wilkes-Barre,  February 
12,  1887,  son  of  Ferdinand  and  Louise 
(Schmidt)  Goeringer.  He  attended  public 
schools,  and  as  a  young  man  worked  in  the 
mines  and  at  blacksmith  and  rock  contract- 
ing work.  Later  he  learned  the  electrician's 
trade  and  in  1906  formed  the  electrical  con- 
tracting firm  of  Baldwin  and  Goeringer.  He 
bought  his  partner's  interest  in  1909  and  from 
then  till  1924  operated  it  as  the  Goeringer 
Electrical  Company  adding  to  the  scope  of 
the  business  by  undertaking  many  sewer  and 
paving  contracts.  In  1915  he  formed  the  C.  F. 
Goeringer  Construction  Company  which  he 
merged  with  the  Goeringer  Electrical  Com- 
pany. Meanwhile  he  had  expanded  his  inter- 
ests" and  properties,  becoming  successively 
president  of  the  Bertels  Metalware  Company 
and  the  Davis  Electrical  Company.  From 
the  first  it  has  been  his  policy  to  operate  on 
a  large  scale,  as  attested  by  his  purchase 
of  the  quarries  at  Pond  Hill  and  Moosic.  He 
is  one  of  the  country's  most  successful  con- 
tractors. Mr.  Goeringer  resides  at  Lake 
Louise,  R.  D.  No.  3,  Dallas,  and  his  office  is 
at  No.  296  Madison  Street,  Wilkes-Barre. 
Pennsylvania. 


647 


RALPH  LEWIS  BRICKEL — The  town  of 
Dallas  is  fortunate  in  having  so  able  and 
progressive  an  exponent  of  the  furniture 
business  and  the  mortician's  profession  as 
Ralph  L.  Brickel,  the  successor  of  his  father, 
the  late  Bernhard  W.  Bricltel,  who  conducted 
the  dual  establishment  for  half  a  century. 
The  present  proprietor  is  demonstrating  to 
his  public  from  long  experience  in  the  bank- 
ing field,  his  capacity  for  ministration  to 
their  needs  for  his  services.  Mr.  Brickel  is 
actively  interested  in  financial,  civic  and 
fraternal  activities  and  is  a  cordial  sym- 
pathizer of  all  worthy  projects  that  make  up 
Dallas    community    effort. 

Ralph  Lewis  Brickel  was  born  in  Dallas, 
March  8.  18S1,  son  of  Bernhard  W.  and  Mary 
(Honeywell)  Brickel.  His  father,  born  in 
Catasauqua,  Lehigh  County,  in  1853,  was 
reared  in  Bethlehem,  Northampton  County. 
When  twenty-one  years  of  age  he  opened 
his  undertaking  establishment  in  Dallas  and 
added  a  furniture  department.  He  became 
one  of  the  most  successful  and  best-respected 
of  the  Dallas  merchants.  He  died  April  14, 
1927.  His  wife,  born  in  Dallas,  in  1850,  passed 
away  September  28,  1922. 

His  preliminary  school  training  was  re- 
ceived in  the  public  schools  of  his  native 
town,  from  which  Ralph  Lewis  Brickel  passed 
to  the  Harry  Hillman  Academy,  Wilkes- 
Barre.  He  completed  his  academic  course  at 
Wyoming  Seminary,  class  of  1902.  His  first 
formal  business  connection  after  leaving  the 
seminary  was  with  the  Second  National  Bank 
of  Wilkes-Barre,  where  he  served  as  book- 
keeper for  eighteen  years.  It  was  supposed 
by  friends  and  associates  that  he  was  a 
fixture  for  life  in  the  banking  profession,  and 
it  is  reasonable  to  conjecture  that  he  would 
have  remained  such,  with  merited  rise  in 
rank,  if  the  advancing  age  and  attendant  ill- 
ness of  his  father  had  not  intervened  to 
influence  a  change  in  his  career. 

In  1922,  Mr.  Brickel  abandoned  the  financial 
field  as  a  means  to  a  livelihood,  and  with  a 
praiseworthy  sense  of  the  dutiful  to  his 
aging  parent,  he  took  over  the  furniture  and 
undertaking  business,  with  which  his  father's 
name  had  been  so  conspicuously  and  worth- 
ily identified  for  the  period  beginning  in 
1875.  He  is  maintaining  the  prestige,  quality 
of  service  and  dependability  for  which  the 
house  of  Brickel  has  been  so  well  and  favor- 
ably known  to  the  people  of  Dallas  and  the 
vicinity. 

Mr.  Brickel  is  a  man  of  influence  in  Dallas 
affairs  outside  his  own  immediate  business. 
He  has  been  a  director  of  the  First  National 
Bank  since  January,  1922.  He  is  an  esteemed 
member  of  the  Republican  party,  and  has 
served  the  town  as  school  director  for  two 
years.  He  is  afliliated  with  the  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons  Lodge,  No.  531;  Shekinah 
Chapter,  Royal  Arch  Masons:  Dieu  le  Veut 
Commandery,  No.  45,  Knights  Templar;  Irem 
Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the 
Mystic  Shrine;  and  the  Junior  Order  of 
■United  American  Mechanics.  His  religious 
association  is  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church. 

Ralph  D.  Brickel  married,  in  1910,  Jessie 
P.  Austin,  of  Parsons,  Pennsylvania,  daugh- 
ter of  Leonard  and  Isabel  Austin.  They  are 
the  parents  of  a  son,  William  A.,  born  May 
IS,   1913. 


EMRYS  RICHARDS,  M.  D. — Well  known  in 
Wilkes-Barre  and  vicinity  as  a  physician. 
Emrys  Richards  has  shown  himself  willing 
and  desirous  at  all  times  to  give  freely  of  his 
time  and  talents  for  the  aid  of  the  ill  and 
injured.    Since   he   opened   his  offices  here   at 


the  beginning  of  the  century,  the  confidence 
and  the  esteem  which  his  skill  has  won  in 
the  community  have  created  for  him  an  envi- 
able  practice. 

Dr.  Richards  was  born  in  Glamorganshire, 
South  Wales,  on  September  20,  1874,  the  son 
of  David  and  Ann  (Bevan)  Richards,  who 
came  from  Wales  to  Luzerne  County  in  18S0, 
when  he  wa.s  only  six  years  old.  For  many 
years  the  father  was  a  mine  foreman  for 
the  Lehigh  Valley  Coal  Company.  Then  both 
David  and  Ann  (Bevan)  Richards  died  at 
the  age  of  sixty-eight  years.  David  Rich- 
ards had  eight  children:  Catherine  Smith, 
of  Wilkes-Barre,  daughter  of  a  former  mar- 
riage: Evan  Richards,  of  West  Pittston,  engi- 
neer on  the  Lehigh  Valley  Railroad  since 
1896,  a  son  by  a  former  marriage:  J.  Tal. 
Richards,  structual  iron  engineer  and  contrac- 
tor: J.  LlewUyn  Richards:  Emrys,  of  whom 
further:  William,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  an  assist- 
ant mine  foreman  for  the  Delaware  and  Hud- 
son Coal  Company;  Margaret,  who  married 
Henry  Sayes;  and  Mrs.  Myfanwy  Johns,  a 
widow,    of  Wilkes-Barre. 

Dr.  Richards,  as  a  boy,  attended  the  pub- 
lic schools  of  his  native  city,  then  went  for 
four  years  to  the  Wyoming  Seminary,  in 
Kingston.  In  1896  he  matriculated  in  the 
University  of  Pennsylvania,  from  which  he 
was  graduated  in  the  class  of  1900  with  the 
degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine.  He  then  re- 
turned to  Wilkes-Barre,  where  he  began  the 
practice  of  his  profession.  Dr.  Richards  is 
keenly  interested  in  political  matters,  being 
a  member  of  the  Republican  party.  In  his 
religious  affiliations  he  is  identified  with  the 
First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Luzerne  County 
Medical  Association,  the  Pennsylvania  Med- 
ical Society,  and  the  American  Medical  Asso- 
ciation. Active  in  the  fraternal  life  of  the 
community,  he  is  a  member  of  the  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons,  in  which  order  he  is  affil- 
iated with  the  Landmark  Lodge,  No.  442,  of 
Wilkes-Barre:  the  Shekinah  Chapter,  No. 
182,  Royal  Arch  Masons:  the  Dieu  le  Veut 
Commandery,  No.  45,  Knights  Templar;  the 
Keystone  Consistory,  of  Scranton,  Ancient 
Accepted  Scottish  Rite,  in  which  he  holds  the 
Thirty-second  degree;  Irem-  Temple  of  the 
Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic 
Shrine,  of  Wilkes-Barre;  and  the  Shrine 
Country  Club.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Frater- 
nal Order  of  Eagles.  Active  in  the  work  of 
his  profession.  Dr.  Richards  was  a  member 
of  the  United  States  Voluntary  Medical  Serv- 
ice Corps  during  the  World  War,  and  served 
as  acting  assistant  surgeon  in  the  United 
States  Public  Health  Service  in  the  New  Eng- 
land States  at  the  outbreak  of  the  influenza 
epidemic  of  1918.  He  was  acting  assistant 
surgeon  to  the  Lehigh  Valley  Coal  Company 
during"  the  Mexican  border  trouble  and  the 
World  War.  In  the  World  War  he  endeavored 
to  enlist  in  the  Reserve  Medical  Corps,  but 
was  physically  disqualified  for  entrance  into 
the  United  States  Army. 

Active  in  the  life  of  Wilkes-Barre  and  the 
neig'hboring  community,  he  holds  a  member- 
ship in  the  Lehigh  Valley  Medical  Associa- 
tion; from  1920  to  1925  was  supreme  medical 
examiner  for  the  Greek  and  Roman  Catholic 
societies  of  Pennsylvania;  and  is  now  med- 
ical examiner  for  the  John  Hancock  Life 
Insurance  Company,  of  Boston.  He  was  a 
candidate  for  the  office  of  county  coroner  in 
the   1927  elections. 

In  April,  1902,  Dr.  Richards  married  Leona 
G.  Learn,  a  daughter  of  Charles  O.  and 
Isabella  Learn,  of  Wilkes-Barre.  They  be- 
came the  parents  of  two  children:  Thelma, 
who  died  in  childhood;  and  Margaret  L.,  who 


graduated  with  Bachelor  of  Arts  degree  in 
the  class  of  192S,  from  Wilson  College,  in 
Chambersburg,  Pennsylvania. 

CIjIIVTOIV  S.  CALLAHAN — Mr.  Callahan  was 
formerly  manager  of  the  branch  office  of  the 
C  I  T.  Corporation  at  Wilkes-Barre,  is  now 
assistant  vice-president  of  this  corporation, 
with  home  office  at  No.  1  Park  Avenue,  New 
York  Citv.  Commercial  Investment  Trust, 
Incorporated,  or  C.  I.  T.,  as  it  is  known,  is 
the  largest  independent  financing  concern  of 
its  kind  in  the  world,  having  a  capital  and 
surplus  of  over  one  hundred  million  dollars. 
Mr.  Callahan  has  charge  of  the  corporation's 
business  in  the  southeastern  States. 

Mr  Callahan  is  the  son  of  D.  G.  Callahan, 
residing  at  No.  73  Park  Place,  Kingston. 
Pennsylvania,  his  mother,  Mary  A.  (Kmtz) 
Callahan,    having    died    some    years    ago. 

Anne  L.  and  Doris  J.  Callahan  are  his 
daughters;  Anne  L.  Callahan  is  attending 
Arlington  Hall  at  Washington,  District  of 
Columbia,  and  Doris  J.  Callahan  is  attending 
school    at   Kingston,    Pennsylvania. 

With  his  family  Mr.  Callahan  attends  the 
Methodist  Church,  and  in  politics  he  has  al- 
ways   voted    the    Republican    ticket. 

FRANK    KETTLE— To    the    men    who    are 

detailed  for  mine  inspection  in  the  various 
districts  of  the  busy  fields  is  given  much 
responsibility.  They  must  have  clarity  of 
vision,  a  speedy  grasp  of  conditions  and  a 
farseeing  view  of  possibilities.  Of  those  who 
fill  this  important  post  in  the  Wyoming  Val- 
ley none  is  more  highly  honored  than  Frank 
Kettle  who,  in  the  year  1926,  had  ten  thou- 
sand men  under  his  personal  and  careful 
supervision. 

Mr.  Kettle  was  born  in  Plymouth,  Luzerne 
County,  October  17.  1877,  the  son  of  Franklin 
Alonzo  and  Louisa  (Stuart)  Kettle,  both  na- 
tives of  Wyoming  Valley,  the  former  being 
born  in  Nanticoke,  Luzerne  County,  and  hay- 
ing engaged  in  mining  all  his  life.  He  is  still 
Hvlngit  the  time  of  this  record  (1928)  and  is 
employed  as  watchman  in  one  of  the  largest 
mines  of  the  valley.  He  was  the  son  of  Henry 
R.    Kettle,    in    his    day    a    well-known    mine- 

The  early  education  of  Frank  Kettle  was 
obtained  in  what  can  be  described  as  the 
"School  of  Hard  Knocks,"  for  he  worked  in 
the  breakers  when  but  seven  years  of  age 
He  was  released  from  his  toil  when  the  law 
was  passed  compelling  children  under  the  age 
of  twelve  years  of  age  to  cease  su«;h  work 
and  he  took  advantage  of  the  time  at  his  dis- 
posal to  obtain  the  education  he  so  earnestly 
desired.  When  he  reached  the  age  of  twelve 
years  the  went  to  work  as  a  "breaker  boy, 
and  soon  afterwards  rose  to  the  post  of  door 
boy  in  the  mines.  From  that  position  he 
worked  up  through  the  various  grades  until 
he  attained  his  present  post.  He  took  a 
mining  course  through  a  correspondence 
school  in  1905,  and  in  1916  he  was  appointed 
to  the  office  of  mine  inspector.  He  officiates 
as  Inspector  of  the  Thirteenth  Anthracite 
District,  located  at  Nanticoke  and  covering 
eleven  collieries.  In  local  affairs,  Mr.  Kettle 
has  always  been  most  active.  He  was  one  of 
the  promoters  of  the  Mining  School  and  In- 
stitute, and  for  two  years  he  acted  as  a 
teacher  of  mining,  prior  to  the  State  taking 
charge  thereof. 

In  1896  Mr.  Kettle  married  Mary  Ellen  Hen- 
nessy,  of  Plymouth.  Mrs.  Kettle  passed  away 
August  7,  1922,  being  survived  by  her  hus- 
band and  five  children:  Fred,  Jr.,  Abbie, 
Helen,  Gerald,  and  Franklin.  Mr.  Kettle  re- 
sides with  his  family  at  151  State  Street, 
Nanticoke. 


VICTOR  E.  LEWIS — For  twenty-two  years 
Victor  E.  Lewis  hns  been  identified  with  the 
public  schools  of  Edwardsville,  Pennsylvania, 
as  a  teacher  in  the  grades,  as  a  high  school 
teacher,  as  principal  of  the  high  school,  and, 
since  1923,  as.  supervising  principal  of  all 
the  Edwardsville  schools.  He  began  teaching 
in  the  grades  before  his  academic  course  was 
finished,  and  has  through  all  the  years  of 
his  teaching  continued  to  study,  keeping  in 
touch  with  the  most  advanced  and  efficient 
methods  and  materials  of  educational  en- 
deavor and  also  keeping  closely  in  touch  with 
the  interests  of  the  students  whose  work  he 
has    been    directing. 

Victor    E.    Lewis    was    born     in    Kingston, 
Pennsylvania,    March    13,    1889,    son    of    Jonah 
Lewis,   a   stationary  engineer,   who   was  born 
in    Wales,    in    1856,    and    died    in    1894,    and    of 
Mary  (Roblin)  Lewis,  who  was  born  in  Wales 
in     1868,    and    survives    her    husband     (1930). 
Though    born    in    Kingston,    Professor    Lewis 
received    his    early    education    in    the    public 
schools  of  Edwardsville,  graduating  with  first 
honors    from    the    high    school    here    with    the 
class  of  1906.    This  same  year  (1906)  he  began 
teaching    in    the    grades    in    Edwardsville    for 
five    years    as    a    grade    principal.      Later    he 
entered  Bucknell  Academy,  from  which  insti- 
tution   he    was    graduated    with    the    class    of 
1912  with  honors.    Upon  his  return  from   col- 
lege he  was  appointed  a  teacher  in  the  high 
school.     After    seven    years    of   successful    ex- 
perience   as    a    high    school    teacher,    he    was 
made    principal    of    the    high    school,    and    in 
this  executive  and  administrative  position  he 
proved   his  ability   as   conclusively   as  he  had 
done    in   his   various    teaching   positions    here. 
In    1923    he    was   appointed    supervising    prin- 
cipal    of    the     Edwardsville     schools,     and     is 
acting    in    that  capacity   at   the   present   time. 
Mr.    Lewis    is    one    of    the    progressive    school 
men    of    this    part    of    the    State,    and    as    his 
responsibilities    have    been    increased,    he    has 
always     kept     his     preparation     and     further 
equipment  for  his  work  abreast  of  his  oppor- 
tunities.   Though  busy  with  his  teaching  and 
with    his   supervisory   work   he  has   continued 
his    studies    and    in    1926    he    received    from 
the  Pennsylvania  State  College  the  degree  of 
Bachelor    of    Arts    in    Education.     During    the 
summer  of  1929  Mr.  Lewis  received  his  Master 
of    Arts    degree    in    Education    from    Susque- 
hanna University,  graduating  from  that  insti- 
tution With  honors.    He  has  exerted  a  strong 
influence  over  the  development  of  the  schools 
and    over    the    lives    of    the    boys    and    girls 
with  whom  he  has  been  associated  as  teacher, 
friend,    and    counsellor,    and    the    community 
owes    much   to   the    man   who    is    devoting   his 
years   to    the   most   important    work    that   can 
be    done    for    them,    the    development    of    the 
abilities   and    the    directing   of    the    form.ation 
of  the  characters   of   the   youth   of  the    place 
Mr     Lewis    has    won    the    sincere    regard    of 
his   many    students,    as  well   as   of   the   school 
directors  and   the   teachers,   also   of   the   com- 
munity   at    large,    and    as    the    years    pass    he 
is    making   his   service    increasingly   valuable. 
Politically,    he    is   a    Republican.     Fraternally, 
he    is   a   Member   of   Lodge   No.    395,    Free    and 
Accepted   Masons;    and    of   Shekinah    ChaPter 
Royal    Arch   Masons;    also    of   the    Knights   ot 
Pythias     and     the     Junior     Order     of     United 
American     Mechanics,     and     educationally     a 
member  of  the   State  Teachers'   League,   P.  b. 
E     A     and    National     Education    Association. 
His    religious    interest    is    with    the    Edwards 
Memorial    Congregational    Church    at    which 
he  has  served  as  corresponding  secretary  for 
thirteen  years  and  as  a  Sunday  school  teacher 
for  fifteen  years.    As  has  already  been  stated, 
Mr    Lewis    possesses    literary    ability,    and    is 
more  than  a  mere  lover  of  the  literary  prod- 


A 


V^  ^2-^^^ /M^^^ 


649 


ucts  of  others.  He  devotes  considerable  time 
to  creative  worl<  in  tiiis  field,  being  especially 
successful  in  the  writing  of  verse.  He  has 
written  several  prize-winning  poems,  among 
which  are  "In  Memoriam"  to  the  late  Dr. 
T.  C.  Edwards;  "Lest  We  Forget,"  and  an 
epic  poem  on  the  growth  of  tile  Edwards' 
Memorial  Church.  Mr.  Lewis  writes  chiefly 
lyric  and  epic  poetry.  He  is  also  interested 
in  the  compilation  of  various  reference 
works,  and  his  work  as  recording  secretary 
of  the  Edwards'  Meinorial  Congregational 
Church  for  the  past  thirteen  years  placed 
him  in  touch  with  material  which  he  felt 
should  be  placed  in  accessible  and  permanent 
form,  so  he  wrote  the  second  volume  of  the 
history  of  that  church.  He  is  also  the  author 
of  a  Teacher  Objective  Efficiency  Scale,  and 
a  co-author  of  a  card  to  evaluate  text  books. 
As  a  citizen  and  as  a  kindly  and  wise  friend 
and  associate,  Mr.  Lewis  has  long  been  highly 
esteemed  in  Edwardsville,  and  he  numbers 
among  his  former  students  a  host  of  friends. 
A'ictor  E.  Lewis  was  married,  June  4,  1914, 
to  Jemima  Pratt,  of  Nanticoke,  daughter  of 
Robert  and  Mary  Pratt,  and  they  have  one 
son,  Thorwald  E.,  who  was  born  here  in 
Edwardsville.  October  15,  1915.  The  family 
home  is  at  No.  185  Green  Street,  in  Edwards- 
ville,   Pennsylvania. 


JOHN  L.  SULLIVAN — The  first  modern 
building  to  be  erected  in  Dallas  in  more 
than  a  decade,  was  the  structure  at  the 
corner  of  Main  and  Rice  streets,  built  in 
1923  by  John  L.  Sullivan,  the  prominent  real 
estate  operator  of  that  town,  who  has  also 
held  the  office  of  State  Fire  Marshal  for 
Dallas  since  1919.  Another  of  the  public 
offices  held  by  Mr.  Sullivan  is  that  of  high 
constable   of   Dallas. 

Mr.  Sullivan  was  born  in  Miners  Mills, 
Luzerne  County,  on  August  14,  1S90,  the  son 
of  Daniel  A.  and  Mary  (Sheridan)  Sullivan, 
the  former  a  well-known  mine  superinten- 
dent of  this  section,  who  was  born  at  Dover, 
New  Jersey,  in  1863;  died  April  28,  1902. 
The  mother  of  Mr.  Sullivan  was  born  in 
Archbald,  Lackawanna  County,  June  26,  1S64. 
Mr.  Sullivan  acquired  his  early  education  in 
the  public  and  higli  schools  of  Forty  Fort, 
Luzerne  County,  graduating  from  the  latter 
institution  in  1906.  He  worked  in  the  mines 
for  two  years,  and  then  took  a  position  with 
the  Matheson  Automobile  Company,  at  Wilkes- 
Barre,  where  he  became  thoroughly  ac- 
quainted with  the  mechanics  of  that  trade. 
In  1911  he  started  an  automobile  school  under 
the  name  of  the  Sullivan  Automobile  School, 
which  he  continued  with  much  success  until 
1917.  In  the  meantime,  in  1913,  he  moved 
to  Dallas,  where  he  was  appointed  post- 
master by  the  Late  President  Woodrow  Wil- 
son, serving  in  that  capacity  until  1921.  In 
the  latter  year  he  entered  the  real  estate 
business,  whicli  he  still  conducts.  The  reli- 
gious afBliations  of  Mr.  Sullivan  are  with 
the  Roman    Catholic   Church. 

In  December,  1913,  Mr.  Sullivan  married 
Minnie  H.  Pettibone,  of  Wyoming,  Luzerne 
County.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sullivan  were  the  par- 
ents of  seven  children,  of  whom  two,  John 
L.,  Jr.,  and  William  Carl,  died  in  infancy. 
The  five  now^  living  are  as  follows:  1.  Anna 
Mae,  born  October  22,  1914.  2.  Madeline  C 
born  April  4,  1916.  3.  Gerald  J.,  born  July 
20,  191S.  4.  Helen  A.,  born  June  30,  1920.  5. 
Dorothy  R.,  born  August  7,  1922. 


•WILLIAM  B.  CLEARY — At  fifty -seven  years 
of  age,  William  B.  Cleary  is  one  of  the  oldest 
and  most  active  members  of  the  reportorial 
profession    in   the   Wyoming   Valley.     Having 


served  continuously  for  more  than  forty 
years,  he  is  the  veteran  newspaper  cor- 
respondent of  the  region,  at  once  the  envy 
and  the  admiration  of  many  a  scribe,  his 
junior  by  a  score  or  more  of  years.  Ubiqui- 
tous, regular  as  the  United  States  mail  or 
the  daily  paper  itself,  ever  loyal  to  his  con- 
nections and  his  constituency,  Mr.  Cleary 
furnishes  an  outstanding  example  to  the  peo- 
ple of  Plymouth  of  the  newswriter  of  the 
old  school — active,  accurate  and  conclusive 
in  the  work  he  loves  so  well.  A  former 
State  Representative,  he  is  ever  mindful  of 
the  larger  affairs  and  responsibilities  of  citi- 
zenship, and  he  still  is  a  valued  public  serv- 
ant, occupying  the  office  of  president  of  the 
Board   of   Health   of  Plymouth. 

Born  in  Scranton,  August  30,  1872,  son  of 
William  and  Ann  (Flanagan)  Cleary,  Wil- 
liam B.  Cleary  at  an  early  age  manifested 
those  traits  that  showed  he  was  headed  in 
the  right  direction.  He  was  nine  years  old 
when  he  signed  the  pledge  in  the  St.  Vincent 
Cadets,  a  junior  temperance  order,  from 
which  he  took  a  demit,  at  the  age  of  four- 
teen, to  the  Father  Mathew  Society.  The 
original  pledge  remains  unbroken,  and  Mr. 
Cleary  is  known  to  his  friends  and  asso- 
ciates as  an  enthusiastic  and  consistent  total 
abstainer. 

Character  building  of  the  quality  that  has 
marked  Mr.  Cleary's  private  life  could  but 
have  a  corollary  in  his  contacts  with  the 
public  as  he  made  his  own  way  in  the  world. 
In  1SS9  he  was  assigned  by  the  old  "Times" 
to  the  post  of  Plymouth  correspondent.  At 
that  time  there  were  but  twenty-three  names 
on  the  books  in  Plymouth.  For  twenty  years 
approximately  he  covered  his  assignment 
with  an  ability  and  a  faithfulness  that  be- 
came a  tradition  in  Wyoming  Valley  news- 
paper circles.  He  was  more  than  a  scribe — • 
he  w^as  a  figure  in  the  community,  an  indis- 
pensable servant  of  the  public,  which  came 
to  claim  him  as  its  verj'  own.  He  combed 
his  territory  with  the  care  and  precision 
of  a  tried  and  true  resident  correspondent 
and  landed  many  a  scoop  for  his  paper.  He 
became  an  invaluable  member  of  the  "Times" 
staff,  and  that  journal's  synonym  of  regular- 
ity and  dependability  to  the  people  of  Plym- 
outh. 

With  the  consolidation  of  the  "Times"  and 
the  "Leader,"  in  1908,  there  was  not  the 
slightest  thought  of  dispensing  with  Mr. 
Cleary's  service  in  tile  Plymouth  field.  Rather 
was  it  to  be  readily  perceived  that  he  was 
a  contributing  factor  there  to  the  retention 
of  the  enlarged  newspapers  local  clientele. 
When  the  combination  went  into  effect  and 
the  "Times-Leader"  sought  to  hold  the  good- 
will that  belonged  to  the  papers  as  indivi- 
dual organs,  there  ^vere  one  thousand  and 
two  hundred  names  on  the  books  in  Plym- 
outh. Today  the  Plymouth  list  alone  com- 
prises more  than  three  thousand — a  figure 
which  speaks  well  for  the  wisdom  of  the 
"Times-Leader"  management  in  making  no 
change  of  correspondents  in  Plymouth.  The 
fact  of  the  increased  circulation  is  also  elo- 
quent as  showing  the  expansion  of  the  com- 
munity itself  as  a  residential  borough  and  in 
real     property     and     commercial     values. 

The  Republican  party  is  fortunate  in  hav- 
ing in  Mr.  Cleary's  long-time  adherence  that 
of  a  broadly  active  man  in  his  district.  Many 
years  ago  he  was  esteemed  b>'  the  voters  to 
be  of  legislative  caliber,  and  the  Fifth  Rep- 
resentative District  sent  him  to  Harrisburg 
as  a  member  of  the  House  for  the  1911-13 
session.  The  interests  of  his  constituency 
were  carefully  looked  after  during  his  term 
of    office.     Mr.    Cleary    also    served    as    State 


6so 


committeeman  from  the  Fifth  Leg-islative 
District  and  held  other  minor  offices.  Mat- 
ters of  a  public  nature  have  always  held 
the  active  attention  of  Mr.  Cleary — his  pro- 
fessional practice  serves  to  give  him  both 
an  intimate  and  a  broad  outlook  upon  poli- 
tical events  in  the  making-  and  the  results 
attained.  His  concern  vfith  local  progress 
along-  civic  and  commercial  lines  quite  natu- 
rally follo-svs  in  his  work  as  correspondent, 
and  this  general  interest  commends  him  to 
the  further  regard  of  the  people.  One  of  the 
honors  the  town  conferred  unon  him  was 
that  of  president  of  the  Board  of  Health, 
the  duties  of  which  office  he  discharges  with 
punctilious  regard  for  the  health  of  the  com- 
munity. 

Mr.  Cleary  is  a  lifelong  resident  of  "Old 
Shawnee,"  and  a  charter  member  of  Plymouth 
Council,  No.  9S4,  Knights  of  Columbus,  and 
Plymouth  Aerie,  No.  546,  Fraternal  Order  of 
Eagles,  and  an  honored  member  of  the  Father 
Mathew  Society.  He  and  his  family  worship 
at   St.  Vincent's   Roman   Catholic   Church. 

William  B.  Cleary  married,  January  ],  1901, 
Mary  T.  Lynch,  of  Plymouth,  daughter  of 
Thomas  and  Mary  Lynch.  Their  children  are- 
Mary  Theresa,  Ann  Elizabeth,  and  William 
B.  Jr. 


ROLAND  GROVER  — Since  1923  Roland 
Grover  has  been  assistant  cashier  of  the 
Miners'  Bank  of  Wilkes-Barre,  one  of  the 
largest  financial  institutions  in  the  State  of 
Pennsylvania.  He  is  a  man  of  wide  experi- 
ence in  his  chosen  occupation,  having  held  a 
number  of  positions  with  various  banking 
houses,  both  in  Pennsylvania  and  elsewhere, 
and  he  has  proved  himself  a  man  of  excep- 
tional ability  and  acumen.  Aside  from  his 
business  career  he  is  extremely  prominent  in 
the  social  and  fraternal  life  of  his  com- 
munity. 

Mr.  Grover  was  born  on  November  29, 
18S6,  at  Hobble,  Hollenback  Township,  Penn- 
sylvania, the  son  of  Marshall  E.  Grover,  now 
retired,  and  of  Emma  May  Grover,  both  of 
whom  are  living  at  No.  487  South  River 
Street,  Wilkes-Barre.  Marshall  E.  Grover  is 
the  son  of  Joshua  and  Ellen  (Shortz)  Grover, 
members  of  old  Luzerne  County  families', 
Joshua  Grover,  who,  in  early  life  was  a 
farmer,  lived  until  his  ninetieth  year.  Mar- 
shall and  Emma  May  Grover  became  the 
parents  of  two  children:  1,  Thaddeus  Ray- 
mond, who  is  now  assistant  superintendent 
of  the  Manhattan  Eye,  Ear,  and  Throat  Hos- 
pital, in  New  York  City.    2.   Roland. 

Roland  Grover  attended  the  public  schools 
of  Luzerne  County,  and  the  Wilkes-Barre 
High  School,  from  which  he  was  graduated 
in  1905.  Later  he  was  graduated  from  the 
Wilkes-Barre  branch  of  the  Wharton  Ex- 
tension School  of  the  University  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, being  a  member  of  the  class  of  1916. 
Meanwhile  his  business  career  was  well  under 
way.  His  first  position  was  with  the  Lehigh 
Valley  Railroad  in  a  clerical  capacity.  Later 
he  became  connected  with  the  Hanover  Bank 
of  South  Wilkes-Barre,  and  after  one  year 
accepted  a  position  with  the  Luzerne  County 
National  Bank,  where  he  remained  until 
1923.  At  that  time  the  Luzerne  County  Bank 
was  merged  with  the  Miners'  Bank  of  Wilkes- 
Barre,  and  Mr.  Grover  became  assistant 
cashier  of  the  latter  institution,  in  which 
position  he  has  continued  since  that  time 
-ivith  great  success. 

Politically,  he  is  a  member  of  the  Repub- 
lican party.  He  is  a  member  and  a  liberal 
supporter  of  the  First  Evangelical  Church, 
of  Wilkes-Barre.  He  is  affiliated  fraternally 
with  the  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  in  which 


organization  he  is  a  member  of  Blue  Lodge, 
No.  61;  of  Shekinah  Chapter,  No.  1S2  of  the 
Royal  Arch  Masons;  Dieu  le  Veut  Comman- 
dery.  No.  45,  of  the  Knights  Templar;  Cald- 
well Consistory,  at  Bloomsburg,  Pennsyl- 
vania, of  the  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite 
Masons  of  the  thirty-second  degree,  and  Irem 
Temple  of  the  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles 
of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  He  is  also  a  member 
of  the  Wyoming  Valley  Motor  Club,  and  of 
the  Irem  Temple  Country  Club. 

Mr.  Grover  is  unmarried  and  resides  with 
his  parents  at  No.  4S7  South  River  Street, 
Wilkes-Barre. 


ARTHUR  E.  BOOTH— Attainment  of  the 
supreme  executive  control  of  the  school  sys- 
tem of  such  an  important  municipality  as 
Luzerne  at  the  age  of  thirty  years  is  an 
achievement  of  which  Arthur  E.  Booth  may 
well  be  proud.  Qualified  for  the  position  of 
supervising  principal  by  education  and  per- 
sonal attributes,  his  selection  for  the  post 
has  met  with  the  approval  of  all  citizens  who 
have  made  more  than  a  cursory  study  of  the 
educational  situation  and  who  have  watched 
his  rise.  His  work  prior  to  coming  to  Luzerne 
was  of  such  quality  as  to  indicate  the  cor- 
rectness of  his  choice  of  vocation  and  there 
is  every  reason  to  expect  him  to  continue  to 
advance,  although  self-interest  would  cause 
the  community  to  deplore  a  promotion  that 
would  remove  him  from  his  present  position 
in  control  of  the  instruction  of  the  youth  of 
Luzerne. 

He  was  born  in  Sweden,  June  26,  1897,  a 
son  of  John  A.  Booth,  a  lace  finisher  by  trade 
and  English  by  birth,  and  Helena  (Helberg) 
Booth,  a  native  of  Sweden,  who  came  to 
America  when  their  on  was  an  infant  and 
settled  in  the  Wyoming  Valley  of  Pennsyl- 
vania. His  education  was  attained  in  the 
public  schools  of  Wilkes-Barre,  he  was  grad- 
uated from  high  school  in  1915  and  then  at- 
tended the  Pennsylvania  State  College  for 
four  years,  graduating  with  the  degree  of 
Bachelor  of  Arts  in  1919,  when  he  began 
teaching  at  Pottsville.  He  continued  there 
for  three  years  and  then  came  to  Luzerne, 
where  he  held  the  post  of  principal  of  the 
high  school  for  five  years,  when  he  was 
selected  for  his  present  position.  The  Lu- 
zerne schools  are  housed  in  two  buildings, 
with  a  capacity  of  one  thousand  and  four 
hundred  students  under  thirty-six  teachers. 
The  present  high  school  building  was  erected 
in  1912.  Mr.  Booth  is  a  Republican  in  politics 
and  attends  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
He  is  affiliated  with  Free  and  Accepted  Ma- 
sons, member  of  the  Blue  Lodge,  No.  61; 
Shekinah  Chapter,  No.  182,  Royal  Arch  Ma- 
sons; Dieu  le  Veut  Commandery,  No.  45, 
Knights  Templar;  and  Irem  Temple,  Ancient 
Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine. 
His  college  fraternity  is  Sigma  Phi  Sigma. 

Arthur  E.  Booth  married.  November  28, 
1922,  Florence  Carey,  daughter  of  Thomas 
and    Elizabeth    Carey,    of    Wilkes-Barre. 


DANIEL,  W.  DAVIS — In  the  business  of 
plumbing  contracting,  Daniel  W.  Davis,  of 
Plymouth,  has  reached  a  secure  position  and 
applies  to  his  work  an  estimable  quality  of 
intelligent  effort  and  high  grade  material 
and  construction.  He  entered  the  business 
after  a  long  and  careful  preparation,  -which 
is  reflected  in  the  class  of  work  he  has  done 
for  the  builders  of  this  district,  where  many 
fine  structures  bear  the  mark  of  his  industry 
and  capability.  Of  the  highest  character  as 
a  citizen  and  business  man,  he  has  drawn 
a  trade  to  his  establishment  which  has 
brought  him   prosperity  as  well  as   fame.    Of 


'O^MM^^^,,^^^^^ 


65-1 


happy  personality,  engaging  in  his  attrac- 
tive qualities,  he  maizes  friends  readily  and 
liolds  them  securely,  being:  considered  one  of 
the  leaders  in  the  field  in   which  he  operates. 

He  was  born  in  Plymouth,  Pennsylvania, 
March  IS,  1S89,  a  son  of  William  Davis,  a 
coal  miner,  now  deceased,  and  Elizabeth 
(Evans)  Davis,  both  natives  of  Wales,  living, 
and  received  his  education  in  the  public 
schools  here  and  in  Wilkes-Barre,  where  he 
also  attended  business  college,  taking  a  spe- 
cial course  in  accounting.  He  then  took  up 
the  study  of  plumbing  and  heating  and  fol- 
lowed this  trade  for  five  years,  at  the  end 
of  which  period  he  established  himself  in 
contracting,  opening  his  first  store  in 
1912  on  Hanover  Street,  Plymouth,  Penn- 
sylvania, and  purchased  another  in  Wilkes- 
Barre,  at  No.  331  South  Main  Street,  in 
1925,  employing  an  average  of  seven  men. 
He  is  a  Republican  in  politics  and  belongs 
to  the  Kiwanis  Club,  the  Benevolent  and 
Protective  Order  of  Elks,  Knights  of  Pythias, 
Master  Plumbing  and  Heating  Association. 
Knights  of  Malta  and  Patriotic  Order  Sons 
of  .\merica.  He  attend.s  the  Welsh  First 
Baptist  Church.  A  director  of  the  Clark 
Lumber  &  Supply  Company,  Plymouth,  Penn- 
sylvania. 

Daniel  W.  Davis  married,  October  30,  1916, 
Stella  Pilgret,  daughter  of  John  Pilgret,  an 
electrical  engineer,  who  died  in  1901,  and 
Mary  (Knox)  Pilgret,  a  native  of  England, 
still  living".  They  are  the  parents  of  one  son: 
Theodore    A.,    born   September   27,    1917. 


IS.\AC  WILLI.-VM  GRANGER — Having  a 
combined  education  in  the  professions  of  min- 
ing and  civil  engineering,  with  practical 
experience  from  his  sixteenth  year,  Isaac 
William  Granger,  of  Plymouth,  Pennsylvania, 
has  reached  a  position  of  high  importance  in 
the  coal  mining  industry  of  this  State,  as 
well  as  won  the  regard  and  respect  of  a 
large  circle  of  acquaintances  and  friends. 
From  boyhood  he  has  shown  himself  to  be 
of  an  unusually  industrious  nature,  w^ith  a 
mind  peculiarly  suited  to  the  technical  and 
mechanical  details  of  the  iirofessions  he  fol- 
lowed. He  has  made  a  notable  success  in 
organization  of  the  units  that  comprise  the 
operating  forces  that  build  and  that  wrest 
from  the  earth  the  products  demanded  by 
modern  civilization.  He  has  been  known 
through  all  his  works  as  a  man  of  fair- 
ness to  all,  with  a  capacity  for  achievement 
and  a  technical  knowledge  that  has  enabled 
him  to  erect  with  speed  and  exactitude  trans- 
portation facilities,  or  to  bring  to  the  mar- 
ket the  products  of  the  mines  or  fields.  His 
personality  has  made  him  a  host  of  friends 
and  his  hig-h  plane  of  citizenship  has  brought 
to  him  the  sincere  respect  of  his  fellow- 
citizens. 

He  was  born  In  Girardville,  Pennsylvania, 
March  5,  1885.  son  of  John  B.  Granger,  a 
native  of  Tamaciua,  Pennsylvania,  and  of 
Ellen  (Jarvis)  Granger,  born  in  England,  in 
1860,  whose  death  occurred  December  16, 
1890.  His  father  was  born  in  1859  and  at  the 
time  of  his  death,  September  14,  1902,  was 
overseer  of  the  Girard  Estate  at  Girardville. 
Their  son  was  educated  in  the  public  schools 
of  his  native  town  and  was  graduated  from 
high  school  in  1901.  He  then  became  asso- 
ciated with  the  Philadelphia  and  Reading 
Coal  and  Iron  Company  and  made  a  study 
of  civil  and  mining  engineering,  with  head- 
quarters in  Pottsville,  where  he  worked  until 
1907.  He  w'as  then  employed  by  the  Piney 
Creek  Coal  Company  to  go  to  West  "Virginia 
and  open  the  soft  coal  beds  of  the  new 
river    fields.     This    work    required    one    year, 


when  he  returned  to  Pennsylvania  and  be- 
came assistant  to  the  mining  engineer  of  the 
Lehigh  Coal  and  Navigation  Company  at 
Landsford,  where  he  remained  until  1914.  In 
that  year  he  became  county  engineer  of 
Carbon  County,  holding  the  office  for  four 
years.  In  1918  he  built  the  trolley  railroad 
from  Shenandoah  to  Pottsville  for  the  Schuyl- 
kill Railway  Company,  after  which  he  became 
associated  with  the  technical  division  of  the 
Du  Pont  Powder  Company,  of  Wilmington, 
Delaware,  where  he  continued  for  two  years. 
This  work  was  abandoned  to  accept  the  post 
of  assistant  to  the  consulting  engineer  of 
the  Hudson  Coal  Company,  with  offices  at 
Scranton.  where  he  remained  for  one  year, 
when  he  was  transferred  to  the  Loree  Divi- 
sion of  that  corporation  at  Larksville.  with 
the  post  of  assistant  colliery  superintendent. 
He  is  a  Republican  in  politics  and  attends 
the  Presbyterian  Church,  being  president  of 
the  Men's  Club  of  that  religious  body.  He  is 
also  president  of  the  Kiwanis  Club  and  is 
afliliated  with  Lodge  No.  597,  Free  and  Ac- 
cepted Masons,  of  Scranton;  with  Lacka- 
wanna Chapter,  Royal  Arch  Masons,  and 
Melita  Commandery,  No.  68,  Knights  Templar; 
also  with  Ashland  Camp,  No.  84,  Patriotic 
Order   Sons   of   America. 

Isaac  William  Granger  married,  August  IS, 
1908,  Dora  Holmes,  of  Lansford,  Pennsyl- 
vania, daughter  of  John  E.  and  Hannah 
Holmes.  They  are  the  parents  of  six  chil- 
dren: Ellen  Jarvis;  Isaac  William,  Jr.;  Doris; 
Charles  Avard;  John  Holmes;  and  Jean  Ruth. 


JOSEPH  J.  JANOWSKI — Coming  to  America 
from  his  birthplace  in  Poland  when  he  was 
fifteen  years  of  age,  Joseph  J.  Janow'ski  be- 
gan a  career  in  the  new  land  that  has  been 
a  constant  advance,  until  he  now^  is  recog- 
nized as  one  of  the  leading  retail  merchants 
and  most  progressive  citizens  of  Nanticoke. 
In  large  measure  success  perches  upon  the 
banners  of  those  who  select  a  business  early 
in  life  and  never  deviate  from  the  original. 
This  has  been  the  case  w'ith  this  merchant, 
except  that  he  has  added  to  his  enterprise 
other  lines  of  trade  that  have  proved  equally 
advantageous.  He  is  a  man  of  broad  com- 
mercial vision,  of  unflagging  industry,  of 
impeccable  honesty,  sound  in  his  religion  and 
meritorious   as  a   citizen. 

Joseph  J.  Janowskl  was  born  in  Poland, 
JIarch  17,  1874,  a  son  of  William  and  Appo- 
lonja  (Osowski)  Janowskl.  In  1889  he  emi- 
grated to  America,  settled  in  Philadelphia, 
and  obtained  woi;k  in  the  sausage  depart- 
ment of  a  local  meat  store,  where  he  re- 
mained but  for  a  short  time.  He  then  went 
on  to  Chicago,  Illinois,  and  was  employed  by 
Swift  &  Company  in  the  packing  department 
of  that  great  house.  One  year  there  and  he 
came  to  Nanticoke  and  took  a  clerkship  in 
Gable's  meat  store,  w'here  he  remained  until 
1907,  when  he  founded  an  independent  butcher 
business  on  a  small  capital.  His  place  was  at 
No.  519  South  Market  Street  and  with  gro- 
ceries as  a  side  line  he  met  with  immediate 
encouragement  and  prosperity  began  to  smile 
on  his  efforts.  His  vision  told  him  of  another 
venture  that  seemed  to  be  promising  and  he 
established  a  school  supply  store  at  No.  7 
East  Noble  Street,  which  he  has  conducted 
for  upward  of  twenty  years.  He  became 
financially  interested  in  other  enterprises  and 
was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Miners' 
Bank  of  Nanticoke,  of  which  he  has  been  a 
director  since  its  foundation.  He  is  treasurer 
of  the  Merchants'  Association  of  Nanticoke 
and  a  member  of  the  National  Polish  Alliance 
of  America,  as  well  as  of  the  Polish  Union 
of  America  and  the  Falcons  Lodge  of  America. 


6.52 


He  is  religiously  affiliated  with  the  Roman 
Catholic  churches  of  St.  Stanislaus  and  Holy 
Trinity 

Mr  Janowski  married,  in  1897,  Frances 
Bozemski,  o(  Nanticoke.  Their  children  are: 
1  Leo,  a  meat  merchant,  who  married  Julia 
Groblowski  and  is  the  father  of  one  child, 
Jeanie.  2.  Henry,  engaged  in  business  with 
his  father;  married  Mary  Sikut  and  is  the 
father  of  one  child,  Joseph.  3.  Cecelia,  wife 
of  Alphonse  Groblowski,  a  druggist,  with  two 
children.  Marietta  and  Joseph.  4.  Edward,  a 
student  at  St.  Thomas'  College,  Scranton, 
Pennsylvania.  5.  Casmere,  a  student  in  Nan- 
ticoke High  School.  6.  Eleanor,  a  student  at 
Nanticoke  High  School.  7.  Joseph  J.,  Jr.  They 
reside  at  No.  7  East  Noble  Street,  Nanticoke. 

BAI.A  S.  NEARY— Starting  out  in  life  with- 
out a  dollar,  Bala  S.  Neary  has  made  himself 
one  of  the  substantial  citizens  of  Kingston, 
Pennsylvania.  He  was  born  in  Wilkes-Barre, 
Pennsylvania,  August  17,  1895,  only  son  of 
Stephen  and  Telka  (Perchy)  Neary.  The 
father   is   dead,    but    Mr.    Neary's    mother   still 

^"IV^a^boy  Mr.  Neary  attended  the  public 
schools  of  Kingston.  At  the  age  of  ten,  he 
was  employed  in  the  grocery  store  of  S.  A. 
Bovd,  at  Kingston  Corners,  Kingston  where 
he  remained  for  fifteen  years.  In  1918^^  the 
entrance  of  the  United  States  into  the  V^  orld 
War  took  him  into  the  Motor  Transport 
Corps  of  the  United  States  Army  and  he 
served  at  different  stations  in  the  United 
States  Honorably  discharged  and  once  more 
in  civilian  lite,  Mr.  Neary,  in  1920,  formed  a 
partnership  with  L.  R.  Turner  and  together 
they  have  successfully  managed  the  Quality 
Restaurant,  a  business  in  which  they  are 
engaged  at  the  present  time. 

Mr  Neary  is  Republican  in  politics  and  he 
is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  Kingston  Lodge,  No.  395, 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons;  Shekinah  Chapter 
No  182,  Royal  Arch  Masons;  Dieu  le  Veut 
Commandery,  No.  45,  Knights  Templar;  Irem 
Temple,  Ancient  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic 
Shrine;  Irem  Country  Club;  Kingston  Lodge 
No  709,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows 
and  the  Patriotic  Order  Sons  of  America  of 
Kingston.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Crafts- 
man's Club,  and  the  Black  Diamond  Post,  No. 
395,   of  the   American  Legion. 

Mr.  Neary  married,  March  4,  1924,  Ruth 
Ebbeson,  daughter  of  John  Ebbeson,  of 
Wilkes-Barre.  They  are  the  parents  of  one 
son,  Robert  Ebbeson  Neary. 

HARHY  TREBILCOX— A  resident  of  Plym- 
outh, Pennsylvania,  for  many  years,  Harry 
Trebilcox  is  prominent  in  all  phases  of  com- 
munity affairs.  He  has  had  much  experience 
in  mines  and  local  mining  operations,  ana 
when  in  1919,  he  was  appointed  adjuster  ot 
the  State  Compensation  Board,  by  Governor 
Sproul,  no  man  could  have  been  found  better 
fitted  bv  temperament  and  training  than  Mr 
Trebilcox.  In  addition  to  this  work  he  has 
occupied  various  positions  in  the  Plymouth 
government,  and  taken  an  active  part  in  the 
civic  and  social  lite  of  this  place. 

Mr  Trebilcox  was  born  in  Plymouth,  on 
March  1,  1882,  a  son  of  James  Trebilcox,  a 
coal  miner,  who  was  born  in  Cornwall,  Eng- 
land, in  1844,  and  died  in  1900,  and  of  Eliza 
(Moore)  Trebilcox,  who  was  born  in  1853,  also 
in  Cornwall,  and  who  is  still  living. 

Harry  Trebilcox  attended  the  public  schools 
of  his  birthplace,  and  at  the  age  ot  ten  began 
work  in  a  coal  breaker.  In  the  course  of  a 
year    merited  promotion  came  to  him  and  he 


became  fireman,  and  then  assistant  foreman 
in  the  mines,  retaining  this  position  until 
1919  when  he  was  appointed  adjuster  of 
the  'state  Compensation  Board  by  Governor 
Sproul.  To  the  work  ot  this  office  he  has 
since  devoted  his  time  and  attention,  dis- 
charging all  duties  which  come  to  him,  in  a 
highlv   efficient   manner. 

Politically,  Mr.  Trebilcox  supports  the  prin- 
ciples and  candidates  ot  the  Republican  party. 
Since  1910,  he  has  been  a  member  of  the  Plym- 
outh Borough  Council,  and  during  the  years 
190S  to  1910,  he  served  as  borough  auditor. 
Mr  Trebilcox  is  affiliated  fraternally  with  th^ 
Junior  Order  of  United  American  Mechanics, 
and  is  also  a  member  of  Lodge  No.  872,  of 
the  Independent  Order  ot  Odd  Fellows.  He 
i=!  a  member  of  Fire  Department  No.  3.  He 
and  his  family  worship  in  the  faith  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  in  the  Plym- 
outh Church  of  this  denomination,  Mr.  Trebil- 
cox is  a  local  minister. 

On  March  25,  1903,  Harry  Trebilcox  mar- 
ried Lydia  May  Horley,  of  Plymouth,  daugh- 
ter of  William  and  Lydia  Horley  ot  this  place. 
Mr  and  Mrs.  Trebilcox  are  the  parents  of  two 
children-  1.  Mvra  Lydia,  a  graduate  ot 
Bloomsburg  Normal  School,  and  now  a 
teacher  in  the  public  schools  of  Kingston. 
Pennsylvania.  2.  James,  who  was  graduated 
from  Plymouth  High  School,  and  Wyoming 
Seminary,  and  is  now  taking  the  course  in 
mining    engineering    at    Lafayette    College. 


DALLAS  C.  SHOBERT— It  is  not  often  that 
fate  decrees  more  than  one  successful   career 
for    an    individual,    yet    such    is    the    case    of 
Dallas  C.  Shobert.   of  Wilkes-Barre,   who,   for 
a   ouarter   ot   a   century   has   been    one   of   our 
leading  musicians  and   who  has,  at  the  same 
time,    been    a    vital    force    in    several   political 
activities      Add    to    these    the    business    ot    a 
successful  merchant  and  a  ^"^  J^""^"^'  "L"; 
bination    ot    talents    appears.     Mr.     Shobert  s 
interest  in  civic  affairs  of  the  Wyoming  Val- 
lev    has    commended    him    to    the    progressive 
eJement   of  the  community,    while   his  talen  s 
as  a   musician,  his  attractive  personalty,   his 
friendlv  accord  with  all  manner  of  social  ana 
fraternal  activities   and  his   Btainless  repum- 
tion    make    him    one    of    our    most    valuable 
''He"was     born     in     HoUenback     Township 
Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania,   November  12 
1879     a    son    of    Amos    Shobert,    born    m    1843 
in   HoUenback  Township,   and   a   merchant   in 
Shickshinny   and   HoUenback   Township    untU 
his     death     in     May,     1927,     and     of     SabiUa 
(Grover)   Shobert,  born  in  HoUenback   -Town- 
ship    in    1S46,    deceased    September,    1927.     He 
was 'educated  in  the  local  public  schools  and 
TtrerwaTd'    attended     the     l^^^-l^l^^^^.'Ti^ 
servatory  of  Music,  from  which  he  graduatea 
as    a    pianist    in    1897.     He    then    took    up    the 
profession    seriously   and    established    himself 
fn    WUkes-Barre     in    orchestral    and     church 
musical    work.     He    also    established    a    piano 
merchandising    business    which    he    has    con^ 
ducted  for   six   years.    Interesting    himself    m 
politics   and   affiliating  himself   with    the    Re- 
publican   party,    he    served    on    the    Pennsyl- 
van  1  Stat'l  B^ird   of  Motion  Picture  Censors 
for    five    vears,    was    chief    deputy    sheriff    ot 
Luzerne    Couniy    under    Sheriff    La    Bar    tor 
^our    years     and     in    1928     became     personnel 
deputy  to  Sheriff  MacLuskie.    He  is  a  member 
of  Fidelity  Lodge,  No.  655,  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons!'  Shekin^aA    Chapter,    Royal    Arch    Ma- 
sons-     Dieu     le    Veut    Commandery,     Knights 
Templar,    and    Irem    Temple,    Ancient    Arabic 
Order   Nobles   of   the   Mystic   Shrine.     He   is    a 
member  of  St.  Clement's  Protestant  Episcopal 

Church.  .  .  V!iir-tV,a 

Dallas  C.  Shobert  married,   in  190 1.  Bertha 


653 


Erath,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  daugrhter  of  Charles 
W.  and  Emma  (Hassert)  Erath,  both  natives 
of   this    county. 


HARRY  LOriS  REESR — For  twenty-two 
years  Harry  I^  Reese  was  identified  with  the 
Susquehanna  Collieries  Company,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre,  as  an  electrical  engrineer,  in  which 
field  he  has  long  been  an  expert.  Mr.  Reese 
is  a  graduate  of  Lafayette  College,  of  Easton, 
Pennsylvania. 

Abraham  Reese,  father  of  Mr.  Reese,  was 
living  in  the  South  at  the  time  of  the  open- 
ing of  the  Civil  War,  and  he  promptly  joined 
the  Confederate  Army,  witli  which  he  served 
throughout  the  four  years  of  the  conflict,  the 
greater  part  of  the  time  under  the  command 
of  General  Albert  Sidney  Johnson.  After  the 
close  of  the  war  he  came  to  Luzerne  County, 
Pennsylvania,  and  located  at  Plymouth,  Penn- 
sylvania, where  he  was  a  successful  merchant 
for  many  years.  Upon  his  retirement  from 
active  business  life  he  located  in  Wilkes- 
Barre,  where  he  passed  the  remainder  of  his 
life  in  retirement.  He  died  at  the  family 
home,  corner  South  and  Franklin  streets,  on 
February  17,  1914.  Abraham  Reese's  wife, 
Sarah,  was  the  daughter  of  Louis  and  Fannie 
(Mayer)  Reese.  Louis  Reese  was  murdered, 
and  his  slayer  was  the  first  man  hung  in 
Luzerne  County.  His  widow  married  (second) 
Isaac  Livingston,  a  prominent  merchant  of 
the  early  days  in  Wilkes-Barre.  .\braham 
and  Sarah  Reese  were  the  parents  of  the  fol- 
lowing children:  Ella,  unmarried,  who  re- 
sides in  Brooklyn.  New  York:  Ruth  H.,  de- 
ceased; Jeannette  R.,  wife  of  Jacob  Fleisch- 
man,  of  Philadelphia:  Harry  L.,  of  further 
mention;  Dr.  William  C,  who  died  of  the  "flu" 
while  in  service  as  a  lieutenant  in  the  Med- 
ical Reserve  Corps  of  the  United  States  Army 
during  the  World  War,  his  death  occurring 
in  191S;  Gertrude,  married  Samuel  'W.  Myers, 
of  Brooklyn,  New  York;  and  Marion  R.,  who 
married  Arthur  A.  Sternberger.  Both  Abra- 
ham Reese  and  his  wife  Sarah  died  in  Wilkes- 
Barre,  he  dying  February  17,  1914,  at  the 
age  of  seventy-four,  and  his  wife,  on  January 
14,    1922,   at   the   age   of   fifty. 

Harry  L.  Reese,  son  of  Abraham  and  Sarah 
Reese,  was  born  in  Plymouth,  Luzerne  County. 
Pennsylvania,  April  8,  1SS2,  and  as  a  boy 
attended  the  public  schools  of  Plymouth. 
Later  he  graduated  from  the  Wilkes-Barre 
High  School  with  the  class  of  1900,  and  in 
the  fall  of  1901  he  matriculated  in  Lafayette 
College,  at  Easton.  Pennsylvania,  from  which 
he  was  graduated  with  the  class  of  1905, 
receiving  at  that  time  the  degree  of  Elec- 
trical Engineer.  After  graduation  he  secured 
practical  experience  and  training  by  taking 
the  apprentice  course  in  the  plant  of  the 
General  Electric  Company,  at  Schenectady, 
New  York,  and  in  the  spring  of  1906  he 
associated  himself  with  the  Susquehanna 
Coal  Company.  Later  he  became  identified 
with  the  Susquehanna  Collieries  Company, 
and  his  connection  with  that  concern  was 
continuous  to  October,  1927.  He  served  as 
electrical  engineer,  and  during  the  many 
years  of  his  connection  with  the  concern  he 
has  rendered  service  of  marked  efliciency. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  American  Institute 
of  Electrical  Engineers,  and  is  well  known 
among  his  professional  associates.  He  is  a 
Republican  in  his  political  sympathies,  and 
is  public-spirited  but  prefers  to  serve  his 
community  as  a  private  citizen  rather  than 
as  a  public  ofllcial.  While  in  college  he  was 
a  member  of  Delta  Upsilon  Fraternity,  and 
he  is  prominent  in  Masonic  circles,  being 
a  member  of  Lodge  No.  61,  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons;     and     of     Keystone     Consistory,     of 


Scranton,  in  which  he  holds  the  thirty-sec- 
ond degree:  also  of  Irem  Temple,  Ancient 
Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine; 
also  of  Wilkes-Barre  Lodge,  No.  109,  Bene- 
volent and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  and 
Kiwanis  Club.  Mr.  Reese  has  his  office  in 
the   Wells   Building,    at   Wilkes-Barre. 


JOHN  A.  PARRY — A  resident  of  Luzerne 
County  since  infancy  and  now  a  member  of 
the  Board  of  County  Assessors,  John  A. 
Parry  has  given  much  of  his  time  and  ability 
to  work  for  his  community.  As  a  Federal 
and  county  official  he  has  ever  performed  his 
duties    with    efficiency    and    impartiality. 

Mr.  Parry  was  born  December  16,  1867  at 
Mt.  Carmel,  Northumberland  County,  Penn- 
sylvania, the  son  of  John  and  Mary  (Jones) 
Parry,  the  former  for  many  years  superin- 
tendent for  W.  G.  Payne  and  Company,  East 
Boston  Colliery.  He  died  in  1916  at  the  age 
of  seventy-four  years,  and  his  wife,  the 
mother  of  John  A.  Parry  of  this  record, 
passed  away  in  1913  at  the  age  of  seventy- 
one   years. 

.John  A.  Parry  is  a  grandson  of  the  founder 
of  the  family  in  this  country,  Hugh  Parry, 
who  came  to  the  United  States  in  1S30  and 
settled  in  Schuylkill  County.  Pennsylvania. 
The  maternal  grandparent  of  John  A.  Parry 
was  John  R.  Jones,  who  immigrated  to  this 
country  in  1832,  going  first  to  Carbondale, 
but  finally  locating  in  Minersville,  Schuylkill 
County,  Pennsylvania.  Both  of  these  ances- 
tors  of  Mr.   Parry   were   from   Wales. 

Mr.  Parry's  father,  John  Parry,  was  a  sol- 
dier in  the  Union  Army  in  the  Civil  War, 
serving  with  the  129th  Pennsylvania  Volun- 
teer, and  later  wtih  the  39th  Pennsylvania 
Volunteer  Infantry.  He  married  Mary  Jones 
and  they  were  the  parents  of  seven  children, 
as  follows:  1.  William  J.,  of  Luzerne  Borough. 
2.  John  A.,  of  this  record.  3.  Miss  Helen  G., 
of  Kingston.  4.  Mrs.  Esther  Parry  Moore, 
wife  of  Guy  W.  Moore,  of  Kingston.  5.  Ben- 
jamin F.,  of  Kingston.  6.  Frederick  H.,  of 
Kingston.  And  one  daughter  who  died  in 
infancy. 

When  John  A.  Parry  was  about  two  years 
of  age  he  was  brought  to  Wilkes-Barre  by 
his  parents.  He  received  his  education  in  the 
Luzerne  Borough  public  schools  and  in  the 
Wyoming  Seminary,  and  after  leaving  school 
he  went  on  the  road  as  traveling  salesman 
for  a  Philadelphia  dry  goods  and  notion 
house.  Later  he  became  traveling  salesman 
for  the  wholesale  grocery  firm  operated  by 
the  "William  Stoddart  Company,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre.  In  October.  1917,  he  was  appointed 
to  a  post  in  the  office  of  the  State  treasurer 
at  Harrisburg  and  in  1922  Mr.  Parry  was 
appointed  division  chief  of  Wilkes-Barre  Di- 
vision, Twelfth  District  Internal  Revenue 
Department,  located  at  Wilkes-Barre,  where 
he  served  until  January,  1927,  when  he  was 
appointed  a  member  of  the  board  of  assessors 
of  Luzerne  County,  which  post  he  holds  at 
the   time  of  this  writing,  1930. 

Mr.  Parry  for  many  years  has  been  an 
active  worker  in  the  ranks  of  the  Repub- 
lican party.  He  has  served  as  treasurer  of 
the  Republican  County  Committee  and  in 
numerous  civic  and  political  committees.  He 
was  at  one  time  a  member  of  the  School 
Board  of  the  borough  of  Forty  Fort  where 
he   resides. 

Mr.  Parry  was  twice  married.  On  February 
IS,  1892,  he  married  Lizzie  B.  Welter,  of 
Kingston,  who  died  December  16,  1894,  and 
on  June  6,  1900  he  married  (second)  Grace 
L.  Pettebone,  a  daughter  of  George  and  Helen 
(Space)  Pettebone,  both  members  of  pioneer 
families  of  Luzerne  County. 


654 


WII.L,IAM  S.  NORTON — Having  learned  the 
coal-mining:  business  in  the  anthracite  region, 
from  the  headings  to  the  point  of  shipment, 
William  S.  Norton  has  risen  to  the  high 
position  of  superintendent  of  all  the  mines 
of  the  Alden  Coal  Company  at  Alden  Sta- 
tion. He  is  a  product  of  the  mining  region 
and  of  the  mines  themselves,  starting  as  a 
breaker-boy  and  mounting  by  steady  grades 
in  the  favor  of  the  company,  while  adding  to 
his  experience  and  efficiency  in  the  different 
deparments  until  installed  in  the  responsible 
position  second  only  to  the  executive  man- 
agement in  importance. 

William  S.  Norton  was  born  in  Wilkes- 
Barre,  November  24.  1874,  the  son  of  Henry 
and  Margaret  (Lloyd)  Norton,  his  father,  born 
in  England,  and  for  many  years  a  farmer, 
died  in  1925:  and  his  mother,  a  native  of 
Wales,  died  in  1876,  about  two  years  after  her 
son  was  born.  His  education  "was  received 
in  the  public  schools  of  Wilkes-Barre,  and 
at  the  tender  age  of  eleven  years  he  went 
to  work  in  the  coal-breaker,  where  he  "was 
employed  for  several  years.  It  was  a  humble 
beginning,  to  be  sure,  but  he  had  his  eye 
to  the  future,  which  he  fully  believed  had 
something  better  in  store.  For  the  follow- 
ing six  years  he  assisted  his  father  on  the 
home  farm.  Then  he  returned  to  his  old 
occupation,  and  four  years  worked  in  the 
mines  of  the  Lehigh  Valley  Coal  Company. 
He  had  done  something  more,  in  the  mean- 
time, than  mere  drudgery  work  in  the  mines, 
and  had  enlarged  his  capacity  for  usefulness 
by  learning  the  details  of  mine  engineer.  In 
the  latter  position  he  went  with  the  Alden 
Coal  Company  at  Alden  Station,  and  he 
proved  his  worth  to  the  concern,  which 
showed  his  appreciation  by  advancing  him 
to  the  superintendency  of  all  its  mines,  in 
1925,  and  he  has  fully  measured  up  to  the 
expectations  of  his  superiors  and  fello^w- 
officials. 

Other  business  associations  of  Mr.  Norton 
comprise  the  Nanticoke  National  Bank,  Sus- 
a.uehanna  Lumber  Company  and  Nanticoke 
Construction  Company,  of  each  of  which  he 
is  a  director.  The  Republican  party's  local 
organization  is  strengthened  by  his  mem- 
bership and  activity.  For  many  years  he 
served  the  Newport  Township  as  its  civil 
engineer.  He  is  afhliated  with  Wilkes-Barre 
Lodg^e,  No.  61,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  and 
has  his  religious  Connection  with  the  Chris- 
tian  Science   Church. 

William  S.  Norton  married,  in  March,  1912, 
Bessi£  Millington,  of  Richmond,  Virginia, 
daughter  of  Richard  Millington,  of  an  old 
family  of  that   State. 


REVFRBND  t-OITIS  M.  LEVITSKY — Rabbi 
in  charge  of  Temple  Israel,  No.  239  South 
River  Street,  Wilkes-Barre,  Rev.  Louis  M. 
Levitsky  is  one  of  the  most  excellently  edu- 
cated of  citizens  residing  in  this  community, 
and  the  synagogue  under  his  care  is  known 
widely  as  the  finest  and  most  modern  of 
buildings  of  its  character  outside  the  city  of 
Philadelphia  in  the  State  of  Pennsylvania, 
with  one  other  possible  exception,  that  in 
Pittsburgh. 

The  congregation  was  organized  in  1922, 
by  ReV.  Levitsky,  and  the  Temple  was  built 
under'  his  supervision.  It  was  dedicated  on 
September  13,  1925.  and  in  building  cost  some 
$250,000.  The  synagogue  has  a  membership 
of  m.ore  than  1,500  souls.  In  it  is  maintained 
a  fine  library  numbering  three  hundred  and 
fifty  volumes  in  Hebrew  and  1,200  in  English. 
In  contains  twenty-two  rooms,  and  its  ex- 
terior is  executed  in  Byzantine  design,  faced 
with  buff  tapestry  brick  and  trimmed  with 
granite     and     polychrome     terra     cotta.      The 


building  is  sixty-four  feet  wide  and  is  super- 
imposed by  a  large  copper  covered  dome  ris- 
ing seventy  feet  above  the  finished  grade, 
and  flanked  on  either  side  by  two  lesser 
domes.  The  entrance  into  the  edifice,  which 
is  set  back  considerably  from  the  building 
line  of  the  street,  is  reached  by  an  approach 
of  granite  steps  thirty-six  feet  in  width.  The 
vestry  rooms  contain  class  rooms,  one  wall 
in  each  room  being  given  over  to  window 
space.  There  is  a  general  cloak  room  for 
the  pupils.  The  Beth  Hamidrash,  which  is 
also  the  Junior  Congregation,  has  a  seating 
capacity  of  one  hundred  and  twenty-five,  and 
is  reached  by  two  separate  entrances  from 
without.  The  kitchen  is  equipped  to  serve 
three  hundred  guests.  The  auditorium  seats 
four  hundred,  and  its  stage  is  propped  for  all 
dramatic  presentations,  having  the  necessary 
lights  and  adjustments  as  well  as  two  dress- 
ing rooms.  Upon  entering  the  synagogue  floor 
one  is  ushered  into  the  vestibule  forty-five 
feet  wide  and  fifteen  deep,  at  each  end  of 
which  there  is  a  cloak  room.  The  main  syna- 
gogue seats  six  hundred  on  its  ground  floor, 
which  is  a  square  space  measuring  sixty- 
two  feet  on  a  side.  Two  groups  of  three 
windows  each  contain  in  tlieir  artistic  stained 
glass  designs  the  symbols  of  the  twelve  tribes 
of  Israel,  centered  around  a  seven-branch 
Menorah.  Rising  forty-two  feet  above  the 
floor  in  the  center  is  the  dome,  thirty  feet 
in  diameter,  with  its  stained  glass  design 
giving  the  effect  of  a  bursting  sun.  The  dome 
is  lighted  from  the  inside.  Interior  decora- 
tion is  carried  out  in  an  ivory  shade,  with  oil 
painted  and  sand  finished  walls.  Around  the 
dome  are  suspended  eight  lanterns,  and  there 
are  ten  auxiliary  wall  brackets  around  the 
walls.  The  Ark,  built  of  stained  brown  wood, 
is  topped  by  two  tablets  on  which  are  en- 
graved in  gilt  Hebrew  characters  the  Ten 
Commandments.  On  either  side  of  the  Ark 
are  two  arm  chairs  for  the  Rabbi,  Cantor  and 
other  officials.  The  two  Menorahs  are  placed 
on  the  ends  of  the  pulpit  platform,  which  is 
lighted  by  a  battery  of  powerful  concealed 
lights.  The  whole  lighting  system  in  the 
main  synagogue  is  controlled  by  a  rheostat. 
On  the  same  floor  are  found  the  library,  the 
Rabbi's  and  Cantor's  dressing  rooms,  and  the 
office  of  the  Rabbi's  secretary.  Above  the 
Ark  at  one  end  of  the  main  synagogue  floor 
is  the  choir  loft.  On  one  side  of  it  is  Rabbi 
Levitsky's  study,  and  on  the  other  is  a 
music  room  and  trustee's  meeting  room. 
Directly  across,  in  the  rear  of  the  main  syna- 
gogue, is  a  balcony  with  a  seating  capacity 
for  one  hundred  persons.  Directly  across  the 
street  from  the  Temple  building,  at  Nos. 
236-38  South  River  Street,  is  located  the 
Temple  Israel  Religious  School.  It  is  a  three- 
story  building,  forming  externally  a  unit 
with  the  Temple  building.  It  is  built  on  a 
lot  forty  feet  by  one  hundred  and  ten  feet 
deep,  going  in  depth  from  River  Street  to 
Wright  Street.  It  contains  on  the  ground 
floor  an  office  for  the  Rabbi  and  his  secretary, 
an  assembly  hall,  a  study  room,  and  two 
class  rooms  in  addition  to  a  wash  room.  On 
the  second  floor  are  to  be  found  four  large 
classrooms,  a  faculty  room  and  another  study 
room.  The  third  floor  is  given  over  partly  to 
living  quarters  for  the  Janitor  and  partly  to 
storage  space.  The  building  is  erected  on 
forty  by  sixty  feet,  the  remainder  of  the 
ground  devoted  to  playground  space  tor  the 
children.  The  building  accommodates  four 
hundred  pupils.  It  is  in  charge  of  the  Rabbi 
as  supervisor  and  a  staff  of  six  teachers  giv- 
ing instruction  in  the  Jewish  religion  after 
school    hours   each    day. 

Rev.  Levitsky  was  born  in  Russia,  May  12, 
1897,    and    is    a    son    of    Samuel    and     Freda 


■e, 


^x ^[ 


655 


(Valovick)  Levitsky,  natives  of  Russia,  now 
of  Montreal,  Canada,  residents  of  Montreal 
since  1903,  when  they  migrated  to  Canada 
from  Russia.  Samuel  Levitsky  is  a  merchant. 
By  his  wife,  Freda,  he  is  father  of  five  chil- 
dren; Rev.  Louis,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  of  whom 
further;  Leah,  wife  of  Boris  Naturnman,  of 
Montreal;  Boris,  of  Wilkes-Barre;  Lucian,  of 
Doylestown,  Pennsylvania;  and  Nathan,  a 
student  in  McGill  University,  Montreal. 

Rev.  Levitsky  was  only  six  years  of  age 
when  his  parents  left  Russia  to  establish 
their  home  in  Montreal,  and  in  Montreal  he 
received  instruction  in  both  French  and  Eng- 
lish. Upon  completion  of  his  preparatory 
courses  he  matriculated  in  McGill  University, 
Montreal,  but  immediately  left  to  continue 
college  studies  in  New  York.  He  graduated 
from  the  College  of  the  City  of  New  York 
with  the  class  of  1920,  at  the  age  of  twenty- 
three  years.  He  then  continued  his  studies 
at  Columbia  University.  From  Columbia  he 
went  to  Harvard  University,  following  gradu- 
ate studies  at  the  Andover  Theological  School. 
His  professional  work  he  took  at  the  Jewish 
Theological  Seminary  in  New  York  City,  and 
here  graduated  in  1923.  He  was  ordained  a 
Rabbi  in  New  York  City  that  year.  Mean- 
while, the  year  preceding,  he  had  organized 
the  Temple  Israel  congregation  in  Wilkes- 
Barre,  and  upon  being  ordained  Rabbi  he  at 
once   located    here   in   charge. 

In  Wilkes-Barre  Rev.  Levitsky  is  not  alone 
devoted  to  the  Temple  and  his  people,  but 
gives  a  large  portion  of  his  time  and  effort 
to  general  enterprises  for  development  of 
the  community.  He  is  a  member  of  King 
Hiram  Lodge,  No.  721,  of  the  Free  and  Ac- 
cepted Masons;  Shekinah  Chapter,  No.  1S2, 
of  the  Royal  Arch  Masons;  the  Wilkes- 
Barre  Rotary  Club;  in  1928  and  1929  chair- 
man of  the  character  building  division  of 
the  Community  Welfare  Federation;  and  he 
is  a  member  of  the  executive  council  of  the 
Rabinical  Assembly  of  America.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  National  Committee  on  Jewish 
Education  of  the  United  Synagogues  of 
America,  and  was  one  of  the  organizers  of 
the  Y'oung  People's  League  of  the  United 
Synagogues    of   America. 

Now  (1929),  at  the  age  of  thirty  years,  iv 
charge  of  one  of  the  principal  synagogues  of 
Pennsylvania,  the  progress  of  Rev.  Levitsky 
seems  remarkable  and  should  be  an  inspira- 
tion to  youth.  Finding  it  necessary  at  the  age 
of  six  to  learn  and  use  thenceonward  a  for- 
eign language,  then,  mounting  ever  upward 
In  education  in  that  language,  he  made  his 
own  advancement,  for  his  parents  could  not 
send  him  away  to  school.  Rev.  Levitsky  se- 
cured money  with  which  to  educate  himself 
by  teaching  in  and  organizing  synagogues 
and  religious  schools  in  the  United  State.i 
and  Canada.    He  is  unmarried. 


GARRICK  MALLARY  MILDER — In  bank- 
ing circles  in  Wilkes-Barre  and  throughout 
the  Wyoming  Valley,  one  of  the  best  known 
men  is  Garrick  M.  Miller,  trust  officer  of 
the  Wyoming  Valley  Trust  Company,  of 
Wilkes-Barre.  Mr.  Miller  has  been  identified 
with  this  concern  since  1898,  and  in  this 
connection  has  filled  practically  every  office 
except  those   of  president  and  vice-president. 

Stephen  H.  Miller,  father  of  Mr.  Miller,  was 
born  in  that  part  of  the  old  Luzerne  County 
which  is  now  Lackawanna  County.  He  re- 
ceived the  education  which  the  rural  schools 
of  his  time  afforded  and  then  learned  the 
trade  of  the  blacksmith.  This  trade  he  fol- 
lowed for  many  years,  becoming  well  known 
also  as  a  plow  maker.  He  married  Mary  A. 
Stark,  a  descendant  of  John  Stark,  pioneer 
settler    in    Plains,    near    Wilkes-Barre,    Penn- 


sylvania (see  Stark  Family  History.!  St.-phen 
H.  and  Mary  A.  (Stark)  Miller  were  the  par- 
ents of  five  children;  Jennie  C,  wife  of  Charles 
S.  Crane,  who  is  now  deceased  and  was  for 
forty  years  connected  with  the  First  Na- 
tional Bank  of  Pittston;  Fremont  S.,  of  West 
Pittston,  Pennsylvania:  Mabel,  who  died  in 
1908;  Martha  Stark,  who  died  in  1925;  and 
Garrick    M.,    of   further    mention. 

Garrick  M.  Miller,  son  of  Stephen  H.  and 
Mary  A.  (Stark)  Miller,  was  born  at  Old 
Forge,  Lackawanna  County,  Pennsylvania, 
November  14,  1877,  and  began  his  education 
in  the  public  schools  of  Old  Forge.  When 
he  was  ten  years  of  age  his  parents  removed 
to  Wilkes-Barre,  and  here  he  grew  to  man- 
hood, attending  the  public  schools  of  the  city. 
In  1898,  when  he  was  twenty-one  years  of 
age,  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Wyoming 
Valley  Trust  Company  in  the  capacity  of 
messenger  boy.  and  his  connection  with  that 
financial  institution  has  been  continuous  since 
that  time.  He  has  held  practically  every  office 
in  the  bank  with  the  exception  of  those  of 
president  and  vice-president,  and  it  is  prob- 
ably true  that  no  other  man  in  the  employ 
of  the  bank  is  more  thoroughly  familiar  with 
every  detail  of  its  business.  Mr.  Miller  is 
a  Republican  in  his  political  faith.  Frater- 
nally, he  is  identified  with  Lodge  No.  61, 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons;  with  Keystone 
Consistory,  of  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  in 
which  he  holds  the  thirty-second  degree;  and 
he  is  a  member  of  all  of  the  Scottish  Rite 
bodies.  He  is  also  a  member  of  Irem  Temple, 
Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic 
Shrine,  and  of  Irem  Country  Club.  He  like- 
w^ise  holds  membership  in  Wyoming  Lodge, 
No.  39,  Independent  Order  of  Old  Fellows. 
His  religious  affiliation  is  with  the  Episcopal 
Church. 

Garrick  M.  Miller  was  married,  November 
16,  1914,  to  Florence  E.  Search,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  two  chil- 
dren;   Mary    Stark,    and    Garrick    Mallary,    Jr. 


IGNATirS     MARTIN     STADl'I.lS,     M.     D.. — 

Engaged  in  the  general  practice  of  medicine 
in  Wilkes-Barre,  Ignatius  Martin  Stadulis. 
M.  D.,  has  for  a  number  of  years  played  an 
important  part  in  the  affairs  of  this  com- 
munity, and  here  he  is  highly  esteemed 
among  his  tellowmen.  He  is  especially  fitted 
tor  work  in  Wilkes-Barre  and  this  part  of 
Pennsylvania,  in  view  of  the  fact  that  this 
is  the  region  of  his  birth  and  he  is  thor- 
oughly acquainted  with  the  people  and  indus- 
trial   conditions   here. 

Dr.  Stadulis  was  born  at  Plymouth,  Penn- 
sylvania, on  October  6,  1898,  son  of  Ignatius 
and  Frances  Stadulis.  His  father,  who  was 
born  in  Russia,  in  1869,  came  to  the  United 
States  and  here  took  up  mining  for  his  life's 
work;  he  is  now  living  retired.  The  mother, 
Frances  Stadulis,  is  also  a  native  of  Russia. 
Dr.  Ignatius  Martin  Stadulis  received  his 
early  education  in  the  public  schools  and  the 
high  school  of  Plymouth,  his  birthplace,  and 
was  graduated  from  high  school  here  in  1917. 
He  then  studied  at  Bucknell  University,  from 
which  he  was  graduated  in  the  class  of  1921 
with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Science.  For 
his  professional  studies  he  attended  Jeffer- 
son Medical  College,  in  Philadelphia,  from 
which  he  was  graduated  in  the  class  of  1924 
with  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine;  and 
be  then  studied  as  an  interne  at  St.  Mary's 
Hospital,  in  Philadelphia,  where  he  acquired 
a  practical  knowledge  of  medical  science. 
After  he  had  completed  that  period  of  train- 
ing, he  came  to  Bresleau,  and  since  that 
time  has  been  a  practitioner  of  his  profes- 
sion   in    Wilkes-Barre.     His    gentle    qualities 


6s6 


of  character  and  his  amiable  personality  have 
constantly  been  an  asset  to  him  in  his  work, 
■while  his  professional  skill  is  regarded  here 
as  placing  him  higli  in  the  ranks  of  Luzerne 
County  medical   men. 

In  addition  to  his  "work  as  physician,  Dr. 
Stadulis  takes  a  leading  part  in  the  affairs 
of  his  profession,  being  a  member  of  tlie 
medical  .staff  of  Mercy  Hospital,  Wilkes- 
Barre,  member  of  the  Luzerne  County  Med- 
ical Society,  the  Pennsylvania  State  Medical 
Society  and  the  American  Medical  Associa- 
tion. He  is  also  deeply  interested  in  the  pub- 
lic and  civic  life  of  Wilkes-Barre  and  his 
State,  especially  in  political  affairs,  his  own 
alignment  being  with  the  Republican  party, 
whose  policies  and  candidates  he  regularly 
supports.  In  his  fraternal  affiliations  he  is 
a  member  of  the  Lithuanian  Catholic  Alliance 
of  America,  the  Lithuanian  Alliance  of 
America,  and  the  Knights  of  Columbus.  Dr. 
Stadulis  belongs  to  the  Tatra  Club,  as  well  as 
to  the  Phi  Chi  medical  fraternity,  which  he 
joined  while  at  Jefferson  Medical  College. 
His  religious  faith  is  that  of  the  Catholic 
Church,  he  being  a  member  of  St.  Casimir's 
Lithuanian  Church,  of  Plymouth,  Pennsyl- 
vania. 

Dr.  Stadulis  married,  in  June,  1926,  Mary 
Magdalene  Sincavage,  of  Sugar  Notch.  Penn- 
sylvania, daughter  of  Anthony  and  Rose  Sin- 
cavage. By  this  marriage  there  has  been 
one  son,  Ignatius  Jerry,  born  on  March  23, 
1927.  and  one  daughter.  Alma  Margaret,  born 
on  June  19,  1929. 


ALFRED  D.  THOMAS — The  field  of  educa- 
tion has  called  witli  undeniable  appeal  to  our 
greatest  minds.  In  Pennsylvania  are  counted 
many  of  the  most  celebrated  educators  in 
the  United  States.  Prominent  among  them  is 
Alfred  D.  Thomas,  president  (1928)  of  the 
District  Superintendents'  Section  of  the  Penn- 
sylvania State  Educational  Association,  and 
active  in  its  "workings.  He  is  also  a  mem- 
ber of  the  National  Education  Association, 
taking  a  progressive  interest  in  all  new  and 
worthwhile  theories  of  pedagogy.  For  many 
years  he  has  been  identified  with  the  public 
school  system  of  Hazleton,  Luzerne  County. 
As  superintendent  of  the  Hazleton  schools  he 
is  in  a  position  to  effect  lasting  good,  through 
the  agency  of  perfected  instruction.  Nor  has 
he  tailed  to  take  advantage  of  this  great 
opportunity  for  public  service.  The  system 
of  schools  in  Hazleton  never  at  any  other 
time  has  been  so  admirable  as  under  his 
control. 

Alfred  D.  Thomas  has  a  deeply  rooted 
interest  in  Hazleton  and  the  "Wilkes-Barre 
area,  as  he  is  a  native  of  Hazleton.  He  was 
born  July  4,  1875,  son  of  Francis  and  Jane 
(Bowlden)  Thomas,  both  of  whom  were 
natives  of  Cornwall,  England.  They  came 
to  the  United  States  in  1SG9,  located  first 
in  Morris  County,  New  Jersey,  later  in  Port 
Oram,  still  later  at  Mount  Hope,  and  finally, 
in  187,'),  the  year  of  Alfred  D.  Thomas'  birth, 
came  to  Hazleton.  Francis  Thomas  worked 
in  the  iron  mines  of  Port  Oram  and  Mount 
Hope,  and  in  Hazleton  engaged  in  local  min- 
ing. He  died  in  189S,  at  the  age  of  fifty-eight 
years,  one  of  the  most  respected  mem- 
bers of  the  community,  whose  loss  was 
mourned  sincerely.  Francis  and  Jane  (Bowl- 
den) Thomas  had  five  children:  1.  Richard, 
"Who  began  his  career  as  a  worker  in  the 
coal  mines,  became  a  dealer  in  coal,  and 
died  in  1923.  2.  William  F.,  a  contractor,  of 
Hazleton.  3.  Alfred  D.,  of  whom  follows. 
4.  John,  a  teacher  in  Central  High  School, 
Washington,  District  of  Columbia.  5.  Charles, 
a  merchant,  at  Bradley  Beach,  New  Jersey, 
formerly  a  teacher,  having  held  various  posts 


in  separated  schools.  John,  Charles  and 
Alfred  D.  Thomas  had  college  and  univer- 
sity educations.  Frank  Thomas  had  training 
in  a  normal  scliool,  and  Richard  Thomas  only 
a  short  educational  experience  in  the  pub- 
lic schools,  as  he  went  to  work  at  the  age 
of   only   eight   years. 

In  the  Hazleton  Township  schools,  Alfred  D. 
Thomas  secured  his  elementary  and  sec- 
ondary academic  training.  Thereafter  he  at- 
tended normal  school  at  Bloomsburg,  and 
for  eight  years  taught  in  night  and  graded 
scliools.  In  1901.  at  the  age  of  twenty-six 
years,  he  entered  Lafayette  College,  and  from 
it,  1905,  took  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts, 
graduating  as  valedictorian,  with  Phi  Beta 
Kappa  honors.  Later,  in  1918,.  he  took  the 
degree  of  Master  of  Arts  from  Columbia 
University,  and  in  1927  was  conferred  upon 
him  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Pedagogy,  by 
Muhlenburg  College.  Meanwhile,  directly 
after  his  graduation  from  Lafayette,  Mr. 
Thomas  was  appointed  to  the  staff  of  Hazle- 
ton High  School  as  teacher  of  history.  Two 
years  later,  1907,  he  was  made  assistant  prin- 
cipal; nine  years  later,  1916,  he  became  prin- 
cipal; and  in  1920,  at  the  death  of  D.  A.  Har- 
man,  succeeded  to  the  superintendency,  -which 
he  has  held  uninterruptedly,  and  to  the  great 
appreciation    of    the    townspeople. 

Aside  from  his  career.  Mr.  Thomas  has  been 
active  diversely.  He  is  a  member  of  Azalia 
Lodge,  No.  687,  Ftee  and  Accepted  Masons; 
Hazleton  Chapter,  No.  277,  Royal  Arch  Ma- 
sons; is  affiliated  with  the  Knights  of  Pythias, 
and  belongs  to  the  Craftsman's  Club,  Hazle- 
ton Rotary  Club,  and  Hazleton  Chamber  of 
Commerce.  A  communicant  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church,  he  is  a  moving  figure  in  under- 
takings and  the  guidance  of  the  Sunday 
school. 

Mr.  Thomas  married  on  June  27,  1906,  Hat- 
tie  M.  Corby  of  Nesquehoning.  Pennsylvania. 
Mrs.  Thomas  was  formerly  a  teacher  in  the 
public  schools  of  Nesquehoning.  Educated  in 
the  public  schools  she  graduated  from  Nes- 
quehoning High  School  in  1893  and  later  at- 
tended East  Stroudsburg  State  Teachers'  Col- 
lege, graduating  from  that  institution  in  1894, 
and  has  continued  her  live  interest  in  the 
advance  of  contemporary  education.  She  is 
president  of  the  Women's  Missionary  Society 
of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Hazle- 
ton, secretary  of  the  Tuberculosis  Society  of 
the' Middle  Coal  Field  District,  trustee  of  the 
Hazleton  State  Hospital,  member  of  the  board 
of  directors  of  the  Young  Women's  Christian 
Association,  former  president  of  the  Women's 
Civic  Club,  and  Past  Matron  of  the  Order  of 
the  Eastern  Star,  Hazleton  Chapter,  No.  248. 
The  family  residence  is  at  No.  585  James 
Street.    Hazleton,    Pennsylvania. 


JOSEPH  BECKER — Associated  throughout 
his  career  in  Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania, 
with  the  coal  industry,  Joseph  Becker  is  now 
an  outside  foreman  for  the  Lehigh  and 
Wilkes-Barre  Coal  Company,  with  which  he 
has  been  connected  in  this  capacity  since 
1902.  At  all  times  he  has  taken  a  lively  inter- 
est in  the  affairs  of  community  and  State, 
and  he  is  now  especially  active  in  the  civic 
and  social  life  of  Plymouth,  the  city  of  his 
residence. 

Mr.  Becker  was  born  in  Jeddo,  Luzerne 
County,  Pennsylvania,  on  August  3,  1865,  a 
son  of  Thomas  and  Lavinia  (Evans)  Becker. 
His  father  was  born  in  Germany  in  1820, 
came  to  America  in  1844,  became  a  miner, 
was  mine  foreman  for  years  for  the  George 
B.  Markel  Company,  the  owner  of  the  Jeddo 
mines,  and  died  in  February,  1885.  The 
mother,    Lavinia    (Evans)    Becker,    was    born 


657 


in  Columbia  County  in  1830,  and  died  in  1904. 
She  was  a  granddaughter  of  James  Evans,  a 
soldier  of  the  Revolutionary  War,  who  served 
under  Washington.  Mr.  Becker  has  in  his 
possession  several  volumes  of  his  great-grand- 
father's library,  which  goes  back  to  the  early 
years  of  the  nineteenth  century  including  a 
family  Bible  printed  in  1S28  and  Franklin's 
Autobiography,  printed  in  1831.  The  Becker 
family  has  been  living  in  the  Wj'oming  Val- 
ley  region   of   Pennsylvania   since    1869. 

Joseph  Becker  received  his  preliminary 
education  in  the  public  schools,  and  while 
he  was  still  less  than  ten  years  old  started 
to  work  in  a  coal  breaker.  "Working  on  the 
outside  of  the  mines,  he  began  as  a  young 
man  to  take  up  the  blacksmith's  trade.  Since 
1902,  however,  he  has  been  doing  his  present 
work  as  an  outside  foreman  for  the  Lehigh 
and    Wilkes-Barre    Coal    Company. 

In  addition  to  his  own  work,  which  keeps 
him  constantly  a  busy  man.  he  has  taken  a 
lively  part  in  the  political  and  civic  affairs 
of  Luzerne  County.  He  is  a  Republican  in  his 
political  views,  and  is  affiliated  prominently 
with  several  fraternal  organizations.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  Free  and  Accepted  Masons, 
in  which  his  affiliation  is  with  Lodge  No. 
332;  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows, 
in  which  he  is  a  member  of  the  Plymouth 
lodge:  and  the  Patriotic  Order  Sons  of 
America,  in  which  he  is  identified  with  Lodge 
No.  137.  His  religious  affiliation  is  with  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  of  which  he  is 
one    of  the    trustees. 


THEODORE  STERLING  ELLIS — Manager 
of  the  foreign  and  travel  department  of  the 
Miners'  Bank,  Wilkes-Barre,  Theodore  Ster- 
ling Ellis  was  born  at  Owego,  New  York, 
July  6,  1S7S.  On  his  paternal  side  he  is  a 
nephew  of  the  late  Addison  A.  Sterling  of 
Wilkes-Barre,  who  for  many  years  was  well 
known  here  as  cashier  of  the  People's  Bank 
and    a   prominent   citizen   of   the    community. 

Theodore  Sterling  Ellis  received  his  educa- 
tion in  the  public  schools  of  Meshoppen, 
Pennsylvania,  and  came  to  Wilkes-Barre 
when  nineteen  years  of  age,  in  1897.  He  took 
a  situation  in  the  People's  Bank,  and  served 
in  various  capacities  until  1912,  when  he 
resigned  as  paying  teller  to  enter  business 
independently,  opening  a  foreign  exchange 
and  travel  bureau.  In  1916  this  business  had 
reached  a  goodly  proportion,  and  he  disposed 
of  it  to  the  Miners'  Bank,  though  continuing 
with  it  as  manager.  Mr.  Ellis  is  a  Repub- 
lican, and  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church.  He  is  president  of  the  Franklin 
Club,  and  a  director  and  treasurer  of  the 
Oak  Lawn  Cemetery  Association  of  Wilkes- 
Barre. 

Theodore  Sterling  Ellis  married  Vera  L. 
Pneuman,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  three 
children:  Addison  Sterling,  William  Pneu- 
man, and  Elizabeth  Pneuman.  The  family 
resides    at    No.    20    Park    Place,    Kingston. 


STA3VLEY  VV.  \VARAKOMSKI — A  life  of 
purposeful  effort  and  of  worthy  achievement 
has  been  that  of  Stanley  TV.  Warakomski, 
secretary  and  general  manager  of  the  Polish 
Union  of  the  United  States  of  North  America. 
Although  Mr.  Warakomski  came  to  this  coun- 
try at  the  age  of  seventeen,  unable  to  speak 
English,  he  has  become  one  of  the  important 
men  of  the  State  among  his  compatriots  in 
this  land,  and  has  rendered  service  of  a  high 
order  in  several  different  Polish  organiza- 
tions. He  is  an  effective  and  pleasing  public 
speaker,  with  the  gifts  of  the  natural  born 
orator,  and  during  the  World  War  he  was 
one  of  the  speakers  who  most  effectively 
placed  before  the  Polish  people  of  this  coun- 


try the  case  of  the  United  States  Government 
and   of  the  Allies. 

Stanley  W.  Warakomski  was  born  in  Po- 
land, June  15,  1888,  son  of  Wladyslaw  and 
Mary  Warakomski,  who  still  reside  in  Poland, 
and  who  are  the  parents  of  eleven  children. 
His  father  was  for  many  terms  the  mayor  of 
his  native  town  succeeding  his  grandfather 
who  likewise  served  in  the  same  capacity 
for  many  terms.  Stanley  AV.  Warakomski 
attended  schools  in  Poland  until  he  was 
seventeen  years  of  age,  and  then  in  1905, 
accompanied  his  uncle  to  this  country,  where 
he  first  found  work  as  a  breaker-boy,  or 
slate  picker,  in  the  employ  of  the  Susque- 
hanna Coal  Company,  Nanticoke,  Pennsyl- 
vania. While  employed  in  this  humble  capac- 
ity he  entered  evening  school  and  soon 
learned  to  speak  the  language  of  the  country 
in  which  he  had  planned  to  spend  his  future. 
For  two  years  he  continued  as  a  breaker-boy, 
and  then  secured  work  in  the  mines  of  the 
Delaware  and  Hudson  Coal  Company  as  a  day 
laborer  and  miner's  helper.  Two  years  later 
he  left  the  mines,  and  secured  a  position  as 
clerk  in  the  grocery  store.  In  1912,  at  the 
age  of  twenty-four,  Mr.  Warakomski  was 
married,  and  after  his  marriage  he  secured 
a  position  as  a  bookkeeper  for  a  lumber  con- 
cern, and  while  filling  this  position  he  be- 
came auditor  for  the  Polish  Union  of  the 
United  States  of  North  America,  in  which 
office  he  continued  until  1921,  when  he  was 
made  secretary  and  general  manager  of  that 
union,  a  beneficial  and  fraternal  organization 
for  the  general  aid  of  Polish  residents  and 
citizens  of  the  United  States.  The  organiza- 
tion has  a  membership  of  50,000,  and  is  one 
of  the  largest,  best  known  and  most  popular 
Polish  organizations  in  the  country.  The 
duties  connected  with  his  office  have  necessi- 
tated extensive  travel  by  him  throughout  the 
United  States  and  Canada.  His  intense  in- 
terest in  organization  and  public  affairs  man- 
ifested itself  in  his  having  written  many 
articles  on  those  subjects  for  the  Polish 
newspapers. 

He  is  secretary  of  St.  Stanislaus  Orphanage 
of  the  Diocese  of  Scranton,  and  is  also  a 
member  of  the  Polish  National  Alliance  of 
America,  Polish  Falcons  of  America,  Frater- 
nal Order  of  Eagles,  and  other  organizations, 
and  has  been  a  delegate  several  times  to 
Conventions  of  the  National  Fraternal  Con- 
gress with  which  the  Polish  Union  of  the 
United  States  of  North  America,  is  affiliated, 
as  well  as  of  those  of  which  he  has  been  a 
member. 

Stanley  "W.  Warakomski  was  married,  July 
7,  1912,  to  Mary  Novicki,  daughter  of  Felix 
and  Pelagia  Novicki,  a  resident  of  Nanticoke, 
Pennsylvania,  for  over  forty-five  years,  and 
they  are  the  parents  of  three  children:  Va- 
leria M.,  Alphonse  S.,  and  Chester.  The  fam- 
ily home  is  at  No.  154  East  Greet  Street,  in 
Nanticoke. 


DOAVMAN  crR\%'OOD — In  1919  Bowman 
Curwood,  who  was  widely  experienced  in  the 
plumbing  and  heating  trade,  established  the 
firm  of  Curwood  and  Kleckner,  plumbers,  and 
retail  dealers  in  hardware,  in  Shickshinny, 
Pennsylvania.  His  thorough  training  in  this 
work  together  with  the  sound  business  judg- 
ment and  executive  ability  which  he  dis- 
played, made  this  venture  very  successful,  a 
success  which  has  continued  through  subse- 
quent reorganization  in  ■which  Beach  Slioe- 
maker    succeeded    Mr.    Kleckner    in    the    firm. 

Mr.  Curwood  was  born  in  Shickshinny.  on 
March  IS,  1SS6,  a  son  of  Samuel  K.  Curwood, 
a  miner,  born  in  Devonshire,  England,  in 
1837,  died  in  1910  at  the  age  of  seventy-three, 
and   of   Mary   Estella    (Drum)    Curwood,    born 


6s8 


in  Huntington  Township,  Luzerne  County, 
Pennsylvania,    in   1850,    died   in   1923. 

Bowman  Curwood  attended  the  Shickshinny 
public  schools,  and  while  still  a  boy  began 
work  in  a  local  woolen  mill,  where  he  re- 
mained for  about  six  months.  At  the  end  of 
that  time,  in  his  thirteenth  year,  he  took  up 
the  plumbing'  and  heating  trade,  and  in  this 
work  as  apprentice,  journeyman,  and  master 
plumber,  he  has  continued  since,  starting 
with  I.  H.  Wilkinson  for  three  years,  and 
with  J.  D.  Woodworth's  Son  until  in  1918,  Mr. 
Cui-wood,  having  had  then  some  seventeen 
and  a  half  years'  experience,  began  contract- 
ing under  his  own  name,  and  in  the  follow- 
ing year,  the  partnership  of  Curwood  and 
Kleckner  was  formed.  In  1920  Mr.  Shoemaker 
purchased  Mr.  Kleckner's  interest,  and  this 
arrangement  has  been  continued  to  the  pres- 
ent time.  Few  firms  in  the  vicinity  have  so 
high  a  reputation  for  the  consistent  excel- 
lence   of   their    products    and   their   work. 

Politically,  Mr.  Curwood  supports  the  prin- 
ciples and  candidates  of  the  Republican  party. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Sons  of  Veterans 
organization,  and  a  member  of  Lodge  No. 
ISO,  at  Shickshinny,  of  the  Independent  Order 
of  Odd  Fellows.  He  is  a  member  of  the  local 
fire  department  and  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church,  and  has  always  been  vitally 
interested   in   civic  affairs   in   the   community. 

In  1910,  Bowman  Curwood  married  Delia 
Irene  Eckrote,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  a  daughter 
of  Nathan  and  Rosanna  (Fletcher)  Eckrote 
of  that  city.  Of  this  marriage  there  are  no 
children. 


Mr.  Shoemaker  is  also  a  member  of  the 
Shickshinny  Fire  Company,  and  of  this  organ- 
ization he  has  been  treasurer  since  1913.  He 
is  a  director  of  the  Farmers'  State  Bank,  of 
Shickshinny.  Mr.  Shoemaker  worships  in  the 
faith  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  no 
movement  designed  to  promote  the  growth 
and  welfare  of  the  community  lacks  his 
hearty  support. 


BEACH  SHOEMAKER — A  resident  of  Shick- 
shinny, Pennsylvania,  for  many  years.  Beach 
Shoemaker  has  come  to  occupy  a  position  of 
importance  in  the  business  life  of  the  com- 
munity. As  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Cur- 
wood and  Shoemaker,  retail  dealers  in  hard- 
ware, plumbers,  and  heaters,  he  has  devoted 
his  attention  to  providing  the  residents  of 
Shickshinny  with  a  hardware  and  plumbing 
service  of  high  quality,  while  in  the  various 
civic  and  social  activities  of  the  city  he  plays 
a   prominent   part. 

Mr.  Shoemaker  was  born  in  Shickshinny, 
September  16,  1883,  a  son  of  Daniel  H.  Shoe- 
maker, a  miner,  ■\\'ho  was  born  at  Fairview, 
Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania  in  1849,  and 
died  in  April,  1922,  and  of  Anna  (Smith) 
Shoemaker,  born  in  Lehman  Township,  Lu- 
zerne County,   in    1859,   died   in  January,   1927. 

Beach  Shoemaker  attended  the  public 
schools  of  his  birthplace,  and  later  took  the 
business  course  of  the  Scranton  Correspond- 
ence School.  As  a  young  man  he  worked 
for  a  few  years  in  a  local  coal  breaker,  and 
also  acted  as  clerk  in  a  grocery  store.  For 
five  years  thereafter  he  was  assistant  pay- 
master of  the  West  End  Coal  Company, 
rendering  entirely  satisfactory  service  in  this 
position.  As  a  result  of  his  diligence  and 
thrift,  Mr.  Shoemaker  was  able,  in  1920,  to 
purchase  Mr.  Kleckner's  interest  in  the  firm 
of  Curwood  and  Kleckner,  plumbers,  and 
dealers  in  hardware,  the  name  of  which 
thereupon  became  Curwood  and  Shoemaker. 
In  the  employ  of  this  firm  there  are  now  five 
men,  who  devote  their  attention  to  satisfying 
the  many  demands   made  on  their  services. 

Politically,  Mr.  Shoemaker  is  a  member  of 
the  Republican  party,  and  for  several  years 
he  was  a  member  of  the  local  school  board. 
He  is  afiiliated  fraternally  with  the  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons,  in  which  organization  he 
is  a  member  of  Shickshinny  Lodge,  No.  354, 
and  is  also  a  member  of  Lodge  No.  180,  of 
the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and 
a  member  of  Shickshinny  Council  of  the 
Junior  Order  of  United   American   Mechanics. 


DANIEL  R.  PEFPER — Born  of  old  Penn- 
sj'lvania  stock,  of  the  pioneer  blood  that  has 
made  the  State  one  of  firm  stability  and 
unshakeable  foundation,  Daniel  R.  Peffer, 
born  at  Locust,  May  20,  1876,  is  the  son 
of  George  and  Elizabeth  (Ramey)  Peffer. 
George  Peffer  was  born  at  Covode,  Indiana 
County,  in  1842  and  died  in  June.  1925.  He 
was  a  successful  builder  and  contractor.  Mrs. 
Peffer  was  born  at  Sinicksburg,  also  in  In- 
diana County,  in  1837  and  passed  away  in 
January,    1919. 

Daniel  R.  Peffer  was  educated  at  the  public 
schools  at  Punxsutawney  and  graduated 
from  its  high  school  with  the  class  of  1898. 
After  a  year  at  Dickinson  College  he  entered 
the  employ  of  the  Adams  Express  Company 
in  their  Philadelphia  oflfice  and  remained 
there  for  five  years.  In  1904,  he  organized 
his  own  business,  dealing  in  wholesale  oil, 
at  Punxsutawney,  continuing  the  firm  of 
Peffer  Oil  Company  until  1911,  when  he  sold 
it  and  came  to  Wilkes-Barre  to  associate 
himself  with  the  oil  firm  of  Payne  and  Com- 
pany, as  its  manager.  In  1913,  he  again 
organized  his  own  company  in  the  wholesale 
oil  commerce,  which  firm  he  located  in  King- 
ston and  continued  until  1927  when  he  gave 
up  the  oil  business  for  good  in  favor  of  a 
general  insurance  business  which  he  has  car- 
ried on  ever  since,  under  his  own  firm  name. 
With  a  wide  connection  over  the  State  and 
a  reputation  for  business  integrity  as  assets, 
his  business  has  grown  to  a  gratifying 
extent.  Mr.  Peffer  is  a  member  of  the  King- 
ston Business  Men's  Association,  the  King- 
ston Chamber  of  Commerce  and  of  the  United 
Commercial  Travellers.  He  is  a  P>.epublican 
politically,  and  takes  an  interest  in  city 
affairs,  without  holding  office.  He  and  his 
family  are  attendants  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church. 

Daniel  R.  Peffer  was  married,  in  1903,  to 
Jessie  R.  Gilliland  of  Sharon,  a  daughter  of 
Matthew  and  Adeline  Gilliland.  They  have 
two  children:  Clara  Frances,  who  married 
William  S.  Stephens,  and  Daniel  R.  Jr.,  born 
in    1914. 


FRANK  HERMAN  FRITZ — An  educator  of 
wide  experience  and  thorough  training,  Frank 
Herman  Fritz  has  been  superintendent  of 
schools  in  Ashley,  Pennsylvania,  since  1925. 
In  his  administration,  he  has  adopted  a  con- 
sistent, progressive  policy  which  has  proved 
very  successful  in  operation  and  has  won  him 
the  complete  confidence  of  teachers,  pupils, 
and  the  community  at  large. 

Mr.  Fritz  was  born  on  January  21,  1SS3,  at 
Bloomsburg,  Pennsylvania,  a  son  of  Andrew 
L.  Fritz,  who  was  born  in  Benton,  Columbia 
County,  Penn.sylvania,  and  died  in  1913,  and 
of  Frances  Endora  (Evans)  Fritz,  who  was 
born  in  Bloomsburg,  and  who  is  still  living. 
Andrew  L.  Fritz  was  a  lawyer,  having  read 
law  with  United  States  Senator  Buckalew 
after  his  graduation  from  Bloomsburg  State 
Normal    School. 

Frank  Herman  Fritz  attended  the  public 
schools  of  Bloomsburg,  and  the  State  Normal 
School  there,  from  which  he  was  graduated 
in  1900.  For  five  years  he  taught  school  at 
Berwick,  Pennsylvania,  and  at  the  end  of  this 
time,   entered   Bucknell   University,    where   he 


,!|illli^PlpifPlfllTin[H!apipjnii^ 


ST.  MARY'S  GREEK-RITE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH 
WILKES-BARRE,  PA. 


659 


was  graduated  in  1909  with  tlie  degree  of 
Baclielor  of  Arts.  Soon  afterward,  lie  came 
to  Wilkes-Barre  as  principal  of  the  Union 
Street  Srhool,  remaining'  for  four  years,  after 
which,  for  tliree  years,  he  acted  as  dean  of 
tiae  Pennington  School  for  Boys,  at  I'enning- 
ton.  New  Jersey.  For  nine  years,  he  was 
director  of  English  in  tile  schools  of  Spring- 
field. Massachusetts,  and  for  three  years  he 
taught  pul^lic  speaking  in  several  cities  in 
Massachusetts  for  tlie  Massachusetts  State 
Department  of  Education.  For  three  sum- 
mers he  taught  in  Bates  College  at  Lewis- 
ton,  Maine.  Meanwhile,  in  1921,  he  had  re- 
ceived the  degree  of  Master  of  Education 
from  Harvard  University,  and  in  1925  he  took 
ciiarge  of  the  Ashley  school  system,  com- 
prising four  school  buildings  with  accom- 
modations for  more  than  sixteen  hundred 
pupils,  and  in  this  position  he  has  since 
remained. 

Politically.  Mr.  Fritz  is  a  member  of  the 
Repulilican  party.  He  is  affiliated  fraternally 
with  the  Fi-ee  and  Accepted  Masons,  in  which 
organization  he  is  a  member  of  Landmark 
Lodge,  No.  442,  Wilkes-Barre.  He  and  his 
family  attend  the  local  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  where  Mr.  Fritz  is  active  in  choir 
work. 

In  1920,  Prank  Herman  Fritz  married  Mar- 
jorie  Ladd.  of  Springfield,  Massachusetts,  a 
daugliter  of  Charles  E.  and  Mary  E.  Ladd 
of  that  place.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fritz  are  the 
parents  of  two  sons:  1.  Frank  Herman,  Jr., 
born  February  4,  1922.  2.  Charles  Ladd,  born 
December   11,    1925. 

THOMAS  C.  CARR — Throughout  the  many 
j'ears  of  his  business  experience,  Thomas  C. 
Carr  has  been  connected  with  the  Lehigh 
and  Wilkes-Barre  Coal  Company.  His  ability 
and  the  value  of  his  services  have  been  recog- 
nized by  this  company,  and  Mr.  Carr  has  risen 
gradually  in  their  employ  to  his  present  posi- 
tion as  outside  foreman,  in  which  capacity 
he   has   acted    with    conspicuous    success. 

He  was  born  in  Mauch  Chunk,  Pennsyl- 
vania, on  August  14,  1S66,  a  son  of  Thomas 
Carr,  a  rock  contractor,  who  was  born  in 
Mauch  Chunk  in  1S3S,  and  who  died  in  1891, 
and  of  Nancy  (Shields)  Carr,  who  was  also 
born  in  Mauch  Chunli,  in  1840,  and  who  died 
in   1S97. 

Thomas  C.  Carr  attended  the  public  schools 
of  his  birthplace,  and  later  entered  Wyoming 
Seminary.  When  he  completed  his  education, 
he  began  work  for  the  Lehigh  and  Wilkes- 
Barre  Coal  Company,  as  a  clerk  in  their 
Wilkes-Barre  office,  and  in  this  association 
which  has  continued  for  so  many  years,  was 
immediately  successful.  In  the  course  of 
the  years  merited  promotion  came  to  him. 
and  he  is  now  one  of  the  company's  most 
valued  and  trusted  employees.  Mr.  Carr  is 
also  vice-president  and  a  director  of  the 
Peoples  State  Bank  of  Newtown,  in  Wilkes- 
Barre,  giving  to  this  organization  tlie  bene- 
fit of  his  keen  business  Judgment.  Politically, 
he  supports  the  principles  and  candidates  of 
the  Republican  party,  and  he  is  a  member 
of    St.    Patrick's    Roman    Catholic    Church. 

In  February,  1890,  Thomas  C.  Carr  married 
Nellie  Farrell  of  Wilkes-Barre,  a  daughter 
of  Dennis  and  Ellen  (Moran)  Farrell,  of 
that  place.  Her  father,  a  carpenter  by  trade, 
was  born  in  Wilkes-Barre  in  1835,  and  died 
in  1913.  Her  mother  was  born  in  Ireland  on 
April  11.  1S35,  and  died  in  1910.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Carr  are  the  parents  of  four  children:  1. 
Irene,  born  November  15,  1S94.  2.  Thomas, 
Jr..  born  May  19.  1896.  3.  Helen,  born  March 
2,  1901.  4.  Shields,  born  May  22,  1903.  The 
family  home  is  at  No.  415  Hazle  Street, 
^^'ilkes-Barre. 


BBNJAMIN  le:onard  HAUS — In  a  variety 
of  capacities  Benjamin  Leonard  Haus  has 
served  the  Wilkes-Barre  public  from  his  desk 
in  the  county  courthouse  and,  whether  it 
was  as  clerk  in  the  county  treasurer's  offlce, 
deputy  controller,  as  deputy  clerk  of  the 
courts,  or  as  deputy  county  treasurer,  he  ha? 
always  discharged  his  duties  efficiently  and 
with  conscientious  reg-ard  for  the  interests 
of   the    people. 

Born  in  Lewistown,  Mifflin  County,  De- 
cember 6,  1879,  Mr.  Haus  is  the  son  of  Wil- 
liam and  Ellie  M.  (Sills)  Haus,  the  latter  born 
in  Lewistown,  in  1S43,  died  in  February,  1894. 
The  father,  born  in  Mifflinburg.  in  1840,  died 
in  December,  1893,  served  in  the  Civil  War 
with  the  Pennsylvania  Volunteers.  He  was 
a  printer  by  trade,  but  spent  part  of  his  life 
as  a  railway  postal  clerk.  His  son  attended 
the  grammar  schools  in  Sunbury.  Pennsyl- 
vania, then  went  to  the  Wharton  School  of 
the  University  of  Pennsylvania.  For  four- 
teen years  he  was  with  the  Pennsylvania 
Railroad  in  various  capacities  stationed  at 
Sunbury  and  Nanticoke.  It  was  in  1909  that 
he  came  to  Wilkes-Barre  as  a  clerk  in  the 
county  treasurer's  office,  later  receiving  his 
appointment  as  deputy  controller  from  Comp- 
troller Fuller  Hendershot.  For  four  years 
Mr.  Haus  served  as  deputy  clerk  of  the 
courts,  and  since  1925  has  laeen  deputy 
county  treasurer.  Politically,  .Mr.  Haus  is 
Republican  and  his  fraternal  affiliations  are 
with  Nanticoke  Lodge,  No.  541,  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons:  Keystone  Consistory, 
Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite,  of  Scranton; 
Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of 
the  Mystic  Shrine;  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  and 
the  Craftsman's  Club.  With  his  family  Mr. 
Haus  is  a  communicant  in  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church.  In  1898  Mr.  Haus  Joined  the  7th 
Regiment,  Pennsylvania  National  Guard,  but 
was  later  transferred  to  the  12th  Regiment. 
During  the  World  War  he  was  vrith  the  2d 
Pennsylvania    Regiment    of    tlie    Reserves. 

In  1908,  Mr.  Haus  married  Anna  Elizabeth 
Kelley,  daughter  of  William  and  Margaret 
(Bichani)  Kelley  of  Nanticoke.  Their  two 
sons  are:  William  Leonard,  born  June  15, 
1915;  and  John  Benjamin,  born  in  July,   1919. 


REV.    NICHOLAS    CHOPEY — Few   men   are 

better  Ivnown  or  more  sincerely  respected  in 
Wilkes-Barre  than  is  the  Rev.  Nicholas 
Chopey,  rector  of  St.  Mary's  Greek-Rite 
Catholic  Church  of  this  city.  Father  Chopey 
has  been  caring  for  this  parish  since  1903,  and 
during  his  rectorship  tlie  churcli  membership 
has  increased  from  74  families  to  600  families, 
with  a  total  membership  of  3,500  communi- 
cants. A  new  church  building  has  been 
erected  and  many  other  improvements  made, 
while  the  spiritual  life  of  the  parish  has  been 
greatly  stimulated  and  developed.  St.  Mary's 
Greek-Rite  Catholic  Church  is  located  at  No. 
695  North  Main   Street   in   Wilkes-Barre. 

Rev.  Nicholas  Chopey  was  born  in  Ungvar, 
Hungary,  January  2,  1876,  son  of  Gabriel  and 
Carolina  Chopey,  both  of  whom  are  deceased. 
Father  Chopey  received  his  early  education 
and  his  college  training  in  his  native  town, 
and  then,  as  he  had  decided  to  enter  tlie 
service  of  the  church,  matriculated  in  Eszter- 
gom,  and  later  in  Budapest  University.  He 
was  ordained  a  priest  at  Ungvar,  Hungary, 
December  18,  1898,  and  five  years  later,  in 
1903.  came  to  this  country  and  located  in 
AA'ilkes-Barre,  wliere  he  took  charge  of  St. 
Mary's  Greek-Rite  Catholic  Church,  where 
lie  has  since  been  rendering  most  valuable 
service.  When  Fatlier  Chopey  came  to 
Wilkes-Barre,  the  St.  Mary's  Greek-Rite 
Catholic  Cliurch  was  meeting  in  .a  small 
frame  building  which  stood  at   No.   6GS  North 


66o 


Main  Street.  The  building  had  been  erected 
in  1SS7,  and  at  the  time  Father  Chopey  tooli 
charge  the  membership  of  the  parish  includ- 
ed only  seventy-four  families.  In  1907,  just 
four  years  after  his  arrival,  Father  Chopey 
built  the  present  large  briclt  church  and  the 
parish  house.  In  liUO  he  built  the  parish 
school,  and  in  1923  he  built  the  convent  for 
the  housing  of  the  Sisters  who  teach  in  the 
parochial  school.  From  the  beginning.  Father 
Chopey  has  devoted  his  energies  to  the  up- 
building of  the  spiritual  life  of  the  church  as 
well  as  to  the  work  of  developing  its  ma- 
terial equipment.  Under  his  leadership  the 
membership  of  the  parish  has  increased 
steadily  and  rapidly  and  the  seventy-four 
families  which  represented  the  total  member- 
ship in  1903  has  now  grown  to  six  hundred 
families  with  a  total  membership  of  thirty- 
five  hundred  communicants.  While  thus 
building  up  so  successfully  the  church  which 
is  his  special  charge.  Father  Chopey  has  also 
been  very  active  in  the  general  work  of  the 
Greek-Rite  Church  in  the  county  and  in  the 
State.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Greek  Catholic 
Union  in  America,  also  of  the  Union  of  Greek 
Catholic  Priests,  and  is  Dean  of  the  Greek 
Catholic  Priests  in  Luzerne  County,  and  con- 
sultant of  the  Greek  Catholic  Bishops,  of 
Pittsburgh,  Pennsylvania,  and  an  honorary 
consultant  of  Ungvar,  his  native  town  in 
Hungary.  Although  the  improvements  which 
Father  Chopey  has  made  in  the  parish  have 
been  so  extensive,  he  is  still  hard  at  work, 
and  recently  he  purchased  sixty-five  acres 
of  ground  which  tract  has  been  dedicated  for 
the  cemetery  of  St.  Mary's  Greek-Rite  Catho- 
lic  Congregation    and   parish. 

In  his  contact  with  his  people  and  with 
other  citizens  of  the  city,  Father  Chopey  has 
shown  rare  sympathy  and  understanding.  His 
work  has  been  of  a  character  which  has 
commanded  the  respect  not  only  of  his  own 
parishioners  but  of  all  with  whom  he  has 
been  associated  throughout  the  city.  Politi- 
cally, he  gives  his  support  to  the  Republican 
party,  but  his  chief  concern  is  the  spiritual 
and  material  welfare  of  the  parish  of  which 
he  has  had  charge  for  the  past  twenty-four 
years.  The  welfare  of  his  people  has  come  to 
be  his  first  thought,  and  his  consecrated  serv- 
ice has  called  forth  from  his  people  respect 
and  devotion,  which  is  a  source  of  power  in 
the  parisli. 


BRUNO  GORSKI — Through  years  of  indus- 
try and  toil,  Bruno  Gorski  has  advanced 
steadily  until  today  he  is  a  leader  in  the 
business  and  financial  life  of  Nanticoke,  own- 
ing and  operating  an  important  bakery  and 
grocery  at  No.  126  East  Ridge  Street.  He  was 
a  director  of  the  Miners'  Trust  Company 
from  its  inception,  in  1920  to  1928  and  was 
one  of  the  founders.  Mr.  Gorski  is  a  splendid 
example  of  a  self-made  man,  having  come  to 
this  country  with  his  only  assets,  a  remark- 
able energr  and  a  determination  to  succeed, 
and  his  present  high  position  in  the  com- 
mercial world  shows  to  what  extent  he  took 
advantage  of  all  the  opportunities  offered 
by  this  great  land. 

Mr.  Gorski  was  born  in  Poland,  March  18, 
1877.  He  learned  the  bakery  trade  in  his 
native  land,  and  for  two  years,  was  employed 
at  this  work  in  Warsaw,  Poland.  On  Novem- 
ber 1,  1900,  he  arrived  in  New  York  City, 
and  coming  to  Luzerne  County,  was  employed 
by  various  bakers  in  Wilkes-Barre  for  five 
years,  having  at  first  been  engaged  in  min- 
ing for  four  months.  He  operated  a  hotel  in 
the  Plains  for  one  year,  and  in  1906,  opened 
his  first  bakery  shop  in  Nanticoke.  He  was 
successful  from  the  beginning,  due  to  his 
admirable  policy  of  quality  and  service,  build- 


ing up  an  enviable  reputation  for  the  excel- 
lence of  his  products.  The  organization  ex- 
panded and  trade  increased  steadily,  and  at 
the  present  time,  he  conducts  a  thriving 
wholesale  and  retail  business,  employing 
eight  people  in  its  proper  operation.  The 
shop  enjoys  the  steady  patronage  of  hundreds 
of  satisfied  customers,  who  can  always  de- 
pend upon  receiving  products  of  the  highest 
purity  and  quality  and  courteous  and  agreea- 
ble service.  In  addition  to  his  bakery  and 
grocery  business,  Mr.  Gorski  is  a  prominent 
factor  in  the  financial  life  of  the  community, 
being  active  in  the  affairs  of  the  Miners' 
Trust  Bank,  as  aforementioned.  He  takes  a 
deep  and  sincere  interest  in  civic  affairs,  giv- 
ing active  and  generous  support  to  all  pro- 
jects for  community  welfare  and  advance- 
ment. He  is  a  member  of  the  Z.  and  P. 
Lodge,  No,  145,  and  its  treasurer.  His  reli- 
gious affiliations  are  with  St.  Stanislaus 
Roman   Catholic   Church. 

Bruno  Gorski  married,  in  1901,  Velaria 
(Zielinski)  Struzwski,  a  native  of  Poland, 
whom  Mr.  Gorski  knew  in  that  country,  and 
who  came  to  the  United  States  about  six 
months  after  his  arrival  in  his  adopted  land. 
They  have  one  adopted  daughter,  Julia,  who 
married   Stanley   Yuzviak,    of   Hudson. 

HARRY  E.  SMITH — Actively  engaged  in 
business  in  Shickshinny  since  he  was  eight- 
een years  of  age,  Harry  E.  Smith  has  estab- 
lished a  fine  reputation  in  the  field  of  his 
efforts  and  is  making  commendable  progress 
with  each  passing  year.  He  is  a  man  of  much 
ability,  absolute  honesty,  indefatigable  indus- 
try and  enterprise  of  an  unusual  quality. 
His  interest  in  civic  affairs  has  been  notable 
and  he  has  served  in  both  public  and  asso- 
ciation office  with  satisfaction  to  those  who 
gave  him  their  trust  and  votes.  This  sort 
of  citizen  is  of  great  value  to  a  community 
and  the  district  in  which  he  operates  is  to  be 
congratulated    in    his    possession. 

He  was  born  in  Shickshinny,  Pennsylvania, 
December  5,  1878,  a  son  of  Lemuel  E.  Smith, 
a  native  of  Brier  Creek  Township,  Columbia 
County,  who  became  superintendent  of  a  coal 
company  and  whose  death  is  recorded  as 
of  March,  1900.  His  mother  was  Catherine 
(Kavlor)  Smith,  born  in  South  Wilkes-Barre 
and  died  in  1916.  He  attended  the  public 
schools  and  was  graduated  from  high  school, 
after  which  he  established  himself  in  the 
business  of  manufacturing  and  retailing  lum- 
ber, in  which  occupation  he  remained  until 
1914,  when  he  discontinued  this  for  the  auto- 
mobile trade,  and  opened  the  Smith  Garage 
in  Shickshinny,  handling  the  Chevrolet  car. 
In  1916,  he  obtained  the  agency  tor  the 
Studebaker  and  is  still  associated  with  that 
automobile,  employing  several  men  at  his 
plant.  For  sixteen  years  he  has  been  a 
member  of  the  local  school  boards  and  is 
now  the  president  of  the  Rotary  Club.  He 
is  a  director  of  the  First  National  Bank  of 
Shickshinny  and  attends  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church.  In  fraternal  circles  he  is  affil- 
iated with  Lodge  No.  ISO,  Independent  Order 
of  Odd  Fellows;  with  Lodge  No.  354,  Free 
and  Accepted  Masons;  Bloomsbury  Consis- 
tory, Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite  Masons, 
and  Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order 
Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  having  the 
thirty-second   degree   of   the   order. 

Harry  B.  Smith  married,  .Tune  30,  1897, 
Grace  M.  Smethers,  of  Berwick.  Pennsyl- 
vania, daughter  of  George  and  Harriett 
(Edwards)  Smethers.  Their  children  are:  1. 
Fred  E.,  born  in  1901.  2.  Ray  P.,  born  in 
1903.  3.  Claude  E.,  born  in  1906.  Their  only 
daughter,  Maude  C,  died  at  the  age  of  six- 
teen  years. 


66 1 


JAMES  G.  JEFFREIS — Both  for  his  work 
in  the  coal  mining-  industry  of  Alden  and  the 
surrounding  parts  of  Pennsylvania  and  for 
his  participation  in  the  public  affairs  of  the 
community  in  which  for  so  many  years  he 
has  lived  and  worked,  James  G.  Jeffreis  is 
regarded  highly  by  his  fellowmen  and  his 
associates.  He  has  acquired  a  wide  circle  of 
acquaintances,  and  is  a  member  of  one  of  the 
most   respected    families   of   this   community. 

Mr.  Jejffreis  was  born  in  Scranton,  Penn- 
sylvania, on  March  25,  1SS4,  a  son  of  Richard 
and  Elizabeth  (Gliddon)  Jeffreis.  His  father 
was  horn  in  Pittston.  Pennsylvania,  in  ISfiS, 
worked  for  the  greater  part  of  his  life  as  a 
miner,  and  died  in  1S90:  while  the  mother  was 
born  in  England  in  1866  and  died  here  in  1S91. 
James  G.  Jeffreis  received  his  early  education 
in  the  public  schools  of  Nanticoke,  attend- 
ing night  classes,  and  at  the  age  of  nine  years 
started  work  in  a  coal  breaker.  He  actually 
was  working  in  the  mines  at  the  age  of  ten. 
In  1S98  he  became  associated  with  the  Alden 
Coal  Company  as  door  tender:  and,  as  the 
company  officials  recognized  his  abilities, 
they  advanced  him  from  time  to  time,  so 
that  in  1913  he  became  assistant  foreman  and 
in  1925  was  made  general  foreman  for  the 
organization.  In  this  work  he  has  gained  the 
confidence  of  company  officials  and  of  the 
men  working  under  his  guidance,  and,  in 
short,  has  fulfilled  the  promise  which  he 
showed  early  in  his  career  and  the  hopes  of 
those    who    placed    their    trust    in    him. 

In  addition  to  his  work  with  the  coal  indus- 
try, Mr.  Jeffreis  takes  an  active  part  in  the 
affairs  of  his  community.  In  his  political 
views  he  is  identified  "\vith  the  Republican 
party,  whose  policies  and  candidates  he  regu- 
larly supports.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Free 
and  Accepted  Masons,  in  "which  order  he  is 
affiliated  with  Lodge,  No.  541;  and  Keystone 
Consistory  of  the  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish 
Rite,  of  Scranton,  Pennsylvania.  He  also  is  a 
member  of  the  Loyal  Order  of  Moose.  His 
religious  affiliation  is  with  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church. 

In  1903,  on  December  31  of  that  year,  he 
married  Helena  Hermansen,  of  Alden,  Penn- 
sylvania, daughter  of  John  and  Emma  Her- 
mansen. By  this  union  there  have  been  ten 
children,  of  w^hom  eight  are  now  living:  1. 
Charlotte  Elizabeth,  now  Mrs.  Charlotte  Eliz- 
abeth Burn.  2.  John  E.  3.  Helen,  who  died 
at  the  age  of  fifteen  years.  4.  Carl.  5.  Irene. 
6.  James,  Jr.  7.  Keith.  8.  Hazel.  9.  Alice, 
died  in  infancy.  10.  Richard.  Mr.  Jeffreis 
also   has    a   grandchild,    Elizabeth    Burn. 

REV.      JOHN      BURROl'GHS      CRAVEX — A 

leader  in  the  religious  life  of  his  community, 
the  Rev.  John  B.  Craven  has  served  for  more 
than  three  decades  as  pastor  of  the  Grant 
Street  Presbyterian  Church,  in  Wilkes-Barre, 
Pennsylvania,  where  he  has  won  the  love  and 
the  esteem  of  the  people.  He  has  proven  him- 
self to  be  one  of  those  men  who  are  thor- 
oughly interested  in  the  welfare  of  the  city 
and  ready  at  all  times  to  do  whatever  is  in 
their  power  to  improve  conditions  in  every 
possible  way.  He  has  worked  constantly  with 
his  congregation  to  build  up  the  Grant  Street 
Church,  which  holds  a  prominent  place  in  the 
religious  life  of  Wilkes-Barre  and  this  vicin- 
ity: and  furthermore,  there  is  scarcely  a 
phase  of  the  civic  or  social  life  of  the  com- 
munity that  has  not  received  his  careful  and 
valued  attention.  He  has  participated  to  a 
considerable  extent  in  the  work  of  several 
societies  and  organizations,  and  is  a  gener- 
ally  public-spirited  citizen. 

Descended  from  early  colonial  families  in 
the  United  States,  he  is  a  son  of  Charles  V. 
and  Aramanda  (Eagle)  Craven,  both  of  whom 


are  now  deceased;  a  grandson  of  John  and 
Elizabeth  (Hart)  Craven;  and  a  great-grand- 
son of  Giles  and  Ann  (MacNalr)  Craven,  who 
were  among  the  early  settlers  of  Bucks 
County,  Penn.sylvania,  and  were  of  English 
and  Scotch  descent.  Charles  V.  and  Aramanda 
(Eagle)  Craven  were  the  parents  of  four 
children:    1.    Rev.    John    B.,    of   whom    further. 

2.  Frank  B.,  who  handles  real  estate  in  Ocean 
City,  New  Jersey.  3.  George  W.,  who  is  now 
deceased.  4.  Bessie,  who  is  the  wife  of  Hugh 
T.  Mason,  of  Churchville,  Bucks  County, 
Pennsylvania.  Charles  V.  Craven  was  himself 
a  soldier  in  the  Union  Army  in  the  Civil 
War,  a  private  in  the  104th  Pennsylvania 
Volunteer  Infantry,  and  he  served  for  three 
years  the  Union  cause,  in  which  he  was  a 
firm  believer. 

The  Rev.  John  B.  Craven  spent  the  early 
days  of  his  life  on  the  old  Bucks  County 
farm;  and  while  a  lad  he  attended  the  public 
schools  of  his  native  district,  having  been 
born  at  what  was  known  as  Washington's 
Crossing,  in  Bucks  County,  on  November  7. 
1866.  When  he  finished  his  public  school 
work,  he  went  to  Doylestown  Academy,  from 
which  he  was  graduated  in  the  class  of  1888. 
Then  he  became  a  student  in  Lafayette  Col- 
lege, from  which  he  was  graduated  in  the 
class  of  1892  with  the  degree  of  Bachelor 
of  Arts.  When  he  received  this  degree,  he 
entered  the  Princeton  Theological  Seminary, 
from  which  institution  he  was  graduated  in 
theology  in  the  class  of  1895.  Shortly  after- 
ward he  came  to  Wilkes-Barre,  where  he  be- 
came pastor  of  the  Grant  Street  Presbyterian 
Church,  in  which  position  he  has  served  con- 
tinuously since  that  time.  The  Rev.  Mr. 
Craven  is  interested  in  political  matters  as 
they  affect  his  city.  State,  and  Nation,  and  he 
supports  the  principles  of  the  Republican 
party.  Also  active  in  fraternal  work,  he  i^^ 
a  member  of  the  Free  and  Accepted  Masons, 
in  which  order  he  is  affiliated  with  the  Land- 
mark Lodge,  No.   442. 

Mr.  Craven  married,  on  July  10,  1895,  Mabel 
Hulsizer,  of  Easton,  Pennsylvania,  who  is  a 
daughter  of  Peter  and  Rachel  Hulsizer,  both 
of  whom  are  now  deceased.  This  marriage 
has  been  blessed  with  the  following  chil- 
dren: 1.  Charles  Y.,  who  is  a  farmer  at 
Tunkhannock,  Pennsylvania,  and  who  mar- 
ried Estella  Williams,  and  they  have  two 
children,  Jane  Louise  and  John  Charles.  2. 
John  B.,  a  mechanical  engineer  for  the  Hud- 
son Coal  Company,  of  Scranton,  Pennsyl- 
vania; he  married  Genevieve  Hammond,  of 
Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  by  which  marriage 
there    is    one    daughter,    Elizabeth    Genevieve. 

3.  William  D.,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  an  electrical 
engineer,  and  is  unmarried.  4.  Rachel,  who 
is    unmarried,   and   is   living    at   home. 


JOHN  E.  PIATT — No  group  of  persons 
holds  a  more  responsible  position  in  the 
progress  of  human  affairs  than  that  which 
is  actively  interested  in  the  affairs  of  edu- 
cation. Particularly  is  this  responsibility 
important  for  the  principals  of  schools  who 
have  the  duty  of  directing  the  teachers  as 
well  as  pupils  under  their  respective  juris- 
diction. John  E.  Piatt,  of  Wyoming,  Penn- 
sylvania, who  holds  the  honorable  position 
of  supervising  principal  of  schools  here,  is 
especially  qualified  for  his  office  by  reason 
of  both  experience  and  education.  He  is  thor- 
oughly familiar  with  the  educational  needs 
of  this  vicinity,  which  is  a  qualification  most 
essential  to  one  who  would  be  successful  in 
public  school  work.  He  is  the  son  of  Edwin 
E.  and  Ellen  (Tubbs)  Piatt.  His  father,  who 
was  a  lumber  mill  owner,  was  born  in  Lu- 
zerne County,  Pennsylvania,  in  1861,  and 
died   F'ebruary   IS,   192S.    His   mother,    born   in 


662 


Luzerne  County  in  1S60  continues  to  live  in 
the   county. 

John  E.  Piatt  was  born  at  Broadway.  Lu- 
zerne County,  Pennsylvania,  on  July  23,  1SS5 
and  began  his  education  in  the  county  schools 
of  Luzerne  County.  He  then  attended  the 
Bloomsbury  Normal  School  in  Bloomsbury. 
Pennsylvania,  from  ■where  he  graduated  in 
the  class  of  1908.  He  then  taught  in  country 
schools  for  four  years  gaining  by  this  ex- 
perience a  rich  fund  of  information  as  to 
needs  of  country  schools.  From  this  work, 
he  taught  in  the  schools  of  Franklin  and 
Ross  townships,  respectively,  and  here  learned 
the  village  school.  In  1912,  Mr.  Piatt  came  to 
Wyoming  to  fill  a  position  as  teacher  of  an 
eighth  grade  and  in  1913,  he  was  made  a 
teacher  in  the  high  school  here  and  in  No- 
vember. 1915,  he  was  made  supervising  prin- 
cipal of  the  Schools  of  Wyoming  and  has 
continued  to  hold  that  position.  He  is  a 
zealous  student  and  keeps  himself  informed 
of  all  progressive  methods  of  education.  He 
has  done  extensive  work  in  the  extension 
department  of  the  University  of  Pennsyl- 
vania and  the  State  College,  and  graduated 
from  the  Susquehanna  University  in  the  class 
of  1928,  with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts. 
He  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  a  member 
of  Lodge  No.  887,  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows,  and  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,   where  he   is  on   the   official   board. 

On  June  24,  1916,  John  E.  Piatt  married 
Tacie  K.  Kittle  of  Sweet  Valley,  Pennsyl- 
vania, daughter  of  Robert  E.  and  Alice  Kittle. 
They  had  two  children:  1.  Evan  Hale,  who 
died  at  the  age  of  sixteen  months.  2.  John 
E.,    Jr.,    born    March    23,    1922. 

JOHN  S.  LOPATTO — One  of  the  distin- 
guished members  of  the  legal  profession  in 
Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania,  is  John  S. 
Lopatto,  who  has  his  offices  at  Nos.  703-711 
Miners'  Bank  Building  in  Wilkes-Barre.  Mr. 
Lopatto  graduated  from  the  Law  School  of 
the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  in  1907,  and 
in  1919  was  a  member  of  the  Lithuanian 
Commission  to  negotiate  peace,  whicli  met  in 
Paris,  France,  after  the  close  of  the  World 
War  and  secured  the  recognition  of  the 
Lithuanian  Republic.  He  is  active  in  local 
public  affairs  in  Wilkes-Barre  and  in  Luzerne 
County,  and  is  one  of  the  well-known  and 
highly  esteemed  members  of  his  profession. 

John  S.  Lopatto  was  born  in  Lithuania, 
September  16,  1882,  son  of  Simon  Lopatto, 
who  came  from  sturdy  Lithuanian  stock,  now 
deceased,  and  of  Ursula  Lopatto,  who  passed 
away  February  8,  1929.  Mr.  Lopatto  grew  to 
manhood  in  Pittston,  Luzerne  County,  where 
he  attended  the  parochial  school,  and  later 
became  a  student  in  Wyoming  Seminary,  at 
Kingston,  Luzerne  County.  When  his  pre- 
paratory course  was  completed  he  began  pro- 
fessional study  in  the  Law  School  of  the 
University  of  Pennsylvania,  from  which  he 
was  graduated  with  the  class  of  1907,  re- 
ceiving at  that  time  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of 
Laws.  He  was  admitted  to  the  Luzerne 
County  Bar  soon  afterward  and  at  once 
opened  his  offices  for  practice  in  Wilkes- 
Barre.  For  the  past  twenty-one  years  he  has 
been  engaged  in  general  practice  here  and 
during  that  time  he  has  built  up  a  large  and 
still  growing  clientele.  Mr.  Lopatto  has  al- 
ways been  actively  interested  in  public 
affairs,  local,  national,  and  international,  and 
has  been  willing  to  share  in  bearing  the 
burdens  of  public  office.  He  was  assistant 
district  attorney  for  Luzerne  County  from 
1916  to  1920.  He  is  attorney  for  the  Heights 
Deposit  Bank  of  Wilkes-Barre,  in  which 
capacity  hi.s  legal  knowledge  and  his  good 
judgment     enable     him     to     render     valuable 


service.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Luzerne 
County  Bar  Association,  of  the  Pennsylvania 
State  Bar  Association,  and  of  the  American 
Bar  Association,  and  is  well  known  among 
his  professional  associates.  Politically,  he 
gives  his  support  to  the  principles  and  the 
candidates  of  the  Democratic  party,  and  his 
fraternal  association  is  with  Wilkes-Barre 
Lodge,  No.  109,  Benevolent  and  Protective 
Order  of  Elks,  and  Wilkes-Barre  Council,  No. 
302,  Knights  of  Columbus.  He  is  attorney  for 
the  Lithuanian  Alliance  of  America,  for  the 
Lithuanian  Catholic  Alliance  of  America,  and 
is  very  influential  among  the  Lithuanians  of 
America,  as  well  as  among  his  associates  in 
general.  In  1915  he  was  candidate  for  the 
office  of  registrar  of  wills.  Mr.  Lopatto  is  a 
director  of  the  Beneficial  Loan  Society  of 
Wilkes-Barre:  member  of  the  Wyoming  Val- 
ley Country  Club,  and  the  Tatra  Club  of 
Wilkes-Barre.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Arbi- 
tration Commission  to  settle  disputes  between 
Lithuania  and  Sweden.  His  religious  affilia- 
tion is  with  Holy  Trinity  Roman  Catholic 
Church  of  Wilkes-Barre. 

John  S.  Lopatto  was  married,  June  24,  1913, 
to  Mary  C.  Skritulsky,  of  New  Britain,  Con- 
necticut, and  they  have  four  children:  Mary, 
Edward  Wilson,  John  S.,  Jr.,  and  Richard. 
The  family  residence  is  at  No.  136  Park  Ave- 
nue,   Wilkes-Barre. 

JOHN  F.  KROPP — For  about  twenty  years 
John  F.  Kropp  was  employed  about  the  mines 
in  Plains.  Pennsylvania,  but  he  was  one  of 
the  many  of  this  State  who  make  the  mining 
industry  a  stepping-stone  to  other  lines  of 
activity,  and  after  acquiring  experience  in 
several  different  capacities  in  the  work  of 
coal  mining,  he  became  a  salesman.  Since 
1907  he  has  been  in  the  employ  of  the  Anchor 
Packing  Company,  of  Philadelphia,  and  since 
1920  he  has  held  the  responsible  position  of 
district  representative  for  that  concern.  Mr. 
Kropp  is  a  member  of  several  fraternal 
orders.  He  is  a  director  and  vice-president 
of  the  Plains  State  Bank. 

John  F.  Kropp  was  born  in  Wilkes-Barre. 
Pennsylvania,  April  21,  1875,  son  of  John 
Kropp,  who  was  a  native  of  Wilkes-Barre. 
born  in  1852,  and  who  was  engaged  as  a 
mine  superintendent  to  the  time  of  his  death, 
which  occurred  at  the  age  of  forty-eight 
years,  in  1900,  and  of  Mary  (Kridler)  Kropp, 
also  a  native  of  "Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania, 
born  in  1854,  died  in  May,  1923.  School  days 
for  Mr.  Kropp  were  brief,  for  when  he  was 
eight  and  a  half  years  old  he  started  work 
in  the  coal  breaker,  and  around  and.  in  the 
mines  he  remained  for  nearly  twenty  years, 
filling  various  positions  and  working  at  dif- 
ferent jobs  until  he  was  twenty-eight  years 
of  age,  finally  becoming  outside  foreman. 
At  the  age  of  twenty-eight  he  made  a  change 
and  secured  a  position  as  salesman  in  the 
employ  of  the  Garlock  Packing  Company,  of 
Philadelphia.  That  was  in  1903.  Four  years 
later,  in  1907,  he  became  associated  with  the 
Anchor  Packing  Company,  of  Philadelphia, 
and  since  that  time  he  has  been  continuously 
identified  with  the  interests  of  that  concern. 
In  1920  he  was  advanced  to  the  position  of 
district  representative,  after  a  selling  experi- 
ence of  thirteen  years,  and  his  ten  years  as 
district  representative  have  been  as  success- 
ful as  his  period  of  service  as  a  salesman. 
In  addition  to  his  activities  in  the  inter- 
est of  the  Anchor  Packing  Company,  Mr. 
Kropp  is  interested  in  local  affairs  in  Plains 
and  in  Plains  Township.  He  supports  the 
Republican  party  and  for  two  terms  served 
as  a  school  director.  When  the  Plains  State 
Bank  "was  under  consideration  as  a  possi- 
bility   only,    he    was    one    of    those    who    ably 


663 


forwarded  the  project,  becoming  one  of  the 
organizers,  a  member  of  the  board  of  direc- 
tors, and  vice-president  of  the  banlt.  He  is  a 
member  of  Lodge  No.  109,  Benevolent  and 
Protective  Order  of  Elks,  and  of  the  Frater- 
nal   Order    of    Eagles. 

John  F.  Kropp  married,  in  1899,  Mary  G. 
Hoban,  of  Plains,  Penns.vlvania,  daughter  of 
Dennis  and  Ann  (Egan)  Hoban,  and  they 
are  the  parents  of  five  children:  1.  Charles 
P.,  who  is  now  (1930)  twenty-three  years 
of  age,  a  graduate  of  the  Philadelphia  Col- 
lege of  Pharmacy,  class  of  1928.  2.  Anna  L... 
aged  twenty-one,  is  a  graduate  of  the  State 
Teachers'  College,  at  Westcliester,  Pennsyl- 
vania, class  of  1928.  3.  Edward  J.,  aged 
twenty,  a  student  in  the  Pennsylvania  State 
College.  4.  Marion  G.,  aged  nineteen;  mar- 
I'ied  Peter  Grimes,  of  Kingston.  5.  Frances 
C,  aged  fifteen. 

RICHARD  HENRY  MITCHELL, — One  of  the 

prominent  and  progressive  citizens  of  Wilkes- 
B?-rre,  Pennsylvania,  is  Richard  Henry  Mit- 
chell, assistant  cashier  of  the  Miners'  Bank, 
one  of  the  largest  in  the  State.  Mr.  Mitchell's 
success  has  come  about  as  the  result  of  his 
abilitj^  and  hard  work,  and  his  advancement 
to  his  present  position  in  the  bank  has  been 
gradual  and  continuous  since  his  humble 
beginning  there  as  messenger  boy.  He  is 
conversant  with  all  departments  of  banking 
and  finance,  as  well  as  with  the  resources 
of  his  section,  and  he  takes  a  constructive 
part  in  all  forward  movements  in  Wilkes- 
Barre. 

Richard  Henry  Mitchell  was  born  in  Par- 
sons, Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania,  Decem- 
ber 30,  1877,  son  of  William  and  Elizabeth 
(Davies)  Mitchell,  both  deceased.  Born  in 
England,  the  parents  came  to  America  in 
1871,  and  the  father,  a  master  mechanic, 
conducted  a  machine  shop  at  Parsons  and 
was  also,  for  some  years,  a  mechanic  for 
the  Delaware  and  Hudson  Coal  Company.  He 
died  at  thirty-eight:  his  widow,  at  sixty- 
seven.  Children:  William  J.,  who  died  in 
1892  at  the  age  of  eighteen:  Joseph  C,  who 
died  in  childhood:  Richard  Henry,  of  further 
mention;  James  Samuel,  -who  died  at  ten 
years  of  age;  Frederick  A.,  who  died  in 
childhood;  Susan  Mary,  who  also  died  in 
childhood;  Anna  Louisa,  wife  of  Oscar  B. 
Ross,  and  now  deceased,  having  died  in 
AVilkes-Barre  at  the  age  of  forty-two;  Ada 
B.,  wife  of  Harry  R.  Bettenbender,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre. 

The  boyhood  of  Richard  Henry  Mitchell 
was  spent  in  Parsons,  where  he  attended 
public  schools.  When  he  was  thirteen,  he 
found  employment  at  the  Westmoreland  Club. 
Thence  he  went  to  a  grocery  store  operated 
by  William  Miller  and  Company,  located  on 
the  site  of  the  thirteen  story  Miners'  Bank 
Building  today.  It  was  on  August  1,  1897, 
that  Mr.  Mitchell  took  a  position  witli  the 
bank  as  messenger  boy.  He  worked  his  way 
up  through  the  various  bank  departments, 
winning  steady  promotion  through  his  ap- 
plication to  business,  his  alertness,  his  readi- 
ness to  assume  responsibility,  and  his  faith- 
fulness in  its  discharge.  He  is  now  a  popular 
and  much  trusted  official  of  this  wealthy  and 
important  bank.  He  is  also  prominent  in 
other  departments  of  local  affairs.  A  Repub- 
lican in  politics,  he  is  an  outstanding  Mason; 
a  member  of  Landmark  Lodge,  No.  442,  Free 
and  Accepted  ilasons;  Caldwell  Consistory. 
Bloomsburg,  Pennsylvania,  Ancient  Accepted 
Scottish  Rite,  in  which  he  holds  the  thirty- 
second  degree:  Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic 
Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre:  and  of  the  Irem  Country  Club.  He 
belongs  also  to  the  Concordia  Singing  Society 


and  is  chairman  of  the  Music  Committee,  and 
to  the  Franklin  Club.  He  is  a  member  of  St. 
Stephen's  Episcopal  Church,  the  Church  Choir 
and  is  treasurer  of  the  Kindergarten  Federa- 
tion of  Wyoming  Valley. 


ARCHIE  L.  PARRISH — A  member  of  one 
of  the  oldest  families  of  the  Wyoming  Val- 
ley, Mr.  Parrish  himself  is  a  native  and  life- 
long resident  of  that  section  of  Pennsylvania. 
Throughout  his  active  life,  ever  since  hav- 
ing completed  his  education,  he  has  been 
identified  with  that  region's  leading  indus- 
try, the  coal  mining  industry,  and  for  the 
past  twenty  years  he  has  been  associated  in 
responsible  positions  with  the  Kingston  Coal 
Company.  In  that  industry  he  is  widely 
known  as  a  man  of  wide  practical  experience 
and  as  the  inventor  of  several  important 
devices  used  extensively  by  many  of  tlie  most 
successful  coal  mines.  For  many  years  a 
resident  of  Kingston,  he  has  been  promi- 
nently active  in  that  community's  fraternal, 
civic  and  religious  life  and  is  considered  one 
of    its    leading    and    substantial    citizens. 

Archie  L.  Parrish  was  born  at  Beaumont, 
Wyoming  County,  Pennsylvania,  February  18, 
1869,  a  son  of  John  F.  and  Almira  E.  (Frear) 
Parrish.  His  father,  who  was  a  native  of 
Evansfalls,  Pennsylvania,  and  who  died  in 
1904,  was  for  many  years  successfully  en- 
gaged in  the  lumber  business,  while  his 
mother,  who  is  still  living,  is  a  native  of 
Beaumont,  Wyoming  County.  Mr.  Parrish  is 
of  very  distinguished  ancestry  on  both  sides 
of  his  family.  The  Wyoming  Monument, 
erected  at  Wilkes-Barre  to  commemorate  the 
Battle  of  Wyoming,  one  of  the  important 
battles  of  the  Revolutionary  AVar,  contains 
no  less  than  three  names  of  men  who  fought 
there  to  establish  this  Republic  and  of  whom 
Mr.  Parrish  is  a  direct  descendant;  John 
Williams,  Daniel  Downing  and  Asa  Stephens. 
Another  active  participant  in  the  Revolu- 
tionary War,  who  is  an  ancestor  in  the  direct 
line  of  Mr.  Parrish,  was  Ebenezer  Parrish. 
On  his  mother's  side,  too,  he  is  descended 
from  pioneer  stock,  the  Frear  family  having 
been  settled  in  this  country  for  about  three 
centuries. 

Mr.  Parrish  received  his  education  in  the 
public  schools  of  Le  Grange,  Pennsylvania. 
After  leaving  school  he  learned  the  construc- 
tion of  coal  breakers  and  ever  since  then  it 
has  been  chiefly  with  the  construction  end 
of  coal  mining  that  he  has  been  identified. 
In  the  beginning  of  his  career  he  was  a 
foreman  for  the  Lehigh  Valley  Coal  Com- 
pany for  several  years,  after  which  he  held 
similar  positions  with  a  number  of  other 
important  coal  mining  companies.  In  1908 
he  became  connected  with  the  Kingston  Coal 
Company,  a  connection  which  has  continued 
without  interruption  since  then.  For  many 
years  he  "was  superintendent  of  construction 
for  this  company,  but  since  1927  he  has  been 
its  outside  superintendent.  In  these  several 
positions  of  great  responsibility  he  has  al- 
ways shown  notable  abilitj'  and  fidelity,  gain- 
ing for  himself  alike  the  confidence  of  his 
employers  and  the  liking  of  those  who  worked 
under  his  direction.  At  different  times  dur- 
ing his  long  connection  witli  the  coal  min- 
ing industry  he  has  designed  and  patented 
several  devices  for  use  in  coal  mining  and 
preparation.  The  most  notable  of  these, 
perhaps,  is  the  Parrish  Shaker,  known 
throughout  the  industry  as  one  of  the  most 
effective  devices  of  its  type  and  used  exten- 
sively today  by  many  of  the  largest  coal 
mines  in  this  and  other  countries.  Mr.  Par- 
rish has  been  very  active  for  many  years 
in  Masonic  affairs  and  he  is  a  member  of 
Lodge  No.   474   at  Ashley,   Pennsylvania,    Free 


664 


and  Accepted  Masons;  Shekinah  Chapter, 
Royal  Arch  Masons:  and  Dieu  le  Veut  Com- 
mandery,  No.  45,  Knig^hts  Templar.  In  poll- 
tics  he  is  a  supporter  ot  the  Republican 
party,  while  his  religious  affiliations  are  with 
the  Presbyterian  Church  of  Kingston. 

Mr.  Parris  married,  in  1SS9,  Margaret  Get- 
tinger,  of  Pottsville,  Pennsylvania,  a  daugh- 
ter of  William  and  Katherine  Gettinger.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Parrish  are  the  parents  of  seven 
children:  Ida,  Floyd,  Calvin,  Lola,  Martha, 
Esther,  and  Archie  L.,  Jr.,  and  also  have  one 
grandson,  Daniel  Glass  Parrish.  The  family 
home  is  located  at  No.  378  Chestnut  Street, 
Kingston. 


WILLIAM  SAMUEL  RITTER — Prom  the 
day  that  he  began  work  as  a  breaker  boy 
in  the  coal  mines  of  the  Wyoming  Valley 
William  Samuel  Ritter  showed  that  he  would 
reach  a  prominent  place  in  the  business.  He 
was  industrious,  ambitious,  willing  and  capa- 
ble and  faithful  to  the  interests  of  his  em- 
ployers, while  his  interest  in  civic  matters 
was  recognized  by  his  selection  for  office  of 
honor  and  responsibility,  which  he  filled  to 
the  complete  satisfaction  of  his  fellow-citi- 
zens. He  is  an  upright  member  of  the  com- 
munity and  an  honor  to  the  calling  which 
he  has   followed  all   his   life. 

He  was  born  in  Shickshinny,  Pennsylvania, 
September  5,  1879,  a  son  of  Henry  Ritter,  a 
miner,  deceased  June  2,  1891,  and  Anna 
Martha  (Moyer)  Ritter,  a  native  of  Shick- 
shinny, who  died  here  in  1925.  Until  he  was 
ten  years  of  age  he  attended  the  public 
schools,  then  going  to  work  picking  slate 
from  the  coal  that  went  through  the  break- 
ers. He  was  promoted  from  place  to  place 
and  finally  became  outside  superintendent  in 
1911.  This  post  he  held  until  1920,  when  he 
was  made  general  superintendent  and  served 
in  that  capacity  until  1924,  when  failing 
health  compelled  him  to  abandon  it  and 
return  to  outside  work  entirely  as  superin- 
tendent of  the  E.  S.  Stackhouse  Coal  Com- 
pany. He  served  on  the  city  council  for  eight 
years  and  in  November,  1925,  was  elected  a 
burgess  for  a  term  of  four  years.  In  politics 
he  is  a  Republican,  in  religion  a  Protestant. 
He  belongs  to  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  and 
the  Grange  and  is  affiliated  with  the  Order  of 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  with  membership 
in  Lodge  No.  354.  He  has  the  thirty-second 
degree  and  as  such  is  a  member  of  the 
Bloomsbury  Consistory,  Ancient  Accepted 
Scottish  Rite  Masons,  and  of  Irem  Temple, 
Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic 
Shrine.  He  also  belongs  to  the  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  to  the  Junior 
Order  United   American   Mechanics. 

William  Samuel  Ritter  married,  in  August, 
1906,  Mary  C.  Geist,  daughter  of  Thomas  and 
Sarah  Geist,  of  Shickshinny,  Pennsylvania. 
Their  children  are:  1.  Ralph  Raymond,  born 
in  1907.  2.  Charles  E.,  born  in  1910.  3.  Lester 
W.,   born   in   1913. 


ARCHIE  WOOLBERT — After  having  spent 
thirty-two  years  in  the  dairying  industry, 
Archie  Woolbert  abandoned  this  pursuit  for 
that  of  retail  merchandising,  and  for  more 
than  four  years  has  conducted  a  retail  grocery 
and  ineat  business  in  Trucksville.  the  scene 
of  his  nativity.  Already  well  versed  in  busi- 
ness processes,  through  his  long  career  as 
a  dairyman,  Mr.  Woolbert  has  utilized  this 
experience  for  the  benefit  of  his  patrons  in 
Trucksville     and    surrounding    territory. 

Mr.  Woolbert  was  born  April  12,  1S7S,  in 
Beaumont,  Wyoming  County,  Pennsylvania, 
son  of  the  late  Almon  Woolbert,  who  was 
born  at  Carverton,  Pennsylvania,  followed 
agricultural     pursuits     throughout     liis     life. 


which  ended  in  1S9S,  and  of  Sarah  (Phoenix) 
AVoolbert,  who  survives  her  husband.  She, 
too  is  a  native  of  the  Keystone  State,  having 
been   born  at  Noxen,   Wyoming  County. 

Archie  Woolbert,  like  many  other  success- 
ful lousiness  men  of  this  country,  launched 
upon  his  commercial  career  with  the  close 
of  his  studies  in  the  public  schools  of  Trucks- 
ville. His  first  venture  was  an  independent 
one,  and  the  scene  of  his  operations  was 
Plymouth,  Pennsylvania,  where,  in  1892,  he 
established  the  dairying  concern  that  was  to 
occupy  him  for  thirty-two  years.  While 
located  in  Plymouth,  Mr.  Woolbert  strived 
earnestly  to  conduct  his  enterprise  on  a  high 
plane,  and  as  a  result,  when  he  entered  the 
grocery  and  meat  business,  in  1924,  his  repu- 
tation for  honesty  and  square  dealing  brought 
him  many  customers  in  this  establishment. 
Here  he  has  taken  his  place  in  the  ranks  of 
the  respected  and  substantial  business  men 
of  Trucksville,  and  at  the  same  time  assumed 
all  the  responsibilities  of  the  public-spirited 
citizen.  He  is  a  Republican,  and  for  nine 
years  worked  diligently  for  the  betterment 
of  the  local  schools  in  his  office  as  school 
director.  His  civic  interests  are  expressed  to 
a  great  extent  through  the  Kiwanis  Club 
of  Mount  Greenwood,  and  in  the  affairs  of 
his  church,  the  Methodist  Episcopal,  he  is 
a  familiar  figure,  being  a  member  of  the 
official    board. 

Archie  Woolbert  married,  in  1903,  Millie 
Anderson  of  Carverton,  Pennsylvania,  daugh- 
ter of  Asa  M.  Anderson,  and  tills  marriage 
has  been  blessed  with  three  children:  1. 
Nelson,  born  in  December,  1904.  2.  Kenneth 
J.,  born  in  August,  1906.  3.  Willard,  born 
in  November,  1916. 


JOSEPH  J.  SUDIVICK — There  is  an  inspira- 
tion for  the  young  man  entering  business  life 
in  the  record  of  Joseph  J.  Sudnick,  of  Plains, 
who,  in  less  than  eight  years  from  the  day 
he  left  school  and  began  his  career,  has  risen 
to  a  post  of  high  honor  and  responsibility  in 
the  financial  circles  ot  this  district  of  Penn- 
sylvania. That  he  is  unusually  equipped  in 
nientality  for  the  work  he  has  been  called 
upon  to  do  need  not  dishearten  others,  for 
success  in  life  comes  to  the  plodder  as  well 
as  to  the  brilliant  meteor.  His  own  success 
may  be  attributed  to  an  unflagging  industry 
and  a  tireless  devotion  to  the  interests  of 
those  with  whom  he  has  been  associated,  as 
well  as  to  certain  natural  endowments  that 
were  sympathetic  with  financial  operations. 
And  there  is  also  the  fortunate  possession 
of  personal  attractions  that  are  of  great 
assistance  in  business  life  and  which  are 
outstanding  in  his  case.  He  has  many  friends, 
for  he  has  been  known  and  observed  in  this 
district  from  his  boyhood  and  has  been  pro- 
nounced a  young  citizen  of  ability  and  sound 
civic  interest  in  whom  the  community  takes 
pride. 

He  was  born  in  Shenandoah,  Pennsylvania, 
March  9,  1899,  a  son  of  Charles  Sudnick,  a 
native  of  Russian  Poland,  now  a  retired  mer- 
chant of  Schuylkill  County,  and  of  Anna 
(Alberts)  Sudnick,  a  native  of  the  same 
country.  Following  the  regular  course  in  the 
public  schools  of  Shenandoah,  with  two  years 
of  high  school,  he  attended  Wyoming  Semi- 
nary, from  which  he  was  graduated  with  the 
class  of  1920.  He  then  obtained  a  position 
in  the  Second  National  Bank  of  Wilkes- 
Barre,  where  he  remained  until  1923,  when  he 
transferred  his  services  to  the  Plains  State 
Bank  and  was  made  assistant  cashier,  a  post 
he  held  until  February  1,  1928,  when  he  was 
promoted  to  be  cashier  and  assistant  secre- 
tary, the  posts  he  holds  at  this  time.  He  is 
a    member   of    the    Republican    party    and    at- 


Sy.^-^'i^r:litiM^ 


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665 


tends  St.  Mary's  Catholic  Church.  Fraternally, 
he  IS  affiliated  with  Lodge  No.  109,  Benevolent 
and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre. 

Joseph  J.  Sudnick  married.  May  22,  1927, 
Kathryn  Zawoiski,  daughter  of  John  and 
Mary  Zawoiski,  of  Plains,  Pennsylvania. 


ASA  ARTHUR  RUTE — Like  many  other 
hoys  of  the  Wyoming-  Valley  who  began  their 
life  work  at  the  coal  breakers  and  rose  to 
distinction,  Asa  A.  Rute,  of  Freeland,  found 
his  way  up  the  ladder  of  success  by  a  native 
perseverance  and  keen  intelligence  in  har- 
monious accord.  Personalities  such  as  his 
cannot  be  kept  at  low  levels,  for  they  bear 
the  force  of  optimism  in  conjunction  with  in- 
defatigable industry,  two  attributes  that  are 
conducive  to  success.  Aside  from  tliese,  this 
boy  grew  to  manhood  with  a  firm  determina- 
tion to  win  the  just  reward  of  constant  ap- 
plication, never  departing  from  the  principle 
that  there  is  always  room  at  the  top  for  him 
who  climbs  with  persistency  and  skill.  Step 
by  stop  he  rose,  eventually  finding  himself 
upon  a  parallel  with  others  of  equal  forti- 
tude and  far  above  many  who  had  fallen 
by  the  wayside  because  of  less  vigorous  at- 
tainments and  faith  in  themselves.  He  has 
always  taken  a  sincere  interest  in  the  civic 
affairs  of  the  community  and  also  in  fraternal 
and  other  organized  activities,  holding  office 
with  dignity  and  ability  and  gaining  the 
esteem  of  the  electorate  by  virtue  of  his  fidel- 
ity to  the  trust.  Having  attained  a  position 
in  commercial  life  of  satisfactory  height,  he 
was  moved  to  retire  from  active  labor  with 
the  respect  of  all  with  whom  he  has  been  for 
years  identified  and  associated. 

He  was  born  in  Tunkhannock,  Penn.'5yl  va- 
nia,  November  25,  1S78,  a  son  of  Benjamin  F. 
and  Sarah  (Shive)  Rute,  and  acquired  -.i  lim- 
ited education  in  the  public  schools  of  Free- 
land,  going  to  work  at  the  breakers  at  the 
age  of  thirteen  years.  During  the  course  of 
the  years  he  worked  at  various  occupiitio3is, 
learned  the  fundamentals  of  the  electrical 
business  and  became  identified  with  that  in- 
dustry by  establishing  himself  in  electrical 
contracting,  which  he  followed  for  twenty- 
five  years,  until  his  retirement.  He  also 
travelled  for  twelve  years  as  salesman  for 
the  Anchor  Packing  Company  and  founded 
the  Freeland  Bobbin  Works,  of  which  he  was 
president  for  about  five  years.  Investing  in 
financial  enterprises,  he  became  a  director  of 
the  Citizens'  Bank  and  a  member  of  its  finance 
committee,  and  vice-president  and  director 
of  the  Freeland  Water  Company.  In  politics 
he  is  a  Republican  and  has  served  as  a  mem- 
ber of  the  State  and  county  committees  of 
that  party  and  as  chairman  tor  the  first  legis- 
lative district.  During  the  legislative  sessions 
of  1909-10  he  was  sergeant-at-arms  of  the 
State  Senate.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Free- 
land  Fishing  Club  and  fraternally  affiliated 
with  the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of 
Elks;  Arbutus  Lodge,  No.  611,  Order  of  Free 
and  Accepted  Masons;  Lehigh  Consistory, 
Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite  Masons,  and 
Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles 
of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  He  attends  the  Protest- 
ant Episcopal  Church. 

Asa  A.  Rute  married,  October  3,  1904,  Elthea 
Johnson,  daughter  of  William  and  Margaret 
(Burkbeck)  Johnson,  members  of  a.  pioneer 
family  of  this  district. 


War,  in  which  he  was  actively  engaged,  has 
established  himself  firmly  in  a  prosperous 
and  growing  business.  He  is  a  young  man  of 
happy  personality,  engaging  manners,  sym- 
pathetic nature  and  honorable  character, 
bound  to  enlarge  the  circle  of  his  friends  as 
he  journeys  through  life.  His  business,  that 
of  mortician,  is  an  essential  in  every  civilized 
community,  its  details  solemn,  yet  Mr.  Davis 
so  conducts  it  as  to  minimize  its  solemnity 
and  assuage  the  sorrows  of  his  patrons.  He 
is  a  worthy  and  valuable  citizen  of  the  com- 
munity. 

He  was  born  in  Plymouth,  Pennsylvania, 
April  20,  1895,  a  son  of  William  R.  Davis,  en- 
gaged in  mining,  deceased  in  1915,  and  of 
Jane  (Reese)  Davis,  a  native  of  Wales.  He 
was  educated  in  the  Plymouth  public  schools 
and  at  Wyoming  Seminary.  When  called  to 
the  service  of  his  country  because  of  the 
World  War,  he  was  attached  to  the  311th 
Macliine  Gun  Company  and  served  overseas 
for  eleven  months  with  the  American  Expe- 
ditionary Forces,  being  honorably  mustered 
out  June  19,  1919,  when  he  returned  to  his 
native  county.  Determining  upon  his  career, 
in  which  his  brother  Harry  was  already  en- 
gaged, he  took  the  course  of  embalming  at 
the  Eckles  school  in  Philadelphia,  from  which 
he  was  graduated.  Entering  the  business 
with  his  brother  as  an  employee,  he  continued 
there  until  May,  1926,  when  he  purchased  the 
Honeywell  Undertaking  Company,  established 
in  Luzerne  in  1885,  and  changed  the  name  to 
Honeywell  &  Davis.  He  has  every  modern 
equipment  for  the  work,  with  private  chapel 
and  other  conveniences.  Mr.  Davis  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Republican  party  and  attends  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  He  belongs  to 
the  Knights  of  Pythias,  to  the  Junior  Order 
of  United  American  Mechanics,  Walnut  Lodge, 
No.  953,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows, 
and  Kingston   Post,   American   Legion. 

Russell  C.  Davis  married,  October  10,  1921, 
Argenta  Linskill,  daughter  of  David  and 
Fannie  Linskill,  of  Plymouth.  Their  children: 
Clara  Jean  and  Carley  Jane,  twins,  and  Rus- 
sell C,  Jr.,  born  August  31,  1929.  Clara  Jean 
died  January  22,  1929. 


RUSSELL  C.  DAVIS — Among  the  business 
men  of  Luzerne  none  of  equal  duration  in  the 
field  is  entitled  to  greater  credit  than  Russell 
C.   Davis,   who,  since   the   close  of  the   World 


NICHOLAS  P.  LUCKENBILI-— Finely  equipped 
for  the  life  task  which  he  has  allotted  him- 
self, both  by  training  and  natural  attributes, 
Nicholas  P.  Luckenbill,  supervising  principal 
of  the  Freeland  Public  Schools,  is  one  of  the 
foremost  educators  in  this  section  of  Penn- 
sylvania. Possessed  of  a  judicial  mentality, 
which  inspires  him  to  weigh  with  care  every 
individual  problem  that  comes  before  him  for 
adjudication,  he  has  won  the  esteem  of  all 
who  have  come  within  the  purview  of  his 
professional  activities,  because  of  his  unwa- 
vering fairness  in  treatment  and  his  sound 
sense  of  justice.  Fundamentally  a  student 
himself,  he  implants  in  developing  intellects 
a  desire  to  acquire  knowledge  and  communi- 
cates to  those  teachers  under  his  jurisdiction 
similar  characteristics  in  their  treatment  of 
students.  Additional  to  these  qualities,  he 
has  been  active  in  patriotic  work  and  in  his 
interest  in  social,  religious  and  civic  enter- 
prises, making  him  an  estimable  citizen  and 
a  leader  in  his  professional  field. 

He  was  born  in  the  village  of  Virginville, 
Berks  County,  Pennsylvania,  a  son  of  Cyrus 
and  Elizabeth  (De  Turk)  Luckenbill,  was 
educated  in  the  public  schools  and  was  grad- 
uated from  Normal  School  at  Kutztown  in 
the  class  of  1902.  For  the  following  five  years 
he  taught  in  the  public  schools  of  the  county 
and  then  devoted  one  j'ear  to  preparatory 
study  at  Perkiomen  Seminary,  where  he  also 


666 


taug-ht  in  the  interval.  This  was  followed 
by  a  course  of  three  years  at  Franklin  Mar- 
shall College,  from  which  he  was  graduated 
in  1911  with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts. 
He  then  accepted  the  principalship  of  the 
Nesquehoning-  High  School  and  remained  in 
that  ofBce  for  six  years,  during-  which  time 
he  took  special  courses  in  pedagogy,  receiv- 
ing  for  these  the  degree  of  Master  of  Arts 
and  a  special  diploma  from  the  Teachers' 
College  of  Columljia  University  for  speciali- 
zation. He  then  moved  to  Freeland,  in  ac- 
ceptance of  the  position  of  supervising  prin- 
c:pal  of  schools  here.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
National  Education  Association  and  of  the 
Pennsylvania  State  Education  Association: 
of  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association;  of 
the  executive  committee  of  the  local  branch 
of  the  American  Red  Cross,  and  is  a  trustee 
of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Freeland. 
During  the  participation  of  the  United  States 
in  the  World  War  he  was  an  active  worker 
in  various  fields.  Under  his  supervision  the 
Freeland  High  School  won  the  State  scholar- 
ship for  its  district  three  times  out  of  four 
examinations. 

Nicholas  P.  Luckenbill  married,  June  15, 
1913,  Elizabeth  Donald,  of  Nesquehoning,  a 
teacher  and  for  eleven  years  organist  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  there.  She  is  a 
member  of  the  Civic  Club  and  of  the  Mission- 
ary Society  and  was  superintendent  of  the  pri- 
mary department  of  the  Sunday  school  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  tor  a  number  of  years. 
She  and  her  husband  are  both  members  of 
the  choir.  Their  children  are:  Donald,  a 
pianist    of   much    projnise:    Robert,    and    John. 


THE    REV.   JAME.S    EDMUND    GRYCZKA — 

In  his  twenty  years  as  a  priest  of  the  Roman 
Catholic  Church,  the  Rev.  James  Edmund 
Gryczka  has  achieved  a  record  of  notable 
distinction.  He  has  become  a  leader  in  the 
Polish  Roman  Catholic  Church.  His  congre- 
gation numl3ers  thirty-one  different  societies: 
he  is  recognized  as  a  man  of  wide  culture,  an 
eloquent  orator,  and  a  vigorous  and  capable 
executive.  But  the  record  can  never  show 
or  explain  the  affection  and  esteem  in  which 
he  is  held  by  his  parishioners  of  St.  Hed- 
wig's  Church,  Kingston,  Pennsylvania,  and 
indeed  by  all  those  with  whom  he  comes  in 
contact.  This  can  come  only  from  a  personal 
knowledge  of  the  man,  his  fine  spirit,  his 
devotion  to  his  charge  and  to  the  best  inter- 
ests   of  his    community. 

Father  Gryczka  was  born  July  22,  1883, 
at  Blossburg,  Tioga  County,  Pennsylvania,  a 
son  of  Martin  and  Catherine  Gryczka,  both 
of  whom  were  natives  of  Poland,  who  came 
to  the  United  States  about  ISSO.  The  father 
died  at  the  age  of  forty-six,  but  Mrs.  Gryczka 
lives  at  Kingston.  There  were  seven  chil- 
dren in  the  family:  1.  James  Edmund.  2. 
Luke,  who  is  in  the  employ  of  the  Pennsyl- 
vania Railroad  Company.  3.  Stephen,  a 
physician  at  Reading,  Pennsylvania.  4. 
Francis,  who  lives  at  Kingston.  5.  Leon,  the 
organist  of  St.  Hedwig's  Church.  6.  Connie, 
an  attorney  of  Detroit,  Michigan.  7.  Victor, 
who    is   a   student   at   the   Wharton   School. 

James  Edmund  Gryczka  attended  the  pub- 
lic schools  of  Hoytville,  Pennsylvania,  and 
later  entered  St.  Stanislaus  College,  at 
Chicago,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1901 
with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts.  He 
entered  the  Polish  Seminary  at  Detroit,  to 
pursue  the  course  of  philosophy  and  theology. 
Finally,  he  entered  St.  Bonaventure  College, 
where  he  completed  his  course  in  theology, 
and  was  ordained  a  Roman  Catholic  priest 
on  June  30,  1906.  Soon  afterward,  he  became 
assistant    pastor    of    the    church    at    Duryea, 


Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania,  but  served 
in  that  capacity  for  only  seventeen  days 
before  he  was  promoted  to  the  rectorship 
of  the  Roman  Catholic  Church  at  Forrest 
City,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  remained  as 
rector  for  a  little  over  ten  years.  During 
this  time  he  entirely  built  the  Sacred  Heart 
Church,  the  school  and  parish  house  and  the 
Sisters'  house.  In  1916,  he  was  transferred 
to  St.  Hedwig's  Polish  Roman  Catholic 
Church  at  Kingston,  and  here  he  has  also 
built  the  parish  house  and  school  and  the 
Sisters'  house,  as  well  as  improved  and 
redecorated  the  interior  of  the  church.  Under 
Father  Gryczka's  inspirational  direction  the 
spiritual  growth  of  the  parish  has  kept  pace 
with  the  material.  He  has  taken  a  special 
interest  in  the  welfare  of  the  young,  and 
believing  that  healthy  minds  are  best  de- 
veloped in  healthy  bodies  he  has  made  it 
his  business  to  provide  facilities  for  phys- 
ical exercise  and  recreation.  At  the  Silver 
Jubilee  of  St.  Hedwig's  Congregation,  Father 
Gryczka  was  especially  honored  for  this 
■u^ork.  Of  all  the  Polish  American  priests 
in  the  diocese  of  Scranton  it  was  he  who 
first  established  and  equipped  a  parochial 
club  for  his  young  people.  At  a  cost  of  nine 
thousand  dollars,  one-half  of  which  he  him- 
self paid,  he  provided  billiard  tables,  bowl- 
ing alleys,  a  grill  room  and  the  magnificent 
parish  hall.  This  example  was  soon  fol- 
lowed by  the  other  reverend  gentlemen  of 
the  diocese.  He  next  organized  a  baseball 
team,  securing  a  park,  the  necessary  para- 
phernalia and  a  county  league  franchise. 
Father  Gryczka  has  also  organized  troops 
of  Boy  Scouts,  both  in  his  own  and  in 
neighboring  Polish  parishes  and  has  com- 
pleted recently  a  great  Scout  camp  at  Dor- 
rance    Corners. 

Politically,  lie  is  a  member  of  the  Repub- 
lican party,  and  he  is  also  a  member  of 
the  Greater  Wilkes-Barre  Chamber  of  Com- 
merce. His  influence  and  his  work  extend 
beyond  the  church,  for  he  has  at  heart  all 
projects  for  the  best  interests  of  the  peo- 
ple of  Luzerne  County.  He  has  assisted  in 
the  making  of  over  fifteen  hundred  Ameri- 
can citizens,  and  this  record  alone  -woiild 
assure  him  a  grateful  rememberance  in  his 
community. 


MINOT  E.  GRAY — In  his  store  at  No.  3 
North  Main  Street,  Minot  E.  Gray  has  built 
up  One  of  the  most  impressive  retail  drug 
businesses  in  'W^ilkes-Barre,  a  business  that 
testifies  in  no  uncertain  terms  to  the  ability 
and  industry  and  wide-awake  comprehension 
of  modern  economic  conditions  of  its  propri- 
etor. A  native  Pennsylvanian.  Mr.  Gray  is  a 
Mason  of  distinction  who  has  progressed 
through  the  various  orders  to  membership  in 
the  Shrine,  and  in  fraternal  circles,  as  well 
as  in  the  business  and  civic  life  of  Wilkes- 
Barre,  and  he  enjoys  the  sincere  respect  and 
esteem  of  his  fellow  citizens. 

Mr.  Gray  was  born  in  Dimock,  Susquehanna 
County,  Pennsylvania,  January  7,  1879,  the 
son  of  James  E.  Gray,  a  carpenter  by  trade 
and  a  native  Pennsylvanian,  born  in  1854, 
died  in  August,  1924,  and  Arietta  L.  (Osborne) 
Gray,  born  in  1856  in  Pennsylvania,  died  in 
July,  1925.  Their  son  attended  the  public 
schools  in  Kingston,  graduating  from  the 
high  school  there  with  the  class  of  1S97.  He 
entered  the  employ  of  a  Kingston  druggist 
with  a  view  to  learning  pharmacy  and  the 
conduct  of  the  drug  trade.  After  spending 
sixteen  years  as  a  druggist  Mr.  Gray  pur- 
chased, in  1914,  the  retail  drug  store  that 
had  belonged  to  B.  F.  Maxey  at  No.  23  North 
Main    Street,    Wilkes-Barre,    and    established 


66; 


his  own  business  under  the  name  of  Gray 
and  Company.  At  this  address  he  constantly 
expanded  his  business  until  1920,  when  he 
nioved  to  the  more  desirable  location  at  No. 
3  North  Main,  where  the  Gray  and  Company 
drug  store  has  become  one  of  the  established 
centers  of  the  town.  Mr.  Gray  is  the  sole 
owner  of  the  place,  in  which  he  employs  Ave 
persons,  pharmacists  and  clerks.  He  is  also 
a  director  of  the  Pennsylvania  Wholesale 
Drug  Company  of  Wilkes-Barre.  Republican 
in  his  political  affiliations,  Mr.  Gray  is  also  a 
member  of  King-ston  Lodge,  No.  395,  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons:  Shekinah  Chapter,  Royal 
Arch  Masons:  Dieu  le  Veut  Commandery,  No. 
45,  Knights  Templar,  Caldwell  Consistory, 
Bloomsburg.  and  Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic 
Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  With  his 
family,  Mr.  Gray  is  a  member  of  and  worker 
in    the    Methodist    Episcopal    Church. 

On  April  25,  1906,  Mr.  Gray  married  Fannie 
Clark,  daughter  of  Arthur  and  Grace  (Brad- 
ford) Clark  of  Luzerne,  Pennsylvania.  They 
became  the  parents  of  three  children:  Doro- 
thy, born  August  IS,  1907:  Arietta  Osborne, 
born  July  9,  1911;  and  Minot,  born  November 
6,  1914. 


Andrechak,  of  Glen  Lyon,  daughter  of  Harry 
and  Sophia  Andrechak,  and  they  are  the  par- 
ents of  five  children:  Louis,  Anna,  Pauline, 
Josephine,  and   Mary. 


LOUIS  J.  STASKIEIi — Merchandising  in  Glen 
Lyon  has  been  given  a  marked  uplift  through 
the  progress  and  enterprise  of  Louis  J.  Stas- 
kiel,  who  was  at  the  head  of  his  own  estab- 
lishment tor  ten  years  and  president  of  the 
board  of  commissioners  for  four  years,  a 
man  of  influence  in  business  and  civic  circles 
of  the  community.  He  is  especially  interested 
in  the  work  of  musical  organizations  and  as 
a  director  of  a  charitable  institution. 

Born  in  Glen  Lyon,  February  16,  18S9,  Louis 
J.  Staskiel  is  the  son  of  Peter  and  Pauline 
(Kolwitz)  Staskiel,  the  former,  as  was  his 
wife,  a  native  of  Russian  Poland,  a  coal 
miner,  and  died  in  February,  1928:  the  mother 
died  in  October,  191S.  He  received  his  educa- 
tion in  the  Glen  Lyon  puljlic  schools,  and  at 
the  age  of  thirteen  started  to  work  in  the 
coal  mines.  He  pursued  that  occupation  un- 
til he  was  thirty-one  years  of  age,  "when  he 
established  himself  in  business  as  a  merchant 
in  1920,  and  was  tlius  engaged  until  1929, 
when  the  business  was  discontinued.  He  en- 
joyed a  large  and  desirable  good-wil!  from 
among  his  people  of  the  village.  Upon  the 
termination  of  this  business  he  was  elected 
tax  collector   of  Newport   Township. 

Early  casting  in  his  lot  with  the  Demo- 
cratic party,  Mr.  Staskiel  has  steadily 
niounted  in  the  favor  and  confidence  of  his 
fellow-townsmen.  In  1921  his  party  put  him 
forward  as  their  representative  on  tlie  Glen 
Lyon  Board  of  Commissioners,  in  which  office 
he  served  continuously,  having  been  reelected 
for  his  second  term,  and  since  1924  holding 
the  highly  important  position  of  president  of 
the  board,  having  held  office  for  the  years 
1921-30.  In  1929,  as  has  been  previously 
stated,  he  was  elected  tax  collector  and  treas- 
urer of  Newport  Township  for  a  term  of 
fcur  years.  For  two  terms  he  was  a  member 
of  the  board  of  directors  of  the  Orphanage 
at  Shaytown.  and  his  presence  and  counsel  in 
the  proceedings  of  that  body  were  highly 
prized  by  his  colleagues.  He  is  also  of  great 
assistance  to  the  aims  and  purposes  of  the 
Paderewskiego  Polish  Society  and  the  Mlod- 
ziezy  Polish  Society,  of  which  he  is  a  mem- 
ber. He  affiliates  with  the  Fraternal  Order 
of  Eagles  and  the  Independent  Order  of 
Moose,  having  his  religious  connection  with 
St.  Michael's  Roman  Catholic  Church,  and 
was  chairman  of  the  church  for  five  years. 
Louis    J.    Staskiel    married,    in    1914,    Sophia 


HARRY  J.  HARTEH^One  of  the  most  ex- 
tensive dairy  farms  in  Luzerne  County  is 
owned  by  Harry  J.  Harter,  who,  .since  he  first 
started  in  this  business,  on  April  23,  1907,  has 
Ireen  most  successful.  He  employs  twelve 
people  on  his  extensive  dairy  farm  at  Trucks- 
ville,  and  supplies  the  wholesale  and  retail 
trade  with  milk,  cream  and  other  dairy  prod- 
ucts, to  the  amount  of  four  thousand  quarts 
per  day. 

Mr.  Harter  was  born  in  Trucksville  on  Au- 
gust 15,  1S8S,  the  son  of  Walter  and  Estella 
D.  (Shaver)  Harter,  the  former  a  native  of 
Trucksville,  who  is  with  the  Spring  Brook 
Water  Company.  Mr.  Barter's  mother,  who 
was  born  in  Dallas,  Luzerne  County,  passed 
away  on  November  2,  1925.  Mr.  Harter  re- 
ceived his  early  education  in  the  public  and 
ligh  schools  of  the  county  and  later  took  a 
ci  mmercial  course  at  the  Wyoming  Academy. 
He-  graduated  from  the  latter  institution  in 
1906  and  at  once  started  in  the  dairy  busi- 
ness, with  the  success  which  has  already 
been  related.  Mr.  Harter  stands  high  in  the 
Masonic  fraternity,  being  affiliated  with 
Trucksville  Lodge,  No.  561,  Free  and  Ac- 
cepted Masons:  with  Shekinah  Chapter, 
Royal  Arch  Masons:  with  Dieu  le  Veut  Com- 
mandery, Knights  Templar,  and  with  Irem 
Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the 
Mystic  Shrine.  He  is  also  a  meml>er  of  Toby 
Creek  Lodge,  No.  1078,  Independent  Order  of 
Odd  Fellows.  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics 
and  a  member  of  his  local  Methodist  Epis- 
copal  Church.' 

In  1917,  Mr,  Harter  married  Marion  Hilde- 
brant,  daughter  of  Sherman  W.  and  Jane 
Hildebrant,  of  Dallas.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Harter 
are  the  parents  of  one  child,  a  son,  Sherman 
H.  Harter,  born  April  3,  1918. 


COKTSTANTY  TAKXOWSKI — From  Slate 
picker  in  a  coal-breaker  to  head  of  his  own 
grocery  establishment  and  postmaster  of  his 
town  of  Glen  Lyon,  meanwhile  having  served 
his  community  as  school  director,  constitutes 
a  part  of  the  career  w^rought  by  Constanty 
Tarnow  ski,  who  is  a  fine  example  of  a  foreign 
boy  who  has  come  to  this  country  and  made 
good  all  along  the  line.  While  earning  his 
livelihood  by  the  hardest  ^vork  at  the  coal 
mines,  this  ambitious  native  of  Poland  was 
going  to  school  at  night,  thus  laying .  the 
foundation  of  his  future  of  usefulness  to  the 
town   of  his  adoption. 

Constanty  Tarnowski  was  born  in  Poland, 
April  23,  ISSO,  the  son  of  John  and  Valeria 
(Zoluska),  his  father  Polish-born,  was  a  coal 
miner,  who  died  in  October.  1926;  and  his 
inother,  also  a  native  of  Poland,  survives  her 
husband.  The  son  Constanty  came  to  the 
LTnited  States  at  the  age  of  ten  years,  in  1S90. 
His  education  was  received  in  the  night 
schools,  where  he  made  the  most  of  his  op- 
portunity to  learn  English  and  the  rudiments 
at  least  of  other  subjects  necessary  to  his 
getting  on  in  his  new  relations.  For  two  years 
he  was  employed  in  a  coal-breaker,  and  sub- 
sequently worked  in  various  capacities  in  the 
mines. 

At  the  age  of  thirty-four,  he  thought  to 
better  his  circumstances,  and  in  1914  left  his 
job  at  the  mine  to  open  a  grocery  under  his 
own  name  at  Glen  Lyon.  The  business  at  this 
store  he  has  built  up  to  goodly  proportions 
during  the  some  fifteen  years  that  have 
elapsed    since    he    made    the    brave    beginning 


668 


that  has  resulted  so  satisfactorily  to  himself 
and  his  patrons.  Before  he  engaged  in  mer- 
chandising, Mr.  Tamowski  had  come  to  be 
looked  upon  as  a  helpful  citizen,  who  had  a 
broad  outlook  on  affairs,  and  was  desirous 
of  cooperating  in  any  department  of  civic 
life  where  his  services  might  be  required.  In 
1911  he  was  elected  school  director  of  Glen 
Lyon  and  served  in  that  office  until  1915, 
manifesting  a  keen  and  intelligent  interest 
in  the  operation  of  the  local  educational  sys- 
tem. President  Coolidge  honored  him  with 
appointment  as  postmaster  of  Glen  Lyon,  his 
commission  dated  September  17,  1923,  and  his 
incumbency  has  been  featured  with  efficiency 
in  the  dispatch  of  the  business  of  the  post  and 
uniform  courtesy  to  the  patrons  of  the  ofBce 
and  the  public  in  general  which  it  serves. 

As  will  have  been  surmised,  Mr.  Tamowski 
is  a  Republican  and  a  man  of  large  political 
influence  in  the  community  of  Glen  Lyon.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  Paderewski  Glee  Club;  the 
Church  Society  of  St.  Barbary,  and  of  St.  Al- 
bert's Roman  Catholic  Church,  with  which  he 
has  his  religious  affiliation. 

Constanty  Tarnowski  married,  in  190.3,  Lot- 
tie Grabinski,  of  Glen  Lyon,  daughter  of 
Frank  and  Kathreen  Grabinski,  and  they  have 
a  daughter,  Josephine,  born  in  May,  1915. 


HENRY  GEORGE — Starting  in  business  with 
a  capital  of  one  hundred  dollars,  Henry 
George  was  one  of  the  most  inconspicuous 
merchants  of  Freeland  at  the  time,  buying 
his  goods  in  small  lots.  By  indefatigable  in- 
dustry and  a  regard  for  that  precept  of  mer- 
cantile life  that  demands  a  recognition  of  the 
rights  of  others,  he  built  up  his  enterprise  to 
one  of  the  largest  in  this  district,  and,  after 
twenty-four  years  and  when  he  was  buying 
in  carload  lots,  was  able  to  retire  with  a  com- 
petence and  the  esteem  of  the  entire  com- 
munity. It  was  no  freak  of  fortune  that 
brought  about  these  conditions,  but  the  opera- 
tion of  a  keen  business  mind  and  an  under- 
standing of  the  desires  of  those  who  gave 
him  their  trade.  He  treated  them  as  he  would 
have  them  treat  him  and  exacted  nothing 
that  he  was  not  ready  to  extend  in  reci- 
procity. Deeply  interested  in  the  prosperity 
and  happiness  of  the  people  among  whom  he 
lived,  he  took  an  active  part  in  civic  matters 
and  accepted  the  call  to  public  ofBce  as  a  part 
of  his  duty,  administering  his  affairs  with 
ability  and  to  the  advantage  of  the  entire  cit- 
izenry. He  made  friends  easily  and  retained 
them  securely  through  the  attractions  of  his 
magnetic  personality,  taking  the  good  wishes 
of  all  with  him  into  his  well  earned  retire- 
He  was  born  in  Stockton,  Luzerne  County, 
Pennsylvania,  February  27,  1865,  a  son  of 
Philip  and  Catherine  (Adams)  George,  both 
natives  of  Germany,  who  came  to  this  coun- 
try shortly  after  their  marriage  and  settled 
in  Stockton,  where  the  elder  George  went  to 
work  in  the  coal  mines.  In  his  hours  of  recre- 
ation he  indulged  in  music,  being  a  musician 
of  ability,  and  died  early  in  lite  as  a  result  of 
an  accident  in  the  mine  in  which  he  was  at 
work. 

Henry  George  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools,  but  at  nine  years  of  age  was  com- 
pelled to  go  to  work  in  the  coal  breakers,  in 
order  to  help  support  his  mother.  Until  he 
■V.  as  in  his  'teens  he  worked  at  this  trade, 
then  became  a  carpenter's  apprentice  and  at 
the  same  time  took  a  course  in  Dusiness  col- 
lege. Commercial  life  appealed  to  him  and 
he  undertook  the  agency  for  a  sewing  ma- 
chine manufacturing  house,  but  in  1896  con- 
cluded  that  this  was  not  his   forte,  and  with 


one  hundred  dollars  in  capital,  set  himself  up 
in  the  grocery  business.  From  that  moment 
he  never  took  a  backward  step.  He  catered 
to  his  early  customers,  who  brought  him 
others  because  of  their  satisfaction  with  his 
treatment,  and  treated  all  alike  with  fairness 
and  justice.  Prosperity  came  to  him  and  his 
orders  to  the  wholesalers  Anally  filled  entire 
freight  cars  in  a  single  instance.  Satisfied 
with  sufficient  for  his  wants,  he  decided  to 
retire,  and  in  1919  disposed  of  his  business. 
He  is  a  director  of  the  First  National  Bank 
of  Freeland  and  has  served  as  a  member  of 
the  Borough  Council  for  three  terms  totaling 
eleven  years,  having  been  president  of  the 
board  one  term,  during  which  period  many 
important  improvements  in  tlie  borough  were 
accomplished.  He  Is  a  member  of  the  Pente- 
costal Church  of  Freeland,  and  is  affiliated 
with  the  Woodmen  of  the  World,  being  treas- 
urer of  Lodge  No.  273.  He  also  belongs  to  the 
Fraternal  Order  of  Eagles  and  has  served 
his  lodge  for  eight  years  as  its  treasurer. 

Henry  George  married,  January  9,  1888, 
Ellen  Eberts,  of  Rockport,  Carbon  County, 
I'ennsylvania,  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Harriet 
(Libey)  Eberts.  Their  children  are:  1.  Ida,  a 
graduate  of  Findlay,  Ohio,  Bible  School  and 
now  a  traveling  missionary  of  the  Pente- 
costal Church,  for  which  she  has  labored  in 
several  states  and  is  now  in  Kaya  Haute, 
Volta,  French  West  Africa.  2.  Bertha  May, 
married  the  Rev.  J.  Grayson  Jones,  pastor  of 
Freeland  Calvary  Gospel  Church,  and  they  are 
the  parents  of  Mirian  Ilene  and  Henry  Wilson 
Jones.  Mrs.  Jones  is  a  graduate  of  Blooms- 
burg  State  Normal  School,  and  was  a  teacher 
for  three  years  in  the  Freeland  schools  before 
her  marriage. 


■WILIilAM  R.  SUIiMAlV,  M.  D Establishing 

himself  in  practice  immediately  after  his 
post-graduate  hospital  training,  William  R. 
Sulman,  of  Hazleton,  is  forging  ahead  in  the 
medical  profession  and  gives  exceptional 
promise  of  rising  to  important  heights.  This 
district  of  Pennsylvania  has  been  fortunate 
in  acquiring  a  number  of  high  grade  med- 
ical graduates  to  add  to  the  ranks  of  its 
older  practitioners,  among  them  being  none 
of  his  years  and  experience  who  may  be 
looked  to  for  greater  special  achievement. 
He  is  alert,  studious,  ambitious  and  indus- 
trious, qualities  that  in  any  trade  or  pro- 
fession are  valuable  and  which,  in  the  exact- 
ing work  of  medicine  and  surgery  are  a  price- 
less asset,  of  which  he  is  bound  to  take 
advantage. 

He  was  born  in  Reading,  Pennsylvania,  Sep- 
tember 12,  1S99,  a  son  of  Benjamin  and  Flor- 
ence Sulman,  and  was  educated  in  the  pub- 
lic schools  of  that  city,  graduating  from  high 
school  and  then  attending  the  Liniversity  of 
Pennsylvania  for  three  years.  He  then  took 
the  medical  course  at  the  University  of  Mary- 
land, in  Baltimore,  graduating  therefrom 
with  the  class  of  1925  with  the  degree  of 
Doctor  of  Medicine.  He  became  an  interne 
in  the  hospital  in  York,  Pennsylvania,  and 
in  1926,  came  to  Hazleton  and  established 
himself  in  practice.  Dr.  Sulman  is  surgeon 
for  the  Lehigh  Coal  Company,  and  medical 
examiner  for  the  Pennsylvania  Mutual  Life 
Insurance  Company.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
State  and  County  medical  associations,  the 
Phi  Alpha  and  Phi  Delta  Epsilon  fraternities, 
and  of  the  Fraternal  Order  of  Eagles  and 
the    Young   Men's    Hebrew    Association. 

William  R.  Sulman  married  Fannie  Deitch, 
of  Hazleton.  They  reside  at  No.  89  North 
Wyoming  Street,  Hazleton, 


669 


SENATOR  LAIVIIVG  HARVEY — The  family 
of  the  surname  Harvey  of  which  Laning 
Harvey  of  Will<e.s-Barre  is  a  member,  had  its 
origin  in  England  and  was  founded  in  this 
country  by  Thomas  Harvey,  who  came  with 
several  relatives  from  Somersetshire  and 
settled  in  New  England  in  1636,  first  in  the 
colony  of  Dorchester.  Massachusetts,  and 
thence  to  Taunton,  Massachusetts,  where  he 
died,  in  1651.  His  wife  was  Elizabeth 
Andrews:  and  they  had  several  children,  of 
whom  the  youngest  son,  John,  had  a  son 
John,  who  had  a  son  Benjamin;  and  it  was 
Benjamin  Harvey,  in  1772,  who  made  a  set- 
tlement in  the  town  of  Plymouth  in  the 
Wyoming    valley,    Pennsylvania. 

Benjamin  Harvey,  son  of  John  Harvey  and 
his  wife,  Sarah,  was  born  in  Lyme,  Connecti- 
cut, July  28,  1722,  and  died  in  Plymouth, 
Pennsylvania,  November  27,  1795.  He  married 
(first),  in  1745,  Elizabeth  Pelton,  and  after 
her  death,  about  17S6,  married  (second)  Cath- 
erine Draper,  widow  of  Major  Simeon  Draper. 
Blisha  Harvey,  seventh  child  of  Benjamin 
Harvey,  by  his  first  marriage,  was  born  in 
Lyme,  in  1758,  and  was  fourteen  years  of  age 
when  he  came  with  his  parents  to  the  Wyo- 
ming Valley.  He  served  valorously  in  the 
Revolution,  and  was  a  soldier  under  Sullivan 
in  the  campaign  of  1779  which  resulted  in  the 
destruction  of  the  Indian  villages  of  tlie 
Genesee  country.  In  December.  1780,  he  was 
captured  by  British  Rangers  and  Indians,  and 
taken  to  Montreal,  and  given  into  the  custody 
of  a  Seneca  chieftain.  Next  he  was  taken,  by 
the  chieftain,  to  Green  Bay,  Wisconsin,  with 
a  trapping  and  hunting  party,  and  finally,  in 
exchange  for  half  a  barrel  of  rum,  was  given 
over  to  a  Scotch  trader,  in  1781.  In  the  late 
summer  of  the  year  following  he  was  ex- 
changed for  one  Adam  Bowman,  and  returned 
to  his  home  in  Plymouth,  replete  enough  of 
adventure.  He  married,  in  1786,  Rosanna 
Jameson,  daughter  of  Robert  and  Agnes 
(Dixon)  Jameson.  Benjamin  Harvey,  their 
fourth  child  and  second  son,  engaged  in  busi- 
ness as  merchant  and  miller.  He  removed 
from  Plymouth  to  Huntington  Township  in 
1816,  and  his  principal  commercial  enterprises 
were  concerned  with  Huntington.  For  twenty 
years  he  was  postmaster  at  Harveyville,  a 
justice  of  the  peace,  and  a  captain  of  the 
militia.  He  married,  in  1815,  Sarah  Nesbit, 
daughter  of  Abram  and  Bethiah  (Wheeler) 
Nesbit.  They  had  several  children,  among 
them  Jameson  Harvey,  sixth  child  and  third 
son,  born  in  Plymouth  Township  near  what 
is  now  West  Nanticoke.  He  was  a  farmer, 
hut  in  1828  began  operations  in  coal,  and 
after  1863,  when  he  turned  over  his  mining 
interests  to  his  sons,  engaged  in  lumbering 
enterprises.  In  1869  he  came  to  Wilkes- 
Barre,  where  he  died,  in  1885,  after  a  useful 
and   prosperous   career. 

William  Jameson  Harvey,  second  child  and 
first  son  of  Jameson  Harvey  and  his  wife, 
Mary  (Campbell)  Harvey,  was  born  in  West 
Nanticoke,  Luzerne  County,  May  13,  1838,  and 
was  educated  in  the  Wyoming  Institute  in 
Wyoming,  Wyoming  Seminary  in  Kingston, 
Professor  Chase's  Academy  in  Middletown, 
Connecticut,  and  the  Edgehill  School,  in 
Princeton,  New  Jersey.  He  began  in  active 
business  in  1859,  foregoing  plans  for  college, 
at  the  age  of  twenty-one  years,  as  superin- 
tendent of  his  father's  coal  mining  opera- 
tions in  West  Nanticoke.  In  1861,  at  the  out- 
break of  the  Civil  War,  he  entered  military 
service,  acted  first  as  recruiting  officer  and 
second  as  private  in  Company  P  of  the  7th 
Regiment,  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Reserve 
Corps:    on    November   7    he    was    elected   first 


lieutenant  of  Company  I,  on  November  20, 
was  promoted  to  adjutant,  and  on  November 
25,  1862,  resigned.  It  was  his  intention  to  re- 
enlist,  but  at  the  request  of  his  father  he 
resumed  his  responsibilities  in  the  mining 
enterprises.  With  a  brother,  Henry  Harri- 
son Harvey,  he  continued  in  charge  of  the 
West  Nanticoke  interests  until  they  were 
sold,  in  1871,  then  gave  his  principal  direc- 
tion to  the  lumber  business,  which  had  been 
incorporated  with  that  of  coal  until  the 
latter  was  sold.  In  1886  he  sold  the  lumber 
concern.  Mr.  Harvey  was  a  director  of  the 
First  National  Bank  of  Plymouth,  1865-66: 
in  1870,  with  two  associates,  he  secured  con- 
trol of  the  Wilkes-Barre  and  Kingston  Street 
Railway,  which  in  1892  became  a  valuable 
unit  of  the  Wilkes-Barre  &  Wyoming  Valley 
Traction  Company.  He  was  up  to  the  time 
of  his  death  a  director  of  this  company,  and 
held  considerable  control  in  like  interests  in 
other  cities.  In  1874  he  was  independent  can- 
didate for  the  office  of  mayor  of  Wilkes- 
Barre,  in  1S75  was  elected  school  director 
and  was  tor  five  years  president  of  the  board, 
in  1885  was  elected  to  the  City  Council  and 
was  for  eight  years  or  two  terms  its  presi- 
dent, and  in  1892  was  Presidential  Elector, 
serving  in  similar  capacity  in  the  National 
Republican  Convention  of  1901.  He  was  a 
director  of  the  Miners  Savings  Bank,  presi- 
dent of  the  Wyoming  Valley  Lace  Mills, 
president  of  the  Wilkes-Barre  Grand  Opera 
House  Company,  and  fraternally  was  affili- 
ated with  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic, 
the  Military  Order  of  the  Loyal  Legion,  and 
the  Free  and  Accepted  Masons.  He  was  the 
oldest  living  Past  Eminent  Commander  of 
Dieu  le  Veut  Commandery,  No.  45,  Knights 
Templar:  also  a  thirty-second  degree  Mason, 
Ancient  and  Accepted  Scottish  Rite,  a  mem- 
ber of  Irem  Temple  of  the  Ancient  Arabic 
Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  the 
Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks, 
Westmoreland  Club,  Union  League  Club  of 
Philadelphia.  He  married  (first),  December  9, 
1S69,  Jessie  Wright,  born  in  1848,  died  in 
1877.  He  married  (second),  October  21,  1880, 
Amanda  Mary  Laning,  daughter  of  Augustus 
C.  and  Amanda  (Christel)  Laning,  she  having 
been  the  widow  of  Rodman  Merritt.  There 
were,  by  the  first  marriage,  children:  1.  Wil- 
liam Jameson,  born  in  1870,  died  in  1871.  2. 
Robert  Rieman,  born  in  1871,  graduate  of 
Lehigh  University,  degree  in  Electrical  Engi- 
neering, superintendent  of  the  Wyoming 
Valley  Lace  Mills.  3.  Edward  Darling,  born 
in  1S73,  died  in  1878.  4.  Emily  Cyst,  born  in 
1877,  died  the  same  year,  thirteen  days  before 
the  death  of  her  mother  and  three  days  after 
her  birth.  By  the  second  marriage,  there  was 
a  son,  Laning,   of   whom  further. 

Laning  Harvey  was  born  in  Wilkes-Barre, 
February  17,  1882;  he  received  his  prepara- 
tory education  in  the  public  schools  and  the 
academy  of  Wilkes-Barre,  his  native  city, 
also  at  the  Hill  School,  Pottstown,  Pennsyl- 
vania. He  entered  the  business  world  under 
the  able  guidance  of  his  father,  and  as  a 
man  of  commerce  and  general  affairs  has 
become  one  of  the  best  known  figures  in  the 
city  and  in  Luzerne  County.  He  has  strong 
business  connections;  is  a  director  in  the 
Miners  Savings  Bank  of  Wilkes-Barre  and 
owns  large  holdings  in  real  estate  and  build- 
ing development.  Mr.  Harvey  is  founder  and 
vice-president  of  the  Henry  German  Com- 
pany, bakers  of  Luxury  Bread,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre.  He  is  president  of  the  Wilkes-Barre 
Baseball  Club  of  the  New  Tork-Pennsyl- 
vania  League:  a  director  of  the  Wilkes- 
Barre   Institute   for   the   Blind,    a   director   of 


670 


the  United  Charities,  and  a  director  of  the 
Wilkes-Barre  Playground  Association.  Under 
Governors  John  S.  Steward  and  John  K. 
Tener,  over  a  period  of  twelve  years,  Mr. 
Harvey  served  as  member  of  the  Pennsyl- 
vania State  Game  Commission;  under  Gov- 
ernor Brumbough,  as  member  of  the  State 
Board  of  Public  Charities,  and  tor  four  years, 
in  Wilkes-Barre,  as  member  of  the  City 
Council,  represented  the  Seventh  Ward.  Like 
his  father  before  him  Mr.  Harvey  was  one 
time  candidate  for  the  office  of  mayor  in  1923. 
A  Republican,  he  is  loyal  to  and  has  con- 
stantly and  consistently  been  staunch  in  sup- 
port of  the  principles  of  the  party:  and  in 
matters  political  in  the  city  and  county  he  is 
possessed  of  a  considerable  influence,  which 
he  exercises  without  fanfare,  always  to  the 
best  interests  of  the  greatest  number  of  per- 
sons. For  more  than  a  score  of  years  he  has 
been  a  member  of  the  Greater  Wilkes-Barre 
Chamber  of  Commerce,  and  in  this  connection 
as  in  others  has  been  identified  with  all  pro- 
gressive movements  for  the  betterment  of 
the  community. 

Fraternally  and  socially  Mr.  Harvey  has 
entrde  in  a  wide  assortment  of  organizations 
and  circles.  He  is  a  member  of  Landmark 
Lodge,  No.  442,  of  the  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons,  Keystone  Consistory  of  the  Ancient 
Accepted  Scottish  Rite  in  Scranton,  Pennsyl- 
vania, thirty-second  degree,  Irem  Temple  of 
the  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the 
Mystic  Shrine;  Wilkes-Barre  Lodge,  No.  109, 
of  the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of 
Elks,  the  Loyal  Order  of  Moose,  and  the 
United  Sportsmen's  Association  of  Pennsyl- 
vania. He  is  furthermore  a  member  of  the 
Press  Club,  the  Kiwanis  Club,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre,  the  Irem  Temple  Country  Club,  the 
Wyoming  Valley  Motor  Club,  the  Wyoming 
Valley  Country  Club,  the  Franklin  Club  and 
Westmoreland  Club,  the  Union  League  of 
Philadelphia,  and  the  Loyal  Legion.  Mr.  Har- 
vey is  a  communicant  of  St.  Stephen's  Epis- 
copal Church,  Wilkes-Barre,  is  devout  in  its 
service,  and  most  generous  in  donations  to 
charity,  regardless  of  whether  or  not  the 
appeals  are  sponsored  by  his  own  denomina- 
tion. During  the  World  War  Mr.  Harvey 
served  with  the  Red  Cross  in  the  Regular 
Army  and  was  stationed  at  Camp  Green, 
North  Carolina,  for  one  year,  after  which 
he  was  promoted  and  transferred  to  Wash- 
ington, District  of  Columbia,  where  he  was 
made  director  of  Camp  Service  of  the  Red 
Cross,  and  had  charge  of  all  work  in  the 
camps  of  the  United  States,  and  also  had 
charge  of  all  Red  Cross  work  in  the  various 
army  hospitals  of  the  United  States  Army. 
Mr.  Harvey  was  also  liaison  officer  to  the 
Surgeon  General  office,  at  Washington,  Dis- 
trict of  Columbia.  Laning  Harvey  was 
elected  to  the  State  Senate  on  November  6 
1928,  to  represent  the  Twenty-first  Senatorial 
District,  from  a  normally  Democratic  terri- 
tory, the  Democratic  candidate  for  President, 
Alfred  E.  Smith,  carrying  this  district  by 
10,000,  Mr.  Harvey  carrying  the  same  district 
by  about  3,500.  He  was  Indorsed  by  the  labor 
interests,  the  Prohibition  and  the  Non-Parti- 
san  League.  Endowed  in  large  measure  with 
those  qualities  which  tend  to  make  a  man 
warm  in  the  affections  of  his  fellows,  Mr. 
Harvey  is  accordingly  endo'wed  with  numer- 
ous firm  friends.  Temperate,  kindly,  firm  in 
his  opinions  yet  ever  ready  to  alter  them  in 
the  face  of  new  evidence,  just  in  his  deal- 
ings, honorable  always,  it  is  said  of  him  by 
those  who  know  him  well  that  he  is  a  valu- 
able asset  to  community.  State  and  nation, 
as  a  citizen,  and  that  he  is  worthy  indeed  of 
his  ancestry. 


On  November  15,  1905,  Mr.  Harvey  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Marion  Elizabeth 
Burgess,  of  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania,  a 
daughter  of  Arthur  Burgess.  To  this  union 
have  been  born  children:  Laning,  Jr.,  and 
Robert  B.  Harvey.  The  family  resides  in  an 
imposing  dwelling  at  No.  75  Riverside  Drive, 
Wilkes-Barre. 


CHARLES  E.  CUIVNIIVGHAM — Specializing 
in  weather  strips  and  rustless  window  and 
door  screens,  a  business  occupation  which  he 
has  followed  for  twenty  years  in  Wilkes- 
Barre,  Charles  E.  Cunningham  is  one  of  the 
leading  business  men  of  the  city.  His  family 
ancestry  mingles  the  blood  of  pfoneer  Penn- 
s>'lvanians  and  Virginians,  while  in  that  of 
his  son  flows  an  additional  quantity  of  Revo- 
lutionary strain,  the  Peyton  family  landing 
in  Jamestown,  Virginia,  in  1620,  and  active  in 
all  early  American  conflicts,  and  his  mother 
having  been  a  member  of  the  McHenry  fam- 
ily, in  honor  of  whom  Fort  McHenry,  Mary- 
land, was  named,  and  where  Francis  Scott 
Key    wrote    the    "Star    Spangled    Banner." 

Charles  E.  Cunningham  was  born  in  Indi- 
anapolis, Indiana,  September  14,  1S75.  His 
father  was  William  F.,  and  his  mother,  Lida 
Rebecca  (Musser)  Cunningham,  of  Lancaster 
County.  She  was  a  relative  of  the  late  Dr. 
Musser,  of  Lancaster,  member  of  one  of  the 
oldest  and  most  highly  respected  families  of 
Pennsylvania,  while  her  husband  was  a  son 
of  William  Cunningham,  a  native  of  Stanton, 
Virginia,  and  America  (Peyton)  Cunningham, 
of  Westmoreland  County,  Virginia,  both 
members  of  distinguished  families  of  the 
Old  Dominion.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  William  F.  Cun- 
ningham were  the  parents  of  four  children: 
Charles  E.;  Grace  America,  wife  of  J.  E. 
Miller,  of  Indianapolis.  Indiana:  Maude  Elsie, 
wife  of  Bernard  R.  Batty,  coal  merchant  of 
Indianapolis,  Indiana,  and  William  Peyton, 
who  died  of  the  "flu"  while  on  his  return  trip 
from  Europe  at  the  close  of  the  World   War. 

Charles  E.  Cunningham  was  educated  in 
the  public  schools  of  Indianapolis,  after 
which  he  took  an  engineering  course  at 
Purdue  University,  Lafayette,  Indiana.  He 
then  came  to  Pittsburgh,  Pennsylvania,  asso- 
ciating himself  with  C.  H.  Bradley,  Jr.,  of 
Oil  City,  as  a  boiler  salesman.  In  1903  he 
came  to  Wilkes-Barre,  and  took  a  position  in 
the  same  line  with  E.  Keeler  and  Company, 
of  Williamsport,  selling  boilers  throughout 
Northeastern  Pennsylvania.  Later,  he  be- 
came general  agent  at  Wilkes-Barre  for  the 
Chamberlin  Weather  Strip  Company,  and  for 
the  Kane  Rustless  Screen  Company,  and  radi- 
ator furniture,  which  business  he  has  since 
followed.  He  is  also  distributor  for  Aeropel 
ventilating  fans.  He  is  a  Republican  and  a 
member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and 
holds  membership  in  Wilkes-Barre  Lodge,  No. 
61,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  also  in  the 
local  Royal  Arch  Masons,  and  in  Dieu  le  Veut 
Commandery,  No.  45,  Knights  Templar.  He  is 
also  affiliated  with  Irem  Temple,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the 
Mystic  Shrine,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Irem 
Temple  Country  Club,  and  of  the  Kiwanis 
Club. 

Mr.  Cunningham  married,  June  1,  1904,  Zora 
Hughes,  daughter  of  H.  H.  and  Alice  (Mc- 
Henry) Hughes,  of  Dauphin  County.  They 
have  one  son,  William  Peyton  Cunningham, 
Yale  University,  class  of   192S. 


^VILLIAM  R.  DYKIXS,  D.  D.  S. — In  the  prac- 
tice of  dental  surgery.  Dr.  William  R.  Dykins 
is  making  a  favorable  impression  upon  the 
people  of  Glen  Lyon  and  vicinity,  to  wliom  he 
has    ministered    ever    since     he     left    the    uni- 


671 


versify.  His  services  are  highly  valued  as 
those  of  a  surgeon  with  an  unusually  fine 
training  which  supplements  a  technical  abil- 
ity out  of  the  ordinary.  He  belongs  to  the 
younger  group  of  professional  men  who  have 
come  on  the  stage  of  action  in  recent  years, 
ar,d  are  rapidly  taking  front  rank  in  their 
respective  departments  of  service. 

William  R.  Dykins  was  born  in  Nanticoke, 
January  10,  1904,  the  son  of  William  J.  and 
Emily  (Powell)  Dykins,  liis  father  born  in 
I'ingland,  in  1873,  is  a  station.'ir>'  engineer,  his 
mother  also  born  in  England  in  1S76.  Having 
passed  through  the  grade  and  high  schools  of 
his  native  village,  graduating  from  the  latter 
In  the  class  of  1921,  he  entered  the  University 
of  Pittsburgh,  where  he  completed  his  studies 
of  the  dental  profession  and  from  which  he 
was  graduo-ted  in  the  class  of  1925  with  the 
degree  of  Doctor  of  Dental  Surgery. 

From  Pittsburgh,  Dr.  Dykins  came  at  once 
to  Glen  Lyon,  where  he  opened  an  office  for 
the  reception  of  patients.  Knowledge  of  his 
skill  and  careful  attention  to  the  require- 
ments of  those  who  sought  his  services  soon 
began  to  give  him  a  reputation  which  re- 
sulted in  steady  increase  in  the  volume  of  his 
practice.  He  overcame  the  handicap,  pre- 
sented to  some  minds,  of  his  comparative 
youthfulness,  and  soon  demonstrated  to  the 
satisfaction  of  his  patrons  that,  profession- 
ally, he  was  older  than  his  years.  Today  he 
holds  the  confidence  and  enjoys  the  esteem  of 
a  great  number  of  the  Glen  Lyon  inhabitants, 
who  are  appreciative  of  the  privilege  of  hav- 
ing a  dental  surgeon  of  Dr.  Dykins'  ability 
settled  in  their  midst.  His  practice,  while 
nominally  general,  can  be  applied  on  occa- 
sions to  special  work.  Undoubtedly,  all 
things  considered  in  the  equation,  he  has  a 
large  and  promising  future. 

Dr.  Dyl<ins  has  another  endowment,  which 
he  might  have  employed  as  a  chief  endeavor 
of  life,  had  he  so  elected.  He  is  a  musician 
of  unusual  excellence,  and  performed  profes- 
sionally for  a  number  of  years.  Now  and 
again,  he  delights  the  family  circle  and  groups 
of  friends  by  his  artistry,  and  his  instrumen- 
tation is  second  only  to  his  technical  ability 
in  his  dental  offlce.  The  Republican  party 
has  his  undivided  support,  and  he  is  afBliated 
with  Nanticoke  Lodge,  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons.  His  religious  affiliation  is  with  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  he  belongs 
to  the  Craftsman's  Club. 

Dr.  William  R.  Dykins  married,  in  Novem- 
ber, 1925,  Mildred  McLon,  of  Pittsburgh, 
daughter  of  Mrs.  Josephine  McLon,  and  they 
have  their  residence  in  Glen  Lyon. 


E.  HOWARD   SMITH,  ROBERT  A.  S.MITH — 

The  largest  wholesale  and  retail  floral  busi- 
ness in  Hazleton,  Pennsylvania,  is  the  one 
owned  by  the  Smith  Floral  Company,  located 
at  No.  30  East  Broad  Street.  The  business 
was  founded  by  E.  Howard  Smith,  but  since 
the  retirement  of  the  founder  in  1927  has  been 
taken  over  by  Robert  .A..  Smith,  son  of  the 
founder,  and  M.  G.  Shields,  a  son-in-law. 
Robert  A.  Smith  was  "brought  up"  in  the 
business  and  became  a  partner  in  the  concern 
in  1924,  after  which  time  he  practically  had 
full  control.  Though  a  young  man  of  twenty- 
eight  years,  he  is  an  expert  in  his  special  line 
of  business,  which  now  (1930)  consists  in  the 
retail  and  wholesale  handling  of  all  kinds  of 
floral  stock,  which  is  purchased  from  the 
growers. 

E.  Howard  Smith,  founder  of  the  business, 
was  born  in  East  Mauch  Chunk,  Pennsyl- 
vania, in  1S6S,  and  as  a  young  man  was  en- 
gaged in  the  confectionery  and  farm  produce 
business    in    Hazleton.      As     time     passed     he 


added  floral  stock  to  his  other  ooninioditleH 
of  trade  and,  becoming  interested  In  thi.s 
pbase  of  his  business,  l>egan  the  growing  of 
plants  and  shrubs  on  his  farm.  Being  a  man 
of  more  than  average  ability  he  achieved 
substantial  success.  When  he  established  the 
business  in  1896  he  had  his  stand  on  West 
Broad  Street  in  Hazleton  and  his  greenhou.-^es 
in  the  valley  outside  the  city  limits,  where  he 
raised  stock  under  glass  and  in  the  open, 
raising  a  large  amount  of  ornamental  stock. 
About  1914  he  engaged  in  the  real  estate 
business  in  Philadelphia,  while  still  continu- 
ing his  well  established  floral  business,  and 
of  this  venture,  too,  he  made  a  decided  suc- 
cess. His  son,  Robert  A.  Smith,  had  been  his 
assistant  for  some  time,  and  when,  in  1924, 
the  son  was  made  a  partner  in  the  business, 
he  was  given  virtual  control,  while  the 
founder  continued  to  devote  his  attention  to 
his  real  estate  and  other  interests,  though 
still  nominally  at  the  head  of  the  floral  busi- 
ness also.  In  1927  E.  Howard  Smith  retired, 
and  since  that  time  he  has  divided  his  time 
and  his  interest  between  Lake  Harmony  in 
the  Poconoes,  where  he  spends  his  summers, 
and  Miami,  Florida,  where  he  spends  his 
winters.  During  his  active  .years  he  was  inter- 
erf  ed  in  local  public  affairs  in  Hazleton,  serv- 
ing as  a  member  of  the  council,  and  aiding  in 
all  projects  planned  for  the  advancement  of 
the   best    interests  of  Hazleton. 

Mr.  Smith  married  Sally  A.  Andreas,  of 
West  Hazleton,  and  they  became  the  parents 
of  seven  children:  Emory,  who  is  employed 
as  a  salesman;  May,  a  Red  Cross  nurse,  who 
n  arried  K.  S.  Reynolds,  of  Forty  Fort,  Penn- 
sylvania: Jean,  wife  of  M.  G.  Shields,  who  is 
associated  with  Robert  A.  Smith  in  the  Smith 
Floral  Company;  Miriam,  wife  of  John  J. 
Miles,  of  the  Miles  Flower  Shop,  in  Frack- 
ville,  Pennsylvania;  Howard,  who  resides  in 
Miami,  Florida;  Robert  A.,  of  further  men- 
t'l.n:  and  Dorothy,  wife  of  Charles  Sweeney, 
of  Hazleton,  who  is  employed  as  a  salesman 
of  auto  parts. 

Robert  A.  Smith,  son  of  E.  Howard  and 
Sally  A.  (Andreas)  Smith,  was  born  April 
29,  1902,  in  Hazleton,  Pennsylvania,  and  re- 
ceived his  education  in  the  public  schools  of 
this  place.  From  boyhood  he  was  made  famil- 
iar with  the  floral  business  and  was  trained 
as  his  father's  assistant  in  that  line  of  activ- 
ity. In  1924  he  was  admitted  to  partnership 
and  from  that  time  on  was  given  practical 
control  of  the  business.  Upon  the  retirement 
of  his  father  in  1927,  he  and  M.  G.  Shields,  his 
brother-in-law,  took  over  the  business  under 
the  name  of  the  Smith  Floral  Company,  and 
the  .voung  men  are  continuing  the  success 
which  the  founder  achieved.  They  have 
ceased  to  grow  stock  and  now  limit  their 
operations  to  the  wholesale  and  retail  han- 
dling of  all  kinds  of  floral  stock,  buying  from 
the  growers.  They  have  a  very  extensive 
trade  and  the  company  has  long  enjoyed  the 
advantages  of  a  reputation  which  is  in  itself 
a  valuable  business  asset.  Robert  A.  Smith 
devotes  his  whole  attention  to  the  business 
and  is  proving  to  be  a  worthy  successor  of 
his  able  father.  He  is  a  member  of  the  local. 
State,  and  national  florists'  associations,  and 
fraternally,  is  identified  with  the  Fraternal 
Order  of  Eagles,  No.  193,  of  which  his  father 
is  a  member;  and  with  Lodge  No.  200,  Be- 
nevolent and  Protective  Order  of  Elks.  His 
religious  affiliation  is  with  the  Presbyterian 
Church. 

Robert  A.  Smith  is  married  to  Mary  Lev- 
kulic,  of  Hazleton,  and  they  have  one  son, 
Robert  A.,  Jr.  Their  home  is  at  No.  54  South 
Laurel   Street,    in  Hazleton. 


672 


HOYT  E.  HE1,LBR — As  assistant  county 
superintendent  of  schools  in  Luzerne  County, 
Pennsylvania,  Hoyt  B.  Heller  fills  an  ofiice 
■whose  usefulness  to  the  community  is  greater 
than  would  at  first  glance  appear.  For  in  this 
position,  he  handles  practically  all  the  details 
of  school  administration  here,  and  thus  plays 
an  important  role  in  the  ^vork  of  educating 
the  youth. 

Mr.  Heller  was  born  on  November  2,  1891, 
in  Wapwallopen,  Pennsylvania,  the  town  in 
"Which  he  now  resides,  a  son  of  Wesley  and 
Flora  E.  (Swank)  Heller,  who  came  from  fam- 
ilies that  have  been  prominent  in  Luzerne 
County.  The  father,  Wesley  Heller,  son  of 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Absolem  Heller,  was  born  at 
Wapwallopen  on  July  11,  1S54;  served  as  a 
hardware,  lumber  and  coal  merchant  in  Wap- 
wallopen for  about  thirty  years,  at  the  end 
of  which  time  he  sold  his  business  to  C.  M. 
Harter;  was  a  Justice  of  the  peace  there;  was 
a  school  director  of  Conyngham  Township  at 
one  time,  president  of  the  Hollenback  Tele- 
phone Company,  president  of  the  Citizens' 
Water  Company,  and  an  active  worker  in 
many  local  activities.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Reformed  Church,  having  served  for  sev- 
eral years  on  the  official  board  of  this  insti- 
tution. Wesley  Heller  married  Flora  E. 
S"wank,  of  Hollenback  Township,  Luzerne 
County,  daughter  of  Reuben  Swank,  and  by 
this  marriage  there  were  three  children;  1. 
Clark  W.,  who  was  graduated  from  Gettys- 
turg  College,  as  well  as  from  the  Reformed 
Theological  Seminary  of  Lancaster,  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  is  now  active  in  the  ministry  in 
Danville,  Penns.vlvania;  he  was  born  January 
23,  1SS9,  and  married  Jeanette  Ritter,  of 
AUentown,  Pennsylvania,  daughter  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Thomas  Ritter,  and  by  this  marriage 
there  were  four  children:  Mary  Louise,  Adam 
Weslej',  Dorcthy  Jane,  and  Richard  Eugene. 
2.  Ruth  Adeline,  who  died  m  infancy.  3. 
Hoyt  E.,   of  further  mention. 

Hoyt  E.  Heller  received  his  early  education 
in  the  public  schools  and  the  high  school  at 
Wapwallopen,  Pennsylvania,  and  later  be- 
came a  student  at  Gettysburg  College,  from 
which  he  was  graduated  in  the  class  of  1912 
with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Science.  After 
his  graduation,  he  taught  school  in  Luzerne 
County  and  at  other  places,  including  Frank- 
lin and  Marshall  Academy,  of  Lancaster, 
Pennsylvania,  where  he  taught  for  a  year, 
and  also  schools  in  New  Jersey. 

His  career  was  temporarily  interrupted  in 
1917  by  the  entrance  of  the  United  States 
into  the  World  War.  When  that  conflict  af- 
fected this  country,  Mr.  Heller  became  affili- 
ated with  the  air  service,  and  was  stationed 
at  a  number  of  different  air  bases,  as  well  as 
in  the  aerial  gunnery  schools,  in  which  he 
held  the  position  of  a  classified  instructor. 
After  the  war,  he  taught  again  for  two  years, 
and  then  became  associated  "with  his  father 
in  business  in  Wapwallopen.  For  a  number 
of  years  he  remained  in  business,  until,  in 
May,  1926,  he  took  his  present  position  as 
assistant  county  superintendent  of  schools, 
which  he  has  held  since  that  time.  In  this 
work,  he  has  won  the  esteem  of  the  teachers 
and  of  his  colleagues  in  Luzerne  County's 
educational  system,  and  holds  a  place  of 
esteem  in  the  hearts  of  his  fellow-citizens 
throughout    the    county. 

Although  his  business  and  school  duties 
have  kept  him  constantly  busy,  Mr.  Heller 
has  found  it  possible  to  devote  considerable 
time  to  the  affairs  of  his  community.  He  al- 
ways has  carefully  observed  political  develop- 
ments, and  is  himself  affiliated  with  the 
Democratic  party.    Mr.  Heller  also  is  a  mem- 


ber of  the  Patriotic  Order  of  the  Sons  of 
America  and  tha  Phi  Kappa  Psi  fraternity. 
For  one  term  he  served  as  school  director  in 
Conyngham  Township.  His  religious  affilia- 
tion  is  with   the   Reformed  Church. 

In  September,  1923,  Hoyt  E.  Heller  married 
Miriam  La  Wall,  of  Wapwallopen,  Pennsyl- 
vania, daughter  of  Thomas  A.  and  Mary  Alice 
La  Wall.  By  this  marriage  there  have  been 
two  children:  1.  Elinor  June,  bcrn  July  4, 
1924.     2.   Quentin   Eugene,   born   May   27,    1928. 


JOHJf  J.  MEEHAIV — In  the  building  indus- 
try of  Freeland  John  J.  Meehan  occupies  an 
important  position.  Specializing  in  several 
branches  of  the  trade,  he  has  erected  many 
works  that  bear  testimony  to  the  high  char- 
acter of  his  material  and  the  skilled  labor 
utilized.  Recognizing  the  value  of  a  reputa- 
tion for  honesty  of  effort  and  skill  in  con- 
struction, Mr.  Meehan  has  followed  the  prin- 
ciples of  all  successful  business  enterprises 
in  extending  to  all  patrons  the  same  fairness 
that  he  exacts  in  exchange.  Operations  on 
this  line  bring  friends  and  win  the  esteem  of 
the  public,  finely  illustrated  in  this  instance 
by  his  prosperous  business  and  his  army  of 
friends.  He  is,  in  short,  one  of  the  important 
citizens  of  this  district  and  a  distinct  addition 
to    the    community's    activities. 

He  was  born  in  Luzerne  County,  Pennsyl- 
vania, January  20,  1SS3,  a  son  of  Patrick  and 
Bridget  (Gallagher)  Meehan.  His  father  be- 
fore his  retirement  was  a  successful  con- 
tractor, who  had  been  a  miner,  and  erected 
many  of  the  church  edifices  and  schools  in 
this  district.  He  was  a  native  of  County  Don- 
egal, Ireland,  who  came  to  America  in  his 
youth  and  amassed  considerable  property.  He 
and  his  wife  were  the  parents  of  twelve  chil- 
dren, John  J.  being  the  eldest,  all  but  five 
now  deceased.  The  elder  Meehan  was  some- 
what active  in  the  local  political  affairs  and 
served  several  terms  as  a  member  of  the 
Council,  elected  by  the  Democratic  party.  He 
was  a  Roman  Catholic  in  religion  and  a 
member  of  the  congregation  of  St.  Ann's 
Church. 

His  son,  John  J.  Meehan,  was  educated  in 
the  public  schools  and  St.  Ann's  parochial 
school  of  Freeland,  and  when  nine  years  of  age 
was  taken  under  the  guidance  of  his  father 
in  learning  structural  brick  and  cement  work. 
He  eventually  established  himself  in  this 
trade  and  engaged  in  general  contracting, 
later  adding  a  marble  and  granite  business 
and  cement  construction.  He  has  always 
been  active  in  politics  and  has  served  as  a 
member  of  the  borough  council.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Tiger  Athletic  Club  of  Free- 
land  and  attends  St.  Ann's  Roman  Catholic 
Church. 

John  J.  Meehan  married,  November  25, 
1920,  Margaret  Boyle,  daughter  of  William 
F.  Boyle,  who  had  been  a  school  teacher  in 
Freeland  Borough  and  Foster  Township.  They 
are  the  parents  of  John,  Jr.,  and  reside  at  No. 
712   Front   Street,   Freeland,   Pennsylvania. 


WILLIAM  BULPORD — Member  of  a  pioneer 
Pennsylvania  family,  William  Bulford  was  a 
native  and  life-long  resident  of  this  State. 
From  his  earliest  years  he  was  interested  in 
horses  and  throughout  his  career  was  known 
chiefly  for  his  activity  in  buying  and  breed- 
ing the  finer  strains.  Every  horseman  of 
prominence  in  the  State  was  a  friend  of  Mr. 
Bulford  and  indeed  his  reputation  extended 
beyond  Pennsylvania  borders  to  the  Nation 
at  large.  In  other  phases  of  life  in  his  com- 
munity he  was  equally  active,  winning  the 
admiration  and  respect  of  all  who  knew  him 


^^^J.--^    /S.o^^^ 


6/3 


by  the  sterling  integrity  of  his  character 
and  the  great  kindness  which  he  always  dis- 
played. 

Mr.  Bulford  was  born  on  March  12,  1874, 
at  Penfleld,  Pennsylvania,  on  the  West 
Branch,  a  son  of  Samuel  and  Jeanette 
(Hoover)  Bulford.  His  grandfather,  John  J. 
Bulford,  was  an  early  settler  at  Dallas, 
Pennsylvania,  and  built  the  first  two-story 
house  in  that  town.  This  is  an  old  pioneer 
family  of  the  State,  and  the  grandfather, 
father  and  son  were  all  blacksmiths  by  occu- 
pation. 

William  Bulford  received  his  education  in 
the  county  schools  and  early  determined  to 
follow  the  example  of  his  father  in  seeking 
an  occupation  in  life.  He  became  a  black- 
smith, continuing  tliis  trade  for  a  number  of 
years  as  a  youth  and  young  man.  Mr.  Bul- 
ford was  always  a  great  lover  of  horses  and 
before  he  was  twenty-one  was  engaging  in 
their  purchase  and  sale  in  a  small  way. 
Eventually  he  became  the  owner  of  many 
fast  track  horses  and  extended  his  interests 
to  all  the  great  horseracing  sections  of  the 
East  and  Middle  West.  In  tlie  course  of  time 
he  became  associated  with  David  Robertson, 
of  Moosic,  Pennsylvania,  joining  with  him  in 
a  horse  and  mule  business  which  soon 
reached  prosperous  proportions.  At  his  sales 
stables  in  Wilkes-Barre,  an  enormous  volume 
of  trade  was  carried  on,  and  the  headquarters 
of  the  business  there  became  a  gathering 
place  for  horsemen  and  horse  lovers  of  the 
entire  State.  The  fine  qualities  of  Mr.  Bul- 
ford's  character,  his  soundness  of  judgment 
and  breadth  of  vision  would  have  brought 
him  success  no  matter  in  "what  occupation  he 
chose  to  engage.  Thus  it  was  natural  that 
he  should  become  one  of  the  greatest  author- 
ities on  horses  in  the  State  and  should  be 
known  in  this  capacity  through  many  parts 
of  the  country.  Mr.  Bulford  continued  his 
association  with  Mr.  Robertson  in  their  joint 
business  enterprise  for  eighteen  years,  and 
their   connection   was   severed   only   by   death. 

Through  all  phases  of  his  career  Mr.  Bul- 
ford was  a  great  lover  of  the  outdoor  life 
and  of  athletic  sports.  In  his  younger  days 
he  was  an  athlete  himself  of  considerable 
renown,  engaging  in  many  amateur  boxing 
bouts,  in  which  he  was  invariably  successful. 
As  it  was  said  of  him  at  the  time  of  his 
death:  "In  this  line  of  sport,  as  well  as  ir 
the  racing  game,  he  had  the  respect  and  con- 
fidence of  everybody.  His  happy  considerate 
disposition  and  his  reputation  of  being 
strictly  on  the  level  attracted  to  him  hun- 
dreds of  friends  who  always  stood  ready  to 
risk  their  all  on  his  integrity  and  straight- 
forwardness." 

Mr.  Bulford  achieved  success,  as  it  is  meas- 
ured in  this  life,  "But  with  all  his  financial 
successes  he  was  always  the  same  'Billy'  to 
everybody  who  knew  him.  Kind,  tender- 
hearted, smiling  'Billy'  Bulford  will  never  be 
forgotten  by  those  who  were  fortunate 
enough  to  know  him.  The  radiance  of  his 
pleasant  smile  and  his  cheery  words  fairly 
warmed  the  souls  of  the  downcast  and  un- 
fortunate and  the  warm  clasp  of  his  rugged 
hand  seemed  to  melt  pessimism  and  despair. 
Take  it  from  one  who  knew  him  from  a  poor, 
struggling  boy — who  watclied  his  struggles 
and  successes  with  the  interest  of  a  true 
friend — the  world  may  have  men  on  a  parity 
with  William  Bulford,  but  it  has  none  better. 
Fear  was  one  of  the  things  he  knew  little 
about.  And  this  trait  stayed  with  him  to  the 
end." 

On  January  IS,  1895,  William  Bulford  mar- 
ried   Minnie    Hunsinger    of    Noxen,    Pennsyl- 


vania, daughter  of  William  and  Jemlna  (Mc- 
Call)  Hunsinger.  Mrs.  Bulford,  who  survives 
her  husband,  continues  her  residence  in  the 
old  family  home  at  Wilkes-Barre.  She  has 
been  active  in  various  phases  of  the  com- 
munity life  here,  and  is  a  member  of  the 
Wyoming  Valley  Women's  Club. 

Mr.  Bulford  died  on  April  27,  1930.  His 
passing,  though  following  an  operation,  was 
entirely  unexpected  and  brought  the  deepest 
sorrow  to  his  many  friends  everywhere.  Mr. 
Bulford  was  the  soul  of  honor  and  integrity. 
He  gave  himself  to  the  duties  of  this  life 
with  determination  and  great  fidelity,  never 
shirking  any  task  which  was  his  to  do,  how- 
ever difficult  it  might  seem.  His  opinion  and 
his  judgment  were  frequently  consulted  by 
important  interests.  With  all  the  other  af- 
fairs of  life,  he  was  a  financier  of  some 
prominence,  and  his  association  with  the 
First  National  Bank  of  Dallas,  Pennsylvania, 
was  an  important  factor  in  the  success  of 
that  institution.  Mr.  Bulford's  home  was  his 
club.  Although  the  most  companionable  of 
men,  he  had  little  time  for  club  activities  or 
fraternal  association,  preferring  to  spend  his 
leisure  moments  with  his  wife — his  true  com- 
panion througli  the  years.  As  an  indication 
of  the  high  respect  in  which  he  was  held, 
the  following  resolution  adopted  by  the 
board  of  directors  of  the  First  National 
Bank  of  Dallas  is  quoted: 

Whereas  the  Creator  of  all  things,  animate 
and  inanimate,  has  in  His  wisdom  and  mercy, 
seen  proper  to  remove  by  death  our  com- 
panion and  friend,  William  Bulford,  we  here 
desire  to  express  our  appreciation  of  his 
character,  ability  and  accomplisliments,  as 
well  as  reveal  our  sorrow  over  the  loss  of 
one  highly  respected  by  the  members  of  this 
Board,  and. 

Whereas  Mr.  Bulford  was  an  original  sup- 
porter in  the  establishment  of  this  institu- 
tion, and  for  many  years  a  director  and  who 
was  in  many  ways  instrumental  in  the 
growth  and  prosperity  of  the  bank  where 
his  honesty  and  judgment  were  essential  to 
progress,  and, 

Wliereas  he  was  endowed  with  that  intui- 
tive comprehension  of  men  and  projects  as  to 
enable  him  to  quickly  visualize  the  basic 
principle  involved  and  so  resulting  in  a 
prompt  decision  advantageous  to  the  wel- 
fare of  our  corporation,  and  as  he  also  pos- 
sessed a  characteristic  geniality  and  fairness 
in  all  discussions  which  materially  promoted 
harmony  in  the  ultimate  conclusions  of  the 
Board,  we  recognize  our  loss  and  sorrowfully 
realize  that  death  precludes  our  further 
affiliation  with  him.    'Therefore  he  it. 

Resolved:  That  this  testimonal  to  our  de- 
ceased associate  and  friend  be  inscribed  in 
the  minutes  of  the  Bank. 

Resolved:  That  a  copy  of  these  resolutions 
be  sent  to  the  widow  of  deceased,  with  whom 
we   sympathize  in  her  bereavement. 

Resolved;  That  the  Board  of  Directors,  col- 
lectively,  attend   the   funeral. 

Resolved;  That  this  expressed  action  of 
your  committee  be  published  in  the  Wilkes- 
Barre  "Record"  and  Dallas  "Post." 

To  this  may  be  added  the  tribute  of  a  local 
paper  which  well  expressed  the  universal 
sentiment  of  all  those  who  knew  him: 

And  so  we  must  say  a  sad  farewell  of  this 
noble,  worthwhile  character.  Good  bye,  Billy, 
and  may  the  breezes  which  sweep  that  beau- 
tiful isle  of  somewhere  unceasingly  fan  the 
brow  which  for  weary  months  never  flinched 
under  the  ravages  of  earthly  pain.  And  may 
the  love  and  prayers  of  those  you  have  left 
behind  entwine  themselves  into  a  garland  of 
roses,  ever  to  mingle  with  the  flowers  of 
reward  in  the  sun-kissed  gardens  of  a  joy- 
ous eternity. 


674 


GBORGB  H.  HARRIS — In  a  survey  of  the 
legal  field  of  Northeastern  Pennsylvania  the 
name  of  George  H.  Harris,  of  Hazleton,  stands 
out  conspicuously.  Although  satisfied  with  a 
prosperous  general  practice  in  his  native  dis- 
trict, Mr.  Harris  has  been  recognized  as  a 
valuable  counsellor  in  public  corporate  affairs 
and  has  been  called  upon  to  act  for  the  bene- 
fit of  the  administrators  of  these  activities, 
as  well  as  to  assume  the  duties  of  elective 
office.  In  such  work  he  has  displayed  an  abil- 
ity that  has  highly  commended  him  to  the 
whole  body  politic,  achieving  for  himself  an 
enviable  reputation  as  an  attorney  with  an 
intimate  knowledge  of  his  profession  and  a 
comprehensive  grasp  of  its  details.  He  is  a 
man  of  pleasing  personality,  of  consociational 
inclinations  and  of  great  civic  spirit,  a  com- 
bination of  traits  and  qualities  that  com- 
mends him  to  the  approval  of  the  community, 
while  his  ability  in  his  profession  places  him 
in  an  eminent  position  among  the  many  prom- 
inent and  erudite  attorneys  of  the  district  in 
which  he  lives  and  labors. 

Mr.  Harris  was  born  in  "Wilkes-Barre,  Penn- 
sylvania, December  30,  ISSO,  a  son  of  James 
Davis  and  Sarah  (Hughes)  Harris,  the  last 
named  being  a  daughter  of  George  H.  Hughes. 
The  father  was  born  in  May's  Landing,  New 
Jersey,  a  son  of  John  Harris,  was  educated  in 
the  common  schools  and  for  many  years  was 
a  caretaker  on  the  extensive  estates  of  the 
late  Senator  Don  Cameron.  He  came  to  Wyo- 
ming, Pennsylvania,  in  the  early  days  of  the 
Civil  War  and  enlisted  for  service,  being  at- 
tached to  the  6th  Pennsylvania  Cavalry.  He 
remained  in  the  Northern  Army  during  the 
period  of  the  War  and  was  a  witness  of  inti- 
mate operations  of  the  troops  as  they  were 
commanded  by  such  general  ofRcers  as  Meade, 
Hooker,  and  Sheridan,  whom  he  served  as 
orderly.  With  the  surrender  of  General  Rob- 
ert E.  Lee,  he  was  honorably  mustered  out 
of  the  service  and  returned  to  civil  life,  first 
working  in  the  flour  and  feed  mills  of  George 
Hughes  and  later  establishing  a  business 
appealing  to  wealthy  sportsmen  at  Mountain 
Lake,  where  he  propagated  trout  and  devel- 
oped a  fine  resort.  His  active  nature  caused 
him  to  abandon  this  enterprise  and  to  engage 
with  the  Valley  Railroad  as  storekeeper  at 
Penobscot.  Here  he  was  elected  on  the 
Greenback  ticket  to  be  county  commissioner, 
in  which  office  he  served  one  term  and  in 
which  he  proved  himself  of  value  to  the  peo- 
ple by  his  efficient  work  and  in  raising  the 
valuations  of  property  throughout  the  county. 
He  was  an  unsuccessful  candidate  for  county 
treasurer  and  after  that  defeat  went  to  Ohio 
for  a  short  period,  helping  in  that  State  to 
build  the  Hocking  Valley  Railroad.  He  be- 
came a  widower  in  ISSO  and  married  (second) 
Mary  Teots,  of  Wilkes-Barre.  Governor  For- 
aker,  of  Ohio,  appointed  him  caretaker  of  the 
State  House  grounds  in  Columbus,  in  which 
office  he  again  proved  his  efficiency.  He  later 
returned  to  Luzerne  County,  but  kept  in  close 
touch  with  the  Ohio  Governor  and  later  went 
with  him  to  Washington,  when  he  became 
United  States  Senator,  where  he  was  active  in 
his  work  of  securing  pensions  for  deserving 
old  soldiers.  He  also  acted,  while  in  Ohio,  as. 
a  writer  of  life  insurance  and  wrote  policies 
for  Mark  Hanna,  William  McKinley  and  other 
prominent  men.  He  was  a  man  of  self -educa- 
tion, a  great  reader  and  a  fine  orator,  inter- 
ested in  the  cause  of  labor  and  with  a  hand 
ever  ready  to  help  an  honest  cause.  In  Wash- 
ington he  was  employed  at  the  Capitol  and 
lived  on  a  farm  he  had  purchased  near  the 
city,  where  he  frequently  entertained  men  of 
political   prominence.     His   death    occurred    in 


Luzerne  County  in  his  eighty-first  year.  His 
children  were:  1.  James  D.,  deceased  at  the 
age  of  twelve  years.  2.  Grace,  married  War- 
ren Distelhurst.  3.  George  H.  By  his  second 
wife  he   had   a  son,    Foraker   J. 

George  H.  Harris  was  educated  in  Hazleton, 
where  he  was  graduated  from  high  school  in 
1903  and  then  attended  the  University  of 
Pennsylvania,  from  which  he  was  graduated 
with  the  class  of  1907  and  the  degree  of 
Bachelor  of  Laws.  He  was  admitted  to  the 
bar  in  the  following  year  and  then  went  to 
Oklahoma,  where  he  established  himself  in 
practice  in  Elk  City,  remaining  for  four 
years  and  then  returning  to  Hazleton.  Here 
he  became  solicitor  for  the  Hazleton  school 
board  and  for  the  boards  of  Sugar  Loaf,  Con- 
yngham  Borough  and  Butler  Township  as 
well  as  solicitor  for  Conyngham  Borough. 
For  the  last  ten  years  he  has  been  deputy 
register  of  wills  of  Luzerne  County,  under 
William  E.  Morgan  and  Stanley  M.  Yetter. 
He  is  a  Republican  in  politics  and  has  been  a 
candidate  on  that  ticket  for  the  State  Legis- 
lature and  Senate.  He  is  fraternally  affili- 
ated with  Hazel  Lodge,  No.  227,  order  of  Free 
and  Accepted  Masons,  and  with  Hazel  Chap- 
ter. Royal  Arch  Masons;  Royal  Arcanum, 
Grand  Fraternity.  He  attends  the  English 
Lutheran    Trinity   Church. 

George  H.  Harris  married,  March  6,  1908, 
Emily  May  Beck,  daughter  of  William  H. 
Beck.  Their  children  are:  1.  Nancy  May,  a 
sophomore  at  Dickinson  College,  Carlisle, 
Pennsylvania.  2.  Jean  Lucile.  The  family 
residence  is  at  No.  622  Grant  Street,  Hazleton, 
Pennsylvania. 


JOHN  JAY  HIBRARD — The  son  of  Welsh 
immigrants,  John  Jay  Hibbard,  of  Wanamie, 
has  largely  through  his  own  efforts  become 
one  of  the  leading  legal-lights  of  Luzerne 
County,  in  the  comparatively  brief  period 
that  he  has  practiced.  Like  many  of  the 
younger  generation  of  legal  practitioners, 
Mr.  Hibbard  was  hampered  in  his  life's  career 
through  devotion  to  his  country  during  the 
W^orld  War,  when  he  served  with  the  rank  of 
first  lieutenant.  Mr.  Hibbard  was  on  the 
verge  of  launching  his  practice  in  1917,  and 
after  serving  with  the  Government  forces, 
returned  to  Luzerne  County  where  he  has 
since  carried  on  a  general  practice  with 
offices  in  Nanticoke.  His  training  and  innate 
ability  have  combined  to  create  a  large  and 
steadily  increasing  clientele  here,  and  he  also 
has  been  further  recognized  by  being"  ap- 
pointed attorney  for  various  school  systems 
in  this  community.  As  befits  a  public-spirited 
citizen,  he  devotes  liberally  of  his  time 
toward  outside  interests,  including  political 
affairs,  fraternal  organizations  and  the 
church. 

Mr.  Hibbard  was  born  September  24,  1890, 
at  Wanamie.  son  of  John  and  Margaret 
(Price)  Hibbard.  John  Hibbard  was  born 
in  Monmouthshire,  Wales,  and  is  a  miner. 
Jlargaret  (Price)  Hibbard  also  was  a  na- 
tive of  Monmouthshire,  and  died  in  May, 
1908.  John  Jay  Hibbard  gleaned  his  earliest 
education  from  the  courses  prescribed  by  the 
local  public  school  system  and  graduated 
from  Newport  Township  High  School  in  1906. 
Thence  he  entered  Stroudsburg  Normal 
School,  was  graduated  therefrom  with  the 
class  of  1909,  and  this  was  followed  by  a 
period  of  four  years'  teaching  in  the  New- 
port Township  schools.  With  the  money  thus 
earned  he  matriculated  at  Dickinson  Law 
School,  and  by  close  devotion  to  his  studies 
was  graduated  from  this  school  with  the 
class     of     1916,     having    won     the     degree     of 


675 


Bachflor  of  I^aWK.  In  the  aiituiiin  of  this 
same  year  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  but 
had  little  opportunity  to  practice  his  profes- 
sion before  the  entry  of  the  United  States 
into  the  World  War.  At  the  commencement 
of  this  crisis  he  volunteered  for  service  in 
the  United  States  Army,  and  was  commis- 
sioned a  first  lieutenant.  During:  his  period 
of  military  service  he  was  stationed  in  vari- 
ous training:  camps,  engaged  in  instruction 
work.  In  .January,  1919,  Mr.  Hibbard  received 
his  honorable  discharge  and  returned  to  Lu- 
zerne County,  where  he  launched  his  law- 
practice,  which  has  continued  to  occupy  him. 
His  offices  are  in  Nanticoke,  and  he  was 
selected  attorney  and  school  solicitor  for  the 
township  schools  at  Newport,  Plymouth,  and 
Slocum.  He  was  appointed  solicitor  to  the 
county  comptroller  January  1,  1929,  ^vhich 
position  he  resigned  and  was  appointed 
county  solicitor  on  November  15,  1929.  an 
office  he  holds  at  present.  As  county  solicitor 
he  has  participated  in  many  important  cases 
such  as  the  appeals  by  the  coal  companies 
from  their  assessed  coal  valuations,  and  the 
litigation  affecting  the  New  Market  Street 
Bridge.  He  handles  the  details  of  this  work 
most  satisfactorily,  while  at  the  sanie  time 
gradually  is  building  up  a  large  general 
practice.  His  clients  find  him  ever  faithful 
and  devoted  to  their  cause,  and  his  skill  and 
talent  in  pleading  cases  has  brought  pros- 
perity and  success.  What  is  more  important, 
however,  he  has  won  the  trust  and  confidence 
of  his  fellow-citizens  and  is  often  called  upon 
to  aid  in  projects  planned  for  the  public 
weal.  Mr.  Hibbard  is  a  Republican  and  is 
ever  faithful  in  his  support  of  the  candidates 
and  issues  of  this  party.  His  fraternal  asso- 
ciations include  membership  in  Nanticoke 
IjOdge,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons;  Keystone 
Consistory,  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite, 
of  Scranton:  Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic 
Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine:  Wanamie 
Lodge,  No.  S67,  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows;  the  Junior  Order  United  American 
Mechanics,  and  the  Loyal  Order  of  Moose.  A 
devout  Christian.  Mr.  Hibbard  is  a  most  help- 
ful member  in  the  ranks  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  serving  this  congregation 
as   trustee  and  member  of  the  official   board. 

John  Jay  Hibbard  married.  May  29,  1919, 
Kathryn  George  Phillips,  of  Wanamie.  daugh- 
ter of  John  D.  and  Kathryn  (George)  Phillips. 
Previous  to  her  marriage  Mrs.  Hibbard  was  a 
teacher,  and  for  ten  years  served  as  in- 
structor of  the  Newport  Township  schools. 
She  is  a  graduate  of  the  Newport  public 
schools,  including  high  school,  and  of  East 
Stroudsburg  Normal  School.  Her  father, 
John  D.  Phillips,  was  born  in  Aberdare, 
Wales,  was  a  miner,  and  died  in  1925,  sur- 
vived by  his  wife,  also  a  native  of  Aberdare'. 
The  children  of  John  Jay  and  Kathryn  George 
(Phillips)  Hibbard:  1.  John  Humphrey,  born 
June  13,  1920.  2.  Kathryn  Margaret,  born 
January  10,   1924. 

PIERrE  BUTLER  was  a  member  of  one  of 
the  oldest  and  finest  families  of  Wyoming 
Valley  and  one  whose  history  is  closely  allied 
with  the  growth  and  early  pioneer  history  of 
the  county.  The  first  of  the  name  to  come  to 
the  State  was  Colonel  Zebulon  Butler,  born 
in  Connecticut,  but  migrating  to  Wyoming 
Valley  prior  to  the  Revolution  and  purchas- 
ing a  large  tract  of  land,  which  included  part 
of  the  present  site  of  Kingston.  Four  of  this 
city's  streets  are  named  for  the  family:  But- 
ler, Pierce,  James  and  Reynolds,  the  latter 
from  the  wife  of  one  of  the  pioneers  and  all 


commemorating  the  activities  of  this  family 
in  the  annals  of  the  town.  Colonel  Zebulon 
Butler  had  a  son.  Colonel  Lord  Butler,  who  in 
turn  had  a  son.  Pierce,  who  was  the  grand- 
father of  Mr.  Pierce  Butler,  of  further  men- 
tion. 

Pierce  Butler  was  born  in  the  old  Butler 
homestead,  the  third  generation  of  Butlers 
to  see  the  light  of  day  in  this  old  mansion, 
on  March  21,  1S54.  He  was  the  son  of  James 
M.  and  Martha  (Lazarus)  Butler.  His  earliest 
education  was  received  in  the  local  public 
schools,  but  when  his  studies  there  were 
completed,  he  continued  his  courses  at  Wyo- 
ming Seminary,  where  he  graduated.  He  be- 
gan his  active  business  career  with  the  Payne 
Coal  Com.pany,  severing  his  connection  with 
that  organization  to  affiliate  himself  with 
the  Wyoming  Valley  Traction  Company, 
which  later  was  organized  as  the  Wilkes- 
Barre  Railroad  Company.  Mr.  Butler  was 
chosen  as  cashier  upon  this  re-organization, 
and  was  eventually  promoted  to  the  post  of 
paymaster,  which  position  he  retained  up  to 
a  couple  of  years  before  his  death.  A  man 
greatb-  appreciated  for  his  able,  efficient 
services  and  one  whose  high  ideals  of  probity 
and  strict  sense  of  honor,  made  him  a  greatly 
esteemed  individual  in  his  community.  His 
demise  at  the  age  of  fifty-eight,  on  Septem- 
ber 13,  1913.  seemed  sadly  premature  to  a 
sorrowing  family  and  to  the  social  and  busi- 
ness associates  who  had  felt  his  influence  as 
a  stimulating  force  exerted  always  for  the 
best.  Always  ready  to  render  service  "n'here 
he  felt  that  service  to  be  due,  he  served  as 
borough  president  for  a  year.  He  gave  his 
support  to  the  Republican  party,  and  was  a 
consistent  promoter  of  the  interests  of  the 
community,  aiding  in  those  quiet  ways  which 
the  loyal  citizen  can  best  serve  in  private 
capacity.  He  was  a  man  of  refined  and  culti- 
vated tastes,  deeply  interested  in  history 
and  proud,  in  the  best  sense,  of  the  history  of 
his  own  family.  A  member  of  the  Sons  of  the 
Revolution,  he  was  a  typical  American  of 
our  best  stock.  Mr.  Butler  found  healthful 
recreation  in  fishing  and  in  the  ideally  happy 
social  life  of  his  home,  giving  to  his  family 
that  simple  devotion  and  affection  which  is 
the   treasure   and    inspiration   of  its   members. 

Pierce  Butler  married  on  December  S,  1S96, 
Mary  Beardslee,  daughter  of  Hon.  Howkin 
Buckeley  and  Charlotte  (Clark)  Beardslee. 
Mrs.  Butler  died  November  13,  1923.  Mr. 
Beardslee  was  a  prominent  member  of  the 
Pennsylvania  bar,  practicing  in  Wilkes- 
Barre  and  district  attorney  for  Wayne 
County,  before  he  was  twenty-one  years  of 
age.  He  later  became  editor-in-chief  of  the 
"Times  Leader,"  Wilkes-Barre's  daily  paper 
and  was  elected  to  represent  his  district  in 
the   State   Senate   for  two   years. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Butler  were  the  parents  of 
one  child,  a  daughter,  Mary  Beardslee.  born 
October  29,  1S98.  On  December  S,  192(5,  she 
was  married  to  Joseph  B.  Lippincott.  Mrs. 
Lippincott  is  one  of  the  brilliant  women  of 
the  county  and  deeply  interested  in  politics. 
She  is  club  historian  of  the  West  Side 
Woman's  Club  and  president,  secretary  and 
treasurer  of  the  Butler  Estate  Company, 
w'hich  administers  the  affairs  of  the  family 
as  a  unit. 

MERTOX  ELWOOD  M.^RVIX,  M.  D. — De- 
scended of  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  of  Lu- 
zerne County,  the  late  Dr.  Merton  Elwood 
Marvin  devoted  his  life  to  the  healing  of  the 
sick  in  this  section  of  the  State,  and  during 
his  many  years  of  practice  acquired  for  him- 


676 


self  not  only  a  high  reputation  as  a  physi- 
cian, but  also  the  esteem  anrl  respect  of  the 
community  as   a   whole. 

Merton  Elwood  Marvin  was  born  at  Muhl- 
enburg,  Luzerne  County,  August  21,  1S72,  the 
son  of  Alanson  Monroe  and  Sophia  (Santee) 
Marvin.  His  father,  who  was  born  in  1841 
and  wlio  died  in  February,  1925,  was  for 
many  years  a  prominent  and  prosperous 
farmer  of  Muhlenburg.  Dr.  Marvin's  mother 
was  also  a  native  of  Luzerne  County,  "where 
she  was  born  in  1841  and  where  she  died  in 
May,  1923.  David  Marvin  was  the  first  of  the 
name  to  settle  in  Luzerne  County,  being  one 
of  the  original  forty  pioneers  who  located  in 
Plymouth  in  the  early  years  of  the  nineteenth 
century. 

Having  received  his  early  education  in  the 
public  schools  of  his  native  town,  Dr.  Marvin 
then  attended  the  academies  at  Sweet  Valley 
and  Huntington  Mills.  Next  he  took  up  the 
study  of  medicine  at  Jefferson  Medical  Col- 
lege, Philadelphia,  from  which  institution 
he  graduated  in  1S96  with  the  degree  of 
Doctor  of  Medicine.  For  one  year  he  ofBci- 
ated  as  an  interne  at  St.  Mary's  Hospital,  in 
Philadelphia,  at  the  end  of  which  period  he 
returned  to  Luzerne  County  and  started  in 
the  general  practice  of  medicine  at  Luzerne. 
For  many  years  he  served  on  the  staff  of 
Nesbitt  Hospital,  and  he  was  also  a  member 
of  the  Luzerne  County  and  Pennsylvania 
State  Medical  Societies,  as  well  as  of  the 
American  Medical  Association.  In  politics 
Dr.  Marvin  was  a  Republican,  but  he  never 
sought  for  or  held  public  office.  He  was 
affiliated  with  Kingston  Lodge,  No.  39.5,  Free 
and  Accepted  Masons;  Shekinah  Chapter, 
Royal  Arch  Masons;  Dieu  le  Veut  Com- 
ma'ndery.  Knights  Templar;  and  Irem  Temple, 
Aricient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic. 
Shrine.  His  religious  affiliations  were  with 
the    Kingston   Presbyterian   Church. 

In  1907  Dr.  Marvin  married  Bertha  Faulds. 
daughter  of  Dr.  W.  H.  Faulds,  a  leading 
physician  of  Kingston.  Mrs.  Marvin  died  in 
January,  1927,  leaving  one  child,  a  daughter, 
Eleanor  Faulds  Marvin,  born  in  March,  1908. 
Dr.    Marvin   died    soon   after   his    wife. 

Dr.  Marvin's  comparatively  early  death  was 
a  distinct  shock  to  his  family,  to  his  many 
friends  and  to  his  fellow-townsmen.  During 
his  long  residence,  covering  some  five  dec- 
ades, in  Luzerne  County,  he  had  greatly  en- 
deared himself  to  all,  who  had  the  privilege 
of  coming  into  contact  with  him.  His  skill 
as  a  physician  gave  him  a  large  practice, 
while  his  many  fine  qualities  of  the  mind  and 
the  heart  won  for  him  an  exceptionally  large 
circle  of  friends.  He  will  long  be  remem- 
bered as  one  of  the  most  useful,  most  repre- 
sentative and  most  public-spirited  citizens  of 
Luzerne   County. 


FRANK  P.  MATHESON — The  family  of  the 
surname  Matheson  of  which  Frank  F.  Mathe- 
son,  president  of  the  Matheson  Warehouse 
Company,  is  a  member  is  of  Scotch  origin, 
and  was  founded  in  the  United  States  in 
1866,  by  Alexander  Matheson.  Alexander 
Matheson  was  a  native  of  Scotland,  born  in 
1832.  At  the  age  of  sixteen  years  he  migrated 
to  the  Dominion  of  Canada,  and  there,  in 
1864,  was  united  in  marriage  with  Janet 
Johnston,  like  himself,  of  Scotch  descent. 
They  came  to  the  United  States  two  years 
later,  first  locating  in  Kalamazoo,  Michigan, 
where  they  remained  for  a  number  of  years, 
later  removing  to  Grand  Rapids,  Michigan. 
Alexander  Matheson  was  by  trade  a  stone 
mason,  and  in  that  occupation  he  spent  the 
balance     of    his     years     in     Grand     Rapids,     a 


kindly,  industrious  and  temperate  man  be- 
loved of  all  who  kne'w  him.  Alexander  and 
Janet  (Johnston)  Matheson  were  the  parents 
of  children:  1.  Rosanna,  wife  of  Ralph 
Phelps,  of  Detroit,  Michigan.  2.  Robert  Alex- 
ander, of  Grand  Rapids.  3.  Frank  F.,  of  whom 
directly.  4.  William  B.,  of  Grand  Rapids.  5. 
Charles  Walter,  of  Detroit.  6.  Mary  Louise, 
wife  of  B.  M.  Fox,  of  Grand  Rapids.  7. 
Katherine,  wife  of  George  P.  Anderson,  of 
Detroit. 

Frank  F.  Matheson,  third  child  and  second 
son,  was  born  in  Kalamazoo,  Michigan,  June 
27,  1871.  five  years  after  Alexander  and  Janet 
(Johnston)  Matheson  established  residence 
there  from  Canada.  While  a  child  he  went 
with  them  to  Grand  Rapids,  and  there  re- 
ceived his  preparatory  education,  matriculat- 
ing in  the  University  of  Michigan  upon  grad- 
uation from  high  school.  Upon  leaving  col- 
lege Mr.  Matheson  formed  a  connection  with 
the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  Company,  as  chief 
clerk  in  the  engineering  department.  Grand 
Rapids:  but  after  two  years  with  the  Penn- 
sylvania road  he  left  it,  for  the  more  desir- 
able position  of  assistant  to  the  president  of 
the  Consolidated  Street  Railway  Company 
of  Grand  Rapids.  In  1894,  at  the  age  of 
twenty-three  years,  he  went  to  Chicago,  and 
there  engaged  in  the  oil  business,  for  four 
years,  and  in  1898  returned  to  Grand  Rapids, 
to  become  inanager  of  the  department  of 
business  system  in  the  Fred  Macey  Company, 
an  organization  which  then  carried  on  a 
world-wide  business  in  mail  orders,  at  retail. 

The  two  Matheson  brothers,  Frank  and 
Charles,  were  among  the  earliest  manufac- 
turers of  automobiles  in  the  United  States — 
entering  into  the  manufacture  of  the  Mathe- 
son car  in  1902  at  Grand  Rapids,  Michigan. 
In  1903  the  Matheson  Motor  Car  Company 
purchased  the  large  plant  and  development 
of  the  Holyoke  Automobile  Company  of  Hol- 
yoke.  Massachusetts,  to  which  point  their 
operations  were  moved  from  Grand  Rapids, 
Michigan.  The  success  of  the  Matheson  car 
was  so  pronounced  that  larger  ciuarters  were 
required  and  in  1906  the  affairs  of  the  Mathe- 
son Company  were  moved  to  Wilkes-Barre, 
Pennsylvania,  where  a  large  plant  was  built 
for  their  occupancy;  and  in  which  plant  their 
operations  were  conducted  until  1913,  when 
the    business  was  liquidated. 

Mr.  Matheson  then  entered  upon  the  retail 
automobile  business,  in  which  his  affairs 
prospered  ever  to  greater  degree,  enabling 
him,  in  1922,  to  purchase  for  the  use  of  his 
retail  business,  the  plant  built  for  and 
formerly  occupied  by  the  Matheson  Automo- 
bile Company  for  the  manufacture  of  the 
Matheson  car.  This  plant  he  greatly  enlarged 
and  improved,  devoting  some  acres  of  floor 
space  to  the  use  of  the  Matheson  Warehouse 
Company,  a  company  which  he  organized  for 
general  warehouse  purposes. 

In  1926  this  plant  suffered  a  disastrous  fire, 
involving  a  loss  of  approximately  one  million 
dollars:  but  which  checked  taut  temporarily 
the  expansion  of  the  automobile  and  ware- 
housing businesses.  In  1921  Mr.  Matheson 
retired  from  the  automobile  business,  which 
had  developed  into  one  of  the  largest  of  its 
kind  in  Pennsylvania,  turning  his  entire  in- 
terest in  the  company  over  to  the  members 
of  his  organization,  and  who  had  so  effec- 
tively contributed  to  its  development.  Except 
tor  the  retention  of  the  presidency  of  the 
Matheson  Warehouse  Company,  he  withdrew 
from   active  business. 

^Vhile  he  gave  a  great  deal  of  time,  neces- 
sarily, to  his  complex  commercial  affairs,  Mr. 
Matheson    has    not    neglected    other    affairs, 


677 


pertaining;  to  the  community.  Politically,  he 
is  in  sympathy  with  the  Republican  party. 
His  influence  is  considerable,  and  he  uses  it 
discreetly,  to  best  effect  for  the  citizenry  at 
large.  Fraternally  his  affiliations  are  broad. 
He  is  a  member  of  Landmark  Lodge,  No.  442, 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  of  Wilkes-Barre; 
Keystone  Consistory,  at  Scranton,  Pennsyl- 
vania, Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite  Ma- 
sons, of  the  thirty-second  degree;  and  Irem 
Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the 
Mystic  Shrine,  Wilkes-Barre.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Irem  Temple  County  Club,  the 
Westmoreland,  Franklin  and  Craftsman's 
clubs,  the  Wyoming-  Valley  Motor  Club;  the 
Greater  Wilkes-Barre  Chamber  of  Commerce, 
of  which  he  is  a  past  president;  past  presi- 
dent of  the  Kiwanis  Club;  life  member  of 
the  Wyoming  Valley  Historical  Society,  and 
the  Columbia  Fire  Department  of  Kingston. 
Although  somewhat  advanced  in  years  for 
service  in  the  military  during  the  World 
War,  Mr.  Matheson  did  serve,  and  tirelessly, 
in  the  Liberty  Loan  drives,  and  on  the 
boards  and  committees  in  charge  of  war 
work.  He  is  a  communicant  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church,  Wilkes-Barre,  and  in  matters 
of  charity  deals  with  large  heart,  ever  gen- 
erously, without  regard  for  race  or  creed. 
Firm  in  his  opinions,  usually  right  but  quick 
to  admit  himself  wrong  in  face  of  evidence, 
talented  in  commerce,  honorable  in  his  ac- 
tions great  or  small,  Mr.  Matheson  possessed 
those  qualities  of  character  whicli  tend  to 
warm  a  man  in  the  affections  of  his  fellows; 
and  his  friends,  who  esteem  him  highly,  are 
numerous. 

On  November  10,  1S96,  Mr.  Matheson  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Cora  E.  Hester,  of 
Grand  Rapids,  a  daughter  of  Myron  and 
Katherine  Hester.  They  resided  at  No.  26 
Park  Place,   Kingston. 

WILLIAM      NICHOLAS      REYNOLDS,     JR.— 

The  Reynolds  family,  which  is  represented  in 
the  present  generation  at  Wilkes-Barre  by 
William  Nicholas  Reynolds,  an  able  member 
of  the  Luzerne  County  Bar  and  leader  in  civic 
movements,  originated  in  England,  where  it 
attained  great  prominence,  some  of  its  repre- 
sentatives having  been  attached  to  the  royal 
house,  while  others  distinguished  themselves 
as  statesmen,  artisans,  colonizers  and  leaders 
in  the  educational  world. 

The  progenitor  of  the  Reynolds  family  of 
Wyoming  Valley,  William  Reynolds,  was 
born  at  Kingstown,  Rhode  Island,  near  the 
close  of  the  seventeenth  century,  having  been 
fourth  in  descent  from  William  Reynolds, 
who  is  said  to  have  been  originally  of 
Gloucestershire,  England,  and  then  of  the 
Islands  of  Bermuda,  whence  he  immigrated 
about  1629  to  Salem  and  joined  the  new  Puri- 
tan Colony  of  Massachusetts  Bay.  The  elder 
Reynolds  joined  the  First  Church  at  Salem 
under  the  ministry  of  its  aged  pastor,  Sam- 
uel Skelton,  and  of  his  successor,  Roger  Wil- 
liams, and  later  was  associated  with  Wil- 
liams in  the  early  settlement  and  founding 
of  the  colony  of  Providence  Plantations.  In 
August,  1637,  William  Reynolds  and  twelve 
others,  "desirous  to  inhabit  in  the  town  of 
Providence,"  signed  an  agreement  in  which 
they  promised  to  ally  themselves  "in  active 
or  passive  obedience  to  all  such  orders  or 
agreements"  as  might  be  formulated  for  the 
happiness  and  advancement  of  their  neigh- 
borhood. He  and  thirty-eight  others  signed 
an  additional  agreement  in  July,  1640,  at 
Providence,  offering  stable  local  government 
to  the  Crown  of  England,  and  not  quite  four 
years      subsequently     a      royal      charter     was 


granted  them  and  their  associates  for  the 
incorporation  of  the  colony  of  Providence 
Plantations.  A  considerable  amount  of  land 
was  allotted  to  William  Reynolds,  and  a 
part  of  his  original  residence  "lot"  is  in- 
cluded in  the  holdings  of  Brown  University. 
Deciding  to  remove  to  Kingstown  (now  North 
Kingston,  Washington  County,  Rhode  Islan''.), 
he  sold  his  lands  at  Providence  in  1646,  ac- 
cording to  deeds  of  record  there.  The  descent 
from  the  original  William  Reynolds  to  Wil- 
liam Nicholas  Reynolds  is  through  the  fol- 
lowing  line: 

James  Reynolds,  son  of  William  Reynolds, 
was  born  May  13,  1625  (by  some  genealogists 
said  to  have  been  in  England  in  1617),  be- 
came constable  at  Kingstown,  and  took  a 
prominent  part  in  1677  in  the  boundary  dis- 
putes among  disputants  of  Connecticut, 
Rhode  Island  and  Providence  Plantations; 
and  in  consequence  of  acrimonious  discus- 
sions of  the  disputants,  was  carried  off  bod- 
ily in  May  of  that  year  to  Hartford  by  a 
company  of  Connecticut  adherents,  and  im- 
prisoned some  time.  He  married  Deborah, 
and  died  at  Kingstown  in  1702. 

Their  son,  Joseph  Reynolds,  born  November 
27,  1652,  married  (second)  Marcy;  lived  at 
North  Kingstown,  and  was  known  from  his 
stature   and  strength   as    "Big  Joe." 

Their  son,  Joseph  Reynolds,  Jr.,  a  man  of 
property  who  married  Susannah  Babcock, 
■who  later  married  Robert  Spencer  November 
7,    1723;    his   will   was  proved   in   1722   or   1725. 

Their  son,  George  Reynolds,  of  Exeter, 
Rhode  Island,  born  August  14,  1708,  a  justice 
of  the  peace;  married.  September  14,  1729, 
Joanna  Spencer,  daughter  of  Robert  and 
Theodosia   (Whaley)   Spencer. 

Their  son,  Captain  Robert  Reynolds,  born 
at  Exeter,  Rhode  Island,  in  1736,  married, 
January  20,  1757,  Eunice  ■\^'aite,  daughter  of 
John  Waite;  died  in  1806  and  was  buried  in 
Evergreen  Cemetery,  Factoryville,  Pennsyl- 
vania. He  was  of  a  military  turn  of  mind, 
and  it  is  well  to  remember  this  in  consider- 
ing the  records  of  the  eighth,  ninth  and  tenth 
generations,  on  down  to  William  Nicholas 
Reynolds.  In  1767  he  was  made  captain  of 
the  First  Company  of  Trained  Band  Militia, 
Kings  County  Regiment,  Exeter.  He  served  in 
his  neighborhood  at  the  time  of  the  attack  at 
Lexington,  and  started  to  the  scene,  but  the 
orders  summoning  his  company  were  coun- 
termanded. I^ater  he  commanded  a  detach- 
ment of  the  army  of  General  Nathaniel 
Greene,  which  received  highly  favorable  com- 
mendation when  it  joined  the  army  oT  Gen- 
eral George  Washington  in  the  spring  of 
1775.  Robert  Reynolds  became  captain  of  the 
First  Exeter  Company,  Second  Regiment  of 
Kings  County,  from  1781  to  1788.  He  left 
Exeter,  Rhode  Island,  in  1790  for  the  wilder- 
ness of  Northeast  Pennsylvania,  and  after 
weeks  of  rigorous  travel  arrived  at  Abington, 
Luzerne  (now  Lackawanna)  County,  and  he 
and  others  were  the  first  "white  men  to  view 
the  hills  of  Abington;  he  later  brought  his 
wife  and  she  became  the  first  white  woman 
of  the  settlement.  In  1803  the  first  military 
training  of  the  neighborhood  was  established 
as  tlie  men  and  boys  dragged  out  old  uni- 
forms which  had  seen  service  in  the  Revolu- 
tion; quite  a  celebration  was  had,  in  which 
the  women  took  part  and  refreshments  were 
served.  On  this  occasion  Captain  Robert 
Reynolds  was  made  colonel  of  the  company 
by  courtesy,  and  this  title  clung  to  him  ever 
after.  The  first  sawmill  at  Abington  was 
built  by  Robert,  who  cleared  the  land  which 
still  remains  in  the  ownership  of  the  family 
connection.    He  was  interred  on  the  old  farm 


678 


which  in  the  later  clays  was  owned  by  the 
widow  of  M.  N.  Reynolds,  but  in  1901  his 
remains  and  those  of  his  wife  were  removed 
to  the  burial  lot  of  the  family  of  Stephen  C. 
Reynolds,  in  Evergreen  Cemetery,  Factory- 
ville,  where  five  generations  sleep  side  by 
side. 

Their  son,  George  Reynolds,  born  February 
19,  1761,  at  Exeter,  Rhode  Island,  died  De- 
cember 19,  1844,  and  was  interred  at  Ever- 
green Cemetery  in  Factoryville.  He  mar- 
ried Freelove  Northup,  born  in  1760,  died 
October  25.  1S34.  George  Reynolds  enlisted 
in  the  Revolutionary  Army  at  the  age  of 
seventeen  from  Exeter,  Rhode  Island,  in 
Benjamin  West's  company  of  Colonel  Top- 
ham's  regiment,  and  was  wounded  by  the 
Hessian  hired  troops  of  the  British  in  the 
Battle  of  Newport  Island;  he  resided  during 
the,  latter  part  of  his  life  at  Nicholson,  Lu- 
zerne County,  Pennsylvania,  and  in  1832,  at 
more  than  seventy  years  of  age,  set  forth  a 
statement  of  his  service  in  the  memorial  to 
the   Pension   Office   at    Washington. 

Their  son,  Robert  Reynolds,  born  June  17, 
1791,  at  Exeter.  Rhode  Island,  married  Susan 
Capwell,  daughter  of  Stephen  and  Hannah 
Capwel],  died  in  1856  and  was  interred  in  the 
family  lot  at  Factoryville:  she  was  born  in 
1798  and  died  in  1S55.  With  his  father's  fam- 
ily Robert  came  to  Abington,  Luzerne  County, 
now  Clinton  Township,  Wyoming  County,  in 
1805.  He  was  a  farmer,  lumberman  and  mill- 
wright. In  the  War  of  1812  with  Great 
Britain  Robert  lived  up  to  the  reputation  of 
his  forebears  by  enlisting  in  Company  45, 
1st  Regiment  of  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  in 
which  he  was  made  ensign.  This  detail  joined 
the  main  force  under  Captain  Camp,  at 
Wilkes-Barre,  embarked  in  rafts  on  the  Sus- 
quehanna River  to  Harrisburg,  thence  to 
Havre  de  Grace,  Maryland,  where  they  were 
ordered  home,  news  of  the  Jackson  victory 
at  New  Orleans  having  been  received. 

Their  son.  Joseph  Whipple  Reynolds,  born 
March  11,  1815,  in  Clinton  Township,  Wyo- 
ming County;  died  March  10,  1S66,  at  West 
Nicholson;  married  Phoebe  Stark;  a  veteran 
of  the  Civil  War  and  for  whom  the  Grand 
Army  Post  at  Tunkhannock,  his  one-time 
residence,   was   named. 

Their  son,  William  Nicholas  Reynolds,  also 
served  in  the  Civil  War,  as  a  member  of  the 
187th  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry,  mar- 
ried Ida  Ella  Billings,  and  had  two  sons,  J. 
Wells  Reynolds,  deceased,  served  in  the  Span- 
ish-American War,  the  Philippine  Campaign, 
and  in  the  World  War,  and  at  the  time  of  his 
death  held  the  rank  of  captain  in  the  United 
States  Navy,  and  William  Nicholas  Reynolds, 
Jr..  of  whom  further. 

William  Nicholas  Reynolds,  Jr.,  was  born 
Maj'  31,  1874,  in  Tunkhannock,  Pennsylvania. 
He  attended  the  local  public  schools  and 
Friends  School  at  Washington,  District  of 
Columbia,  and  graduated  from  LaFayette 
College  at  Baston  in  1897  with  the  degree  of 
Bachelor  of  Arts.  He  was  admitted  to  the 
Luzerne  County  Bar  in  1897  and  has  since 
successfully  practiced  his  profession  here, 
now  in  the  Dime  Bank,  Title  &  Trust  Com- 
pany Building.  He  has  brought  an  unusually 
valuable  equipment  into  the  practice  of  the 
law,  and  by  his  close  application  to  duty  and 
his  unswerving  loyalty  to  the  interests  of 
his  clients  has  made  numerous  friends.  Dur- 
ing the  World  War  he  rendered  essential 
home  service  and  received  the  thanks  of  a 
grateful    government. 

Mr.  Reynolds  is  a  leading  member  of  the 
Luzerne  County  Bar  Association,  the  Penn- 
sylvania   Bar    Association    and    the    American 


Bar  Association.  He  belongs  to  the  Spanish- 
American  War  Veterans,  having  served  as  a 
major  in  the  Pennsylvania  National  Guard 
during  the  war  in  1898.  His  fraternal  order 
affiliations  embrace  Lodge,  No.  61,  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons;  Bloomsburg  Consistory, 
Scottish  Rite  Masons,  thirty-second  degree; 
Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of 
the  Mystic  Shrine;  Wiikes-Barre  Lodge,  No. 
109.  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks; 
and  AVyoming  Lodge,  No.  39,  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Rotary  Club  and  a  director  of  the  Chamber  of 
Commerce.  His  interest  in  civic  and  human 
betterment  is  evidenced  by  the  fact  that  he 
served  as  chairman  of  the  Wilkes-Barre  Rec- 
reation Committee  when  the  first  Municipal 
Golf  Course  in  Northeastern  Pennsylvania 
was  established.  He  adheres  to  the  principles 
of  the  Republican  party,  and  in  religion  is  a 
Presbyterian.  His  clubs  include  the  Wyo- 
ming Valley  Country,  the  AVestmoreland,  the 
Fox  Hill  Country,  of  Wilkes-Barre  and 
vicinity,  and  the  Old  Colony  Club  of  New 
York.  He  is  fond  of  inotoring  and  is  a  direc- 
tor of  the  Wyoming  Valley  Motor  Club. 


GRORGE  THOMAS  MORGAN — A  native  and 
life-long  resident  of  Kingston,  Mr.  Morgan 
lias  been  engaged  there  in  the  grocery  and 
provision  business  ever  since  he  completed 
his  education  at  the  age  of  nineteen,  except- 
ing almost  two  years  during  the  World  War. 
Since  completing  his  education  he  has  been 
associated  in  the  conduct  of  this  lousiness 
with  his  father,  who  had  founded  it,  but  since 
the  latter's  death  in  1926,  he  has  managed  it 
alone.  Able,  energetic,  progressive  and  a  tire- 
less worker,  he  is  considered  one  of  the  most 
successful  of  the  younger  generation  of 
Kingston's  business  men.  He  is  also  promi- 
nently identified  with  the  fraternal  and  reli- 
gious activities  of  the  community,  in  which 
he  enjoys  the  respect,  liking  and  confidence 
of  a  very  large  circle  of  friends  and  acquaint- 
ances. 

Richard  William  Morgan,  the  father  of  the 
subject  of  this  article,  was  born  at  Temple- 
ton,  South  Wales,  in  1868.  After  coming  to 
this  country  he  was  employed  for  fifteen 
years  by  the  Wilkes-Barre  Railway  Company. 
In  1907  he  resigned  from  this  position  and 
engaged  in  business  at  Kingston  in  which  he 
continued  with  marked  success  until  his 
death  in  1926.  He  married  Sarah  Jane  Reese, 
likewise  a  native  of  Templeton.  South  Wales, 
and  they  were  the  parents  of  four  children: 
George  Thomas,  of  whom  further:  Philip  J., 
a  resident  physician,  at  Jefferson  Hospital. 
Philadelphia.  Pennsylvania;  Richard  William, 
Jr.,  a  student  at  Jefferson  Medical  College, 
class  of  1933:   and  Sadie  G.   Morgan. 

George  Thomas  Morgan,  eldest  son  of  the 
late  Richard  William  Morgan  and  Sarah  Jane 
(Reese)  Morgan,  was  born  at  Kingston, 
Pennsylvania,  April  17,  1894.  He  was  gradu- 
ated from  the  high  school  of  his  native  town 
and  from  "^'yoming  Seminary.  He  then  became 
associated  with  his  father  in  the  business 
founded  by  the  latter  in  1907  at  Nos.  803-805 
Wyoming  Avenue.  Kingston,  in  which  busi- 
ness he  has  continued  to  be  engaged  since 
then  with  much  success.  After  his  father's 
death,  which  occurred  November  6.  1926,  he 
took  over  the  sole  management  of  this  enter- 
prise, which  is  carried  on  under  the  firm 
name  of  R.  W.  Morgan  Company  and  which  is 
considered  one  of  the  most  successful  and 
progressive  establishments  of  its  type  in 
Kingston.  Under  his  very  able  management, 
which  he  carries  on  in  behalf  of  his  mother, 
who  inherited  the  business  from  her  husband. 


679 


the  firm  has  continued  to  enjoy  prosperity 
an.i  growth,  until  today  some  fourteen  peo- 
|ile  are  emnloyed  in  its  conduct.  During  the 
Wurlil  War  Mr.  Morgan  served  overseas  for 
eleven  months  with  the  311th  Field  Artillery 
Headfiuarters  Company,  79th  Division,  receiv- 
ing his  honorable  discharge,  June  4,  1919.  He 
is  a  member  of  Kingston  Lodge,  No.  395, 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons;  Shekinah  Chap- 
ter, Royal  Arch  Masons:  Dieu  le  Veut  Com- 
mandery.  Knights  Templar;  Irem  Temple,  of 
Wilkes-Barre.  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles 
of  the  Mystic  Shrine;  Walnut  Lodge,  No.  953, 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows;  American 
Legion:  and  Veterans  of  Foreign  Wars.  He 
is  also  a  member  of  the  board  of  directors 
of  the  West  Side  Building  and  Loan  Associa- 
tion of  Kingston.  In  politics  he  is  a  supporter 
of  the  Republican  party,  while  his  religious 
afPliations  are  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  and  more  particularly  with  the  Dor- 
ranceton  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of 
Kingston.  In  the  work  of  the  latter  he  has 
been  very  prominently  active  for  a  number 
of  years,  being  a  member  of  its  official  board, 
treasurer,  and  superintendent  of  its  Sunday 
school. 

Mr.  Morgan  was  married  June  27,  1929,  to 
Anna  E.  Morgan,  and  they  make  their  home 
at  No.  25  South  Bennett  Street,  Kingston, 
Pennsylvania. 


JOHN  R.  J.4MES — For  many  years  the  fam- 
ily of  James  of  which  John  R.  James  is  a 
member,  has  been  well  and  honorably  known 
in  the  city  of  Wilkes-Barre.  It  is  of  Welsh 
origin,  founded  in  its  American  branch,  in 
Wilkes-Barre,  by  John  E.  James,  father  of 
John  R.  James  and  son  of  .John  E.  James,  Sr. 
This  John  E.  James,  Sr.,  lived  in  Parkwen, 
South  Wales,  England,  and  there  John  E. 
James,  father  of  John  R.  James,  was  born. 
He  came  to  Luzerne  County  soon  after  his 
ma.iority  of  years,  and  in  1S95  engaged  in 
business  as  mason'fi  contractor,  Wilkes- 
Barre,  which  business  he  continued  with 
good  prosperity  until  the  time  of  his  death, 
February  15,  1927.  He  was  until  his  demise 
a  director  of  the  board  of  the  Wilkes-Barre 
Deposit  and  Savings  Bank,  and  had  besides 
the  contracting  enterprise  a  number  of  busi- 
ness connections,  which  gave  him  a  promi- 
nent position  in  commercial  circles  of  the 
city.  He  was  a  communicant  of  the  Welsh 
Presbyterian  Church  of  Wilkes-Barre.  an 
officer  in  it,  and  most  devout  in  service, 
while  his  personal  manner  was  at  all  times 
temperate,  exemplary,  above  reproach.  He 
was  one  of  those  citizens  constantly  inter- 
ested in  movements  for  the  public  welfare: 
indeed,  a  progressive  man  in  all  ways,  force- 
ful, kindly,  and  possessed  of  many  sincere 
friends  who  recognized  in  his  death  a  loss 
to  the  community,  and  a  loss  to  themselves. 
John  E.  James  married  Hannah  Edwards, 
and  they  were  the  parents  of  three  children: 
1.  John  R.,  of  whom  follows.  2.  Mary,  wife  of 
Clyde  Henshall,  of  Scranton,  Pennsylvania. 
3.  David  E.,  associated  with  John  R.  James 
in  the  contracting  business  inherited  from 
their    father. 

John  R.  James,  eldest  child  of  John  E.  and 
Hannah  (Edwards)  James,  was  born  in 
Wilkes-Barre,  October  21,  1885.  Here  he  at- 
tended the  public  schools,  graduated  from 
hish  school  with  sound  academic  standing, 
matriculated  in  Lehigh  University,  at  Beth- 
lehem, Pennsylvania,  and  graduated  in  1906, 
at  the  age  of  twenty  years,  with  the  degree 
of  Mechanical  Engineer.  Having  completed 
his  professional  courses  he  went  to  Rhode 
Island   and   entered   the   employ   of   the   Saylor 


Bleacheries  Company,  Saylesville.  Later  he 
removed  to  Bristol,  Connecticut,  where  he 
had  a  place  with  the  New  Departure  Manu- 
facturing Company,  which  has  since  become 
a  subsidiary  of  General  Motors  Company.  In 
1911  Mr.  James  returned  to  Wilkes-Barre, 
and  here  joined  in  association  with  his  father 
in  contracting.  The  broader  experience  gained 
b.v  him  between  1906  and  1911  has  served  him 
and  the  contracting  business  most  beneflci- 
ally  in  the  years  that  have  followed.  Mean- 
while his  younger  brother,  David  E.  .Tames, 
as  noted  heretofore,  came  into  the  organiza- 
tion. Since  the  death  of  the  founder,  the 
firm   style  has   been   retained,   John   E.   James. 

Although  he  has  been  busily  engaged  in 
the  affairs  of  the  contracting  company,  Mr. 
James  has  never  failed  to  take  part  in  public 
movements  of  worth  to  the  community  at 
large.  Like  his  father,  he  is  known  as  a 
citizen  of  public  spirit.  A  Republican,  he  is 
loyal  to  the  principles  upheld  b>'  the  party, 
and  has  within  its  circles  a  fair  degree  of 
influence.  Fraternally,  Mr.  James  is  affiliated 
with  Lodge  No.  61,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons, 
Wilkes-Barre:  Shekinah  Chanter,  Royal  Arch 
Masons;  Dieu  le  Veut  Commandery,  No.  45, 
Knights  Templar;  Caldwell  Consistory,  at 
Bloomsburg,  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite, 
Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles 
of  the  Mystic  Shrine;  and  is  a  member  of  the 
Craftsman's  Club  and  Irem  Temple  Country 
Club.  He  is  a  communicant  of  the  Welsh 
Presbyterian  Church,  South  Main  Street, 
Wilkes-Barre,  and  has  filled  several  offices 
in  the  denomination. 

On  October  21,  1919,  Mr.  James  was  united 
in  marriage  with  Florence  Koch,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre,  daughter  of  Henry  P.  and  Mrs.  Koch, 
deceased.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  James  are  the  parents 
of  two  children:  John  B.,  3d,  and  Mary 
Louise.  They  reside  at  No.  465  South  River 
Street,   Wilkes-Barre. 

JEREMIAH       ALEXANDER       McC.\A — Few 

educators  come  to  their  tasks  with  better 
preparation  or  more  enthusiastic  ambition 
for  improvement  of  system  where  improve- 
ment can  be  made  than  did  Jeremiah  Alex- 
ander McCaa,  the  present  supervising  prin- 
cipal of  the  public  schools  of  Plains,  Penn- 
sylvania. Mr.  McCaa  has  been  well  known  to 
the  residents  of  this  district  from  childhood, 
his  steady  progress  noted  by  those  who  take 
the  deepest  interest  in  the  cultivation  of  the 
youthful  mind  and  in  the  development  of  all 
civic  enterprise,  with  the  result  that  his 
eligibility  for  leadership  in  the  profession 
he  has  adopted  was  readily  recognized.  In 
addition  to  his  other  qualifications  he  pos- 
sesses a  personality  of  unusual  attractive- 
ness and  has  that  elusive  quality  that  readily 
makes  and  holds  friends. 

He  was  born  in  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsyl- 
vania. May  5,  1SS2,  a  son  of  Robert  Dunn 
McCaa,  a  native  of  Hazleton,  where  he  was 
born  in  1852,  and  who  is  now  a  stationary 
engineer  employed  by  the  Lehigh  Valley  Coal 
Company  at  its  Oak  wood  mines:  and  of  Millie 
M.  ( Shifter)  McCaa,  born  in  Hudson,  Penn- 
sylvania, deceased  in  April,  1926.  He  received 
his  education  in  the  local  public  schools  and 
was  graduated  from  the  Wilkes-Barre  High 
School  in  1900.  He  then  attended  Harvard 
University,  Cambridge,  Massachusetts,  from 
which  he  was  graduated  with  the  degree  of 
Bachelor  of  Arts  with  the  class  of  1905. 
Entering  the  educational  service,  he  became 
principal  of  Cunningham  school  in  Wilkes- 
Barre,  which  position  he  held  for  five  years, 
then  being  transferred  as  a  teacher  in  the 
high  school  of  junior  and  senior  English.    He 


68o 


performed  the  duties  of  that  position  with 
such  satisfaction  that,  in  1924,  he  was  called 
to  take  the  position  of  supervising  principal 
of  the  schools  of  Plains.  These  schools  con- 
sist of  thirteen  buildings,  "with  an  enrollment 
of  5,000  pupils  and  students  and  a  force  of 
one  hundred  and  forty-two  teachers.  The 
present  high  school  was  dedicated  in  1926. 
Mr.  McCaa  is  a  Republican  in  politics  and 
attends  the   Presbyterian  Church. 


GEORGE  J.  G.\BITZDA— In  the  land  of  op- 
portunity, to  which  he  came  when  a  boy, 
George  J.  Gabuzda  quickly  grasped  a  medium 
through  which,  within  a  period  of  sixteen 
years,  he  and  a  younger  brother  have  estab- 
lished one  of  the  most  progressive  commer- 
cial enterprises  in  the  "Wyoming  Valley  of 
Pennsylvania,  with  headquarters  in  Preeland. 
With  aspirations  of  a  high  order,  fine  ability, 
accurate  business  judgment  and  tireless  en- 
ergy he  went  to  work  with  a  will  and  early 
learned  the  lesson  that  independence  of 
action  is  the  watchword  of  success  in  the 
business  world.  During  the  period  of  his 
labors  in  the  employ  of  others  he  acquired 
an  intimate  knowledge  of  the  medium  of 
trade  in  which  he  operated  and  brought  this 
to  bear  when  he  eventually  established  an 
independent  enterprise.  He  understood  the 
priceless  value  of  honesty  in  dealing  and  of 
pure  wares  for  public  consumption,  of  the 
virtues  of  cooperation  with  the  general  com- 
mercial machine  and  of  mingling  fraternally 
with  his  associates  in  and  out  of  business. 
Applying  the  principles  of  positive  honor  in 
all  his  dealings,  he  achieved  the  esteem  of  his 
fellows  and  a  resulting  prosperity  through  a 
constantly  developing  trade.  He  has  made 
himself  one  of  the  upstanding  citizens  of  this 
community  by  his  devotion  to  sound  prin- 
ciples, with  a  legion  of  friends  in  many  walks 
of  life. 

He  was  born  in  Czecho-Slovakia  and  emi- 
grated to  America  in  1904,  when  he  was 
twelve  years  of  age,  first  locating  in  Mahanoy 
City,  Pennsylvania,  where  his  brother  joined 
him  a  j'ear  later.  His  first  work  was  as  a 
breaker  boy  at  the  mines,  where  he  remained 
for  two  years,  then  coming  to  Freeland, 
■where  he  obtained  work  in  a  meat  market 
and  where  he  learned  the  trade  of  butcher. 
For  six  years  he  worked  at  this  occupation, 
then  withdrawing  and  setting  up  his  own 
establishment  in  partnership  with  his 
brother,  Stephen.  Since  then  they  have  built 
up  a  substantial  business,  which  is  growing 
with  satisfactory  strength.  He  has  been  a 
director  of  the  Citizens'  Bank  since  1923  and 
is  interested  in  other  lines.  When  the  United 
States  entered  the  World  War  he  enlisted 
and  was  attached  to  the  Motor  Mechanics 
School  at  Pittsburgh,  later  to  be  sent  to  the 
Motor  Transport  Corps,  in  which  he  served 
at  Camp  Johnston,  Florida,  and  Camp  Hum- 
phries, Virginia,  until  he  was  honorably 
mustered  out,  February  3,  1919.  He  then 
returned  to  Freeland  and  continued  his  busi- 
ness operations.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
American  Legion,  Knights  of  Columbus  and 
Benevolent  and  Protective  of  Elks  and  at- 
tends the  Roman  Catholic  Church  of  St. 
John. 

George  J.  Gabuzda  married,  August  6,  1916, 
Anna  Silvase,  of  West  Hazleton,  Pennsyl- 
vania. Their  children  are:  George,  Joseph 
and  Lawrence.  The  family  residence  is  at 
No.    941   Center   Street,    Freeland. 


ElilJAH  M.  ELLSWORTH — Like  many 
other  successful  business  men  of  today,  Eli- 
jah   M.    Ellsworth,    real    estate    operator    and 


insurance  representative  of  Kingston,  fol- 
lowed many  lines  of  endeavor  before  finally 
entering  into  the  vocation  for  which  he 
deems  himself  best  fitted.  His  career,  which 
has  been  confined  in  the  main  to  this  section 
of  Pennsylvania,  was  started  in  the  teaching 
profession,  and  during  the  years  that  have 
elapsed  he  was  a  post  oflJice  employee,  organ- 
izer and  president  of  a  financial  institution, 
and  unusually  active  in  political  and  civic 
circles.  Fraternal  and  social  organizations 
also  have  benefited  materially  through  hav- 
ing Mr.  Ellsworth  as  a  worker  in  their  ranks, 
and  he  has  been  especially  devoted  to  reli- 
gious enterprises. 

Mr.  Ellsworth  was  born  May  28,  1864,  in 
Wyoming  County,  Pennsylvania,  son  of 
Elijah  B.  and  Elizabeth  (Switzer)  Ellsworth. 
Elijah  B.  Ellsworth  was  born  at  Vernon, 
Wyoming  County,  Pennsylvania,  in  1S35,  and 
was  a  farmer  during  his  life-time.  Elizabeth 
(Switzer)  Ellsworth,  native  of  Larkville, 
Wyoming  County,   was   born   August   31,    1843. 

After  completing  the  prescribed  courses  of 
the  public  schools  in  Wyoming  County,  Elijah 
M.  Ellsworth  entered  Wyoming  Seminary  in 
Kingston,  and  after  being  graduated  there- 
from, became  a  post  office  clerk  in  Kingston, 
serving  thus  for  four  years.  This  was  during 
the  administration  of  Grover  Cleveland  as 
president,  and  Mr.  Ellsworth  was  employed  in 
the  general  merchandise  store  owned  by  N. 
J.  Pringle.  of  Kingston,  for  eleven  years.  At 
the  expiration  of  this  period,  he  entered  the  ' 
real  estate  and  insurance  business,  in  1905, 
and  since  has  operated  under  his  own  name 
in  Kingston.  Previous  to  his  employment  in 
the  post  office,  however,  Mr.  Ellsworth  was 
engaged  as  a  teacher  for  five  years,  serving 
as  an  instructor  in  the  schools  of  Luzerne 
County.  Another  accomplishment  credited  to 
him  was  the  organization  of  the  West  Side 
Trust  Company,  of  Kingston.  Mr.  Ellsworth 
was  the  first  president  of  this  institution, 
■which  later  ■was  merg^  with  the  Kingston 
Bank  &  Trust  Company.  Thus  it  will  be  seen 
that  his  several  contacts,  professional  and 
commercial,  were  so  varied  and  comprehen- 
sive, that  he  was  thoroughly  fitted  to  take  up 
the  work  he  now  (1930)  carries  on,  inasmuch 
as  insurance  and  real  estate  dealings  are 
more  or  less  identified  with  them,  this  being 
especially  true  of  finance. 

His  early  experience  as  an  educator  famil- 
iarized Mr.  Ellsworth  with  the  needs  of  this 
profession,  and  he  since  has  niaintained  a 
deep  interest  in  educational  affairs.  For  four 
years  he  served  as  school  director  here  and 
much  of  the  development  of  the  local  schools 
was  furthered  through  his  stimulus  and  in- 
centive. A  Republican,  Mr.  Ellsworth  is  loyal 
to  his  political  convictions,  but  perhaps  his 
main  outside  accomplishments  have  been 
achieved  through  his  work  and  cooperation 
in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  which 
he  is  a  trustee,  and  for  more  than  twenty 
years  has  been  president  of  the  board  of 
trustees.  Mr,  Ellsworth's  fraternal  aflSliations 
have  been  confined  almost  entirely  to  the 
Masonic  order,  he  being  a  member  of  King- 
ston Lodge,  No.  395,  Free  and  Accepted  Ma- 
sons; Shekinah  Chapter,  Royal  Arch  Masons; 
Dieu  le  Veut  Commandery,  No.  45,  Knights 
Templar,  and  Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic 
Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine. 

Elijah  M.  Ellsworth  married  Dora  Wilcox, 
of  Kingston,  daughter  of  James  and  Martha 
Wilcox,  and  thej'  have  a  large  circle  of 
friends  in  this  community.  Mr.  Ellsworth's 
offices  are  at  No.  71  North  Dorrence  Street, 
while  the  family  home  is  located  at  No.  76 
North  Dorrence  Street,  Kingston. 


68 1 


■\VIM.IAM  B.  FIXE — Publisher  of  the  lead- 
ing weekly  newspaper  in  Dallas,  Luzerne 
County,  William  B.  Fine  may  well  be  said  to 
be  one  of  the  commanfling  influences  of  his 
community.  Although  but  young  in  years, 
Mr.  Fine  had  already  made  for  himself  an 
outstanding  reputation  in  the  field  of  me- 
chanical engineering,  when  he  decided  to 
enter  the  field  of  Journalism,  and  purchased 
the  "Dallas  Post,"  the  weekly  referred  to 
above. 

Mr.  Fine  was  born  at  Alden  Station,  Lu- 
zerne County,  June  7,  1900,  the  son  of  Harvey 
and  Hannah  (Griffith)  Fine,  the  former  a 
n.ative  of  Newport  Center,  Luzerne  County, 
where  he  was  born  in  1S75.  His  wife,  the 
mother  of  William  B.  Fine  of  this  record, 
was  born  in  Alden  Station  in  1877.  Mr.  Fine 
is  one  of  a  family  of  eight  children,  seven  of 
whom   are   living  today. 

The  early  education  of  Mr.  Fine  was  ac- 
quired in  Wanamie,  Luzerne  County,  gradu- 
ating from  the  latter  institution  with  the 
class  of  1918.  He  then  attended  the  Pennsyl- 
vania State  College,  in  the  town  of  State 
College,  Center  County,  graduating  in  1922 
with  the  degrees  of  Bachelor  of  Science  and 
^lechanical  Engineer.  In  his  early  boyhood, 
Mr.  Fine  had  been  interested  in  newspaper 
work  by  selling  the  "Times  Leader,"  and 
when  he  was  fifteen  years  old  showed  his 
journalistic  ability  by  acting  as  correspon- 
dent for  that  paper  in  Newport.  It  is  there- 
fore not  strange  that  after  two  years  of 
work  in  structural  engineering  in  New  York 
State  he  returned  to  his  native  county,  and 
finding  the  "Dallas  Post"  for  sale,  he  pur- 
chased it.  This  weekly  was  started  in  1891 
by  Mr.  Holbrook,  and  associated  with  him 
were  Harry  Anderson  and  D.  N.  Blocksage. 
It  was  purchased  by  Mr.  Capwell  from  Mr. 
Holbrook  in  1893,  and  the  former  published 
it  until  1900,  when  J.  Harry  Anderson,  one  of 
the  originators  of  the  publication,  took  it 
over  and  operated  it  until  1924,  when  he  sold 
it  to  Mr.  Fine.  The  paper  is  issued  every 
Saturday  morning  and  has  a  paidup  subscrip- 
tion list  of  somewhere  around  two  thousand 
copies  per  issue.  It  is  Republican  in  politics, 
with  which  party  Mr.  Fine  is  in  sympathy, 
although  he  had  never  sought  for  or  held 
office.  The  college  fraternity  of  Mr.  Fine  is 
Phi  Kappa  Psi,  and  he  is  also  affiliated  with 
the  Junior  Order  of  L^nited  American  Me- 
chanics, the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fel- 
lows and  the  Patriotic  Order  Sons  of  America. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Dallas  Rotary  Club, 
and  its  vice-president  in  1927-28,  now  a  mem- 
ber of  its  board  of  directors.  His  religious 
connections  are  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church. 

On  October  15,  1924,  Mr.  Fine  married  Gessie 
Margaret  Norton,  of  Nanticoke,  Luzerne 
County,  daughter  of  Jolin  and  Elizabeth  Nor- 
ton, of  that  township.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fine  are 
the  parents  of  two  children,  as  follows;  Lois 
Elaine,  born  August  21,  1925,  and  Gessie  Han- 
nah, born  July   5,   1927. 


CH.4RLBS  P.  BETZ — After  several  years  in 
the  grocery  business  with  his  father  in  Lu- 
zerne, Charles  P.  Betz  decided  to  engage  in 
undertaking  as  a  profession,  a  course  that 
proved  his  wisdom,  for  he  has  within  a  few 
years  attained  a  position  of  importance  in 
the  field.  He  learned  the  trade  of  mortician 
thoroughly  and  conducts  it  with  a  sympa- 
thetic understanding  that  has  won  him  the 
high  regard  of  those  whom  misfortune  has 
brought  to  his  emporium  and  chapel.  He  is  a 
citizen  of  upright  character  and  civic  virtues, 
commendable  in  his  public  enterprise  and 
private  life. 


He  was  born  in  Plymouth,  Pennsylvania, 
September  15,  18S6,  a  son  on  Michael  Betz,  a 
native  of  Russia,  and  Mary  (Yestrzemska) 
Betz,  born  in  Poland,  died  in  November,  1916. 
Charles  P.  Betz  obtained  his  education  in  the 
public  schools  and  the  Sacred  Heart  institu- 
tion in  Luzerne.  For  four  years  he  worked  in 
his  father's  grocery  store  here,  then  aban- 
doned that  work  to  learn  the  undertaking 
profession.  He  attended  the  Eckles  School 
of  Embalming  in  Philadelphia,  from  which  he 
was  graduated  in  1906,  when  he  returned  to 
his  home  and  until  1908  worked  at  it  under 
others.  His  own  establishment  was  opened  in 
1908,  since  which  date  he  has  constantly 
striven  to  improve  his  facilities,  having  today 
one  of  the  most  complete  establishments  of 
its  character  in  the  Wyoming  Valley.  In 
polities  he  is  a  Republican,  his  church  being 
the  Sacred  Heart  of  Luzerne.  Since  July, 
1927,  he  has  been  a  director  of  the  Kingston 
Bank    &  Trust   Company. 

Charles  P.  Betz  married,  June  29,  1909, 
Stella  Summa,  daughter  of  Peter  and  Ve- 
ronica (Passa)  Summa,  of  Kingston.  Their 
children  are:    Veronica,  Charles  and  Joseph. 


EDGAR  ALBERT — Conducting  one  of  the 
oldest  mercantile  establishments  in  Freeland, 
an  enterprise  founded  here  more  than  sixty 
years  ago  by  his  father,  Edgar  Albert,  pro- 
prietor of  P.  H.  Albert  &  Son.  not  only  has 
demonstrated  superior  ability  in  trade  and 
commerce,  but  has  a  meritorious  record  in 
endeavors  designed  for  the  public  weal.  His 
business  ethics  have  been  irreproacliable; 
his  conduct  in  non-commercial  spheres  has 
proven  helpful  to  his  colleagues,  and  his 
unaffected  demeanor  has  brought  him  popu- 
larity and  esteem  in  Freeland  and  surround- 
ing territory. 

Mr.  Albert  is  a  son  of  Frank  H.  Albert, 
and  a  descendant  of  Peter  Albert,  who  came 
to  America  during  the  Revolutionary  War  as 
a  soldier  in  the  Hessian  forces.  He  settled  at 
Mauch  Chunk,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  mar- 
ried and  became  the  father  of  Henry  Albert, 
who  was  a  school  teacher,  and  the  father  of 
Frank  H.  Albert.  Frank  H.  Albert  was  born 
at  Stroudsburg,  Pennsylvania;  was  employed 
in  lumbering  at  various  points  in  this  State 
until  1889,  when  he  came  to  Freeland.  He 
married  and  becanie  the  father  of  three  chil- 
dren; 1.  Edgar,  of  further  mention.  2.  Calvin, 
professor  of  Mechanical  Engineering  at  Cor- 
nell University.  3.  Howard,  wholesale  dealer 
in  druggists'  and  physicians'  supplies,  located 
at  Allentown,  Pennsylvania. 

Edgar  Albert  completed  the  usual  courses 
in  the  public  schools  and  soon  thereafter 
began  work  in  the  undertaking  and  furniture 
concern  established  by  his  father  in  1889,  at 
Freeland.  This  enterprise,  since  its  inception, 
on  a  small  scale,  had  been  devoted  to  under- 
taking and  retail  furniture.  It  experienced  a 
sound  and  steady  growth  from  the  start,  and 
in  1906,  Edgar  Albert  was  made  a  partner 
by  his  father,  the  firm  bearing  the  title  of 
F.  H.  Albert  &  Son,  and  expanding  rapidly 
under  the  dual  management  until  1908,  when 
the  father  died.  From  the  time  he  assumed 
control  of  the  firm,  in  1908,  Edgar  Albert 
maintained  the  methods  and  practices  estab- 
lished by  the  founder,  but  in  1921,  he  dis- 
posed of  his  undertaking  department.  Since 
then  he  has  confined  his  operations  to  dealing 
in  furniture  and  various  other  household  fur- 
nishings. This  concentration  has  proved 
Justified,  as  is  evidenced  by  Mr.  Albert's 
present  establishment,  which  now  covers  a 
trading  area  for  thirty  miles  around  Free- 
land.  The  concern  utilizes  an  entire  building 
at  No.   526  Center  Street,  the  structure  meas- 


682 


uring  four  stories  in  height  and  occupying 
ground  space  twenty-five  by  one  hundred 
feet.  A  large,  commodious  basement  also 
forms  a  part  of  the  building,  and  the  business 
admittedly  surpasses  all  competition  in  Lu- 
zerne County. 

With  the  expansion  of  his  commercial  en- 
terprise, Mr.  Albert  found  himself  gradually 
drawn  into  other  interests,  "where  his  sagac- 
ity and  acumen  were  desired,  one  of  the  more 
important  being  the  First  National  Bank  of 
Freeland.  of  which  he  is  a  director.  Mr. 
Albert  finds  pleasant  social  contacts  through 
his  membership  in  the  Benevolent  and  Pro- 
tective Order  of  Elks,  and  his  religious  affili- 
ations are  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church. 

Edgar  Albert  married,  in  June,  1904,  Emma 
Zimmerman,  native  of  Luzerne  County,  and 
they  have  two  children;  Mary  E.  and  Helen. 
Mr.  Albert  and  his  family  reside  at  No.  557 
South  Street,  Freeland. 

JOHN  W.  KIRSCHNER,  M.  D. — For  over 
twenty  years  Dr.  John  W.  Kirschner  has 
practiced  his  chosen  profession  of  medicine 
in  Luzerne.  Dr.  Kirschner  was  born  in  this 
county,  in  the  township  of  Hazleton,  on  Jan- 
uary 13,  1SS2,  the  son  of  George  and  Martha 
(Fisher)  Kirschner,  both  natives  of  Germany, 
and  the  former  for  many  years  a  mine  fore- 
man in  this  section.  The  father  of  Dr. 
Kirschner,  who  was  born  in  Germany  in  1S45, 
died  here  in  1924.  His  wife,  the  mother  of 
Dr.  Kirschner,  was  born  in  1846  and  died  in 
1917. 

After  receiving  his  preliminary  education 
in  the  public  and  high  schools  of  Luzerne 
County,  Dr.  Kirschner  entered  the  University 
of  Pennsylvania,  at  Philadelphia,  from  which 
he  graduated  with  his  degree  of  Doctor  of 
Medicine  in  1905.  For  a  year  after  his  grad- 
uation. Dr.  Kirschner  was  an  interne  in  the 
City  General  Hospital  at  Wilkes-Barre,  and 
in  1906  he  located  in  Luzerne,  where  he 
quickly  established  a  large  practice.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  staff  of  Nesbitt  West  Side 
Hospital.  He  belongs  to  the  County  and  State 
Medical  societies,  and  is  also  a  member  of 
the  American  Medical  Association.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Luzerne  Board  of  Health,  and 
a  director  of  the  Merchants'  and  Miners' 
Bank,  His  fraternal  affiliations  are  with  the 
Junior  Order  of  United  American  Mechanics, 
and  he  is  also  a  member  of  the  Patriotic 
Order  Sons  of  America.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  in  politics  he  is 
a   Republican. 

In  190S,  Dr.  Kirschner  married  Bertha  M. 
Denniston,  daughter  of  John  and  Margaret 
Denniston,  the  latter  members  of  a  very  old 
family  in  Luzerne  County.  Dr.  and  Mrs. 
Kirschner  are  the  parents  of  one  child,  a 
daughter,  Margaret  Denniston  Kirschner, 
born  in  1910,  a  student  at  Wilkes-Barre 
Institute. 


JOHN  VAN  BUSKIRK — Though  John  Van 
Buskirk  learned  the  blacksmith's  trade  he 
has  been  engaged  in  business  as  a  rock  con- 
tractor during  the  greater  part  of  his  active 
business  life.  He  followed  his  trade  long 
enough  to  accumulate  some  capital,  but  with 
the  going  of  the  horse  and  the  coming  of  the 
automobile  a  large  proportion  of  the  black- 
smiths in  the  country  have  found  it  profitable 
to  turn  to  other  fields  of  business  interest 
and  Mr.  Van  Buskirk  turned  to  the  rock  con- 
tracting business.  He  is  now  head  of  the 
firm  of  Van  Buskirk  and  Wasley,  rock  con- 
tractors, with  offices  in  the  Bennett  Building, 
at  Wilkes-Barre. 


John  Van  Buskirk  was  born  in  Larksville, 
Pennsylvania,  November  26,  1883,  son  of 
Loren  Van  Buskirk,  who  was  born  in  Larks- 
ville in  1861,  is  a  blacksmith  by  trade,  still 
living,  at  the  age  of  sixty-seven,  and  of 
Emma  (Walton)  Van  Buskirk,  who  was  born 
in  Pittston  in  1863  and  died  in  1910.  After 
attending  the  I..arksville  public  schools,  in- 
cluding the  high  school,  Mr.  Van  Buskirk 
followed  in  the  footsteps  of  his  father  and 
learned  the  trade  of  the  blacksmith,  which  he 
followed  for  eight  years.  That  trade  had  been 
a  good  one  for  many  years,  but  back  in  1S95 
an  occasional  curious  looking  motor  vehicle 
began  to  appear  upon  the  highways  in  in- 
creasing numbers,  frightening  the  horses  and 
arousing  the  ire  of  careful  drivers  of  spirited 
animals.  To  some  the  appearance  of  this  new 
invention  was  but  a  passing  incident  which 
aroused  curiosity  and  ridicule,  or  even  hope 
and  conjecture.  But  innocent  and  apparently 
harmless  as  was  its  solitary  appearance 
among  a  host  of  horses,  it  was  sounding  the 
call  to  a  new  day  in  transportation  and  the 
knell  of  the  horse-drawn  vehicle  for  genei-al 
use.  Slowly  but  surely,  as  time  passed,  it 
dawned  upon  the  consciousness  of  the  many 
blacksmiths,  livery  men,  and  others  whose 
business  affairs  had  to  do  with  the  old  order 
of  things,  that  some  of  them,  and,  perhaps, 
eventually,  all  of  them,  must  seek  new  ways 
of  serving  the  public  in  return  for  a  living. 
Mr.  Van  Buskirk  had  learned  his  trade  at  the 
end  of  its  era  of  greatest  usefulness,  and 
after  eight  years  of  blacksmithing  he  asso- 
ciated himself  with  Davey  and  Wasley,  rock 
contractors,  of  Wilkes-Barre.  In  1921,  after 
the  death  of  Mr.  Davey,  Mr.  Van  Buskirk 
became  the  partner  of  the  remaining  member 
of  the  firm,  John  Wasley,  under  the  firm 
name  of  Van  Buskirk  and  Wasley,  and  this 
association  has  been  successfully  continued 
to  the  present  time.  The  business  has  steadily 
grown  until  the  firm  has  found  it  necessary 
to  employ  seventy  men  in  order  to  meet  the 
requirements  of  the  rapidly  increasing  de- 
mands made  upon  them.  They  have  estab- 
lished a  reputation  for  sound  business  prin- 
ciples and  for  skillful  and  honest  work,  and 
the  already  large  concern  of  Van  Buskirk 
and  Wasley  is  still  steadily  developing.  Polit- 
ically, Mr.  Van  Buskirk  supports  the  prin- 
ciples of  the  Republican  party,  and  holds 
membership  in  the  Kiwanis  Club.  He  is 
Identified  with  several  fraternal  organiza- 
tions, including  Lodge  No.  332,  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons;  Dieu  le  Veut  Commandery, 
Knights  Templar;  and  Irem  Temple,  Ancient 
Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine; 
also  Lodge  No.  109  Benevolent  and  Protective 
Order  of  Elks;  Fraternal  Order  of  Eagles; 
and  the  Patriotic  Order  Sons  of  America.  His 
religious  membership  is  with  the  Presby- 
terian  Church   of  Plymouth. 

John  Van  Buskirk  was  married,  in  Decem- 
ber, 1913,  to  Clara  Glidden,  of  Plymouth, 
Pennsylvania,  daughter  of  John  and  Clara 
Glidden.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Van  Buskirk  have 
their  home  at  No.  548  Rutter  Avenue,  in 
Kingston,   Pennsylvania. 


JOHN  CH.VRLKS  MeAIj.VRNEY — The  pres- 
ent deputy  warden  of  the  Luzerne  County 
prison  is  the  son  of  the  late  James  and  Mary 
(Longenberger)  Mc.41arney.  James  McAlar- 
ney  was  born  in  the  County  of  Longford, 
Ireland,  in  1815.  He  was  a  merchant  in 
Plymouth,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  carried  on 
a  general  merchandise  business  for  a  num- 
ber of  years.  He  died  in  189S.  His  wife, 
Mary  Longenberger,  was  born  in  Columbia 
County,    Pennsylvania,    in   1825. 


(y^t^/^^ 


683 


John  Charles  McAIarney  was  born  at  Plym- 
outh, Pennsylvania,  on  March  22,  1S77.  He  got 
his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Plym- 
outh and  when  he  finished  school,  he  entered 
the  employ  of  A.  L.  Davenport  and  Company, 
who  conducted  a  general  merchandise  store 
in  Luzerne  and  there  remained  for  eight 
years.  Before  this  time,  when  he  was  just 
a  small  boy,  he  had  worked  in  the  Ambrose 
West  Knitting  Mills,  being  Mr.  West's  first 
employee.  His  experience  in  the  general  mer- 
chandise store  of  A.  L.  Davenport  and  Com- 
pany was  very  valuable  to  him  for  in  that  he 
learned  the  fundamentals  of  selling  and  the 
business  of  merchandising.  By  being  thus 
prepared,  he  was  able  to  successfully  manage 
the  general  store  of  Haddock,  Fowler  and 
Company  at  Plymouth  where  he  was  for 
another  eight-year  period.  After  this,  he 
obtained  a  position  with  Paine  and  Company 
of  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania,  in  the  capac- 
ity of  traveling  salesman.  This  concern  deals 
in  meats  and  provisions  and  after  carrying 
on  this  work  for  several  years,  Mr.  McAIar- 
ney took  employment  in  the  Courthouse  in 
the  transcribing  department  where  he  was 
occupied  for  one  and  a  half  years  when  he 
was  transferred  to  the  Luzerne  County 
Prison  where  he  is  deputy  warden.  He  has 
held  this  position  with  great  satisfaction  to 
the  authorities  since  1914.  In  politics,  Mr. 
McAIarney  is  a  member  of  the  Democratic 
party.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Kiwanis 
Club  and  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal   Church. 

In  .Tune,  1907,  John  Charles  McAIarney 
married  Bessie  L.  Allen,  of  Forty  Fort,  Penn- 
sylvania, daughter  of  Nelson  B.  and  Eliza- 
beth Allen.  They  had  one  son,  John  C,  Jr., 
born  November  19,  190S,  a  graduate  of  the 
Plymouth  High  School  and  Wyoming  Semi- 
nary and  now  a  student  at  Lehigh  University. 
Mrs.  McAIarney  died  on  October  29,  1926. 


WILLIAM  E.  SMITH — The  Commonwealth 
of  Pennsylvania  probably  numbers  among  its 
citizens  more  natives  of  Wales  or  descend- 
ants of  Welshmen  than  any  other  State  in 
the  LTnion.  They  are  a  sturdy  race  possessed 
of  moral  as  well  as  physical  stamina.  Up- 
right, industrious,  thrifty,  possessing  the 
same  ideals  of  liberty  that  are  the  founda- 
tion stones  of  this  Ilepublic,  they  fit  right 
into  American  economic,  political  and  so- 
cial life,  which  explains  why  the  Welsh  im- 
migrant does  not  have  to  be  "Americanized." 
Of  such  stock  comes  William  E.  Smith,  the 
well-known   Burgess   of   Plymouth. 

He  was  born  in  Wales.  March  29,  ISSO,  son 
of  Thomas  H.  and  Elizabeth  (Dobbs)  Smith. 
The  father,  who  was  born  in  Wales  in  1S.54, 
was  a  carpenter  by  trade.  He  died  in  191S. 
His  wife  was  born  in  Wales  in  1855  and  died 
in  1SS5.  The  son,  William  E.  Smith,  was  but 
a  smaH  child  when  his  parents  came  to 
America  and  located  in  Plymouth.  There  he 
attended  the  grammar  and  high  schools.  His 
business  life  began  as  a  clerk  in  a  cigar 
and  stationery  store,  and  he  continued  thus 
employed  until  1907.  Besides  improving  every 
opportunity  to  learn  every  detail  of  the  busi- 
ness during  these  years,  he  also  practiced 
thrift  and  saved  his  earnings;  for  he  had 
confidence  in  his  ability  to  conduct  a  business 
of  his  own  and  the  courage  to  make  the  ven- 
ture. So  from  1907  until  1912  he  owned  and 
operated  such  a  store  on  his  own  account. 
Mr.  Smith  is  fortunate  in  possessing  that 
kind  of  a  personality  that  wins  and  holds 
friends.  He  is  just  naturally  fair  and 
straightforward  in  all  his  dealings  inspiring 
confidence  in  all  with  whom  he  comes  into 
contact.      He    has    always    taken    an    active 


part  in  local  affairs  and  since  his  majority 
ha.s  been  allied  with  the  Republican  party. 
In  1913  he  was  the  party's  candidate  for 
justice  of  the  peace  and  was  elected,  and  at 
the  end  of  that  term  in  1919  was  rei-lected. 
In  1918  he  liecame  assistant  clerk  of  the 
Orphans'  Court  and  has  been  continued  in 
that  office  to  the  present  time.  So  efficiently 
and  acceptably  has  he  performed  the  duties 
of  these  various  offices  that  in  1926  he  was 
nominated  for  the  office  of  Burgess  of  Plym- 
outh and  was  elected.  As  far  as  lies  within 
his  power  Mr.  Smith  is  seeking  to  give  the 
borough  an  economical  administration,  free 
from  favoritism,  and  in  which  every  im- 
portant phase  of  the  general  welfare  receives 
careful  and  competent  consideration. 

In  1912  William  E.  Smith  married  Edith 
Reese,  daughter  of  George  and  Priscilla 
Reese,  of  Plymouth.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith  have 
adopted  a  son,  Doufflas.  They  are  members  of 
the  Welsh  Congregational  Church,  in  which 
Mr.  Smith  is  an  active  worker. 


CLARK  WRIGHT  EVAXS  was  born  in 
Waverly  Place,  New  York  City,  September  1, 
1857,  son  of  John  Henry  and  Maria  Louise 
Evans,  his  father  having  been  of  Welsh  de- 
scent and  his  mother  of  Dutch  parentage,  the 
daughter  of  Leah  Van  Houten  and  Adrian 
Onderdonk. 

Early  in  life  he  displayed  marked  talent 
for  music  and  art  and  his  earliest  education 
was  of  private  character  at  the  hands  of 
tutors.  After  about  five  years  of  private 
tuition,  during  which  time  his  talent  for 
music  and  art  was  encouraged,  he  entered 
private  schools  in  New  York.  Later  the 
family  moved  to  Plainfield,  New  Jersey, 
where  he  entered  the  Plainfield  High  School, 
followed  later  by  study  in  Boston  and  Balti- 
more. He  spent  several  years  abroad  study- 
ing music  and  art  in  Paris  and  Berlin  where 
he  was  a  private  piano  pupil  of  KuUak.  Re- 
turning to  New  York,  he  became  associated 
with  his  father  in  the  firm  of  Wing  &  Evans, 
chemical  importers.  Later  he  was  identified 
with  his  brother  in  the  grain  business  in 
Baltimore,  r^leanwhile  his  purposes  had  gone 
through  several  transitions;  although  tal- 
ented in  art,  he  relinquished  this  in  favor  of 
music,  and  almost  decided  to  follow  music 
professionally.  His  favorite  instrument  is 
the  piano  and  he  has  appeared  many  times 
on  the  concert  stage.  A  number  of  his  com- 
positions have  been  published.  Architecture, 
however,  appealed  to  him  so  deeply  that  he 
later  decided  to  make  it  his  profession.  He 
was  associated  with  two  architectural  flrms 
in  New  York,  but  after  his  marriage  in 
June,  1S92,  to  Marion  Edith  Wells  of  Wilkes- 
Barre,  the  daughter  of  Annette  and  Charles 
D.  Wells,  he  determined  to  make  his  home  in 
this  city;  and  a  few  years  later  decided  to 
take  up  the  profession  of  architecture  in 
Wilkes-Barre. 

Many  local  buildings  may  be  cited  as  indic- 
ative of  his  talent.  Other  examples  of  his 
work  are  in  New  York,  New  England  and 
JIaryland.  In  professional  identifications  he 
is  a  member  of  the  American  Institute  of 
Architects,  the  Philadelphia  Chapter  of  the 
A.  I.  A,,  the  American  Society  for  Testing 
Materials  and  the  American  Specification  In- 
stitute. He  is  also  a  member  of  the  New 
Y^ork  Produce  Exchange.  His  club  and  other 
affiliations  include  Anchor  Lodge,  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons,  Plainfield,  New  Jersey, 
Wilkes-Barre  Wyoming  Valley  Chamber  of 
Commerce,  Westmoreland  Club,  life  member 
of  Wyoming  Historical  and  Geological  So- 
ciety, Wyoming  Valley  Motor  Club,  Concordia 


684 


Society,  Kiwanis  and  the  Young  Men's  Chris- 
tian Association.  He  is  a  member  of  St. 
Stephen's   Church. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Evans  have  one  daughter, 
Marion  Annette.  The  family  residence  is  No. 
117  West  River  Street.  Mr.  Evans'  offices  are 
in  the  Coal  Exchangre  Building,  "Wilkes- 
Barre. 


ALA^-V  CI..INTOX  KELLY — The  several  com- 
munities in  "Which  Alva  C.  Kelly  has  resided 
during  his  mature  years  have  benefited  ma- 
terially through  his  sojourn  therein,  in  va- 
rious capacities,  he  having  been  connected 
with  business,  manufacturing,  fraternal  and 
religious  activities,  as  "well  as  those  of  pub- 
lic life.  Now  a  resident  of  Trucksville,  where, 
in  association  with  his  son,  he  operates  a 
modern  undertaking  establishment,  Mr.  Kelly 
also  is  serving  as  deputy  coroner  of  Luzerne 
County. 

Mr.  Kelly  was  born  at  Lemon,  Wyoming 
County,  March  21,  1881,  son  of  James  Henry 
and  Kate  (Garrison)  Kelly,  and  grandson  of 
Dr.  James  W.  Kelly,  who  served  as  Wyoming 
County's  first  sheriff.  James  Henry  Kelly, 
born  in  1831,  at  Tunkhannock,  Pennsylvania, 
and  died  in  1925,  was  a  farmer,  and  one  of 
the  early  settlers  of  Wyoming  County.  Kate 
(Garrison)  Kelly  was  born  at  Lymanville, 
Susquehanna  County,  Pennsylvania,  in  1841. 
She   has  been  deceased  since   1882. 

Alva  Clinton  Kelly  attended  public  schools 
in  Lemon,  and  for  a  period  of  four  years 
after  his  graduation  therefrom  was  employed 
with  tile  undertaking  concern  operated  by 
Peter  W.  Tague,  located  at  No.  113  South 
Main  Street,  Scranton,  Pennsylvania.  It  was 
while  he  was  thus  engaged  that  Mr.  Kelly 
decided  that,  in  order  to  fully  equip  himself 
as  a  mortician  he  needed  further  institutional 
training,  and  he  thereupon  entered  the  Pitts- 
burgh College  of  Embalming,  completing  his 
studies  there  in  January,  1903.  After  gradua- 
tion he  purchased  the  undertaking  business 
of  G.  H.  Stroh,  at  Center  Moreland,  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  was  thus  occupied  until  1922.  Con- 
ducting his  establishment  with  a  sympathetic 
regard  for  those  desiring  his  services,  and 
exercising  the  natural  tact  and  foresight  so 
necessary  to  his  calling.  Mr.  Kelly  soon  won 
the  regard  of  his  fellow-citizens,  and,  as  a 
consequence,  his  concern  gained  a  high  rat- 
ing in  Center  Moreland  and  vicinity.  In  the 
meantime,  in  1911,  Mr.  Kelly  had  enlarged  his 
interests  by  purchasing  the  planing  mill,  re- 
tail furniture  store  and  hardware  business 
owned  by  Mr.  Stroh.  These,  too,  he  conducted 
under  his  own  name  until  1922,  in  which  year 
he  disposed  of  his  holdings  at  Center  More- 
land,  and  came  to  Trucksville,  where  he  since 
has  been  in  the  mortician's  profession.  Here 
Mr.  Kelly  has  one  of  the  most  modern  and 
complete  establishments  in  Luzerne  County, 
his  equipment  comprising  everything  re- 
quired in  a  first  class  undertaking  business, 
and  ambulance  service  being  a  department 
thereof. 

As  additional  pursuits,  aside  from  his  busi- 
ness, Mr.  Kelly  has  devoted  liberally  of  his 
time  and  talents  to  public  service.  For  eight 
years  he  served  as  Master  of  the  Poor  in 
Wyoming,  and  in  1928  he  was  chosen  as 
deputy  coroner  of  Luzerne  County,  his  term 
in  this  office  to  expire  in  1931.  A  loyal  Re- 
publican, Mr.  Kelly  has  been  consistent  in  his 
support  of  this  party's  issues  and  candidates, 
and  is  an  influence  in  Republican  councils  in 
his  community.  Among  his  fraternal  connec- 
tions may  l5e  listed  Tobyscreek  Lodge,  No. 
1078,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and 
Center   Moreland    Lodge,    Improved    Order    of 


Red  Men.  He  is  a  valued  worker  in  the  ses- 
sions of  the  Kiwanis  Club,  and  especially 
devoted  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
wherein  he  serves  as  president  of  the  Men's 
Bible  Class  and  president  of  the  Men's  Club. 
Alva  Clinton  Kelly  married,  January  20, 
1904,  Bessie  Amelia  Decker,  of  West  Nichol- 
son, Wyoming  County,  daughter  of  George 
W.  and  Ida  Amelia  Decker.  Two  sons  have 
been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kelly:  1.  Kenneth, 
who  died  at  the  age  of  two  years.  2.  Theron 
Decker,  born  February  3,  1907;  graduate  of 
Center  Moreland  public  schools  and  of  Wyo- 
ming Seminary,  class  of  1925.  Theron  Decker 
Kelly  died  at  Grace  Memorial  Hospital,  New 
Haven,  Connecticut,  on  October  28,  1928,  from 
injuries  sustained  in  a  football  accident 
which  occurred   on  October  26,   192S. 

ADAM  IPFERT — The  name  of  Iffert  has 
long  been  favorably  known  in  business,  so- 
cial and  religious  circles  of  Hazleton.  A 
widely  known  member  of  this  family,  Adam 
Iffert,  senior  member  of  the  firm  of  Iffert  and 
Iffert,  dealers  in  meats  and  provisions,  is  a 
director  of  a  leading  local  financial  institu- 
tion and  prominent  in  the  civic  affairs  of  the 
city. 

Henry  Iffert,  father  of  Adam,  was  born  in 
West  Pittston,  and  at  the  age  of  fourteen 
years  came  to  Hazleton  to  learn  the  meat 
trade.  In  1880  he  established  the  market  on 
Wyoming  Avenue,  now  operated  by  his  sons, 
and  which  is  the  oldest  business  of  its  kind 
in  the  city.  LTpon  his  retirement  from  the 
meat  trade,  he  gave  all  his  attention  to  his 
real  estate  affairs,  since  he  had  accumu- 
lated large  property  holdings.  He  built  the 
Ne'w  Washington  (no^v  the  Winfield)  Hotel, 
which  he  managed  for  some  time.  He  also 
erected  many  business  buildings  and  dwell- 
ings. He  is  rated  as  one  of  Hazleton's  largest 
property-owners  and  heaviest  taxpayers.  He 
has  played  an  important  part  in  the  local 
government,  having  served  three  terms  in 
the  City  Council  as  a  member  of  the  Common 
and  then  of  the  Select  councils.  He  continues 
active  in  his  affairs  and  deeply  interested  in 
the  progress  of  the  community.  He  is  identi- 
fied with  the  German  Lutheran  Church. 
Henry  Iffert  married  Elizabeth  Bachman, 
daughter  of  one  of  the  old  families  of  this 
part  of  the  State.  Children:  1.  Adam,  of 
whom  further.  2.  Harry,  lives  in  New  York 
City.  3.  Clayton,  a  partner  of  Adam  in  the 
meat  business.  4.  Walter,  engaged  in  the 
automobile  business  in  Hazleton.  5.  Florence, 
married  Henry  Reinhardt,  of  Hazleton.  6. 
Irene.    7.  Helen. 

Adam  Iffert  received  his  education  in  the 
Hazleton  school,  and  when  a  boy  learned  the 
meat  business  while  working  "with  his  father. 
About  the  year  1908  he  took  over  the  owner- 
ship of  the  market,  his  father  retiCing  to  ■ 
enter  the  real  estate  field,  and  has  since  been 
engaged  with  cumulative  success  in  that  line. 
He  has  built  up  the  business  on  an  enviable 
reputation  for  high  quality  offerings  and  per- 
sonal integrity.  The  market  is  the  oldest 
meat  establishment  in  Hazleton.  About  the 
year  1923,  Adam  Iffert  received  his  brother 
Clayton  into  the  business  as  a  partner  and 
the  style  was  changed  to  Iffert  and  Iffert. 
On  January  1,  1929,  Clayton  Iffert  located  in 
AUentown,  Pennsylvania,  Adam  Iftert's  son, 
Henry,  taking  his  interest  in  the  business. 
Therefore,  now  the  third  generation  remains 
in  the  same  business,  established  in   1880. 

As  director  in  the  City  Bank  and  Trust 
Company,  Adam  Iftert's  counsel  in  the  board's 
meetings  is  contributory  to  the  standing  and 
success   of  that  institution,   of  which  he  was 


68s 


one  of  the  organizers.  He  is  active  in  civic 
movements  in  Hazleton,  and  is  a  member  of 
tlie  Hazleton  Motor  Club  and  the  German 
Lutheran  Church. 

Adam  Iffert  married,  in  1909,  Emma  C. 
Pippert,  of  Hazleton.  and  daughter  of  John 
Pippert.  Their  children:  Henry,  Emily, 
Catharine,  Walter,  Martha,  and  Anna.  The 
Iffert  family  residence  is  No.  151  South 
Laurel  Street,  Hazleton. 


PRANKI,I!V  PIERCE  OLIVER — Recognized 
as  one  of  the  leading  business  men  of  Sweet 
Valley  and  Kingston,  Franklin  Pierce  Oliver 
plays  a  significant  part  in  the  civic  life  of 
the  two  oommunities  for,  in  addition  to  being 
connected  with  a  half  dozen  business  con- 
cerns, he  is  a  member  of  the  Kingston  Busi- 
ness Men's  Association  and  through  that 
organization  works  for  the  various  com- 
munity betterment  projects  that  it  furthers. 
He  is  also  a  life  member  of  the  Columbian 
Fire  Department,  and  a  member  of  notable 
attainments  in  the  Masonic  order. 

I\Ir.  Oliver  was  born  in  Wilkes-Barre  on 
November  19,  1872,  the  son  of  Benjamin 
Franklin  and  Elizabeth  Ann  (Payne)  Oliver. 
The  father  was  a  carpenter  and  served  with 
a  Scranton  regiment  in  the  Civil  War.  His 
son  attended  the  public  schools  and,  at  an 
early  age,  embarked  upon  a  business  career 
that  eventually  made  him  proprietor  of  a 
mercantile  business  with  stores  in  both 
Sweet  Valley  and  Kingston.  For  sixteen 
years  he  maintained  this  concern,  prospering 
in  the  field  of  retail  trade,  but  during  that 
period  he  w^as  establishing  other  business 
connections  that  eventually  required  so  much 
of  his  time,  he  was  forced  to  dispose  of  the 
stores  and  no^v  he  devotes  himself  entirely 
to  his  other  interests.  Mr.  Oliver  is  first  vice- 
president  of  the  West  Side  Mortgage  Com- 
pany of  Kingston,  a  director  of  the  Dorrance 
Realty  Company,  and  a  director  of  the  Val- 
mont  Development  Company,  and  a  member 
of  the  directorate  of  the  West  Side  Building 
and  Loan  Association.  The  latter  three  con- 
cerns also  operate  mainly  in  Kingston.  He 
is  also  vice-president  and  a  member  of  the 
board  of  directors  of  the  Kingston  Bank  and 
Trust  Company.  Mr.  Oliver  belongs  to  the 
Sweet  Valley  Christian  Church  and  he  is 
fraternally  affiliated  with  Sylvania  Lodge 
-No.  354,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  of 
Shickshinny:  Keystone  Consistory,  Ancient 
Accepted  Scottish  Rite,  of  Scranton,  and 
Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles 
of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  of  Wilkes-Barre.  He  is 
a  member  of  Irem   Temple  Country  Club. 

At  Sweet  Valley  on  August  3,  1S94,  Mr. 
Oliver  married  Lillian  Elizabeth  (Bronson) 
Oliver,  daughter  of  Daniel  W.  and  Martha  A. 
(Edwards)  Bronson.  They  became  the  par- 
ents of  two  children:  Ralph  Arden,  born 
May  fi,  1S95,  and  Durward  Deane,  born  No- 
vember   8,    1896. 


CHARLES  F.  YETTER — As  one  of  the  pub- 
lishers of  the  "Courier  Herald,"  Charles  P'. 
Yetter  is  well-known  in  civic  affairs  of 
AVilkes-Barre,  and  his  opinions  have  much 
influence  upon  the  determination  of  questions 
of  community  import.  But  in  addition  to  his 
newspaper  work  Mr.  Yetter  has,  from  time 
to  time,  held  a  number  of  clerkships  in  Lu- 
zerne County  offices  which  have  kept  him  in 
direct   contact   with    public   affairs. 

Mr.  Yetter  was  born  October  12,  1881,  in 
Alonroe  County,  Pennsylvania,  the  son  of 
Samuel  and  Elizabeth  (Bogert)  Yetter,  both 
of  wliom  were  natives  of  Monroe  County.  The 
father,   a  farmer,   was   born  in   1846   and   died 


in  .lunf,  1007;  the  mother,  br.rri  In  1.S17,  died 
in    LSflS. 

Their  son  attended  the  public  schools  of 
Wilkes-Rarre  and  was  graduated  from  the 
high  school  in  1898.  He  did  clerical  work 
until  1904,  when  he  and  his  brother,  Harry 
W.  Yetter,  purchased,  from  the  Central  Labor 
Union,  the  "Courier  Herald,"  a  weekly  news- 
paper of  Wilkes-Barre,  which  the  brothers 
have  since  continued  to  publish  under  the 
same  name.  The  paper,  which  appears  on 
Thursdays,  has  a  .5,000  weekly  circulation  and 
enjo.vs  a  considerable  following,  particularly 
among  Wilkes-Barre  citizens  sympathetic 
with  the  Republican  political  tenets  of  the 
publishers.  In  connection  with  their  news- 
paper printing  plant  the  brothers  conduct  a 
job  printing  business.  Charles  F.  Yetter  has 
held  a  number  of  positions  in  the  Court- 
house. Between  1906  and  1912  he  was  a  clerk 
in  the  county  commissioner's  office  and  in 
1924  he  was  appointed  by  his  brother,  Stan- 
ley M.  Yetter,  as  chief  deputy  register  of 
wills  and  second  assistant  clerk  of  the  Or- 
phans' Court,  offices  he  has  since  held  as  he 
is  now  serving  a  second  term.  Mr.  Yetter 
is  a  faithful  and  active  member  of  St.  John's 
Lutheran  Church  and  a  member  of  the 
Junior  Order  United  American  Mechanics. 

On  April  19,  1905,  Mr.  Yetter  married  Bes- 
sie Swank,  daughter  of  Alfred  C.  and  Emma 
Swank  of  Wilkes-Barre.  To  this  union  was 
born,  on  July  2.3,  1906,  a  son,  Gordon  S. 
Yetter,  who  completed  a  preparatory  course 
at  Wilkes-Barre  High  School  in  1925  and, 
after  taking  a  business  course  at  Wyoming 
Seminary  the  following  year,  became  mar- 
riage license  clerk   of  Luzerne  County. 


ERNEST  E.  WATKINS — Prominent  in  the 
building  trade  of  Kingston,  in  and  about 
which  he  has  been  responsible  for  the  erec- 
tion of  many  of  our  inost  important  edifices, 
Ernest  E.  Watkins  followed  successfully  in 
his  father's  footsteps,  who  was  a  mason- 
contractor  here  in  the  Wyoming  Valley  for 
many  years  prior  to  his  death  in  1917.  From 
his  young  manhood  Mr.  Watkins.  who  is  at 
present  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  Wat- 
kins Construction,  Incorporated,  was  asso- 
ciated in  business  with  his  father,  learning 
from  that  past  master  the  fundamental  prin- 
ciples of  the  business  and  developing  his 
knowledge  as  time  weflt  on,  all  the  while 
building  a  reputation  for  good  work  and 
honesty  in  every  activity  in  which  he  en- 
gaged. Sound  in  his  business  principles,  keen 
in  his  judgments,  fair  in  all  his  dealings,  the 
public  has  responded  to  the  unsolicited"  invi- 
tation to  test  his  work  and  has  been  liberal 
in  its  attitude  because  of  the  high  reputation 
of  the  company.  Creative  forces  are  of  great 
value  to  a  community  and  in  this  respect 
Mr.  Watkins  stands  high  on  the  rolls  of 
good  citizenship,  with  a  host  of  friends  and 
possessed  of  the  good  will  of  the  community. 

He  was  born  in  Plymouth.  Pennsylvania, 
April  22,  1S89,  a  son  of  Charles  and  Mary 
(Coombs)  Watkins,  his  father  having  been 
born  in  Wales  in  1863  and  emigrating  to  the 
United  States  in  1880.  His  wife,  mother  of 
Ernest  E.  and  Mary  L.,  was  also  born  in 
Wales  and  at  present  lives  in  Kingston  w-ith 
her  daughter,  who  is  a  graduate  of  West- 
chester Normal  School  and  a  teacher.  The 
elder  Wales  died  May  13,  1917.  He  was  a 
mason-contractor  and  established  himself  in 
that  business  in  Plymouth,  taking  Iiis  son 
into  the  business  with  him  after  he  had  com- 
pleted his  educational  work  and  attained  his 
twenty-first  year.  They  worked  together  in 
the  firm   of  Charles  Watkins  &  Son   until  the 


death  of  the  founder,  when  the  son  continued 
alone  for  a  time,  operating  under  the  title  of 
the  Watkins  Construction  Company  until 
1920,  when  Mr.  Watkins  admitted  Charles 
Malpass  to  partnership  and  changed  the 
name  of  the  firm  to  Watkins  and  Malpass. 
They  operated  two  branches,  one  each  in 
Plymouth  and  Kingston,  but  in  1922  discon- 
tinued the  Plymouth  house  and  in  1924  the 
junior  partner  disposed  of  his  interest  to 
Mr.  Watkins,  whereupon  the  company  was 
incorporated,  with  the  following  officers: 
Thomas  A.  Davis,  president  until  his  death  in 
February,  1925,  when  Fred  E.  Brown  assumed 
the  presidency:  Charles  H.  Heness,  vice- 
president;  Ernest  E.  Watkins,  secretary  and 
treasurer.  The  concern  employs  an  average 
of  twenty  men  and  recently  completed  the 
erection  of  the  Fernwood  Methodist  Episco- 
pal Church  building  in  Wilkes-Barre,  and  the 
grand  stand  in  Artillery  Park,  with  a  seating 
capacity  of  6,000.  Mr.  Wilkins  is  a  Republi- 
can in  politics.  He  is  a  director  of  the  Plym- 
outh Lumber  Company,  of  the  Shawnee 
Clothing  Company  of  Plymouth,  of  the 
Wilkes-Barre  Brick  Company,  of  the  West 
Side  Building  &  Loan  Association  of  King- 
ston, and  of  the  West  Side  Mortgage  Com- 
pany of  Kingston.  He  attends  the  Dorrance- 
ton  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Kingston. 
He  is  a  charter  member  of  the  Kiwanis  Club 
of  Plymouth  and  is  fraternally  affiliated  with 
the  Masonic  order.  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons;  Plymouth  Chapter,  Royal  Arch 
Masons:  Dieu  le  Veut  Commandery,  Knights 
Templar:  Cauldwell  Consistory  of  Blooms- 
burg,  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite  Masons, 
and  Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order 
Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  He  also  belongs 
to  the  Knights  of  Pythias  of  Plymouth,  and 
to  the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of 
Elks,   Lodge   No.    109. 

Ernest  E.  Watkins  married,  July  7,  1914, 
Ethel  Brown,  of  Dorranceton,  Pennsylvania, 
daughter  of  Harry  and  Alice  Brown.  Their 
children  are:  1.  Charles  Robert,  born  June 
1.5,  1918.  2.  Ernest  E.,  Jr.,  born  August  21, 
1919.    3.   Irma   Louise,   born   October  10,    1924. 


DAiVIEL,  M.  LITTS— A  builder  and  contrac- 
tor for  many  years  at  Forty  Fort,  Pennsyl- 
vania, Daniel  M.  Lifts  took  over  the  business 
first  established  here  by  his  father  in  1885, 
and  has  continued  it  .with  much  success.  The 
importance  to  the  community  of  high  quality 
building  work  is  of  prime  consideration,  and 
the  structures  of  Mr.  Litts  which  embody 
both  excellence  of  materials  and  excellence 
of  design,  are  a  distinct  asset  to  Forty  Fort 
as   well   as   a   credit   to   him. 

Mr.  Litts  was  born  at  White  Haven,  Penn- 
sylvania, on  October  30,  1884,  a  son  of  Zacha- 
riah  Litts,  builder  and  contractor,  who  was 
born  in  Pike  County,  Pennsylvania,  on  August 
2,  184S,  and  of  Abbie  (Kocher)  Litts,  born  at 
White  Haven,  died  in  1889.  The  father  is  still 
living  in  Forty  Fort,  having  retired  from 
active  business. 

Daniel  M.  Litts  attended  the  public  schools 
of  Wilkes-Barre,  after  which  he  undertook 
and  completed  the  construction  course  of  the 
Scranton  Correspondence  School.  Beginning 
his  professional  career,  he  became  associated 
with  his  father  in  his  building  and  contract- 
ing business  at  Forty  Fort,  gaining  valuable 
experience  under  his  father's  direction,  and 
revealing  a  talent  for  the  work.  Eventually, 
in  1912,  Mr.  Litts  assumed  full  control  of 
he  business,  his  father's  retirement  coming 
in  this  year,  and  from  that  time  he  has  car- 
ried on  the  enterprise  under  his  own  name 
in  a  very  successful  way,  employing  on  the 
average     about     twelve     men.      Among     other 


important  buildings  he  has  designed  and 
constructed  the  W.  J.  Phillips  store,  the  Pic- 
cone  Apartments,  the  largest  building  In 
Forty  Fort,  and  the  new  addition  to  the  Lu- 
zerne  School   Building. 

Politically,  Mr.  Litts  supports  the  prin- 
ciples and  candidates  of  the  Republican 
party,  while  he  and  his  family  worship  in 
the  faith  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  Sons  and  Daughters  of 
Liberty,  and  has  always  been  vitally  inter- 
ested in  the  growth  and  progress  of  tlie 
community,  giving  his  complete  support  to 
worthy   movements   toward   this  end. 

In  September,  1913,  Daniel  M.  Litts  married 
Catharine  Schoonover,  daughter  of  Thomas 
G.  and  Rhoda  (Smith)  Schoonover,  of  Forty 
Fort.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Litts  are  the  parents  of 
one  son,  Millard  F.  The  family  residence  is 
situated  at  No.    84   Oak  Street. 


LOUIS  MARIXOS — The  life  of  Louis  Mari- 
nes, president  of  the  West  Side  Amusement 
Company,  is  an  interesting  example  of  a  suc- 
cessful career  achieved  by  determination  and 
ability  in  the  face  of  adverse  circumstances. 
The  company  of  which  Mr.  Marinos  is  execu- 
tive head  is  well  known  throughout  the  Wyo- 
ming Valley,  controlling  four  of  the  finest 
moving  picture  theaters  in  this  section,  but 
its  original  establishment  in  a  very  modest 
way  was  due  entirely  to  Mr.  Marines'  initia- 
tive while  its  continued  expansion  and  pres- 
ent prosperous  business  have  resulted  from 
his  able  management   of  its   affairs. 

Mr.  Marinos  was  born  in  Sparta,  Greece,  on 
March  10,  1884,  a  son  of  Peter  Marinos,  born 
in  Greece  in  1850,  and  of  Stella  (Ducas) 
Marinos,  also  born  in  Greece,  in  1854.  His 
father  has  been  a  merchant  in  his  native 
country  for  many  years. 

Louis  Marinos  acquired  only  a  rudimentary 
education  in  the  Greek  schools,  although  this 
training  has  proved  very  serviceable  to  him, 
and  in  1896  he  came  to  the  United  States.  He 
was  first  employed  in  a  candy  kitchen  in 
Brooklyn,  where  he  remained  for  thirteen 
months,  after  which  he  was  connected  with 
a  restaurant  in  New  York  City  for  three 
years.  Desiring  larger  opportunities  Mr. 
Marinos  came  to  Wilkes-Barre  in  1900,  and 
for  two  years  worked  at  the  Boston  Candy 
Kitchen  in  this  city.  In  1902,  however,  he 
began  his  independent  business  career,  estab- 
lishing a  small  candy  shop  in  Luzerne,  which 
he  operated  under  his  own  name  until  1906. 
After  a  year  spent  working  in  the  local 
mines,  he  entered  the  moving  picture  busi- 
ness in  1907  and  his  first  small  venture 
proved  completely  successful.  Mr.  Marinos 
was  quick  to  see  the  future  in  this  field  and 
he  worked  diligently  for  several  years,  guid- 
ing his  enterprise  through  the  first  critical 
period  of  expansion  "with  the  utmost  care. 
He  was  rewarded  by  a  remarkable  growth 
in  his  business  which  "was  soon  soundly 
established  on  a  prosperous  basis.  Since  that 
time  he  has  gradually  widened  his  interests, 
and  now,  as  president  of  the  West  Side 
Amusement  Company,  he  controls  and  oper- 
ates the  following  theaters:  tlie  Marinos 
Theater,  in  Luzerne,  the  Marinos  Theater,  in 
Wyoming,  the  Kingston  Theater,  at  King- 
ston, Pennsylvania,  and  the  Parsons  Theater 
at  Parsons.  All  these  theaters  are  most 
modern  in  construction  and  equipment,  with 
a  seating  capacity  just  under  a  thousand, 
and  in  each  is  installed  a  splendid  organ, 
which  is  a  feature  of  their  excellent  pro- 
grams. Their  presence  in  these  cities  is  a 
distinct  credit  to  Mr.  Marinos  as  it  is  also 
an   asset   in    the   comniunity   life. 

Politically  Mr.  Marinos  is  a  member  of  the 


68/ 


Republican  party,  and  he  has  been  for  some 
years  a  member  of  the  Luzerne  Borough 
Council.  In  other  capacities  he  has  given 
Luzerne  the  benefit  of  his  ability  and  serv- 
ices, and  is  now  fire  chief  of  the  borough. 
Aside  from  his  moving  picture  interests  Mr. 
Marinos  is  a  director  of  the  Kingston  Bank 
and  Trust  Company  and  was  one  of  the 
original  directors  of  the  West  Side  Trust 
Company,  which  later  merged  with  the  King- 
ston Bank  and  Trust  Company.  He  is  affili- 
ated with  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fel- 
lows, and  the  Fraternal  Order  of  Eagles, 
prominently  identified  with  the  activities  of 
each,  while  he  is  also  a  member  of  Wyoming 
Ahepa  Greek  Lodge.  Mr.  Marinos  worships 
in  the  faith  of  the  Greek  Orthodox  Church, 
and  has  been  most  generous  in  his  support 
of  all  worthy  civic  and  benevolent  enter- 
prises. 


HE\BY  SIPPI.,E — As  general  manager  of 
the  water  companies  of  Dallas  and  Shaver- 
town,  Luzerne  County,  Henry  Sipple  holds 
an  important  and  responsible  position  in  his 
community.  He  is  also  secretary  and  treas- 
urer of  the  companies,  which  combined  posts 
he  has  held  with  much  credit  since  May, 
1925. 

Mr.  Sipple  was  born  in  Upper  Lehigh,  Lu- 
zerne County,  December  IS,  1SS6,  the  son  of 
John  and  Anna  M.  (Shaupe)  Sipple,  both 
natives  of  Gerjiiany,  who  came  to  this  coun- 
try in  their  infancy.  Mr.  Sipple's  father  ^vas 
born  in  Germany  in  1850,  and  died  in  Novem- 
ber, 1906.  He  came  to  this  country  at  the 
age  of  five  years,  and  was  a  contract  miner. 
His  mother,  Anna  M.  Sipple,  was  born  in 
Germany  In  1S51,  and  passed  away  in  Jan- 
uary, 1922.  Following  his  early  education  in 
the  local  schools  of  Jackson  Township,  Lu- 
zerne County,  Mr.  Sipple  took  a  course  with 
the  International  Correspondence  School, 
Scranton.  and  later  with  the  Wharton  School. 
His  first  position  was  with  the  Luzerne  Mill- 
ing Company,  of  Luzerne,  and  with  this  con- 
cern he  remained  for  some  seventeen  years, 
becoming  local  manager.  In  May,  1925,  he 
resigned  in  order  to  take  up  his  present 
offices  with  the  water  companies.  Mr.  Sipple 
is  chairman  of  the  advisory  committee  and 
one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Merchants'  and 
Miners'  Bank  of  Luzerne,  and  he  served  on 
the  loan  and  discount  committee  until  1927. 
In  political  belief  Mr.  Sipple  is  a  Repubican 
and  fraternally  he  is  affiliated  with  Toby 
Creek  Lodge,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fel- 
lows. He  is  a  charter  member  of  the  Dallas 
Rotary  Club,  has  served  on  the  program  com- 
mittee of  that  body,  and  is  treasurer  of  the 
organization.  His  religious  affiliations  are 
■with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

On  August  10,  1910,  Mr.  Sipple  married 
Florence  Corby,  of  Larksville,  Luzerne 
County,  daughter  of  William  and  Sarah 
Corby.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sipple  are  the  parents 
of  two  children,  as  follows:  1.  Glendon  W., 
born  September  28,  1911.  2.  Leland  H.,  born 
July  31,   1914.- 

J.\MES  AVILLIAM  PRICE — Although  a  na- 
tive of  Wales,  James  William  Price  of  Wan- 
amie,  came  to  America  in  early  manhood  and, 
following  in  the  footsteps  of  his  father,  en- 
tered the  mining  industry  here.  Although  he 
had  received  a  fair  education  in  the  public 
schools  of  his  native  country,  he  was  not 
satisfied  with  his  qualifications  and,  after 
coming  to  the  United  States  continued  his 
studies  while  employed  in  the  mines.  Through 
the  aid  of  correspondence  school  courses  he 
has    added    materially    to    his    knowledge    of 


mines  and  mining,  and  from  the  humble  posi- 
tion of  slate  picker  has  risen  until  now  he  Is 
outside  foreman  for  one  of  Luzerne  County's 
largest  mining  companies.  Mr.  Price  early 
became  a  citizen  of  his  adopted  country,  and 
his  life  since  has  been  devoted  to  maintaining 
the  institutions  and  customs  which  are  re- 
sponsible for  the  ideal  conditions  obtained  in 
America.  He  participates  freely  in  political 
and  fraternal  matters,  and  is  a  popular  and 
respected  citizen  of  Wanamie. 

Mr.  Price  was  born  December  18,  1875,  in 
Wales,  son  of  William  and  Louisa  (Owens) 
Price.  William  Price,  a  native  of  Wales  and 
a  sawyer  by  trade,  passed  away  in  1900,  while 
Louisa  (Owens)  Price,  who  was  born  in 
Wales  in  1849,  survived  her  husband  until 
1911.  James  William  Price  received  a  brief 
period  of  training  in  the  public  schools  of 
his  native  country,  which  was  interrupted 
by  his  coining  to  America  at  the  age  of 
twelve  years,  in  1887.  After  locating  in  Penn- 
sylvania, he  studied  at  Plains  (Pennsylvania) 
High  School,  and  subsequently  completed 
courses  prescribed  by  correspondence  schools 
in  Scranton.  Mr.  Price's  first  employment 
was  with  the  Lehigh  Valley  Coal  Company, 
with  which  he  remained  for  one  year,  work- 
ing as  a  slate  picker.  At  the  end  of  this  time 
he  entered  the  mines  and  continued  as  a 
miner  with  the  Lehigh  Valley  Coal  Company 
until  1900.  In  the  last-named  year  he  trans- 
ferred his  allegiance  to  the  Lehigh  &  Wilkes- 
Barre  Coal  Company,  with  which  he  has  since 
remained.  Discontented  with  the  hard  lot  of 
a  miner,  Mr.  Price  studied  during  his  spare 
hours  in  order  to  fit  himself  for  a  better 
position,  and  his  ambitious  conduct  soon 
brought  him  to  the  attention  of  the  officials 
of  his  company.  In  recognition  thereof,  on 
January  1,  1908,  he  became  outside  foreman 
and  has  filled  that  position  most  satisfac- 
torily. Mr.  Price  is  a  Republican,  but  not  a 
bitter  partisan,  oftentimes  voting  for  the 
man  whom  he  deems  best  fitted  for  a  public 
oflice.  He  has  attained  high  rank  in  the  Ma- 
sonic fraternity,  being  affiliated  with  Lodge 
No.  61,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons;  Keystone 
Consistory,  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite, 
of  Scranton;  Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic 
Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine;  and  Wyo- 
ming Lodge,  No.  927,  Independent  Order  of 
Odd  Fellows.  He  and  his  family  are  members 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

Mr.  James  William  Price  married,  in  1902, 
Alice  Hudson,  of  Parsons,  Pennsylvania, 
daughter  of  William  and  Mary  Hudson,  and 
they  have  four  children:  Cecil  W.,  Thelma, 
now  Mrs.  Jones;  Gladys,  and  James  E. 


THOM.*^.S  M.  MARTIN — A  native  of  Wales, 
but  a  resident  of  this  country  since  his  early 
childhood,  Mr.  Martin  has  been  living  in 
Kingston  and  has  been  connected  with  the 
Kingston  Coal  Company  for  considerably 
more  than  a  half  a  century.  With  this  com- 
pany be  has  worked  his  way  up  from  breaker 
boy  to  the  responsible  position  of  assistant 
superintendent,  which  latter  he  has  filled 
for  many  years  with  great  ability  and  suc- 
cess. He  is  also  prominently  active  in  the 
civic,  fraternal  and  religious  life  of  the  com- 
munity, where  he  is  widely  known  and  highly 
respected. 

Thomas  M.  Martin  was  born  in  Wales, 
October  7,  1866,  a  son  of  the  late  David  and 
Lydia  (Williams)  Martin.  Both  his  parents 
were  born  in  Wales,  his  father  in  1844.  his 
mother  in  1845,  The  family  came  to  this 
country,  while  Mr.  Martin  was  still  a  small 
boy.  His  father  was  for  many  years  actively 
engaged   in   coal  mining  and   in   farming  and 


died  after  a  long  and  useful  life  in  1913, 
being-  survived  by  his  widow  until  1915.  The 
son  attended  the  public  schools  of  Luzerne 
County,  but  began  to  work  in  the  coal  mines 
in  1S74,  when  he  was  only  eight  years  old. 
His  first  position  was  that  of  breaker  boy 
with  the  King-ston  Coal  Company.  He  has 
continued  with  the  same  company  ever  since, 
his  connection  with  it  covering  the  unusually 
long  period  of  fifty-four  years.  Strict  atten- 
tion to  his  duties  and  an  ever-increasing 
knowledge  of  the  practical  side  of  coal  min- 
ing gained  him  numerous  promotions,  until 
in  1916  he  was  made  assistant  superintendent, 
which  responsible  position  he  still  holds. 
Though  his  own  formal  schooling  was  re- 
stricted to  comparatively  few  years.  Mr. 
Martin  has  always  been  keenly  interested  in 
the  cause  of  education  and  has  been  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Kingston  Board  of  Education  for 
the  last  thirteen  years,  his  membership  in 
this  body  still  continuing.  He  is  also  a 
member  of  numerous  fraternal  organizations, 
including  Lodge  No.  395,  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons;  Shekinah  Chapter,  Royal  Arch  Ma- 
sons; Dieu  le  Veut  Commandery,  Knights 
Templar;  Irem  Temple  of  Wilkes-Barre,  An- 
cient Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic 
Shrine;  Knights  of  Pythias;  Edwardsville 
Lodge,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows; 
and  Craftsman's  Club.  In  politics  he  is  a 
supporter  of  the  Republican  party,  while  his 
religious  affiliations  are  with  the  Welsh  Con- 
gregational Church  of  Edwardsville. 

Mr.  Martin  was  married,  in  1SS7,  to  Mar- 
garet M.  Williams  of  Edwardsville,  Pennsyl- 
vania, a  daughter  of  Griffith  P.  and  Mary 
Williams.  They  are  the  parents  of  four  chil- 
dren: Stanley,  Griflith,  David  and  Mary,  now 
Mrs.  Lorence  Spencer,  her  husband  being  a 
well-known  and  successful  druggist  of  King- 
ston. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Martin  also  have  the 
pleasure  of  seeing  two  grandchildren  grow 
up.  Robert  and  Thomas  Spencer.  The  family 
home  is  located  at  No.  3S9  Rutter  Avenue, 
Kingston. 

AUTHUH    HENRY    EDWARDS — One    of   the 

skillful  druggists  of  Kingston,  Pennsylvania, 
Arthur  Henry  Edwards,  holds  a  prominent 
place  in  the  life  of  his  city  and  of  Luzerne 
County.  He  has  been  engaged  in  pharmacy 
for  a  number  of  years  in  different  capacities 
in  this  part  of  Pennsylvania,  and  since  1912 
has  owned  a  store  in  Swoyersville,  although 
his   residence   is   in   Kingston. 

Mr.  Edwards  was  born  on  March  14,  18S6, 
in  Pittsburgh,  Pennsylvania,  a  son  of  Henry 
Jones,  a  blacksmith  who  was  born  in  Wales 
and  died  in  18SS,  and  of  Ann  (Rees)  Jones, 
also  a  native  of  Wales.  When  his  mother 
was  married  for  the  second  time,  Arthur 
Henry  changed  his  name  from  Jones  to  Ed- 
wards, the  name  of  his  stepfather.  He  re- 
ceived his  early  education  in  the  public 
schools  of  Edwardsville,  Pennsylvania,  and 
also  went  to  the  high  school  there.  After  he 
completed  this  preliminary  education,  he  be- 
came a  student  at  the  Medico-Chirurgical 
College,  in  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania,  from 
which  he  was  graduated  in  the  class  of  1910 
with  the  degree  of  Graduate  in  Pharmacy. 
When  he  finished  his  work  in  the  professional 
school,  he  served  for  two  years  as  clerk  in 
drug  stores  in  the  Luzerne  County  district, 
and  then  in  1912  purchased  the  drug  store  of 
William  E.  Evans  in  Swoyersville.  Since  that 
time  he  has  continued  to  conduct  this  store 
under  his  own  name,  and  in  the  years  that 
Mr.  Edwards  has  had  control  of  it,  it  has 
made  great  headway  and  has  become  one  of 
the  most  popular  establishments  of  its  kind 
in   the   Wyoming  Valley. 


In  addition  to  his  own  business  activities, 
Mr.  Edwards  takes  a  keen  interest  in  the 
public  affairs  of  his  city  and  community.  He 
is  a  student  of  political  developments,  he 
himself  being  afliliated  with  the  Republican 
party,  for  whose  candidates  he  casts  his  vote 
and  whose  principles  he  supports  by  his  vote 
and  influence.  For  t^wo  years  he  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Board  of  Health.  His  religious 
affiliation  is  with  the  Presbyterian  Church  in 
Forty    Fort,    Pennsylvania. 

In  1911  Mr.  Edwards  married  Joanna  Lewis, 
of  Plymouth,  Pennsylvania,  daughter  of  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  William  V.  Lewis.  By  this  marriage 
there  "were  five  children,  three  of  whom  are 
living,  the  other  two  having  died  in  infancy. 
The  three  living  children  are;  1.  Helen 
Louise,  born  in  1916.  2.  William  V.,  born  in 
191S.    3.  Ann  Romaine,  born  in  1923. 

GEORGE  RALSTOJf  THOMPSON — Among 
the  successful  business  men  and  widely  liked 
citizens  of  Wilkes-Barre  is  George  Ralston 
Thompson,  who  conducts  a  retail  candy  and 
ice  cream  establishment  here,  connected  with 
which  is  a  pool  room.  In  the  many  years  in 
which  he  has  been  working  in  Wilkes-Barre 
in  one  capacity  or  another,  he  has  become 
widely  known  and  respected;  and,  in  addition 
to  his  business,  he  is  active  in  the  fraternal 
life   of  his  city  and  community. 

Mr.  Thompson  was  born  on  May  22,  1874,  a 
son  of  Albert  Henry  and  Mary  (Hummel) 
Thompson.  His  father,  a  native  of  Weatherly, 
Pennsylvania,  where  he  was  born  in  1S51,  was 
a  miner  throughout  his  long  and  active  life, 
and  died  in  1914;  while  the  mother,  Mary 
(Hummel)  Thompson,  was  born  at  Beach 
Haven,  in  1852,  and  is  now  living  in  Wilkes- 
Barre.  George  Ralston  Thompson,  although 
he  was  born  in  Shickshinny,  Pennsylvania, 
attended  tlie  Wilkes-Barre  public  schools, 
and  then,  vv^hen  he  completed  his  formal  edu- 
cation, took  up  work  in  the  mines  in  this 
vicinity,  wliich  he  continued  for  fourteen 
years,  w^orking  in  various  capacities  as  time 
went  on.  It  was  in  1905  that  he  purchased 
his  present  business  enterprise  from  Charles 
Hooper,  who  until  that  time  had  conducted 
it;  anil  since  that  year,  Mr.  Thompson  has 
worked  steadily  to  build  it  up  into  the 
fiourishing  State  in  "which  it  now  exists,  so 
that  now  the  establishment  of  G.  Ralston 
Thompson  is  regarded  as  one  of  the  foremost 
institutions  of  its  kind  in  the  city. 

in  addition  to  his  w^ork  in  establishing  his 
own  business  enterprise,  Mr.  Thompson  is 
active  in  all  phases  of  community  life,  keenly 
interested  in  political  developments,  and  ever 
ready  to  participate  in  the  civic  affairs  of 
Wilkes-Barre  and  Luzerne  County.  He  is 
identified  with  the  Democratic  party,  whose 
policies  and  candidates  he  regularly  sup- 
ports. He  also  is  a  member  of  the  Independ- 
ent Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  in  which  he  is 
affiliated  with  Lodge  No.  108  and  is  a  Past 
Grand  of  this  lodge;  and  with  thg  Benevolent 
and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  in  which  his 
lodge  is  No.  113S,  and  in  which  order  he  is  a 
life  member.  His  religious  afliliation  is  with 
the    Methodist    Episcopal    Church. 

Mr.  Thompson  married  (first),  in  1895, 
Lilly  Hooper,  of  Shickshinny,  Pennsylvania, 
daughter  of  Henry  and  Anna  Hooper.  They 
had  four  children,  two  of  whom,  Elbert  and 
Loraine,  are  living.  Mrs.  Thompson  died  in 
1909,  her  deatli  having  occurred  on  May  22 
of  that  year.  Mr.  Thompson  married  (sec- 
ond), in  January,  1910,  Elizabeth  De  Hart,  of 
Catawissa,  Pennsylvania,  daughter  of  Calvin 
and  Ada  De  Hart. 


DAXIEL  W.  DAVIS — In  the  business  of 
plunibinff  contracting  Daniel  W.  Davis,  of 
Plymouth,  has  reached  a  secure  position  and 
applies  to  his  work  an  estimable  quality  of 
intelligent  effort  and  high  grade  material 
and  consti'uction.  He  entered  the  business 
after  a  long  and  careful  preparation,  which 
is  reflected  in  the  class  of  work  he  has  done 
for  the  builders  of  this  district,  where  many 
fine  structures  bear  the  mark  of  his  industry 
and  capability.  Of  the  highest  character  as 
a  citizen  and  business  man,  he  has  drawn  a 
trade  to  his  establishment  which  has  brought 
him  prosperity  as  well  as  fame.  Of  happy 
personality,  engaging  in  his  attractive  qual- 
ities, he  makes  friends  readily  and  holds 
them  securely,  being  considered  one  of  the 
leaders   in   the   field   in  which   he   operates. 

He  was  born  in  Plymouth,  Pennsylvania, 
March  18,  1SS9,  a  son  of  William  Davis,  a 
coal  miner,  now  deceased,  and  Elizabeth 
(Evans)  Davis,  both  natives  of  Wales,  living, 
and  received  his  education  in  the  public 
schools  here  and  in  Wilkes-Barre,  where  he 
also  attended  business  college,  taking  a  spe- 
cial course  in  accounting.  He  then  took  up 
the  study  of  plumbing  and  followed  this 
trade  for  five  years,  at  tlie  end  of  which 
period  he  established  himself  in  contracting, 
opening  his  first  store  in  Plymouth  and  an- 
other in  Wilkes-Barre,  at  No.  331  South 
Main  Street,  in  1925,  employing  an  average 
of  seven  men.  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics 
and  belongs  to  the  Kiwanis  Club,  the  Benevo- 
lent and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  Knights  of 
Pythias.  Knights  of  Malta  and  Patriotic 
Order  Sons  of  America.  He  attends  the  Welsh 
First  Baptist  Church. 

Daniel  W.  Davis  married,  in  1915,  Stella 
Pilgret,  daughter  of  John  Davis,  an  electri- 
cal engineer,  who  died  in  1901,  and  Mary 
(Knox)  Pilgret,  a  native  of  England,  still 
living.  They  are  the  parents  of  one  son, 
Tlieodore  A.,  born  September  27,  1917. 


AVILI.,IAM  L..  STACKHOrSE — Steadfastness 
of  purpose  "won  for  William  L.  Stackhouse 
more  than  economic  independence.  It  brought 
to  him  the  respect  of  all  persons  associated 
with  him,  and  has  made  him  one  of  the  fore- 
most citizens  of  Shickshinny.  His  influence 
has  made  itself  felt  upon  the  community  in  a 
constructive  manner  through  long  years,  and 
now,  in  retirement  from  the  more  vexatious 
of  his  career's  affairs,  he  is  enabled  to  give 
a  full  degree  of  time  to  public  works  as 
private  citizen  and  man  of  means. 

Mr.  Stackhouse  was  born  at  Berwick,  Penn- 
sylvania, September  25,  1S64,  son  of  Charles 
Stackhouse,  a  carriage  maker,  who  was  born 
in  Columbia  County,  Pennsylvania,  and  died 
in  1S65,  and  of  Mary  (Lockherd)  Stackhouse, 
native  of  Luzerne  County,  who  died  in   1903. 

In  the  public  schools  of  New  Columbus, 
Pennsylvania.  Mr.  Stackhouse  secured  his 
academic  training,  and  until  he  was  seven- 
teen years  of  age  worked  upon  his  father's 
farm  and  other  agricultural  tracts,  his 
father's  death  having  occurred  when  he  was 
one  year  of  age.  When  he  left  farming  he 
came  to  Shickshinny,  and  here  went  to  work 
in  the  mines,  in  which  he  was  employed  for 
thirty-two  years  as  a  company  man.  In  1902 
he  retired  from  mining  and  became  clerk  in 
a  local  hotel,  which  position  he  retained  four 
years,  afterward  leasing  and  operating  the 
Eagle  Hotel  of  Shickshinny.  As  proprietor  of 
this  hostelry  he  continued  through  four  years 
with  round  profit,  then  purchased  the  Cope- 
land  Hotel,  and  ran  it  sixteen  years,  under 
the   name   style   of   the    Stackhouse   Hotel.    In 


1924  he  disposed  of  the  hotel,  and  retired 
from    business,    a   succes.sfu)    man. 

While  his  career  as  outlined  has  claimed 
the  major  part  of  his  activity,  Mr.  Stackhouse 
has  at  all  times  participated  In  movements 
designed  to  further  the  interests  of  the 
Shickshinny  community.  A  Republican,  he 
has  supported  the  party's  principles  and  can- 
didates with  consistency,  and  at  the  present 
time  is  street  commissioner  of  the  town.  For 
a  year  he  was  school  director,  and  his  finan- 
cial interests  include  directorship  of  the 
State  Bank  of  Shickshinny,  together  with 
other  affiliations.  Fraternally  he  is  a  mem- 
ber of  Berwick  Lodge  No.  1138,  Benevolent 
and  Protective  Order  of  Elks  and  Shickshinny 
Lodge,  No.  36,  Patriotic  Order  Sons  of 
America.  Hs  is  a  communicant  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church.  During  the  war  he  was  of 
valued  assistance  in  the  drives  of  patriotic 
appeal. 

Mr.  Stackhouse  married,  in  1892,  Jennie 
Sorber,  of  Shickshinny.  daughter  of  Isaiah 
and  Barbara  Sorber.  Mrs.  Stackhouse  died 
on  December  19,  1927,  in  Shickshinny.  The 
residence  is  at  No.  30  North  Main  Street, 
Shickshinny. 


BRt'CE  MILTjER  espy — As  a  native  of 
Wilkes-Barre  ^vho  has  made  a  notable  record 
in  real  estate  transactions,  Bruce  M.  Espy, 
with  offices  at  Nos.  41S-22  Second  National 
Bank  Building,  has  played  a  commendable 
part  in  community  growth  and  development, 
and  has  won  high  place  in  the  estimation  of 
his   neighbors. 

Mr.  Espy  was  born  in  Wilkes-Barre.  De- 
cember 1,  1886,  son  of  the  late  Barnet  ililler 
and  Caroline  (Wood)  Espy.  His  father,  born 
in  Nanticoke,  Luzerne  County,  May  16,  1846, 
died  at  Wilkes-Barre  in  1926,  thus  closing  an 
unusually  active  and  well-spent  life,  prin- 
cipally spent  in  a  law  practice  covering  half 
a  century.  This  branch  of  the  Espy  family 
is  descended  from  George  Espy,  a  native  of 
Hanover  Township,  Lancaster  (no^v  Dauphin) 
County,  in  1729;  his  parents  were  among  the 
first  settlers  of  Pennsylvania.  George  Espy 
removed  with  the  Paxton  Rangers  to  the 
Wyoming  Valley  prior  to  the  Battle  and 
Massacre  of  Wyoming,  which  event  will  al- 
\vays  be  remembered  in  this  section  as  hav- 
ing transpired  July  3,  1778.  He  located  on  a 
tract  of  land  not  far  from  the  city  of  Nanti- 
coke, and  built  a  log  house  in  which  he  and 
his  family  resided  until  his  death  in  1S14. 
He  was  commissioned  justice  of  the  peace. 
May  30,  1800,  for  the  district  of  Hanover 
Township  and  Wilkes-Barre;  he  was  a  stone 
mason  by  trade  and  he  built,  among  other 
important  structures,  the  old  stone  jail  at 
Washington  and  East  Market  streets.  His 
wife  was  Mary  Stewart,  cousin  of  Captain 
Lazarus  Stewart,  who  fell  at  the  Battle  and 
Massacre  of  Wyoming,  and  a  granddaughter 
of  the  Lazarus  Stewart  who  settled  on  the 
Swatara  River  in  Hanover  Township,  Lan- 
caster County,  in  1729.  John  Espy,  son  of 
George  Espy,  was  born  July  26,  1776,  and 
died  February  3,  1843:  he  was  a  farmer  and 
prominent  man  of  his  day;  he  married.  April 
5,  1809,  Lovina  Inman,  a  daughter  of  Colonel 
Edward  Inman,  and  she  died  February  19, 
1S74.  James  Espy,  a  son  of  John  and  Lovina 
(Inman)  Espy,  was  born  in  1811  in  Hanover 
Township,  Luzerne  County,  and  died  at  Rum- 
merfleld,  Bradford  County,  June  16,  1872.  He 
married,  in  1840,  Mary  A.  Miller,  daughter  of 
Barnet  and  Mary    (DeW^itt)   Miller. 

Barnet  Miller  Espy,  son  of  James  and 
Mary  A.  (Miller)  Espy,  was  educated  at 
Wilkes-Barre   Academy   and   Wyoming   Semi- 


690 


nary,  which  latter  institution  he  finished  in 
1869.  He  then  read  law  in  the  office  of 
Edwin  S.  Osborne,  and  was  admitted  to  the 
Luzerne  County  Bar  September  25,  1873,  two 
days  after  he  had  married  Caroline  Wood,  a 
daughter  of  Abraham  Wood.  Thus  started  a 
career  of  legal  practice  which  extended  fifty- 
three  years.  During  the  Civil  War,  in  186", 
Mr.  Espy  served  as  a  member  of  Company  F, 
41st  Pennsylvania  Militia.  Six  children  were 
born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Espy:  1.  Blanche,  who 
died  at  the  age  of  twenty-five.  2.  Gertrude, 
died  in  childhood.  3.  Ridgeway  B.,  member 
of  the  Luzerne  County  Bar.  4.  Bruce  M.,  of 
whom  further.  5.  Helen,  died  in  childhood.  6. 
Dr.  Carl  W.,  physician,  who  resides  at  Potts- 
ville. 

Bruce  Miller  Espy  grew  to  manhood  in 
Wilkes-Barre  and  received  his  education  in 
the  public  schools  and  Wyoming  Seminary 
at  Kingston.  After  he  had  left  school  he 
engaged  in  the  real  estate  and  insurance 
business,  in  which  he  has  been  consistently 
successful. 

Mr.  Espy  early  volunteered  for  World  Wr' 
service;  on  May  25,  1917,  he  was  mustered 
into  Battery  E,  3d  Field  Artillery,  Pennsyl- 
vania National  Guard,  as  a  private,  later  he 
became  corporal  and  then  acting  sergeant, 
having  transferred  to  this  command  from 
the  old  9th  Regiment  of  Infantry,  Pennsyl- 
vania National  Guard.  In  August,  1917.  he 
was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  second  lieu- 
tenant, and  later  to  first  lieutenant  of  Bat- 
tery E,  109th  Field  Artillery,  serving  at  Camp 
Ricketts  and  later  at  Camp  Hancock,  Au- 
gusta, Georgia.  He  was  trained  at  Fort  Sill, 
Oklahoma,  to  be  an  aerial  observer.  On 
July  1,  1918,  he  was  ordered  to  the  port  of 
embarkation.  New  York,  and  sailed  from  New 
York  July  15  for  overseas  duty,  first  landing 
in  England  before  going  to  France  for  active 
service.  He  was  sent  for  a  while  to  an  avia- 
tion school  at  St.  Maxient,  and  later  to  the 
2d  Aviation  Instruction  Center  at  Tours.  On 
September  1,  1918,  he  was  ordered  to  the 
Argonne  front,  and  attached  to  the  1st  Aero 
Squadron  of  the  1st  United  States  Observa- 
tion Group,  in  which  duty  he  remained  in 
active  service  until  the  Armistice  on  Novem- 
ber 11,  1918.  After  the  Armistice  had  been 
signed  he  was  ordered  into  Germany  as  a 
member  of  the  Army  of  Occupation,  and  was 
located  near  the  City  of  Coblenz  on  the 
Rhine  to  protect  the  bridge  head  there,  and 
was  town  mayor  of  the  towns  of  Weissen- 
thuren  and  Kettig.  Returning  to  the  United 
States,  he  was  mustered  out  of  the  service 
October  31,  1919.  After  his  return  home  he 
again  enlisted  in  the  National  Guard  and 
served  as  captain  of  his  old  Battery  E,  109th 
Field  Artillery,  and  resumed  his  former  busi- 
ness with  success. 

Mr.  Espy  is  a  member  of  the  American 
Legion  and  the  Veterans  of  Foreign  Wars, 
the  United  Sportsmen  of  Pennsylvania,  and 
Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks.  He 
married,  August  11,  1925,  Florence  T.  Frey, 
daughter  of  Martin  Frey,  of  Wilkes-Barre, 
and  their  union  has  been  blessed  with  three 
sons,  Bruce  Miller  Espy,  Jr.,  Edward  Inman 
Espy,  and  Peter   Warner   Espy. 


engineer  who  has  practiced  for  many  years 
in  connection  with  coal  mining,  and  is  rated 
as  one  of  the  best-equipped  men  in  the  hard 
coal  field.  As  a  citizen  he  is  keenly  interested 
in  the  promotion  of  the  "welfare  of  the  people 
resident  in  his  village  of  Ebervale  and  in 
the  entire  region  given  up  to  the  chief  indus- 
try of  coal   mining. 

Born  in  New  York  City,  September  28,  1872, 
William  A.  Jackson  is  the  son  of  William  and 
Fannie  (Stone)  Jackson.  His  father,  born  in 
Connor.  Ireland,  in  1843,  finished  his  educa- 
tion at  Pocock  College,  Dublin.  He  came  to 
this  country  when  a  young  man  and  entered 
the  coal  mining  industry.  For  more  than 
forty  years  he  was  in  charge  of  outside  work 
and  breaker  operations  at  the  Upper  Lehigh 
Colliery.  He  died  in  1917.  His  wife,  born  in 
Connor,  Ireland,  in  1S39,  died  in  this  country 
in  1913.  The  family  lived  for  some  time  in 
New  York  City,  where  the  son,  William  A., 
attended  the  public  schools,  and  studied  civil 
engineering  at  Cooper  Union  in  that  city.  For 
some  five  years  he  pursued  his  profession  in 
coal  mines  of  Upper  Lehigh,  Pennsylvania, 
and  then  returned  to  New  York  City,  where 
he  was  a  traveling  salesman  for  the  Denni- 
son  Manufacturing  Company,  remaining  with 
that  concern  for  about  five  years.  The  lure 
of  the  coal  mines  again  found  him  in  the 
Upper  Lehigh  region,  and  in  1910  he  joined 
the  forces  of  the  Jeddo  Highland  Coal  Com- 
pany, being  installed  in  the  position  of  gen- 
eral outside  foreman.  This  rating  he  has 
ever  since  held,  having  charge  of  the  col- 
lieries of  the  company  at  Harley  and  other 
points  of  the  concern's  operations.  He  is  an 
important  contributing  factor  in  the  concern's 
sustained  reputation  for  standard  quality  of 
coal  in  a  well-nigh  ceaseless  fiow  of  the  mines' 
products  from  the  colliery  to  the  railhead.  By 
his  seniors  and  the  company  he  is  esteemed 
very  highly  for  his  technical  ability  and  per- 
sonal integrity,  his  capacity  for  the  handling 
of  men  and  his  skill  in  advancing  the  mine 
output  through  its  different  grades  and  sizes 
in   the   management   of  the   collieries. 

To  the  Republican  party,  Mr.  Jackson  has 
always  given  his  political  allegiance,  and  he 
is  considered  one  of  the  party's  strong  men 
in  his  district.  His  fraternal  obligations  are 
made  to  Lodge  No.  327,  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons;  Chapter  No.  227,  Royal  Arch  Masons, 
of  Hazleton;  and  Lodge  No.  200,  Benevolent 
and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  of  which  he  is 
a  Past  Exalted  Ruler.  His  religious  affiliation 
is  with  the  Presbyterian  denomination. 

William  A.  Jackson  married,  in  1902,  Har- 
riett Mott  Bobst,  of  Drifton,  daughter  of 
Frank  and  Libb  Bobst.  They  have  their  resi- 
dence  in  Ebervale. 


WILLIAM  A.  JACKSON — An  expert  in  the 
production  and  preparation  of  coal  for  the 
wholesale  and  retail  markets,  "who  is  widely 
known  in  the  anthracite  region,  William  A. 
Jackson  occupies  the  important  managerial 
position  of  general  outside  foreman  for  the 
Jeddo  Highland  Coal  Company  at  its  col- 
lieri'^s  at  Harley  and  elsewhere  that  the  con- 
cern   operates.      He    is    a    professional    civil 


CAPTAIN  AVILLIAM  A.  CL.4.RK — Entering 
the  ranks  of  the  Pennsylvania  State  Police 
as  a  private,  after  having  served  five  years 
in  the  United  States  Army,  William  A.  Clark 
of  Wyoming  has  advanced  steadily  in  the 
State  organization  until  he  now  holds  the 
rank  of  captain,  in  command  of  Troop  B, 
covering  the  northeastern  district  of  Penn- 
sylvania. The  requirements  of  this  police 
organization  are  not  easy  of  accomplishment, 
and  the  present  rank  of  Captain  Clark  speaks 
volumes  for  his  training  and  inherent  ability. 
The  Pennsylvania  State  Police  are  second  to 
no  other  institution  in  efficiency  and  disci- 
pline, and  it  is  largely  due  to  the  efforts  of 
such  men  as  Mr.  Clark  that  it  has  attained 
the  prestige  it  now  enjoys.  Banking,  fra- 
ternal organizations,  and  social  life,  too, 
have  felt  the  infiuenee  of  this  man,  for  while 
he  is  a  stern  and  conscientious  official  in  the 


691 


conduct  of  his  police  duties,  he  also  i.s  the 
possessor  of  a  temperament  and  personality 
that  make  him  popular  with  all  law-abiding 
classes. 

William  A.  Clark  was  born  June  26,  1880, 
at  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania,  his  parents 
being:  the  late  Andrew  J.  and  Margaret  V. 
(Tracey)  Clark.  The  father,  also  a  native  of 
Philadelphia,  followed  railroading  through- 
out his  life.  He  was  born  in  1844  and  was  a 
locomotive  engineer  at  the  time  of  his  death 
in  1896.  Margaret  V.  (Tracey)  Clark  was 
born  in  1S46,  at  Philadelphia,  and  died  in 
1894. 

William  A.  Clark  attended  the  public 
schools  of  Philadelphia,  being  graduated 
from  high  school  there  in  1897.  His  school 
days  ended,  Mr.  Clark  availed  himself  of  an 
opportunity  to  enter  the  engraving  trade,  and 
this  occupied  him  for  three  years.  The  lure 
of  adventure  removed  him  from  this  calling 
at  the  end  of  that  period,  and  he  entered 
military  service  in  1900,  being  assigned  to  the 
21st  Infantry,  United  States  Army.  With  this 
unit  he  was  transported  to  the  Philippine 
Islands,  where  he  assisted  in  quelling  the 
insurrections  that  preceded  the  relinquish- 
ment of  these  islands  to  the  United  States  by 
the  Spanish  government.  Mr.  Clark's  enlist- 
ment expired  in  1905,  and  he  returned  to  his 
native  State.  Soon  after  his  arrival  he  en- 
tered the  Pennsylvania  State  Police  as  a 
private,  but  his  previous  military  training 
soon  brought  him  promotion.  He  filled  vari- 
ous offices  in  the  organization  until  1917,  in 
which  year  he  was  commissioned  lieutenant, 
and  shortly  afterwards,  in  1918,  was  made  a 
captain,  the  rank  which  he  now  retains.  Cap- 
tain Clark  has  served  in  many  districts  of 
the  State  during  his  years  with  the  State  Po- 
lice, and  was  placed  in  command  of  Troop  B. 
This  unit  has  eighty  men  on  its  rolls,  covers 
the  Northeastern  District,  and  has  its  head- 
quarters at  No.  475  Wyoming  Avenue,  Wyo- 
ming. 

Captain  Clark  was  an  Important  factor  in 
establishing  the  First  Xational  Bank  of 
Exeter,  which  opened  its  doors  for  business 
in  February,  1928,  and  he  now  is  a  valued 
member  of  the  board  of  directors  and  vice- 
president  of  that  financial  institution,  -n-hich 
is  headed  by  Louis  N.  Jacobs.  Mr.  Clark 
usually  casts  his  ballot  for  Republican  prin- 
ciples and  candidates  of  that  political  party, 
and  fraternal  affiliations  include  Lodge  No. 
3S2,  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of 
Elks;  the  Knights  of  Columbus,  and  the  Fox 
Hill  Country  Club.  A  follower  of  Catholicism, 
Captain  Clark  attends  St.  Cecelia's  Catholic 
Church,  as  do  the  other  members  of  his 
family. 

William  A.  Clark  was  married,  June  26, 
1913,  to  Rose  C.  Daley,  of  West  Pittston. 
Pennsylvania.  Her  parents  were  Thomas  and 
Anna  Daley,  and  she  and  her  husband  have 
become  the  parents  of  six  children:  1.  Wil- 
liam, Jr.,  born  in  February,  1916.  2.  George 
E.,  born  in  February,  1917.  3.  Eugene  J., 
born  in  May,  1918,  and  died  at  the  age  of 
five  years.  4.  Thomas  F.,  born  in  October, 
1919.  5.  Margaret  A.,  born  in  April,  1923.  6. 
Lucille  v.,  born  in  October,  1924,  and  died  at 
the  age  of  two  years.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Clark 
and  their  children  reside  at  No.  298  Monu- 
ment Avenue,  Wyoming. 

B.  FORD  JOHXSON — Conducting  one  of  the 
oldest  general  merchandise  concerns  in 
Trucksville.  one  that  was  founded  by  his 
father  in  1895,  B.  Ford  Johnson  has  proved 
a  worthy  successor  to  his  parent,  having  as- 
sumed full  charge  of  the  establishment  at  the 


death  of  the  elder  Mr.  Johnson.  In  this  busi- 
ness he  has  .striven  to  emulate  the  example  of 
the  founder,  and  that  his  efforts  have  not 
been  in  vain  is  attested  to  by  the  Increased 
patronage  given  the  store.  Mr.  Johnson  has 
adhered  strictly  to  a  policy  of  giving  the 
customer  the  benefit  of  shrewd  buying  and 
economical  administration,  and  this  has 
proved  profitable,  both  from  a  financial  view- 
point and  from  that  of  the  satisfaction  that 
comes  with  the  knowledge  of  an  honestly- 
conducted  business. 

Mr.  Johnson  was  born  June  6,  1893,  and 
is  a  native  of  the  county  in  which  he  since 
has  lived,  having  been  born  at  Chase.  His 
father,  William  C.  Johnson,  was  born  in 
Jackson  Township,  Luzerne  County,  in  1865, 
and  passed  away  in  1928,  after  a  long  and 
successful  career  as  a  merchant  in  Trucks- 
ville. He  had  married  Jennie  Coolbaugh, 
born  in  Jackson  Township,  in  18G.T,  who  sur- 
vives her  husband.  She  is  a  daughter  of 
the  family  well  known  in  Luzerne  County. 

B.  Ford  Johnson  attended  the  public 
schools  of  Luzerne,  graduating  from  high 
school  in  1910.  Then  followed  additional 
scholastic  training  at  W^yoming  Seminary 
and  Wyoming  College  of  Business,  after 
which  Mr.  Johnson  entered  the  business 
founded  more  than  thirty  years  ago  by  his 
father.  This  association  endured  until  April 
9,  192S,  when  B.  Ford  Johnson  assumed  con- 
trol of  the  firm,  after  the  death  of  William 
C.  Johnson.  Everything  usually  found  in  a 
general  store  is  stocked  by  Mr.  Johnson,  and 
special  efforts  are  made  to  keen  the  merchan- 
dise fresh  and  up-to-date.  This,  and  Mr. 
Johnson's  ethical  standards,  combine  to  place 
the  store  among  the  better  kno'wn  business 
institutions  of  Trucksville.  In  political  issues, 
Mr.  Johnson  has  usually  been  a  supporter  of 
the  Democratic  party,  although  he  refuses 
'to  allow  partisan  policies  to  blind  him  to  the 
capabilities  of  a  candidate  of  different  faith. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Mount  Greenwood 
Kiwanis  Club,  and  he  and  his  family  attend 
the  Presbyterian  Church  of  Luzerne. 

The  marriage  of  B.  Ford  Johnson  and 
Pearl  M.  Barrett  was  solemnized  on  June  14, 
1914,  and  on  January  3,  1916,  they  became 
the  parents  of  a  daughter,  Mollie  Jean.  Pearl 
M.  (Barrett)  Johnson  is  a  native  of  Forty 
Fort,  Pennsylvania,  and  her  parents  were 
John  and  Mary  Ellen  (Eustice)  Barrett.  John 
Barrett,  born  at  Carbondale,  Pennsylvania,  in 
1843,  died  in  1925,  while  his  wife,  born  at 
Hartford,  Connecticut,  in  1854,  passed  away 
in  1917.  Mrs.  Johnson  is  a  musician  of  note, 
and  was  engaged  in  piano  instruction  previ- 
ous to  her  marriage.  She  has  continued  this 
teaching  since  her  residence  here,  having 
taught  in  Kingston  and  throughout  the  Wyo- 
ming Valley. 


CHARGES  MILLARD  HARTER — This  fam- 
ily is  one  of  the  oldest  in  Pennsylvania,  long 
resident  in  Cunningham  Township,  dating 
back  to  1796  when  the  town  was  known  as 
HoUenhack.  It  was  one  of  the  original  fam- 
ilies to  settle  here.  Charles  Millard  Harter, 
of  Wapwallopen,  has  in  his  possession  today 
a  grant  written  upon  sheepskin  from  the 
heirs  of  William  Penn  conve.ving  a  tract  to 
the  Harters.  His  father,  Jacob  William  Har- 
ter, was  born  at  Nescopeck,  in  1848,  and  died 
in  November,  1922,  having  spent  many  years 
actively  engaged  in  agriculture.  His  mother, 
Martha  (Weiss)  Harter,  was  born  In  Wap- 
wallopen,   in    1848,    and   died   in    1913. 

Charles  Millard  Harter,  foremost  citizen  of 
Wapwallopen,  was  born  in  this  community, 
April  1,   1S75.    He  attended  the  public  schools. 


692 


studied  at  Wyoming  Seminary,  at  Michaels 
University  of  Logan^port,  Indiana,  and  com- 
pleted his  academic  instruction  at  Blooms- 
burg  Normal  School,  following:  which  he  went 
to  work  for  the  Bell  Telephone  Company,  at 
St.  Louis,  Missouri.  For  six  years  he  was 
employed  by  this  large  organization,  and  be- 
came one  of  their  valued  men.  He  built  the 
Hollenback  Telephone  Company's  lines  and 
exchange  in  the  Wyoming  Valley,  1904-05, 
then,  tor  two  years,  served  as  manager  of 
the  Berwick  Telephone  exchange.  In  March. 
1917,  he  went  into  the  hardware  business,  in 
Wapwallopen,  organizing  his  firm  under  the 
style  of  Harter's  Hardware  Company,  hand- 
ling a  general  line  of  farm  implements,  all 
hardware  goods,  and  in  addition  a  well- 
known  make  of  tractor.  During  the  some- 
what more  than  one  decade  of  his  enterprise, 
fortune  has  followed  him,  and  he  is  accounted 
one  of  the  leading  commercial  figures  of  this 
part  of  the  Wilkes-Barre  area.  He  is  vice- 
president  and  a  director  of  the  Nescopeck 
National  Bank,  holding  other  and  similar 
connections  of  an  extensive  scale. 

A  Republican,  Mr.  Harter  has  interested 
himself  liberally  in  the  general  affairs  per- 
taining to  the  community's  advancement,  and 
served  as  auditor  of  Cunningham  Township. 
Fraternally  he  is  prominent  in  the  works  of 
the  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  in  which 
order  he  is  a  member  of  ICnapp  Lodge,  No.  62, 
of  Berwick;  Caldwell  Consistory,  at  Blooms- 
burg,  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite:  and 
Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of 
the  Mystic  Shrine.  Also,  he  is  affiliated  "with 
the  Patriotic  Order  Sons  of  America,  being  a 
member  of  Lodge  No.  334,  and  with  the  Inde- 
pendent Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Kiwanis  Club  and  a  communicant 
of  the  Lutheran  Church.  During  the  period  of 
America's  participation  in  the  World  War,  Mr. 
Harter  had  just  entered  the  hardware  busi- 
ness. He  was  able,  through  his  position  in 
the  town's  affairs,  to  give  valued  assistance 
to  the  campaigns  of  the  Liberty  Loan  and 
Red  Cross,  helping  as  he  could  to  further  all 
causes  of  patriotic  appeal. 

Mr.  Harter  married,  in  1900,  Sarah  C. 
Karchner,  of  Wapwallopen,  daughter  of 
Absalom  B.  and  Hannah  Karchner.  They  have 
a  son,  Wilbur  Allen,  who  was  born  March  21, 
1904,  and  is  now  associated  with  his  father  in 
business.  Wilbur  Allen  Harter  is  a  graduate 
of  Nescopeck  High  School  and  Gettsyburg 
College,  from  which  he  took  the  degree  of 
Bachelor  of  Science. 


ROBERT  J.  MoNlILTY— Thoroughly  equipped 
to  enter  into  the  profession  of  his  choice, 
by  inheritance  and  training,  Robert  J.  Mc- 
Nuity,  funeral  director  of  Preeland,  has 
combined  these  with  tact  and  decorum,  thus 
explaining  the  trust  and  confidence  in  which 
he  is  held  here.  His  father,  uncle,  and  brother 
have  been  similarly  engaged,  and  thus  the 
name  of  McNulty  has  become  almost  synony- 
mous with  reliability  and  finesse  whenever 
qualifications  of  morticians  are  discussed. 
Mr.  McNulty,  while  still  a  young  man,  has 
been  engaged  in  Freeland  as  a  funeral  direc- 
tor for  almost  a  decade,  and  during  this 
period  has  conducted  his  professional  duties 
in  such  a  manner  as  to  win  the  admiration 
of  his  colleagues  and  the  esteem  of  those  in 
need   of   his   services. 

Mr.  McNulty  was  born  on  May  13,  1894,  the 
son  of  Patrick  F.  and  Margaret  (Boyle)  Mc- 
Nulty, of  Sugar  Notch,  Pennsylvania,  one  of 
thirteen  children:  Peter,  Nellie,  Sarah,  Hugh, 
William,  Andrew,  John,  Charles,  Robert  J., 
of  further  mention:  Mary,  and  three  children 


M'ho  died  in  infancy.  Patrick  F.  McNulty  for 
many  years  was  in  business  in  Hazleton,  a 
partner  in  the  firm  of  McNulty  Brothers.  This 
undertaking  concern  he  continued  after  the 
death  of  his  brother,  coming  to  Freeland  dur- 
ing the  exciting  period  in  which  the  "Molly 
McGuires"  were  active.  Here  he  conducted 
his  business  until  the  time  of  his  death,  in 
June.  190S.  He  was  well  known  throughout 
this  section  of  the  country,  did  a  large  busi- 
ness, and  enjoyed  the  confidence  and  respect 
of  a  great  number  of  the  residents  here.  Al- 
though born  in  Ireland,  he  came  to  this 
country  at  the  age  of  seven  years.  He  "was 
especially  active  in  political  circles,  and 
wielded  a  great  influence  in  local  Democratic 
affairs. 

Robert  J.  McNulty  was  educated  at  St. 
Ann's  High  School,  and  studied  at  the  Mining 
and  Engineering  Institute.  Later  he  received 
his  professional  training  in  one  of  the  best 
known  institutions  of  its  kind  in  this  coun- 
try, the  Eckels  School  of  Embalming,  being 
graduated  therefrom  in  1913.  Previous  to  this 
course,  however,  he  had  worked  with  his 
father  and  had  obtained  many  of  the  funda- 
mentals of  the  undertaking  business.  Soon 
after  his  graduation  he  went  to  work  for  his 
brother-in-law,  who  also  was  a  funeral  direc- 
tor. He  remained  thus  employed  until  1922, 
when  he  opened  his  present  concern  in  Free- 
land.  With  the  commencement  of  his  indi- 
vidual enterprise,  experienced  as  he  was  in 
matters  of  this  kind,  he  soon  became  well 
known  for  his  reliability,  refined  demeanor, 
and  tact.  His  establishment  has  grown  rap- 
idly and  contains  coinplete  and  thoroughly 
modern  equipment,  including  a  morgue, 
nicely  appointed  funeral  parlors,  and  other 
appurtenances,  including  a  splendid  limou- 
sine hearse,  for  the  conduct  of  such  an  insti- 
tution. 

Ever  alert  to  new  methods  and  practices 
concerned  'with  his  profession,  Mr.  McNulty 
affiliates  with,  and  takes  a  serious  part  in 
the  various  societies  peculiar  to  his  calling. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Luzerne  County  Fu- 
neral Directors'  Association,  the  Pennsyl- 
vania State  Funeral  Directors'  Association, 
and  the  National  Funeral  Directors'  Associa- 
tion. Mr.  McNulty  served  his  country  during 
the  World  War,  having  entered  the  military 
in  1918:  went  overseas  with  the  305th  M.  S. 
T.  He  remained  in  France  for  about  fourteen 
months,  most  of  this  time  being  spent  at  the 
front,  until  the  Armistice.  He  was  mustered 
out  in  June,  1919,  having  given  valorous 
service  to  his  country.  A  man  possessing 
full  confidence  of  his  fellow-citizens,  Mr.  Mc- 
Nulty has  been  conspicuous  in  the  various 
movements  designed  for  the  community's  ad- 
vancement. A  devout  Catholic,  he  and  his 
wife  attend  St.  Ann's  Roman  Catholic  Church, 
and  Mr.  McNulty  is  a  member  of  the  Knights 
of  Columbus.  He  retains  connections  with  his 
former  comrades-in-arms  through  his  mem- 
bership in  the  American  Legion. 

Mr.  McNulty  married,  in  November,  1927, 
Mary  Mezner,  of  Freeland,  and  in  this  town 
they  make  their  residence  at  No.  405  Center 
Street. 

THOMAS  HALE  KEISER — Associated  with 
Victor  Lee  Dodson,  Thomas  Hale  Keiser  is 
proprietor  and  director  of  the  AVilkes-Barre 
Business  College  at  Nos.  29-31  West  North- 
ampton Street,  Wilkes-Barre.  He  is  known 
for  his  ability  as  an  instructor,  having  been 
a  teacher  in  (and  director  of)  several  schools, 
and  one  of  the  staff  under  Mr.  Dodson  in  the 
Wilkes-Barre  Commercial  College,  before 
their  joint   operation   of  the   new   institution, 


693 


which  became  effective  on  July  21,  1921,  and 
was  transferred  to  the  more  spacious  and 
nioilern  building. 

Thomas  Hale  Keiser  was  born  in  Hanover 
Township,  Luzerne  County,  on  a  farm,  the 
son  of  Edward  A.  and  Sarah  (Edwards) 
Keiser.  The  father  resides  on  a  farm  at 
.\skam;  tlie  mother  died  in  1926  at  the  age 
of  si.xty-flve  years.  Edward  A.  Keiser  is  the 
son  of  Emanuel  Keiser,  who  w^as  a  contrac- 
tor, and  who  built  the  old  Methodist  Church 
at  Askam;  and  he  is  the  father  of  ten  chil- 
dren, nine  of  whom  reached  maturity:  1. 
Raymond,  of  Forty  Fort,  Luzerne  County.  2. 
Valentine,  who  died  in  the  influenza  epidemic 
of  1918.  3.  Ethel,  wife  of  Robert  J.  Hagen- 
baugh,  of  Hanover  Township.  4.  Edna,  wife 
of  R.  R.  Metcalt,  merchant  of  Askam.  5. 
Thomas  Hale,  of  "whom  further.  6.  Lavina, 
widow  of  Arthur  Loewer  of  Nanticoke,  Penn- 
sylvania. 7.  Anna,  wife  of  Frank  Regan  of 
New  Jersey.  8.  Edward  A..  Jr.  9.  Harry,  of 
Askam. 

Thomas  Hale  Keiser  was  educated  in  the 
public  schools  of  Hanover  Township,  then 
graduated  from  the  Bloomsburg  State  Normal 
School  in  the  class  of  1911.  after  which  he 
taught  school  for  eight  years  in  Hanover 
Township.  He  was  for  five  years  principal  of 
the  Newtown  Public  School.  In  1919  Mr. 
Keiser  established  residence  in  Wilkes-Barre 
and  became  teacher  and  principal  in  the 
commercial  department  of  the  Wilkes-Barre 
Commercial  College,  under  Jlr.  Dodson,  at 
that  time  located  on  West  Market  Street. 
Soon  after  followed  the  partnership  between 
Mr.  Keiser  and  Mr.  Dodson  and  the  estab- 
lishment of  the  new  school  on  Northampton 
Street,  West.  Mr.  Keiser  has  extensive  fra- 
ternal affiliations.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Coalville  Lodge,  No.  64.  of  Ashley,  Luzerne 
County,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons:  Shekinah 
Chapter,  No.  S2,  Royal  Arch  Masons:  Dieu  le 
Veut  Commandery,  No.  45,  Knights  Teniplar: 
Irem  Teinple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of 
the  Mystic  Shrine.  Also,  he  is  a  member  of 
the  Shrine  Country  Club,  the  Franklin  Club, 
Private  School  Owners'  Association,  the 
School  Men's  Club  of  Luzerne  County,  and 
of  the  Eastern  Commercial  Teachers'  Asso- 
ciation. Mr.  Keiser  was  for  many  years  a 
first-class  athlete.  While  in  the  normal 
school  at  Bloomsburg  he  played  football, 
basketball  and  baseball. 

Thomas  Hale  Keiser  married,  June  30,  1915, 
Agnes  A.  Treas,  daughter  of  Frank  and  Mary 
S.  Treas  of  Luzerne  County,  and  niece  of 
Judge  Andrew  M.  Treas  of  Wilkes-Barre. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Keiser  are  the  parents  of  two 
children,   Thomas  Hale,   Jr.,  and  Mary  Lois. 

Mr.  Keiser  is  a  self-made  man,  and  of  that 
he  is  proud,  as  he  is  of  his  family,  which  is 
one  of  the  oldest  in  the  county.  His  great 
grandfather,  Valentine  Keiser,  was  an  early 
settler  in  Hanover  Township,  and  lor  many 
years  was  the  proprietor  of  the  Old  Red 
Tavern  at  Hanover  Green. 


JOHN  P.  SCHMITT— One  of  the  well-known 
builders  and  brick  manufacturers  of  Wilkes- 
Barre  is  John  P.  Schmitt,  who  with  his  broth- 
ers, Martin  H.  and  Frank  J.,  is  one  of  the 
partners  of  the  firm  of  John  A.  Schmitt's 
Sons,  contractors  and  builders,  workers  in 
brick,  stone,  and  concrete  masonry,  and  man- 
ufacturers of  brick,  witli  offices  at  No.  38 
Bennett   Building,    in   Wilkes-Barre. 

John  A.  Schmitt,  father  of  Mr.  Schmitt, 
was  one  of  the  well-known  citizens  of 
Wilkes-Barre  and  for  more  than  fifty  years 
was  engaged  in  the  contracting  and  building 
and  brick   manufacturing  business  here.   The 


business  established  by  him,  now  known  as 
John  A.  Schmitt's  Sons,  is  one  of  the  olilest 
concerns  of  its  kind  in  Luzerne  County,  and 
has  built  many  of  the  modern  business  houses 
and  homes  in  Luzerne  County.  Mr.  Schmitt 
was  a  Republican  in  his  political  allegiance, 
and  was  a  member  of  St.  Nicholas'  Roman 
Catholic  Church,  of  Wilkes-Barre.  He  mar- 
ried, and  he  and  his  wife,  Victoria,  were  the 
parents  of  nine  children:  John  P.,  of  further 
mention:  Martin  H.,  Frank  J.,  Mary,  de- 
ceased: Otto,  deceased:  Elizabeth,  deceased; 
Lena,  deceased:  Frederick  J.,  a  practicing 
physician  in  Wilkes-Barre,  and  Carl  J.,  an 
architect  in  Wilkes-Barre.  The  father  of  this 
family  died  at  the  age  of  fifty-four  years, 
and  the  mother  is  still  living,  aged  seventy- 
four  years. 

John  P.  Schmitt,  son  of  John  A.  and  Vic- 
toria Schmitt,  was  born  in  Wilkes-Barre, 
Pennsylvania,  August  5,  1875,  and  as  a  boy 
attended  the  public  schools  of  his  birthplace 
and  St.  Nicholas  Parochial  School.  Later,  he 
completed  his  education  in  Wyoming  Semi- 
nary, at  Kingston.  Pennsylvania.  As  a  young 
man  he  became  associated  with  his  father  in 
the  building  and  contracting  business,  also 
in  the  manufacturing  of  bricks,  and  as  his 
brothers  reached  years  of  maturity  they,  too, 
were  admitted  to  the  business,  which,  after 
the  death  of  the  father,  was  continued  under 
the  name  of  John  A.  Schmitt's  Sons,  the  name 
under  which  it  still  operates.  As  has  already 
been  stated,  this  concern  is  one  of  the  oldest 
and  best  known  in  Luzerne  County,  and  has 
been  an  important  factor  in  the  development 
of  many  sections  of  the  county,  building 
many  of  the  modern  business  houses  and  also 
a  very  large  number  of  private  dwelling 
houses  in  this  section.  The  three  brothers, 
John  P.,  Martin  H.,  and  Frank  J.,  are  well 
known  for  their  skill  and  their  sound  knowl- 
edge of  the  business  in  which  they  are  en- 
gaged, and  they  have  also  made  a  reputation 
for  sound  business  methods.  In  addition  to 
his  responsibilities  and  activities  as  a  build- 
ing contractor  and  as  a  manufacturer  of 
bricks,  Mr.  Schmitt  is  a  member  of  the  board 
of  directors  of  the  Lake  Transit  Company 
which  operates  on  Harvey's  Lake,  in  Luzerne 
County,  a  director  of  the  Dime  Bank  Title 
and  Trust  Company  of  Wilkes-Barre,  and  a 
director  of  the  Jones  Oil  and  Supply  Com- 
pany, of  Wilkes-Barre.  Politically,  he  gives 
his  support  to  the  principles  and  the  candi- 
dates of  the  Republican  party,  but  has  never 
participated  in  its  activities.  He  is  a  member 
of  Lodge  No.  109,  Benevolent  and  Protective 
Order  of  Elks,  and  of  the  Wyoming  Valley 
Country  Club,  and  his  religious  affiliation  is 
with  St.  Nicholas  Roman  Catholic  Church,  of 
Wilkes-Barre. 

John  P.  Schmitt  was  married  to  Anna  Men- 
toup.  of  New  York,  and  they  are  the  parents 
of  four  children:  1.  John  A.,  who  is  associ- 
ated with  the  Haddock  Coal  Company,  of 
Wilkes-Barre.  2.  Mary  B..  wife  of  Frank 
Malenowski,  of  Wilkes-Barre.  3.  Victor  C, 
a  musician,  of  Detroit,  Michigan.  4.  Berna- 
dina,  who  lives  at  home  with  her  father.  Mrs. 
Schmitt   died  August  31,   1924. 


MICHAEL  A.  DONAHUE — With  the  excep- 
tion of  the  period  during  which  he  was  serv- 
ing in  the  World  War,  Michael  A.  Donahue  has 
been  continuously  engaged  in  general  legal 
practice  in  Wilkes-Barre  since  his  admission 
to  the  bar  in  1915.  He  has  his  offices  at  No. 
203  in  the  Dime  Bank  Building,  where  he  is 
taking  care  of  a  large  clientele. 

Michael  A.  Donahue  was  born  in  Glen 
Lvon,   Luzerne  County,   Pennsylvania,   Febru- 


694 


ary  22,  1890,  son  of  John  and  Catherine 
(Barrett)  Donahue,  the  first  mentioned  of 
whom  was  a  coal  miner,  and  the  father  of 
two  children:  Michael  A.,  the  subject  of  this 
review;  and  Mary,   wife  of  John  Walsh. 

Mr.  Donahue  grew  up  at  Glen  Lyon,  and 
after  attending  the  local  public  schools,  be- 
came a  student  in  the  State  Normal  School 
at  Stroudsburg,  from  which  he  was  gradu- 
ated with  the  class  of  1905.  After  the  com- 
pletion of  his  Normal  course  he  taught  school 
for  two  years,  and  then,  in  the  fall  of  1907, 
entered  Holy  Cross  Colleg:e,  at  Worcester, 
Massachusetts,  where  he  completed  his  course 
in  1911  and  received  the  degree  of  Bachelor 
of  Arts.  He  had  decided  upon  the  legal  pro- 
fession as  his  future  field  of  activity  and  in 
the  following  fall  matriculated  in  the  Law 
School  of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania, 
from  which  he  was  graduated  with  the  class 
of  1914,  receiving  at  that  time  the  degree  of 
Bachelor  of  Laws.  In  1915  he  was  admitted 
to  the  Luzerne  County  Bar,  and  since  that 
time,  with  the  exception  of  the  time  during 
which  he  was  in  service  in  the  World  War,  he 
has  been  successfully  engaged  in  general 
practice  in  Wilkes-Barre.  In  June,  1918,  he 
enlisted  in  the  United  States  Navy  and  served 
as  ensign  until  mustered  out  of  service  in 
1919,  when  he  resumed  legal  practice  in 
Wilkes-Barre.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Lu- 
zerne County  Bar  Association,  of  the  Penn- 
sylvania State  Bar  Association,  and  of  the 
American  Bar  Association,  and  has  made  for 
himself  an  assured  place  in  his  profession. 
He  is  solicitor  of  the  boroughiof  Newport, 
in  Luzerne  County,  and  attorney  for  the 
Glen  Lyon  Bank,  at  Glen  Lyon,  Luzerne 
County,  Pennsylvania.  In  his  political  alle- 
giance Mr.  Donahue  is  a  Democrat.  Fi-a- 
ternally,  he  is  identified  with  Wilkes-Barre 
Lodge,  No,  109,  Benevolent  and  Protective 
Order  of  Elks;  with  the  Knights  of  Colum- 
bus; and  with  the  Fraternal  Order  of  Eagles; 
and  he  is  a  member  of  the  Pox  Hill  Country 
Club. 


ARTHUR  DAVENPORT — Fourteen  years  of 
successful  legal  practice  in  Luzerne  County, 
Pennsylvania,  have  placed  Arthur  Davenport 
among  the  well-known  and  well  established 
men  of  his  profession  in  this  part  of  the 
State.  Since  his  admission  to  the  bar  in  1913 
he  has  been  engaged  in  practice  in  Wilkes- 
Barre,  with  offices  at  No.  713  Coal  Exchange 
Building,  where  he  is  taking  care  of  a  large 
clientele.  Mr.  Davenport  is  a  graduate  of  the 
Law   School   of  the  University  of  Michigan. 

The  branch  of  the  Davenport  family  to 
which  Mr.  Davenport  belongs  has  been  set- 
tled in  Luzerne  County  for  three  generations. 
Clark  Davenport,  grandfather  of  Mr.  Daven- 
port, came  to  Plymouth,  Luzerne  County, 
about  one  hundred  years  ago,  coming  from 
New  York  State  and  bringing  his  family  with 
him.  The  maternal  grandparents  of  Mr. 
Davenport  were  Thomas  and  Hannah  (How- 
ard) Gould,  of  Luzerne  County.  Samuel  M. 
Davenport,  father  of  Arthur  Davenport,  died 
at  the  age  of  eighty-six  years.  He  married 
Harriet  Elizabeth  Gould,  daughter  of  Thomas 
and  Hannah  (Howard)  Gould,  who  lived  to 
be  eighty-four  years  of  age,  and  they  were 
the  parents  of  eight  children:  Stanley  Irving, 
of  Kingston,  Pennsylvania;  Carrie,  who  died 
at  the  age  of  eleven  years;  Thomas  G.,  of 
Plymouth,  Pennsylvania;  George  P.,  who  died 
in  childhood;  Frederick  M.,  deceased,  who 
was  a  leading  pliysician  of  Scranton.  Penn- 
sylvania; Harvey  Howard,  who  is  a  member 
of  the  Luzerne  County  Bar;  Harriet  Blanche, 
a  teacher  in  the  Plymouth  schools;  Maud  G., 


who  is  the  wife  of  Edgar  S.  Stern,  of  Alder- 
son,  Pennsylvania;  and  Arthur,  of  further 
mention. 

Arthur  Davenport  was  born  in  Plymouth, 
Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania,  September  16, 
18S3,  and  attended  the  local  public  schools, 
graduating  from  the  Plymouth  High  School 
in  1901.  He  prepared  for  college  in  Wyoming 
Seminary,  at  Kingston,  Pennsylvania,  com- 
pleting his  course  there  with  the  class  of 
1905,  and  then  taught  school  for  two  years 
in  order  to  finance  his  further  preparation 
for  a  professional  career,  and  later  had 
charge  of  the  shoe  department  of  the  Shaw- 
nee Cash  Store  at  Plymouth.  In  1909  he 
entered  the  Law  School  of  the  University  of 
Michigan,  where  he  completed  his  course  with 
graduation  in  1912,  receiving  at  that  time 
the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Laws.  After  gradu- 
ation he  returned  to  Luzerne  County,  Penn- 
sylvania, where  he  successfully  passed  the 
required  examinations  and  was  admitted  to 
the  Luzerne  County  Bar  in  1913.  Since  then 
he  has  been  engaged  in  practice  in  Wilkes- 
Barre,  where  he  has  built  up  a  large  and 
important  practice,  and  where  he  has  made 
for  himself  a  reputation  for  sound  legal 
knowledge,  for  resourcefulness  and  ability  in 
the  presentation  of  cases,  and  for  effective- 
ness in  handling  cases.  Politically  he  gives 
his  support  to  the  principles  and  the  candi- 
dates of  the  Republican  party.  While  a  stu- 
dent in  the  University  of  Michigan  Law 
School  Mr.  Davenport  was  president  of  the 
Student  Council,  one  of  the  highest  honors 
of  the  campus,  and  he  was  also  a  member  of 
the  Greek  Letter  fraternity.  Gamma  Eta 
Gamma.  Fraternally,  he  is  identified  with 
Plymouth  Lodge,  No.  332,  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons,  of  Plymouth;  Valley  Chapter,  No. 
214.  Royal  Arch  Masons,  of  which  he  is  sec- 
retary; Dieu  le  Veut  Commandery,  No.  45, 
Knights  Templar,  of  Wilkes-Barre;  and  Irem 
Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the 
Mystic  Shrine.  His  religious  affiliation  is 
with  the  Christian  Church  of  Plymouth,  ot 
which    his   parents   were   members. 

Arthur  Davenport  was  married  (first)  to 
Laura  Myers,  and  to  this  marriage  two  chil- 
dren were  born:  Arthur,  Jr.,  and  Dorothy 
Blanch.  Mrs.  Davenport  died  January  6,  1921, 
and  Mr.  Davenport  married  (second),  May 
26,  1926,  Marion  Caerns,  of  Wilkes-Barre. 
ilr.  Davenport  is  one  of  the  very  "well  known 
and  highly  esteemed  men  of  his  profession, 
and  he  has  a  host  of  friends  in  Wilkes-Barre. 


JOSEPH  W.  MURPHY,  D.  D.  S. — Although 
one  of  the  youngest  dental  practitioners  in 
Wilkes-Barre.  having  been  established  here 
since  1925,  Joseph  W.  Murphy  is  rapidly  dis- 
tinguishing himself  for  the  excellence  of  his 
work  and  the  sincerity  with  which  he  de- 
votes himself  to  it.  He  is  a  man  of  com- 
mendable character  and  comes  of  a  family 
which  has  long  commanded  the  esteem  of  the 
people  of  this  district.  That  he  will  con- 
tinue to  advance  along  the  road  of  his  pro- 
fessional choice  is  the  undivided  opinion  both 
of  the  profession  and  the  laiety,  while  his 
fellow-citizens  of  Luzerne  County  accord  to 
him  their  fullest  confidence  in  his  loyalty  to 
civic  progress  and  to  the  profession  which  he 
honors   with   membership. 

He  is  a  son  of  Edward  A.  and  Alice  (Ma- 
nales)  Murphy,  the  first  named  having  been 
born  in  Janesville,  Luzerne  County,  Penn- 
sylvania, in  1863,  and  now  retired  from 
active  business,  and  the  last  named  a  native 
of  Wilkes-Barre.  He  was  born  in  Freeland, 
Luzerne  County,  October  5,  1899,  and  com- 
pleted the  courses  in  the  local  public  schools. 


695 


graduating  from  St.  Mary's  High  Scfiool  in 
1917,  and  then  attending  Wyoming  Seminary, 
where  he  took  the  business  course.  He  then 
attended  Temple  University  and  was  gradu- 
ated with  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Dental 
Surgery  in  1925,  since  which  time  he  has 
been  in  general  practice  here.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  Luzerne  County  Medical  Society,  a 
Republican  in  politics  and  attends  St.  Aloy- 
sius   Roman   Catholic   Church. 


MICHAEL,  rESCIIVA — ^Successful  in  his 
business  activities,  Michael  Fescina,  of 
Hazleton,  where  he  is  commissioner  of  parks 
and  buildings,  also  achieved  distinction  in 
the  political  field  and  won  the  regard  of  his 
fellow-citizens  by  his  upright  character,  sin- 
cerity of  purpose  and  general  accomplish- 
ment. His  inten.se  spirit  of  nationalism,  stu- 
dious regard  for  the  rights  of  others,  indus- 
trious nature  and  pleasing  personality  have 
brought  him  many  friends  and  won  the  ap- 
probation of  all.  He  is  a  man  who  does  things 
and  does  them  thoroughly  and  well,  who 
cares  for  the  interests  of  those  who  have  re- 
posed confidence  in  him  as  he  would  for  his 
own,  and  who  never  fails  to  do  with  all  his 
might  the  tasks  that  are  set  for  his  hand. 
With  the  soul  of  a  musician,  he  is  a  good 
comrade  and  delights  in  the  society  of  Ills 
fellows  and  in  his  home,  where  his  children 
are  all  musically  gifted  and  trained  and 
where  melody  and  happiness  are  the  reward 
at  the   close   of   the   day's   labor. 

He  was  born  in  the  village  of  Foundry- 
ville,  Pennsylvania,  August  16,  1SS2,  a  son  of 
Joseph  and  Concetta  (Lasca)  Fescina,  both 
natives  of  Italy,  who  emigrated  to  this 
country,  where  they  met  and  married.  The 
father  has  been  tor  many  years  engaged  in 
the  service  of  the  Lehigh  Valley  Railroad, 
being  one  of  the  oldest  employees  of  that 
corporation.  He  and  his  wife  are  the  parents 
of  eight  children:  Frank,  a  carpenter;  Mil- 
dred, who  married  John  Leo:  Joseph,  an  em- 
ployee of  the  Lehigh  Traction  Company; 
Rocco,  teller  in  the  Hazleton  National  Bank, 
choirmaster  and  organist  of  the  Most  Pre- 
cious Blood  Roman  Catholic  Church;  Mary, 
who  married  Nicholas  Marshall;  James,  an 
employee  of  the  Wilkes-Barre  and  Hazleton 
Railroad;  Nancy,  who  married  Neil  Dinaia; 
Michael,  of  whom  further. 

Michael  Fescina  was  educated  in  the  pub- 
lic schools  of  Luzerne  County  and  at  the  age 
of  sixteen  years  entered  the  employ  of  J.  & 
C.  J.  Kirschner,  wholesale  flour  and  feed 
merchants,  where  he  remained  for  thirteen 
years,  then  going  to  the  Basso  Department 
Store  as  office  manager  and  secretary  of  the 
corporation.  He  is  second  vice-president  of 
the  Middle  Coal  Field  Building  &  Loan  Asso- 
ciation, and  has  shown  great  activity  in  civic 
affairs,  having  served  as  a  member  of  the 
Select  Council  and  a  member  of  that  body  in 
his  second  term  when  the  commission  form 
of  government  was  established  in  Hazleton, 
wlien  he  was  elected  to  his  present  oflice  of 
commissioner  of  parks  and  buildings.  He  is  a 
member  of  Mountain  City  Lodge,  No.  71, 
Knights  of  Pythias,  of  the  Benevolent  and 
Protective  Order  of  Elks,  and  other  fraternal 
organizations  and  belongs  to  the  Most  Pre- 
cious Blood  Roman  Catholic  Church. 

Michael  Fescina  married,  October  19,  1905, 
Jennie  Di  Joseph,  of  Hazleton.  Their  children 
are:  Concetta,  Joseph,  Louise,  Margaret,  and 
Michael.  The  family  residence  is  at  No.  332 
East  Diamond  Avenue,  Hazleton,  Pennsyl- 
vania. 


LRSMR  J.  HARRISON,  county  commis- 
sioner of  Luzerne  County,  and  one  of  the 
best  known  citizens  of  WlIkes-Barre,  is  a 
man  who  has  made  his  way  upward  as  a 
result  of  his  own  ambition,  intelligently  di- 
rected industry  and  straightforward  methods 
in  the  transactions  and  contacts  of  every  day 
life.  In  this  way  he  has  exemplified  the  high 
ideals  of  those  sturdy  pioneers  who,  early  In 
the  seventeenth  century,  left  an  established 
social  order  and  civilization  on  the  other  side 
of  the  Atlantic  and  braved  the  unknown  ter- 
rors of  the  New  World — wild  beasts,  savage 
men,  rigorous  climate  and  the  dangers  of 
disease  and  pestilence  that  they  might  found 
a  society  based  on  freedom,  religious  and 
political.  The  American  progenitors  of  Les- 
lie J.  Harrison,  both  paternal  and  maternal, 
were  among  that  number.  In  his  veins  flows 
the  blood  of  many  founders  and  patriots, 
men  "who  fought  Indians  and  who  did  their 
share  in  establishing  the  independence  of 
the  colonies.  George  P.  Ransome,  an  ances- 
tor, came  from  Connecticut  and  established 
the  family  in  Pennsylvania.  He  was  killed  at 
the  battle  and  massacre  of  Wyoming  on  July 
3,   1778. 

The  paternal  grandparents  of  Mr.  Harrison 
■were  Jacob  and  Mary  (Boney)  Harrison. 
Their  son,  William  Henry  Harrison,  married 
Amanda  Ransome  and  they  were  the  parents 
of  four  children:  Ora,  married  George  W. 
Roberts  of  Plymouth,  Pennsylvania;  Leslie 
.J.,  of  whom  further;  Mazie,  who  died  at  the 
age  of  eighteen;  Stanley  W.,  who  is  pay- 
master for  the  Ford  Motor  Company  at 
Rouge,  Jlichigan.  In  his  younger  manhood, 
the  father  of  this  family  engaged  in  farming 
in  Detroit,  but  later  in  life  he  was  in  business 
as  a  construction  contractor  for  the  Dela- 
ware and  Hudson  Coal  Company  at  Plymouth. 
Leslie  J.  Harrison  was  born  in  Wilkes- 
Barre,  March  15,  1SS3.  but  he  grew  to  man- 
hood in  Plymoutii,  where  he  graduated  from 
the  grammar  and  high  schools.  His  formal 
education  was  completed  at  Wyoming  Semi- 
nary at  Kingston;  but  he  has  never  ceased 
to  be  a  reader  and  a  student.  After  leaving 
school,  young  Harrison  went  to  work  in  an 
engineering  corps  of  the  Lehigh  and  Wilkes- 
Barre  Coal  Company,  at  first  as  a  chainman 
and  later  in  the  construction  department.  All 
the  time  that  he  was  thus  gaining  practical 
experience,  he  was  also  studying  privately 
and  more  deeply  into  the  theoretical  side  of 
engineering  practice.  Thus,  when  the  oppor- 
tunity came  in  1911  he  accepted  a  position  as  a 
municipal  engineer.  He  held  positions  of  this 
kind  in  a  number  of  towns,  boroughs  and 
cities  in  Luzerne  and  Lackawanna  counties 
until  192S.  In  the  previous  November  he  was 
elected  to  his  present  position  of  commis- 
sioner of  Luzerne  County,  as  a  result  of  one 
of  the  hottest  political  campaigns  ever 
waged  in  this  region;  but  Mr.  Harrison  won 
by  a  margin  of  18,000  votes.  He  brought  to 
this  office  a  broad  and  most  valuable  experi- 
ence; for  besides  the  activities  already  men- 
tioned, he  had  been  for  years  a  member  of 
the  engineering  firm  of  Harrison  and  Butts, 
whose   offices   were   in  Wilkes-Barre. 

On  March  7,  1907,  Leslie  J.  Harrison  mar- 
ried Chrissie  L.  Henderson  of  Plymouth, 
Pennsylvania.  They  have  four  children: 
Helen  Louise,  Elizabeth  Amanda.  Mildred  B., 
and  Leslie  J.,  Jr.  The  family  residence  is  at 
No.  S31  South  Main  Street,  Wilkes-Barre. 


FREDERICK  AV.  AHLBORN— Widely  known 
and  respected  citizen  of  Wilkes-Barre,  Fred- 
erick W.  Ahlborn  was  born  in  this  city,  Feb- 


696 


ruary  11,  1873,  a  son  ot  Frederick  C.  and 
Henrietta  (Tietel)  Ahlborn.  Fredericli  C. 
Ahlborn  was  born  February  10,  1S30,  engaged 
in  various  commercial  enterprises,  and  in 
1870,  at  the  age  of  forty  years,  came  from 
Philadelphia  to  Wilkes-Barre,  and  here 
established  residence  and  opened  a  plant  for 
the  manufacture  of  soaps.  Later,  abandoning 
this,  he  operated  in  the  business  of  packing 
and  dealing  in  all  kinds  of  produce.  He  be- 
came within  a  very  few  years  one  of  the 
prominently  recognized  commercial  leaders 
in  the  community,  and  was  a  director  of  the 
Wilkes-Barre  Deposit  and  Savings  Bank.  In 
all  he  participated  in  the  business  life  of  the 
city  some  thirty  years,  and  was  active  in 
all  affairs  pertaining  to  the  development  of 
the  greater  metropolitan  area.  Politically 
affiliated  with  the  Republican  party  he  was 
influential  in  questions  of  moment,  and 
throughout  his  life  was  a  loyal  supporter  of 
the  organization.  Fraternally  too  he  was 
active,  principally  in  the  Independent  Order 
of  Odd  Fellows;  and  he  was  a  communicant 
of  the  Lutheran  Church,  temperate  and  char- 
itable in  all  things.  When  he  died,  April  3D, 
1893,  his  loss  was  felt  keenly,  both  as  a  citi- 
zen valuable  to  the  community,  and  as  a 
friend.  Frederick  C.  Ahlborn  and  his  wife, 
Henrietta,  were  the  parents  of  children:  1. 
Frederick  W.,  of  whom  directly.  2.  Dr.  Mau- 
rice B.,  a  surgeon  high  in  the  medical  fra- 
ternity of  Luzerne  County,  practicing  in 
Wilkes-Barre.  3.  Hildegard,  wife  of  Charles 
H.  Webster,  of  Montclair,  New  Jersey.  4. 
Ernestine,  wife  of  Dr.  Alexander  J.  McRae, 
of  Miami,  Florida.  5.  Emma,  wife  of  Ernest 
Schroeder,  of  Montclair,  New  Jersey.  6.  Ger- 
trude.   7.  Etta,   deceased. 

Frederick  W.  Ahlborn  attended  the  public 
schools  of  his  native  city,  and  at  the  age  of 
eighteen  years  took  a  place  with  the  C. 
Clinck  Packing  Company,  of  Buffalo,  New 
York.  There  he  became  familiar  with  all 
phases  of  the  packing  business,  and  after 
four  years  of  experience  returned  to  Wilkes- 
Barre,  to  a  position  in  his  father's  provision 
store  on  Pennsylvania  Avenue.  At  the  age 
of  twenty-three  he  launched  into  business 
for  himself,  dealing  in  wholesale  groceries, 
successfully:  and  he  continued  as  wholesaler 
for  a  period  of  twenty-five  years,  disposing 
of  his  company  in  1922,  when  he  entered  the 
insurance  business.  This  he  has  continued 
through  the  years  succeeding  until  the  pres- 
ent time,  and  has,  furthermore,  dealt  in  poli- 
cies for  the  Equitable  Assurance  Society  of 
New  York.  Like  his  father  a  Republican,  Mr. 
Ahlborn  is  staunch  in  support  of  the  party 
principles  and  exercises  a  considerable  in- 
fluence locally,  which  he  employs  without 
fanfare,  quietly,  always  in  the  interests  of 
the  community  at  large.  He  is  a  member  of 
Lodge  No.  61,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons  of 
Wilkes-Barre;  Keystone  Consistory,  Scran- 
ton,  Pennsylvania,  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish 
Rite  Masons  of  the  thirty-second  degree,  and 
Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of 
the  Mystic  Shrine.  He  is  also  a  member  of 
the  Temple  Country  Club  and  of  the  West- 
moreland Club.  Toward  charity  Mr.  Ahlborn 
ever  has  dealt  with  large  heart,  generous  in 
contributions  to  all  worthy  causes  without 
regard  for  race  or  creed.  He  is  a  communi- 
cant of  St.  John's  Lutheran  Church,  and  is 
devout  in  its  service,  actively  a  participant 
in  its  "works.  During  the  World  War  he 
served  on  the  committees  and  boards  having 
charge  of  the  prosecution  of  the  conflict 
from  within  this  country,  was  instrumental 
in  securing  many  subscriptions  in  the  sev- 
eral   Liberty    Loan    campaigns,    and    acted    in 


every  manner  possible  in  the  assistance  of 
his  country's  cause,  though  his  somewhat 
advanced  years  forbade  duty  in  the  military. 
Of  him  his  associates  have  only  the  kindest 
of  things  to  say,  as  reflecting  truly  his  pos- 
session in  high  degree  of  those  qualities  of 
character  that  cause  a  man  to  be  warm  in 
the   affections   of  his   fellows. 

On  June  9,  1909,  Mr.  Ahlborn  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Marion  Livia  Ashley,  of 
Wilkes-Barre,  a  daughter  of  Herbert  Henry 
and  Lydia  (Davenport)  Ashley:  and  they  are 
the  parents  of  two  children:  Frederick  Ash- 
ley and  Herbert  Ashley.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ahl- 
born reside  in  a  tastefully  appointed  resi- 
dence at  No.  236  South  Franklin  Street, 
Wilkes-Barre;  and  Mrs.  Ahlborn,  a  woman 
of  charm  and  refinement,  is,  as  her  husband, 
popular  in  the  circles   in  which   she  moves. 


WILLIAM  T.  PAYiXE — One  of  the  foremost 
citizens  of  Luzerne  County  and  a  leading 
business  man  in  the  Wyoming  Valley,  Wil- 
liam T,  Payne  holds  a  prominent  place  in  the 
industrial  life  of  the  community  as  president 
of  the  Bast  Boston  Coal  Company,  a  mining 
firm  of  Luzerne  County,  and  also  as  the  presi- 
dent or  as  an  officer  of  several  other  com- 
panies having  to  do  with  the  production  of 
coal  in  this  section.  He  represents  the  fourth 
generation  of  the  Payne  family  in  America, 
three  generations  of  which  have  been  promi- 
nent  in   the   Pennsylvania   coal   industry. 

He  is  the  son  of  William  G.  and  Ellen 
(Roberts)  Payne,  deceased.  His  great-grand- 
father and  the  founder  of  the  line  in  America 
was  Robert  Payne,  of  Ballycommon,  Kings 
County,  Ireland,  who,  with  his  wife,  Mary 
A.  (Chamberlain  I  Payne,  the  daughter  of  the 
Rev.  William  Chamberlain,  a  clergyman  of 
the  Established  Church  of  England  in  Bally- 
common, came  to  America,  landing  first  in 
Montreal,  Canada,  and  engaged  in  the  mill- 
ing business  in  Canada  until  his  death.  His 
son,  Edward,  who  accompanied  him  to 
America,  was  born  in  1814,  came  later  to 
Minersville,  Schuylkill  County,  Pennsylvania, 
where  he  became  an  extensive  coal  operator, 
owning  three  mines.  He  also  owned  in  fee 
simple  that  tract  of  coal  land  known  as  the 
"Stanton,"  which  was  superintended  by  John 
Stanton,  from  whom  it  derived  its  name.  Sub- 
sequently he  engaged  also  in  the  wholesale 
coal  business,  with  offices  in  Philadelphia  and 
New  York,  marketing  both  his  own  products 
and  those  of  other  mines.  He  built  a  fine 
business,  laying  the  foundations  for  future 
generations.  Edward  Payne  married  Priscilla 
Standish,  of  Pennsylvania  parentage  and  dis- 
tinguished English  ancestry,  who  died  in 
1S80.  He  died  in  Jersey  City,  New  Jersey,  in 
1857. 

William  G.  Payne,  the  son  of  Edward  and 
Priscilla  (Standish)  Payne,  was  born  in 
Jlinersville,  Schuylkill  County,  Pennsylvania, 
on  July  19,  1848.  While  he  was  still  young, 
his  parents  removed  to  Jersey  City,  New 
Jersey,  where  he  attended  the  public  schools, 
and  also  went  to  private  schools,  until  his 
father's  death  in  1857.  He  then  was  taken  to 
the  residence  of  relatives  in  Granby,  Canada, 
where  he  attended  school.  Later  he  joined 
his  uncle,  William  Payne,  in  Newark,  New 
Jersey,  and  after  he  had  completed  his  edu- 
cation he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Con- 
sumers' Coal  Company,  of  Newark,  in  which 
his  uncle  had  an  interest.  He  started  as  clerk 
and  worked  up  to  the  position  of  secretary- 
treasurer  of  the  company.  He  remained  in 
Newark  until  1871,  when  he  was  made  gen- 
eral superintendent  of  the  East  Boston  Mines, 
whose    headquarters    then    were    in    Luzerne, 


697 


Pennsylvania.  In  1S73  he  purchased  the 
mines  and  the  business  of  the  Consumers' 
Coal  Company:  and  a  little  later,  with  W.  H. 
Meeker,  established  the  wholesale  coal  busi- 
ness of  Meeker,  Payne  and  Company,  in  New 
York  City.  Subsequently  he  made  rapid 
strides  in  business,  becoming  president  and 
principal  owner  of  the  East  Boston  Coal 
Company:  president  of  the  Dolph  Coal  Com- 
pany, of  Scranton:  a  manager  of  the  Pierce 
Coal  Company,  of  Scranton:  president  of  the 
Consumers'  Coal  Company,  of  Newark,  New 
Jersey:  the  owner  of  valuable  coal  lands  in 
Pennsylvania:  a  director  of  the  Wyoming 
National  Bank,  in  Wilkes-Barre;  a  director 
and  one  of  the  principal  owners  of  the 
Bridgeport  Steamboat  Company:  and  in  1892 
was  a  Presidential  elector  on  the  Harrison 
ticket.  He  was  a  prominent  Republican;  a 
communicant  of  St.  Stephen's  Episcopal 
Church,  of  Wilkes-Barre;  a  life  member  of 
the  AVyoming  Historical  and  Geological  So- 
ciety: the  Westmoreland  Club,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre:  the  Taquahanga  Club  of  Vermont;  the 
Lawyers'  Club  of  New  York;  and  the  St. 
James'  Club,  of  Montreal.  On  October  6, 
1S6S,  he  married  Ellen  Roberts,  the  daughter 
of  Lother  Roberts,  of  Montreal,  Canada,  by 
which  marriage  there  were  two  children: 
William  T.,  of  whom  further,  and  Blanche  E. 

William  T.  Payne,  the  only  son  of  William 
G.  and  Ellen  (Roberts)  Payne,  was  born  in 
Kingston,  Pennsylvania,  on  April  20,  1S71.  As 
a  boy  he  attended  Miss  Widnall's  private 
school  in  Kingston  until  1SS3.  In  that  year 
his  parents  removed  to  New  York  City,  where 
his  father  had  extensive  business  interests, 
whereupon  he  entered  the  Dwight  School, 
preparatory  to  studying  at  the  Sheffield  Sci- 
entific School,  in  New  Haven,  Connecticut. 
When  he  completed  his  academic  education  at 
the  age  of  twenty-two  years,  he  entered  the 
offices  of  the  East  Boston  Coal  Company  as  a 
clerk.  Now,  in  addition  to  his  being  presi- 
dent of  this  company,  he  is  president  of  the 
Miners'  Mills  Coal  Mining  Company;  vice- 
president  of  the  Evans  Colliery  Company; 
president  of  the  Lackawanna  Valley  Fuel 
Company,  of  Scranton;  chairman  of  the  board 
of  directors  of  the  Burns  Brothers  Coal  Com- 
pany, of  New  York  City;  vice-president  and 
a  director  of  the  Second  National  Bank,  of 
Wilkes-Barre.  He  is  a  member  of  St.  Stephens 
Episcopal  Church:  a  member  of  the  West- 
moreland Club,  of  Wilkes-Barre;  a  member 
of  the  Engineers'  Club,  of  New  Y''ork,  and  the 
Engineers'  Club  of  Northeastern  Pennsyl- 
vania: and  a  trustee  of  the  Wilkes-Barre 
Institute.  In  his  political  affiliations  he  is  a 
member  of  the  Republican  party. 

On  June  15,  1S97,  Mr.  Payne  married  Anna 
Piper,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  the  daughter  of  Agid 
and  Anna  R.  Piper.  They  have  two  children, 
both  of  whom  are  unmarried  and  living  at 
home:    Anna  Roberts  and  Prisciila  Standish. 

REMMEL  W.  LaBAR — When  settlers  first 
encamped  in  the  wilderness  of  what  is  Pike 
County,  Pennsylvania,  there  were  a  few  who 
had  come  all  the  way  across  the  Atlantic 
from  the  shores  of  Prance.  Among  them  were 
the  three  LaBar  brothers,  one  of  whom  was 
the  ancestor  of  the  sheriff  of  Luzerne  County, 
Pennsylvania,  Remmel  W.  LaBar.  Ever  since 
the  days  of  that  early  settlement,  the  La- 
Bars  have  been  a  long-lived  family,  and  one 
of  exceptional  virility  and  constructive 
thought  in  the  communities  in  which  they 
have   lived. 

Mr.  LaBar's  father,  John  H.  LaBar,  died  in 
1923  at  the  age  of  ninety-two  years  and  his 
mother    is    still    living'    and    in    good    health. 


although  she  is  more  than  ninety-three  years 
old.  His  great-uncle,  George  A.  LaBar,  died 
at  the  age  of  one  hundred  and  eighteen  years. 
Xohn  H.  LaBar  married  Louisa  Duffy  and 
they  had  eight  children.  1.  Amanda,  who  died 
in  childhood.  2.  Margaret,  wife  of  Christian 
Walter,  who  founded  the  Walter  Shoe  Store 
in  Wilkes-Barre.  3.  Frank  D.,  who  was  the 
first  street  railway  motorman  in  Wilkes- 
Barre.  4.  Samuel,  deceased.  5.  Ella,  wife  of 
H.  R.  Whitcraft,  who  helped  to  establish  the 
old  Wilkes-Barre  "Leader,"  now  the  "Times- 
Leader."  6.  Morris  H.,  who  died  during  the 
epidemic  of  influenza  in  1918.  7.  Estelita, 
wife  of  Charles  Nash,  of  West  Nanticoke, 
Pennsylvania.  8.  Remmel  W.  LaBar,  sheriff 
of  Luzerne  County. 

John  H.  LaBar  for  many  years  was  an 
undertaker  and  proprietor  of  a  livery  stable 
at  Kingston  Corner,  Kingston,  Pennsylvania, 
until  he  retired  to  a  farm  in  Jackson  Town- 
ship, where  his  son  spent  most  of  his  boy- 
hood and  later  many  of  his  vacations.  Rem- 
mel W.  LaBar  was  born  in  Wilkes-Barre 
November  13,  1880,  and  attended  the  public 
schools  there.  He  began  his  business  career 
when  still  a  boy,  his  first  employment  being 
with  the  firm  of  Williamson  and  Wallace,  in 
Wilkes-Barre.  He  continued  to  serve  this 
wholesale  grocery  firm  for  nearly  three 
years,  then  entered  the  employ  of  the  Steg- 
mair  Brewing  Company,  where  he  was  em- 
ployed  for   two   years. 

The  life  of  a  policeman  appealed  to  his 
young  fancy  at  this  time,  and  he  obtained  an 
appointment  to  the  force.  His  diligence  and 
aptitude  for  the  "work  earned  him  rapid  pro- 
motion and  he  was  eventually  the  first  cap- 
tain of  detectives  in  Wilkes-Barre.  After 
serving  on  the  police  force  for  twelve  years, 
he  was  appointed  an  alderman  to  fill  an  un- 
expired term  and  was  afterwards  elected  to 
the  office.  Two  years  later,  in  1919,  he  was 
elected  to  the  office  of  recorder  of  deeds  for 
Luzerne  County,  which  he  occupied  for  four 
years.  In  1923  he  was  elected  sheriff  of 
Luzerne  County. 

Mr.  LaBar,  an  ardent  and  active  Republi- 
can, is  a  member  of  Fidelity  Lodge,  No.  655, 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons:  Keystone  Con- 
sistory, Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite:  is 
an  Elk,  a  member  of  the  Odd  Fellows,  the 
Eagles  and  the  Loyal  Order  of  Moose  and  a 
charter  member  of  the  Craftsman's  Club  of 
Wilkes-Barre. 

In  1901,  Mr.  LaBar  married  Lottie  Williams, 
daughter  of  Joseph  Williams,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre.  They  have  two  children;  Margaret 
Louise,  and  William  Remmel  LaBar,  who  is 
a  clerk  in  the  office  of  his  father.  The  family 
home  is  at  No.  58  Virginia  Terrace,  Forty 
Fort,   Luzerne   County,    Pennsylvania. 


JOIIX  H.  DOUGHTY — Numbered  among  the 
well-known  citizens  of  \^"ilkes-Barre  and  vet- 
eran of  the  World  War  is  John  H.  Doughty, 
mechanical  engineer  for  the  Lehigh  and 
Wilkes-Barre  Coal   Company. 

John  H.  Doughty  was  born  in  Dutchess 
County,  New  York,  on  February  3,  1876,  a 
son  of  Dr.  John  H.  and  Elizabeth  (Woodin) 
Doughty.  Dr.  John  H.  Doughty,  the  father, 
died  at  the  age  of  seventy-five  years,  and  is 
(1930)  survived  by  the  widow,  aged  ninety. 
Dr.  John  H.  and  Elizabeth  (Woodin)  Doughty 
were  the  parents  of  seven  children,  all  of 
whom  reached  maturity:  1.  Thomas  J.,  died 
at  the  age  of  thirty-three  years.  2.  Edgar 
M.,  of  Brooklyn,  New  Y^ork.  3.  Robert  W.,  of 
Beacon,  New  York.  4.  Mary  V.,  wife  of  Ralph 
Brinkerhoff,  of  Yuma,  Arizona.  5.  Phoebe 
V.    B.,    unmarried,    at    Beacon,    New    York.     6. 


John  H.,  of  whom  further.  7.  Elizabeth,  de- 
ceased. 

John  H.  Doughty,  the  son,  attended  the 
public  schools  at  Beacon,  New  York,  and 
graduated  from  Cornell  University  at  Ithaca, 
New  York,  in  the  class  of  1S99.  with  the  de- 
gree of  Mechanical  Engineer.  Upon  the  con- 
clusion of  his  studies  in  college  he  took  a 
position  with  the  Worthington  Pump  Com- 
pany at  Elizabethport,  New  Jersey,  then  re- 
moved to  Pittston,  Luzerne  County,  to  become 
a  draftsman  for  the  Exeter  Machine  Com- 
pany, and  later  assistant  outside  superin- 
tendent, after  serving  as  draftsman  for  the 
Lehigh  and  Wilkes-Barre  Coal  Company.  He 
continued  as  assistant  superintendent  for 
the  Lehigh-Wilkes-Barre  organization  until 
1905,  when  he  was  made  mechanical  en- 
gineer; and  this  position  has  been  his  during 
the  years  succeeding.  Politically  affiliated 
with  the  Republican  party,  Mr.  Doughty  is 
a  member  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church 
of  Forty  Port,  Luzerne  County,  and  is  a 
member  in  the  American  Society  of  Mechani- 
cal Engineers.  In  1917  he  was  commissioned 
a  captain  in  the  Engineering  Corps  of  the 
United  States  Army,  and  was  located  at  Camp 
Lee,  Virginia,  until  February,  1918,  when  he 
was  ordered  overseas.  At  a  tank  school  in 
England  he  was  instructor  until  October, 
1918,  when  he  became  attached  to  the  10th 
Battalion  of  the  British  Expeditionary 
Forces  at  the  British  Tank  Corps;  in  Novem- 
ber, 1918,  he  was  attached  to  the  301st  Tank 
Battalion,  United  States  Army,  at  Sault, 
Prance,  and  later  to  the  329th  Tank  Bat- 
talion. United  States  Army,  at  Bourges, 
France.  Mr.  Doughty  was  mustered  out  of 
the  service  in  April,  1919.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Black  Diamond  Post  of  the  American 
Legion,  at  Kingston,  Pennsylvania.  As  an 
attestation  to  Ills  widespread  interests, 
illustrating  the  scope  of  activities  engaged 
in  by  the  soldier-engineer,  it  may  be  noted 
that  Mr.  Doughty  is  a  member  of  the  Forty 
Port  School  Board,  is  president  of  the  Wyo- 
ming Valley  Council  Boy  Scouts  of  America, 
a  member  of  the  Wyoming  Valley  Historical 
and  Geological  Society,  the  society  of  Military 
Order  of  the  World  War,  and  director  of  the 
Forty  Fort   State   Bank. 

John  H.  Doughty  married,  on  August  18, 
1921,  Muriel  Weston,  of  Forty  Port,  Luzerne 
County,  daughter  of  the  late  Dr.  Eugene 
Weston  of  Pittston.  Luzerne  County  and  Ada 
(Reese)  Weston.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Doughty  are 
the  parents  of  a  son,  John  H.  Doughty,  Jr. 


■WALTER  CHARLES  FANCOURT — Of  Eng- 
lish birth  on  both  sides,  Walter  Charles  Fan- 
court  was  born  in  Kingston,  Luzerne  County, 
April  12,  1889,  and  brought  up  in  the  schools 
of  that  place.  His  father  was  George  Eman- 
uel Pancourt,  born  in  London,  England,  in 
1857,  and  for  many  years  a  florist  in  King- 
ston. He  died  in  1904.  Mr.  Fancourt's  mother 
was  Jane  Ingameels,  and  was  born  in  Lin- 
colnshire, England,  in  1858,  and  died  here  in 
May,   1910. 

Of  keenest  ambition,  Mr.  Fancourt  acquired 
his  technical  education  from  the  Interna- 
tional Correspondence  School,  taking  the 
mining  course,  and  going  also  to  the  night 
school  of  the  Pennsylvania  State  College,  in 
the  extension  course.  Having  completed  a 
theoretical  training  he  entered  the  employ 
of  the  Delaware  and  Lackawanna  Railroad 
Company,  in  the  mining  department  in  May, 
1904,  as  an  outside  helper.  In  1906,  he  was 
taken  into  the  engineering  department  of  the 
same  company,  a  company  that  is  now  known 
as   the   Glen   Alden    Coal    Company.     There    he 


remained  until  1917,  and  then  took  the  posi- 
tion of  section  foreman  with  their  Woodward 
colliery,  later  to  be  promoted  to  mine  fore- 
manship  with  that  colliery.  In  1923  he  was 
made  division  engineer  of  all  that  company's 
collieries  in  Luzerne  County.  Mr.  Fancourt 
has  steadily  risen  in  responsibility  in  his 
various  posts  with  this  large  company,  and 
has  acted  as  superintendent  of  the  Petty- 
bone  Colliery,  of  the  Loomis  and  of  the 
Auchincloss  collieries.  He  is  recognized  as 
an  expert  in  knowledge  in  this  great  coal 
industry  that  is  one  of  the  most  important 
sources  of  wealth  of  this  industrial  State  of 
Pennsylvania.  Mr.  Pancourt  gives  his  vote 
and  influence  to  the  Republican  party,  sup- 
porting the  candidates  and  principles  of  that 
party  with  each  election.  He  is  a  Free  and 
Accepted  Mason,  and  a  member  of  the  Sheki- 
nah  Chapter,  Royal  Arch  Masons;  Dieu  le 
Veut  Commandery,  No.  45,  Knights  Templar; 
and  Keystone  Consistory,  Sublime  Princes  of 
the  Royal  Secret.  He  belongs  to  the  Frank- 
lin Club  and  to  the  Engineers'  Society  of 
Northeastern  Pennsylvania.  He  and  his  fam- 
ily attend  the  Grace  Episcopal  Church. 

On  September  6,  1913,  Walter  Charles  Fan- 
court  was  married  to  Grace  Ellsworth,  of 
Wyalusing,  Bradford  County,  a  daughter  of 
Jesse  L.  and  Lucy  Ellsworth.  They  have 
adopted  a  little  son,  whom  they  have  named 
Lewis  Ellsworth  Fancourt,  born  May  14,  1916. 


THOMAS  PUGH — At  the  age  of  thirty-eight 
years,  in  1928,  Mr.  Pugh  can  claim  the  re- 
markable distinction  of  having  been  in  busi- 
ness under  his  own  name  for  almost  a  quar- 
ter of  a  century.  For  he  "was  only  sixteen 
years  old,  when  he  established  himself  in  the 
produce  business  at  Edwardsville,  the  town 
of  his  birth,  and  so  able  a  businessman  did 
he  prove  himself  that  today  he  is  still  en- 
gaged in  the  same  business.  The  latter, 
owned  and  managed  by  one  of  such  unusual 
enterprise  and  energy,  naturally  has  enjoyed 
a  steady  growth  and  today  it  is  considered 
one  of  the  most  successful,  progressive  and 
prosperous  of  its  type  in  Edwardsville.  Its 
owner,  known  to  his  fellow-citizens  through- 
out his  entire  life,  enjoys  their  confidence, 
liking  and  respect  to  an  unusual  degree,  and 
undoubtedly  "will  become  even  more  success- 
ful   and    influential    as   the   years    pass. 

William  Pugh,  the  father  of  the  subject  of 
this  article,  was  born  in  Wales  in  1850.  He 
came  to  this  country  as  a  boy  of  fifteen  years 
in  1865  and  like  so  many  of  his  fellow- 
Welshmen  settled  in  Luzerne  County.  Ac- 
cepting employment  with  the  Kingston  Coal 
Company  immediately  after  his  arrival  in 
the  United  States,  he  remained  with  this  one 
company  throughout  his  entire  active  life,  a 
period  of  more  than  half  a  century.  Having 
started  in  as  a  l^reaker  l^oy,  he  gradually 
advanced,  as  the  result  of  hard  work  and 
strict  attention  to  his  various  duties,  to  dif- 
ferent positions  of  ever  increasing  impor- 
tance and  responsibility  and  during  the  last 
few  years  of  his  connection  with  the  King- 
ston Coal  Company  held  the  position  of 
safety  inspector.  He  also  took  an  active  part 
in  politics  as  a  supporter  of  the  Republican 
party  and  in  the  civic  life  of  both  Kingston 
and  Edwardsville,  serving  at  various  times 
for  several  years  as  a  Councilman,  in  both 
these  towns.  He  also  sa"w  service  on  the 
Kingston  Board  of  Education  and  for  two 
years  was  tax  collector  of  Edwardsville.  He 
died  September  6,  1923,  highly  respected  and 
greatly  liked  for  his  many  excellent  qualities 
of  the  heart  and  mind.  He  married,  in  1878, 
at   Edwardsville,   Margaret   Bennett,    a   native 


699 


of  Schuylkill  County,  Pennsylvania,  and  a 
daughter  of  Stephen  and  Mary  (James)  Ben- 
nett. Mrs.  Pugh,  who  continues  to  make  her 
home  in  Edwardsville,  like  her  late  husband, 
has  always  been  keenly  interested  in  civic 
affairs  and,  in  192S,  held  the  important  posi- 
tion of  tax  collector  of  the  Borough  of  Ed- 
wardsville, in  which  town  she  is  very  highly 
regarded  for  her  integrity,  energy  and  public 
spirit. 

Thomas  Pugh,  son  of  William  and  Margaret 
(Bennett)  Pugh,  was  born  at  Edwardsville, 
December  6,  1S90.  He  was  educated  in  the 
public  grammar  and  high  schools  of  his  na- 
tive town.  Immediately  after  leaving  school 
at  the  age  of  only  sixteen  years,  in  1906,  he 
went  into  business  for  himself  and  under  his 
own  name.  At  first  he  handled  produce  only, 
but  so  successful  was  he  in  his  business  in 
spite  of  his  youth  that  before  long  he  was 
able  to  add  groceries  and  meat.  Within  the 
comparatively  short  space  of  ten  years  the 
business  had  grown  to  such  an  extent  that, 
in  1916,  he  was  able  to  purchase  his  present 
building  at  Mo.  5S9  Main  Street,  Kingston, 
where  his  store  and  ofBce  have  been  located 
since  then.  Today  he  employs  some  ten  peo- 
ple and  under  his  energetic  and  able  manage- 
ment the  business  is  bound  to  continue  its 
growth  and  prosperity.  Like  his  father  be- 
fore him  he  is  a  supporter  of  the  Republican 
party  and  takes  a  keen  interest  in  civic 
affairs  and  in  everything  that  has  anything 
to  do  with  the  growth  and  welfare  of  the 
community,  its  people  and  its  institutions. 
His  religious  affiliations  are  with  the  Con- 
gregational Church  and  more  particularly 
with  the  Welsh  Congregational  Church  of 
Edwardsville. 

Mr.  Pugh  is  not  married  and  makes  his 
home  with  his  mother  at  No.  20  Church 
Street,  Edwardsville. 


J.VMES  B.  QUIGLEY — Having  been  associ- 
ated with  the  mining  industry  for  almost 
half  a  century.  James  B.  Quigley,  of  Jeddo, 
has  become  kno'vvn  as  one  of  the  most  thor- 
oughly informed  men  in  all  branches  thereof, 
his  experience  ranging  from  the  duties  of  a 
breaker  boy  to  those  of  his  present  position 
as  outside  foreman.  He  has  also  attained  an 
admirable  standing  in  other  walks  of  life, 
outside  of  his  business,  mingles  in  politics, 
and  participates  in  the  works  of  his  church 
and    of    fraternal    organizations. 

The  father  of  James  B.  Quigley  is  John  B. 
Quigley,  a  retired  police  officer,  who  was 
born  in  1S47,  at  Philadelphia.  His  wife,  Har- 
riett (Amon)  Quigley,  was  born  in  1845,  in 
Carbon  County,  and  has  been  deceased  since 
October,    1909. 

James  B.  Quigley  was  born  June  8,  1875,  in 
Jeddo,  and  here  attended  the  public  school 
until  he  "n'as  nine  years  old.  At  this  early 
age  he  began  work  in  the  coal  breakers,  and 
has,  during  the  years  that  have  elapsed, 
maintained  continuous  association  with  min- 
ing in  its  various  departments.  In  1890,  Mr. 
Quigley  accepted  a  position  with  the  Jeddo 
Highland  Coal  Company  as  a  pump  runner. 
His  executive  abilities  soon  were  recognized, 
which  resulted  in  his  promotion  to  the  post 
of  foreman  in  the  breakers.  A  second  pro- 
motion, in  1900,  made  him  outside  foreman,  a 
position  he  has  since  maintained,  a  loyal  and 
conscientious  employee,  and  popular  with  his 
subordijiates.  Mr.  Quigley,  a  believer  in  the 
teachings  of  Democracy,  as  established  by 
Thomas  Jefferson,  is  a  staunch  supporter  of 
the  Democratic  party.  He  finds  recreation 
and  pleasure  with  the  Lodge  No.  1145,  Be- 
nevolent   and    Protective    Order    of    Elks,    and 


with  the  Knights  of  Columbus.  A  devout 
Catholic,  he  worships  at  St.  Anne's  Roman 
Catholic    Church,    Freeland. 

Mr.  Quigley  married,  June  23,  1898.  Annie 
I.  Gallagher.  She  is  a  native  of  Eckley,  Penn- 
sylvania, her  parents  having  been  James  and 
Annie  Gallagher.  The  children  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Quigley  are:  Joseph  E.,  Raymond  J., 
John  B.,  Jr.,  Leo,  Mary,  James  G.,  Thomas  and 
Robert. 


H.\RRV  T.  P.VRRELL — Enjoying  the  full 
confidence  of  many  thousands  of  red-blooded 
Americans,  whose  predilection  for  profes- 
sional boxing  has  brought  about  its  legal 
control  and  elevated  it  to  a  high  standard 
among  sports,  Harry  T.  Farrell,  who  makes 
his  home  in  Wilkes-Barre,  as  Boxing  Com- 
missioner of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  is  one 
of  the  most  popular  officials  in  the  United 
States.  Long  before  his  appointment  to  this 
position  he  had  made  a  very  wide  acquaint- 
ance through  travel  in  business  operations 
and  in  a  broad  area  became  known  and 
esteemed  for  his  knowledge  of  the  sport 
which  he  now,  in  his  official  capacity,  largely 
dominates  in  this  State.  Mr.  Farrell  is  a 
man  of  very  attractive  personality,  a  maker 
of  friends  and  endowed  with  an  honesty  of 
purpose  and  a  regard  for  the  rights  of  all 
that  has  brought  him  the  encomiums  of  the 
public  and  the  praise  of  those  most  deeply 
interested  in  the  manly  art  within  the 
squared  circle. 

He  was  born  in  Wilkes-Barre,  January  15, 
1888,  a  son  of  Bernard  Farrell,  also  of  this 
city  and  a  carpenter  by  trade,  and  of  Mary 
(Ryder)  Farrell,  a  native  of  Ireland,  who 
died  in  September,  1925.  She  was  a  sister  of 
Thomas  Ryder,  a  veteran  of  the  Spanish- 
Ainerican  War  and  a  newspaper  correspond- 
ent of  note,  who  served  with  the  109th  In- 
fantry at  Chickamauga,  and  died  in  that 
place  while  in  the  service. 

Her  son,  Harry  T.  Farrell,  was  educated  in 
the  public  schools  of  Wilkes-Barre  and  was 
graduated  from  the  Wyoming  Seminary.  He 
then  entered  the  service  of  the  Delaware  & 
Hudson  Railroad  as  a  clerk  and  remained  in 
that  capacity  for  six  years,  when  he  joined 
the  American  Tobacco  Company  and  traveled 
for  that  concern  for  four  years.  This  led  to 
an  independent  business,  in  w'hich  he  engaged 
with  William  Kearney  under  the  name  of  the 
Kearney  Cigar  Store,  w^ith  its  business  on 
the  Public  Square  in  Wilkes-Barre.  This 
continued  for  about  nine  years.  He  served  in 
the  Department  of  Justice  at  Harrisburg  for 
two  years  and  on  August  25,  1926,  was  ap- 
pointed State  Boxing  Commissioner  by  Gov- 
ernor Giftord  Pinchot  and  re-appointed  Feb- 
ruary 21,  1927,  by  Governor  John  S.  Fisher, 
a  position  he  still  administers.  During  the 
World  War  he  served  in  the  LTnited  States 
Navy.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republican,  in  re- 
ligion a  Roman  Catholic  and  a  member  of 
St.  Francis  congregation.  He  is  a  member 
of   Nanticoke    Post,    American    Legion. 

Harry  T.  Farrell  married,  November  27, 
1919,  Bessie  Riley,  of  Nanticoke,  daughter  of 
James   K.   and  Catherine   Riley. 


JOSEPH  H.  SCHWARTZ — Business  leader, 
public  official,  and  man  of  affairs.  Joseph  H. 
Schwartz  has  been  an  important  and  familiar 
figure  in  the  life  of  Plymouth,  Pennsylvania, 
for  many  years.  He  has  given  freely  of  his 
services  in  the  public  interest.  The  same  fine 
talents  which  brought  him  his  o^vn  success 
have  contributed  much  to  the  progress  and 
advancement  of  this  community. 

Mr.   Schwartz  was   born  in   New  York   City, 


70O 


on  July  20,  1860.  a  son  of  Bernard  and  Anna 
(Hertz)  Schwartz.  Bernard  Schwartz,  the 
father,  born  in  Germany  on  January  25,  1823, 
was  only  six  when  his  parents  brought  him 
to  America.  He  grew  to  manhood  here,  and 
at  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  War  enlisted  in 
the  X.Tnion  cause  like  so  many  others  of  Ger- 
man birth  or  parentage.  At  this  time  he  was 
already  captain  of  Company  H,  6th  New  York 
Infantry  Regiment,  and  before  the  termina- 
tion of  the  conflict  he  won  promotion  to  the 
rank  of  lieutenant-colonel  through  the  merit 
of  his  services.  Joseph  H.  Schwartz  has  now 
in  his  possession  two  swords  formerly  owned 
by  his  father,  one,  a  captain's  sword,  given 
him  in  1856  by  his  company,  and  the  other, 
a  lieutenant-colonel's  saber,  presented  to  him 
by  his  regiment  in  1863.  In  business  life  the 
elder  man  had  been  a  dealer  in  wholesale 
glass  and  paints  and  in  real  estate.  His  death 
occurred  on  December  28,  1888.  Anna  (Hertz) 
Schwartz,  his  wife,  was  also  a  native  of 
Germany,  born  on  June  7,  1826.  She  came  to 
the  United  States  when  still  very  young,  and 
died  in  New  York  City  on  November  10,  1868. 
Joseph  H.  Schwartz,  of  this  record,  acquired 
his  preliminary  education  in  New  York  pub- 
lic schools.  Later  he  attended  the  College  of 
the  City  of  New  York  for  one  year,  and  in 
1876  came  to  Plymouth,  Pennsylvania,  where 
he  has  since  made  his  home.  Here  he  became 
associated  with  his  brother  Fred  as  a  whole- 
sale dealer  in  wines  and  liquors.  In  1881 
they  organized  the  firm  of  Fred  Schwartz 
and  Brother,  which  continued  until  1903  when 
Fred  Schwartz  passed  away.  Mr.  Schwartz 
operated  the  business  alone  thereafter,  re- 
taining the  old  firm  name.  On  July  30,  1919, 
in  observance  of  the  prohibition  law,  he  re- 
tired from  active  business  life,  and  since  that 
time  has  devoted  all  his  attention  to  matters 
affecting  the  common  welfare.  During  his 
career  as  a  merchant  at  Plymouth,  covering 
a  period  of  forty-nine  years,  there  was  never 
a  single  instance  when  Mr.  Schwartz  failed 
to  meet  promptly  any  bill  which  was  due,  nor 
did  he  ever  ask  for  an  extension  of  credit. 
Honorable  in  his  relations  toward  all  men, 
he  expected  as  much  in  return,  but  he  has 
been  conspicuously  kind  to  those  afflicted  by 
misfortune,  and  often  extended  a  helping 
hand  to  those  sadly  in  need  of  a  friend.  In 
addition  to  his  own  business  enterprise,  Mr. 
Schwartz  was  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the 
Black  Diamond  Knitting  Mills  Company  of 
Nanticoke   for   twelve   years. 

In  public  life  and  politics  Mr.  Schwartz  has 
always  given  his  consistent  support  to  the 
Republican  party,  being  convinced  that  its 
policies  will  best  promote  the  interests  of 
the  community.  State  and  Nation.  But  al- 
though standing  high  in  councils  of  his  party 
he  has  never  put  purely  party  considerations 
above  the  public  interest.  He  has  frequently 
demonstrated  his  progressive  public  spirit, 
and  his  own  place  in  the  esteem  of  his  fel- 
low-citizens is  well  indicated  by  the  fact  that 
in  1020  he  was  nominated  by  both  the  Re- 
publican and  Democratic  parties  for  the  office 
of  representative  in  the  Pennsylvania  Legis- 
lature. He  was  overwhelmingly  elected  in 
the  November  elections,  and  reelected  in  the 
same  manner  in  1922  and  1924,  serving  also 
in  the  Special  Session  of  1926.  He  served  at 
Harrisburg  during  these  sessions  "with  great 
distinction  and  success. 

At  Plymouth  Mr.  Schwartz  has  given  his 
support  to  every  -worthy  movement  making 
for  advance  and  progress,  whether  civic 
or  benevolent  in  nature.  He  \vas  one  of  the 
organizers  of  the  Wyoming  Valley  Homeo- 
pathic Hospital,   is  a  trustee  of  that  institu- 


tion and  has  contributed  much  to  its  success. 
Mr.  Schwartz  is  also  one  of  the  three  living 
charter  members  of  the  Plymouth  Fire  De- 
partment, and  a  member  of  Company  No.  1. 
Since  1907  he  has  been  a  director  of  the  First 
National  Bank  of  Plymouth.  Fraternally  Mr. 
Schwartz  is  affiliated  with  Plymouth  Lodge, 
No.  332.  of  the  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  of 
which  lodge  he  is  the  third  oldest  living  Past 
Master.  He  is  also  the  third  oldest  living 
Past  High  Priest  of  Valley  Chapter,  No.  214, 
Royal  Arch  Masons,  and  is  the  oldest  living 
Thrice  Illustrious  Master  of  Mount  Horeb 
Council,  No.  34,  Royal  and  Select  Masters.  In 
the  Masonic  order  he  is  also  a  member  of  all 
bodies  of  the  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite, 
including  Keystone  Consistory,  and  a  member 
of  Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles 
of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  He  is  affiliated  with 
Wilkes-Barre  Lodge,  No.  109,  Benevolent  and 
Protecti^•e  Order  of  Elks,  and  holds  member- 
ship in  the  Craftsman's  Club  and  the  Shawnee 
Club   of  Plymouth. 

Mr.  Schwartz  has  been  three  times  married: 
(first),  in  1887,  to  Stella  Janette  Keller,  who 
died  in  1894,  a  daughter  of  Philip  and  Ellen 
Keller.  Two  children  were  born  of  this  mar- 
riage: 1.  Ethel,  wife  of  Alexander  Laird,  of 
Wilmington,  Delaware.  2.  Marion,  who  mar- 
ried Dr.  H.  AValter  Evans,  of  Philadelphia, 
Pennsylvania.  Mr.  Schwartz  married  (second) 
in  1898,  Anna  Yerrick,  daughter  of  Rush  B. 
and  Mary  Yerrick,  of  Danville,  Pennsylvania. 
She  died  in  1902.  In  1908  Mr.  Schwartz  mar- 
ried (third),  Aurella  Grossman,  daughter  of 
George  and  Mary  Grossman,  of  Catawissa, 
Pennsylvania.  They  have  one  daughter,  Dor- 
othy. Mr.  Schwartz  worships  with  his  family 
in  the  Protestant  Episcopal  faith,  attending 
St.  Peter's  Church. 

REV.  FR.VNCIS  KAS.^CZUN — For  more 
than  eighteen  years  the  Rev.  Francis  Kasac- 
zun  has  been  pastor  of  the  Holy  Family 
Parish,  in  Sugar  Notch,  Pennsylvania.  A  man 
of  wide  culture  and  an  accomplished  linguist, 
he  has  occupied  the  pulpit  of  the  church  dur- 
ing this  period  with  the  fine  dignity  which 
constitutes  true  eloquence.  His  value  as  an 
administrator  is  proved  by  the  highly  satis- 
factory condition  of  the  temporal  affairs  of 
the  parish,  and  the  inspiration  of  his  pres- 
ence and  example  are  of  inestimable  value  in 
the   community. 

Father  Kasaczun  was  born  in  Scranton, 
Pennsylvania,  February  2,  1886,  a  son  of  John 
Kasaczun,  land  owner,  who  was  born  in 
Poland,  and  who  died  in  1907,  and  of  Rose 
(Zelinski)  Kasaczun,  who  was  also  born  in 
Poland,    and   who   died    in    1921. 

Francis  Kasaczun  entered  the  public  and 
parochial  schools  of  Scranton,  remaining  for 
eight  years.  At  the  end  of  that  time  he  went 
to  Europe  and  for  eight  years  pursued  his 
studies  in  the  Schools  of  the  Missionary 
Fathers  in  France  for  two  years,  and  for  six 
years  in  Italy.  Father  Kasaczun  is  an  accom- 
plished linguist,  speaking  fluently  seven  lan- 
guages— Polish,  French,  English,  Italian, 
Slavic,  Lithuanian  and  Spanish.  On  August 
15,  1908,  he  was  ordained  priest  in  the  town 
of  Velletri,  Province  of  Rome,  Italy,  after 
which  he  returned  to  the  United  States  and 
was  appointed  assistant  priest  in  the  Sacred 
Heart  Church,  at  Du  Pont,  Pennsylvania, 
where  he  remained  for  one  year.  For  one 
year  also,  he  was  assistant  in  the  parish  of 
St.  Stanislaus,  in  New  York  City,  and  for  six 
months,  first  pastor  of  St.  Michael's  Church, 
at  Glenlyon,  Pennsylvania.  In  January, 
1911,  he  was  appointed  pastor  of  the  Holy 
Family   Church,    in   Sugar   Notch,   and    to    this 


'W.  (!/(^^^ 


f' 


'(X^-i^CyZUyPf 


position  he  has  devoted  himself  ever  since 
that  time.  He  has  as  his  assistant  Father 
Joseph  Kloss,  who  is  a  great  help  to  him  in 
the  many  duties  connected  with  his  parish. 
Father  Kasaczun  has  been  very  active  in 
organizing  Polisli  patriotic  causes  in  Wyo- 
ming Valley,  and  was  the  founder  of  the  first 
Polish  Day  to  be  celebrated  here.  He  was 
instrumental  in  establishing  a  recreation  cen- 
ter and  playground  for  children,  and  the  first 
Field  Day  of  the  Orphange,  connected  with 
the  Holy  Family  Church,  was  entirely  ar- 
ranged by  him.  In  all  matters  connected  with 
the  welfare  of  the  children  of  his  parish. 
Father  Kasaczun  is  intensely  interested. 
Since  his  coming  here  as  pastor,  a  new 
orphanage  has  been  dedicated,  and  a  splen- 
did new  Holy  Name  School  built,  consisting 
of  twelve  modern  class  rooms,  also  a  Holy 
Name  Convent.  Father  Kasaczun  was  active 
in  arranging  for  the  celebration  of  the  Silver 
Jubliee    of   Holy   Family   Parish. 

In  politics  Father  Kasaczun  is  an  inde- 
pendent voter.  He  is  a  member  of  the  local 
Chamber  of  Commerce,  and  is  affiliated  fra- 
ternally with  Wilkes-Barre  Lodge,  No.  109, 
of  the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of 
Elks.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Polish  Catholic 
Union  of  North  America,  the  Polish  National 
Alliance  of  America,  and  of  the  Polish  Cath- 
olic  Clergy   Association   of  America. 

Father  Kasaczun  has  always  been  actively 
interested  in  civic  and  social  progress.  Dur- 
ing the  World  War,  he  "was  very  active  in 
war  work,  and  served  as  chairman  of  several 
local  committees  in  the  Liberty  Loan,  Red 
Cross,  and  other  drives.  The  Red  Cross  Unit 
of  his  parish  was  one  of  the  best  organized 
of  this  conimunity,  Father  Kasaczun  being 
an  organizer  and  director  of  unusual  ability. 
He  is  a  man  of  quiet  force,  the  force  that 
accomplishes  large  results  with  little  fric- 
tion, the  force  that  counts  in  the  upbuilding, 
maintenance,  and  true  prosperity  of  a 
church. 


DANIEL  P.  DALEY,  M.  D. — The  career  of 
Dr.  Daniel  F.  Daley,  of  Kingston,  Luzerne 
County,  Pennsylvania,  is  one  which  may  well 
serve  as  an  inspiration  to  aspiring  youth, 
everywhere.  At  the  age  of  fourteen  he  was 
making  his  own  living  around  the  mines  of 
Luzerne.  Now,  at  the  age  of  forty,  he  is  not 
only  a  successful  physician,  but  he  Is  a  spe- 
cialist and  has  the  honor  of  being  a  Fellow 
of  the  American  College  of  Physicians.  He  is 
well  known  as  a  clinical  pathologist,  and  his 
work  in  this  department  of  the  medical  pro- 
fession has  been,  and  is,  of  notable  value. 
Dr.  Daley  is  a  graduate  of  Jefferson  Medical 
College  and  has  done  special  post-graduate 
work  in  the  universities  of  Vienna  and  of 
Berlin. 

Patrick  Daley,  father  of  Dr.  Daley,  was  a 
stone  contractor  in  Monmouthshire,  Wales. 
With  his  wife  and  family  he  left  his  native 
land  and  came  to  this  country,  arriving  in 
March,  1SS8,  the  year  of  the  great  blizzard, 
and  located  at  Luzerne  Borough,  Pennsyl- 
vania. He  and  his  wife,  Alice  (Whalen) 
Daley,  became  the  parents  of  ten  children: 
John,  who  is  a  resident  of  Forty  Fort,  Penn- 
sylvania; James,  of  Kingston,  Pennsylvania; 
Mary,  deceased;  Alice,  who  died  of  diph- 
theria at  the  age  of  eleven  years;  Helen,  who 
married  Patrick  J.  Munday,  of  Colgate,  Cali- 
fornia; Dr.  Daniel  P.,  of  further  mention; 
Stephen,  of  Buffalo,  New  York;  Patrick,  of 
Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania;  Katherine,  de- 
ceased; and  William,  of  Kingston,  Pennsyl- 
vania. 

Dr.    Daniel    F.    Daley,    son    of    Patrick    and 


Alice  (Whalen)  Daley,  was  born  in  Mon- 
mouthshire, Wales,  July  16,  1887,  and  was 
brought  to  this  country  by  his  parents  In 
March,  1S88,  when  he  was  eight  months  old. 
His  boyhood  years  were  passed  in  Luzerne, 
Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania,  where  his 
parents  settled,  and  until  he  was  fourteen 
years  of  age  he  attended  school,  first  the 
public  schools  and  then  St.  Mary's  Parochial 
School,  At  the  age  of  fourteen  years  he  began 
his  active  career,  finding  work  around  the 
mines  of  Luzerne,  and  willingly  giving  his 
best  effort  to  whatever  employment  he  could 
find.  He  was  an  able  and  active  lad,  and  had 
no  intention  of  remaining  in  an  humble  posi- 
tion. He  was  ambitious  to  rise  to  a  position 
of  usefulness  and  of  honor,  and  after  serving 
in  various  capacities  was  made  a  clerk  in  the 
employ  of  the  Temple  Coal  Company,  with 
whom  he  remained  for  a  period  of  four  years. 
He  had  early  taken  an  interest  in  public 
affairs,  and  when  he  was  twenty-one  years  of 
age  he  was  elected  tax  collector  for  Luzerne 
Borough,  a  position  which  he  acceptably 
filled  for  a  period  of  eight  years.  In  the 
meantime,  he  had  begun  his  professional 
training  in  Jefferson  Medical  College,  at 
Philadelphia,  and  was  spending  the  summer 
months  in  the  dispensaries  of  the  Wilkes- 
Barre  hospitals,  thus  gaining  the  advantages 
of  practical  experience  along  with  his  medi- 
cal study.  He  completed  his  course  in  Jeffer- 
son Medical  College,  graduating  with  the 
class  of  1915.  and  later  served  interneships 
at  the  Jefferson  Medical  Hospital  and  at  the 
Mercy  Hospital,  at  Wilkes-Barre.  When  his 
second  period  of  interneship  was  completed 
he  located  at  Kingston,  Pennsylvania,  where 
for  eight  years  he  was  successfully  engaged 
in  general  practice.  Always  a  student.  Dr. 
Daley  has  never  been  content  with  less  than 
the  best  possible  preparation  for  his  work, 
and  in  1925,  he  went  to  Europe  in  order  that 
he  might  deepen  his  knowledge  and  broaden 
his  experience  by  taking  post-graduate 
courses  in  Berlin,  Germany,  and  in  Vienna, 
Austria.  Upon  his  return  to  this  country  in 
1926,  he  engaged  in  practice  as  a  specialist 
in  internal  medicine  and  pathology,  and  in 
that  field  he  has  successfully  continued.  He 
has  made  for  himself  a  high  place  in  his 
chosen  special  field,  and  has  the  honor  of 
being  a  Fellow  of  the  American  College  of 
Physicians.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Luzerne 
County  Medical  Society,  the  Pennsylvania 
Medical  Society,  and  the  American  Medical 
Association,  and  he  is  also  a  member  of  the 
American  Society  of  Clinical  Pathologists,  of 
the  Philadelphia  Pathological  Society,  of  the 
New  York  Pathological  Society,  and  of  the 
Medical  Legal  Society,  of  Boston,  Massachu- 
setts. Along  with  his  professional  achieve- 
ments, Dr.  Daley  has  also  found  time  for  one 
important  business  connection.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  board  of  directors  of  the  Kingston 
Bank  and  Trust  Company,  one  of  the  largest 
banking  houses  in  the  Wyoming  Valley.  His 
religious  affiliation  is  with  the  Roman  Catho- 
lic Church  of  St.  Ignatius. 

Dr.  Daniel  F.  Daley  was  married,  .\pril  15, 
1925,  to  Margaret  Conlon,  of  Hudson,  Penn- 
sylvania, daughter  of  John  Conlon,  and  they 
are  the  parents  of  one  daughter,  Mary  Alice 
Daley.  Dr.  Daley's  home  and  otflce  are  located 
at   No.    214   Chestnut   Street,   in   Kingston. 


ROSCOE  B.  SMITH — One  of  the  well-known 
and  successful  members  of  the  Luzerne 
County  Bar  is  Roscoe  B.  Smith,  who  has  been 
engaged  in  general  practice  in  Wilkes- 
Barre  since  1913.  Mr.  Smith  has  been  United 
States  Commissioner  for   the  Middle   District 


of  Pennsylvania  for  the  past  thirteen  years, 
and  since  December,  1926,  has  been  assistant 
district-attorney  for  Luzerne  County.  He  has 
his  offices  in  the  Bennett  Building,  in  Wilkes- 
Barre. 

The  branch  of  the  Smith  family  to  which 
Mr.  Smith  belongs  came  to  Luzerne  County, 
Pennsylvania,  from  Warren  County,  New 
Jersey.  John  J.  Smith,  father  of  Mr.  Smith, 
was  for  many  years  a  merchant  in  Wilkes- 
Barre.  He  is  a  son  of  Isaac  Newton  and 
Emeline  (Brown)  Smith,  and  he  married 
Christina  Louise  Angell,  daughter  of  Frank 
and  Melissa  (Lowen)  Angell,  and  grand- 
daughter of  William  Angell,  who  was  one  of 
the  early  graduates  of  Tale  College  and  was 
one  of  the  pioneer  teachers  among  the  In- 
dians of  New  York  State.  Frank  Angell,  the 
maternal  grandfather  of  Mr.  Smith,  was  a 
soldier  in  the  Civil  War,  143d  Pennsylvania 
Volunteer   Infantry. 

Roscoe  B.  Smith,  son  of  John  J.  and  Chris- 
tina Louise  (Angell)  Smith,  was  born  in 
Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania,  July  15,  1S91, 
and  after  graduating  from  Wilkes-Barre 
High  School  in  1909,  entered  Dickinson  Law 
School,  at  Carlisle,  Pennsylvania,  from  which 
he  was  graduated  with  the  class  of  1912, 
receiving  at  that  time  the  degree  of  Bachelor 
of  Laws.  He  was  admitted  to  the  Luzerne 
County  Bar  in  March,  1913,  and  has  since 
been  continuously  and  successfully  engaged 
in  general  practice  in  Wilkes-Barre,  where 
he  has  his  offices  in  the  Bennett  Building. 
He  is  a  inember  of  the  Luzerne  County  Bar 
Association,  and  in  1914  was  appointed 
United  States  Commissioner  for  the  Middle 
District  of  Pennsylvania,  which  office  he  con- 
tinues to  hold.  In  December,  1926,  Mr.  Smith 
was  also  appointed  assistant  district-attor- 
ney for  Luzerne  County.  In  1917  Mr.  Smith 
volunteered  for  service  in  the  World  War, 
was  assigned  to  the  Quartermaster's  Depart- 
ment of  the  United  States  Army,  and  assigned 
to  Camp  Merritt,  New  Jersey,  v^'here  he  was 
stationed  for  a  period  of  twenty-one  months, 
being  mustered  out  of  service  in  the  sum- 
mer of  1919.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Diamond 
City  Post  of  the  American  Legion,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre,  and  fraternally  is  identified  with 
Willtes-Barre  Lodge,  No.  442,  Free  and  Ac- 
cepted Masons;  with  all  the  Scottish  Rite 
bodies:  and  with  Keystone  Consistory,  of 
Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  in  v^^hich  he  holds 
the  thirty-second  degree;  also  with  Irem 
Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the 
Mystic  Shrine,  of  Wilkes-Barre.  He  is  also  a 
member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows,  the  Patriotic  Order  Sons  of  America, 
the  Sons  of  Veterans,  and  of  the  Lions  Club 
and  the  Shrine  Country  Club,  also  of  Delta 
Chi  College  Fraternity.  His  religious  affilia- 
tion is  with  the  Memorial  Presbyterian 
Church  of  Wilkes-Barre,  and  in  politics  he  is 
a   Republican. 

Roscoe  B.  Smith  was  married,  September 
25,  1918,  to  Madelyn  Keiser  Morton,  daughter 
of  Robert  L.  and  Henrietta  Morton,  of 
Wilkes-Barre.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith  have  two 
children:  Roscoe  Blaine,  Jr.,  and  John  Don- 
ald. The  family  home  is  in  Kingston,  Lu- 
zerne County. 


ERNEST  SLO.\N  MILLARD — Since  Ernest 
S.  Millard  first  canie  as  a  business  man  to 
Kingston,  the  community's  physical  appear- 
ance and  inherent  prosperity  have  improved 
greatly.  For  a  share  of  this  favorable  com- 
munity evolution  he  is  responsible,  as  he  has 
served  it  consistently  as  financial  figure  and 
as  private  citizen.  His  record  is  Interesting 
in   its  variety. 


Born  in  Columbia  County,  November  28, 
1867,  Mr.  Millard  is  a  son  of  Mordecai  and 
Sarah  (Hoffman)  Millard.  His  father  was  a 
native  of  Willow  Grove,  Columbia  County, 
born  in  1832,  and  died  in  March,  1898.  He  is 
recalled  to  the  people  as  a  foreinost  citizen, 
prominent  in  the  law,  associate  judge  of 
Columbia  County  for  many  years.  Sarah 
(Hoffman)  Millard  was  also  a  native  of 
Columbia  County,  born  in  Center  Township. 
Her  death   occurred   in   1908. 

Mr.  Millard  secured  his  elementary  and 
secondary  academic  instruction  in  the  public 
schools  of  Columbia  County,  then  matricu- 
lated in  State  Normal  School,  at  Bloomsburg. 
Following  the  completion  of  studies  there  he 
formed  a  connection  with  the  J.  C.  Braden 
Insurance  Company  "which  endured  twelve 
years.  This  company,  located  at  Nanticoke, 
gave  hin:i  his  first  real  experience  in  business 
enterprise.  He  was  engaged  with  it  as  clerk 
and  office  manager.  Following  this  he  came 
to  Kingston,  and,  in  association  with  Mr. 
Loveland,  formed  the  partnership  of  Millard 
and  Loveland,  retail  and  wholesale  feed  and 
grain  dealers.  This  partnership  continued 
some  eighteen  luonths,  when  R.  H.  Scureman 
purchased  the  holding  of  Mr.  Loveland  and 
became  joint  partner,  the  firm  name  then 
being  altered  to  the  style  of  Millard  and 
Scureman.  In  1918  Mr.  Millard  incorporated 
the  business  under  the  style  of  Millard  and 
Sons,  Mr.  Scureman  having  withdrawn.  As 
Millard  and  Sons,  Incorporated,  business  was 
continued  until  1927,  when  it  was  disposed 
of  to  outside  interests  at  a  satisfactory 
figure.  Of  the  company,  under  its  charter, 
Ernest  Sloan  Millard  was  president;  his  two 
sons,  E.  H.  and  D.  H.  Millard  (concerning 
whom  more  follows),  and  M.  J.  Moore  and  C. 
E.  Norton  were  also  members  of  the  firm. 
Since  1927  Mr.  Millard  has  engaged  exten- 
sively in  the  real  estate  and  insurance  busi- 
ness, with  offices  at  No.  416  Wyoming  Ave- 
nue, Kingston,  under  the  style  of  his  own 
name.  This,  as  indeed  with  all  his  projects, 
has  proved  roundly  successful,  and  Mr.  Mil- 
lard continues  to  be,  as  he  has  been  through 
so  many  years,  one  of  Luzerne  County's  domi- 
nant   business    factors. 

But  business  has  not  claimed  the  whole  of 
his  energy.  Mr.  Millard  is  a  Republican,  loyal 
to  the  party's  principles  and  of  influence  in 
its  local  direction:  a  member  of  the  Franklin 
Club:  of  Lodge  No.  395,  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons;  Shekinah  Chapter,  Royal  Arch  Ma- 
sons; Dieu  le  Veut  Commandery,  No.  45, 
Knights  Templar;  Irem  Temple,  Ancient 
Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine;  and 
is  a  communicant  of  the  First  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  of  Kingston,  of  which  he 
is  a  trustee  and  meml^er  of  the  official  board. 
During  the  World  War  he  was  of  assistance 
in  the  movements  of  patriotic  appeal,  and 
always  has  shown  himself  to  have  at  heart 
the  best  interests  of  Kingston  and  Luzerne 
County. 

Mr.  Millard  married,  in  1893,  Edna  M. 
Moore,  of  Nanticoke,  daughter  of  Mason  and 
Margaret  Moore.  Of  this  union  were  born 
two  sons:  1.  Ernest  H.,  born  June  12,  1894,  is 
a  graduate  of  Cornell  University,  class  of 
1916,  degrees  in  Mechanical  Engineering  and 
Electrical  Engineering.  During  the  World 
War  he  had  special  training  at  Kelley  and 
Ellington  fields,  and  served  as  instructor  in 
machine  gun  aviation.  Later  he  was  trans- 
ferred to  the  Camp  Hancock  Machine  Gun 
School,  was  made  a  second  lieutenant,  and 
was  there  when  the  war  closed.  2.  Dudley  H. 
Millard,  born  in  March,  1897,  graduated  from 
Culver  Military  Academy   in   1916   and   served 


in  the  World  War.  He  went  with  a  contln- 
grent  from  Culver  to  Camp  Custer,  Michigan, 
and  later  volunteered  for  the  machine  gun 
school  at  Camp  Hancock,  to  which  he  was 
sent,  later  being  made  a  second  lieutenant. 
Subsequently,  transferred  to  Camp  Funston, 
he  became  adjutant,  serving  in  that  military 
capacity  until  the  close  of  the  war.  The 
family  residence  is  at  No.  633  Market  Street, 
Kingston. 

CHATtLES  WASILEWSKI — Familiar  indeed 
to  the  citizens  of  Nanticoke  is  Charles  Wasi- 
lewski,  proprietor  of  a  fruit,  vegetable  and 
delicatessen  store  at  Nos.  37-39  Market 
Street.  He  is  a  man  of  considerable  standing 
in  this  community,  and  public-spirited,  sup- 
porting all  enterprises  directed  toward  the 
good  of  Nanticoke  at  large. 

Mr.  Wasilewski  was  born  in  Nanticoke, 
November  1,  1885,  son  of  Karl  and  Josephine 
(Graski)  Wasilewski,  both  of  whom  are  liv- 
ing on  Green  Street,  Nanticoke.  Karl  Wasi- 
lewski was  born  in  Lithuania,  and  came  to 
the  Wyoming  Valley  to  make  his  home  in 
Nanticoke  as  a  young  man.  A  miner  by  train- 
ing, he  secured  work  here  in  that  capacity, 
and  pursued  it  for  a  time,  then  engaged  in 
the  hotel  business.  Prosperity  came  to  him 
in  this  during  the  ten  years  which  he  spent 
as  owner  and  proprietor  of  a  hostelry,  and 
enabled  him  to  retire  in  comfortable  circum- 
stances. He  is  a  communicant  of  Holy  Trin- 
ity Roman  Catholic  Church,  and  active  in  its 
works.  Josephine  (Graski)  Wasilewski  was 
born  in  Poland.  She  has  been  of  much 
assistance  to  her  husband  in  his  career,  a 
good  wife  and  mother.  To  them  were  born 
eleven  children. 

Charles  Wasilewski,  fourth  child  and  third 
son  of  Karl  and  Josephine  (Graski)  Wasi- 
lewski, received  his  academic  training  in  the 
public  and  high  schools  of  Nanticoke  and 
then  entered  Wyoming  Seminary,  at  King- 
ston, where  he  studied  for  one  year.  In  1905, 
at  the  age  of  twenty  years,  he  founded  what 
has  evolved  into  his  present  lucrative  enter- 
prise, the  fruit,  vegetable  and  delicatessen 
business  in  Market  Street.  At  first  this  was 
housed  in  the  small  building  at  Nos.  37-39 
that  occupied  this  site  in  1905,  but  in  1917 
Mr.  Wasilewski  rebuilt  the  structure,  im- 
proving it  in  every  way.  Here  he  has  a  floor 
space  38x44  feet  square,  and  carries  a  full 
line  of  edibles  of  the  finer  grades.  His  im- 
ported goods  have  a  favorable  reputation  in 
the  neighborhood.  Mr.  Wasilewski  is  a  direc- 
tor of  the  First  National  Bank,  and  is  a  com- 
municant of  Holy  Trinity  Roman  Catholic 
Church.  In  matters  of  charity  he  deals 
largely,  regardless  of  creed  and  race,  and 
takes  part  wholeheartedly  in  works  of  benev- 
olence as  he  does   in  those  of  civic  nature. 

Charles  Wasilewski  married  Catherine 
Chimcych,  of  Plymouth,  Pennsylvania.  They 
live   in   South   Market   Street,   Nanticoke. 


J.VMES  A.  CORRIGAN,  M.  D. — Well  known 
among  the  people  of  Hazleton,  Pennsylvania, 
is  Dr.  James  A.  Corrigan,  who  has  been  en- 
gaged in  general  practice  of  medicine  here 
for  the  past  fifteen  years.  He  is  a  graduate 
of  Jefferson  Medical  College,  class  of  1915, 
and  has  also  studied  in  New  York  City. 
"While  conducting  a  general  practice.  Dr. 
Corrigan  also  gives  special  attention  to  ob- 
stetrics, and  has  achieved  a  noteworthy  suc- 
cess in  this  special  field,  and  also  heads  the 
Corrigan  Maternity  Hospital.  He  has  his 
oflices  at  No.  330  West  Broad  Street,  in 
Hazleton. 

Martin    Corrigan,    father    of    Dr.    Corrigan. 


was  born  in  Ireland,  and  worked  in  the 
mines  In  Wales,  where  he  became  a  very 
proficient  miner.  After  some  years  of  ex- 
perience in  his  native  land,  he  came  to  this 
country  and  settled  in  Milnesvllle,  Pennsyl- 
vania, where  he  soon  became  known  as  an 
unusually  skillful  miner  and  as  a  man  of 
more  than  ordinary  technical  knowledge.  He 
opened  many  "slopes"  in  the  vicinity  of 
Milnesvllle,  including  "Corrigan's  Counter, 
Milnesvllle.  No.  7,"  and  this  particular  slope 
was  opened  by  Mr.  Corrigan  in  the  face  of 
strong  opposition  on  the  part  of  operators 
and  engineers,  who  insisted  that  no  coal  was 
there.  Mr.  Corrigan  insisted  as  strongly  that 
there  was  coal  there,  and  finally  prevailed 
upon  his  superiors  to  act  upon  his  advice 
and  open.  The  result  fully  justified  his  in- 
sistence and  demonstrated  the  fact  that  Mr. 
Corrigan  was  a  man  of  wisdom  and  experi- 
ence, for  the  new  mine  proved  to  be  one  of 
the  best  in  that  section.  As  a  boy  and  as  a 
young  man  he  had  worked  in  the  mines  in 
Wales,  and  he  had  also  from  early  years 
been  one  to  read  and  to  study.  Though,  as 
in  the  case  with  so  many  of  those  who  work 
in  the  mines,  his  school  training  was  limited, 
he  did  not  for  that  reason  content  himself 
with  merely  plodding  along  through  his  day's 
work.  He  used  his  spare  hours  in  acquiring 
knowledge  and  in  close  study,  and  through- 
out his  life  remained  a  student  and  a  great 
reader,  keeping  his  mind  growing  "with  the 
passing  of  the  years.  In  his  desire  to  make 
the  most  of  his  opportunities  and  to  train 
his  children  in  application  and  desire  for  an 
education  he  was  ably  helped  by  his  wife, 
Mary  (Walker)  Corrigan.  and  all  of  the  chil- 
dren grew  lip  to  be  an  honor  to  their  par- 
ents and  to  the  community.  Along  with  his 
skill  in  his  chosen  occupation.  Mr.  Corrigan 
was  of  an  inventive  turn  of  mind  and  his 
resourcefulness  and  inventive  ability  was  of 
great  usefulness  to  him  and  to  those  with 
whom  he  was  associated.  A  man  of  ability, 
a  good  citizen,  a  good  father,  he  fairly  won 
the  high  esteem  in  which  he  is  held  by  his 
many   friends. 

Dr.  James  A.  Corrigan,  son  of  Martin  and 
Mary  (Walker)  Corrigan,  was  born  in  Milnes- 
vllle, Pennsylvania.  July  5,  1881.  and  received 
his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  his 
birthplace,  in  St.  Gabriel's  Parochial  School, 
and  in  the  Bloomsburg  State  Normal  School. 
Later,  he  decided  to  enter  the  medical  pro- 
fession, and  with  that  end  in  view  began 
study  in  Jefferson  Medical  College,  at  Phila- 
delphia, from  which  he  was  graduated,  with 
the  class  of  1915.  After  serving  his  interne- 
ship  in  the  Hazleton  State  Hospital,  he  took 
a  post-graduate  course  in  New  York  State, 
and  then  located  here  in  Hazleton,  where  he 
has  been  engaged  in  general  practice  for 
fifteen  years.  As  has  already  been  stated,  he 
is  especially  interested  in  obstetrics,  and  has 
added  special  practice  in  that  field  to  his 
general  practice.  Dr.  Corrigan,  in  associa- 
tion with  his  brother.  Dr.  John  J.  Corrigan, 
and  the  latter's  son.  Dr.  L.  F.  Corrigan. 
having  recently  opened  the  Corrigan  Ma- 
ternity Hospital  in  Hazleton.  of  which  Dr. 
James  A.  Corrigan  is  the  superintendent. 
This  is  the  only  exclusive  maternity  hospital 
in    the    hard    coal    fields    of   Pennsylvania. 

He  is  a  member  of  the  Luzerne  County 
Medical  Society,  of  the  Pennsylvania  State 
Medical  Society,  and  of  the  American  Medical 
Association,  also  of  the  New  York  and  New 
England  Railway  Surgeons'  Association.  Dur- 
ing the  period  of  the  participation  of  the 
United  States  in  the  World  War  he  was  a 
member  of  the  County  Examining  Board,  and 


he  had  been  accepted  as  a  first  lieutenant  in 
the  medical  corps,  but  was  not  called.  Fra- 
ternally, Dr.  Corrig-an  is  a  member  of  the 
Knights  of  Columbus,  of  the  Benevolent  and 
Protective  Order  of  Elks  and  the  Alpha 
Omega  Alpha  Honorary  Medical  Fraternity, 
and  his  religious  membership  is  with  the  St. 
Gabriel's  Roman  Catholic  Church.  He  is 
active  socially  and  is  a  popular  after-dinner 
speaker. 

Dr.  James  A.  Corrigan  married,  July  26, 
1918,  Anna  L.  Monahan,  of  Shenandoah,  Penn- 
sylvania, and  they  have  two  children:  Mary 
and  James. 


WILI-IAM  D.  THOMAS — A  native  of  Wales, 
but  for  almost  a  quarter  of  a  century  a 
resident  of  Kingston,  Mr.  Thomas,  ever  since 
coming  to  this  country,  has  been  identified 
with  the  Pennsylvania  coal  mining  industry 
and  has  been  connected  with  the  Kingston 
Coal  Company.  He  is  not  only  an  experi- 
enced coal  miner  himself,  but  he  also  pos- 
sesses the  valuable  gift  of  imparting  his 
knowledge  and  experience  to  others  and  at 
one  time  was  for  a  number  of  years  a  mem- 
ber of  the  teaching  staff  of  the  Wilkes-Barre 
Mining  Institute.  Throughout  his  residence 
in  Kingston  he  has  taken  an  active  part  in 
that  community's  civic,  fraternal  and  reli- 
gious life. 

William  D.  Thomas  was  born  in  Wales, 
February  9,  1879,  a  son  of  the  late  Dr.  David 
Thomas  and  Elizabeth  (Davis)  Thomas.  His 
father,  who  was  born  in  Wales  In  1828  and 
who  died  there  in  1889,  was  a  physician  and 
surgeon.  His  mother,  too,  was  a  native  of 
Wales,  having  been  born  in  1S56  and  dying 
in  1S78.  Their  son  was  educated  in  the  pub- 
lic schools  of  Wales  and  later  made  special 
studies  in  mining,  both  in  his  native  country 
and  in  the  United  States.  He  came  to  this 
country  in  1905  and  at  once  settled  at  King- 
ston, where  he  entered  the  employ  of  the 
Kingston  Coal  Company  as  a  miner.  In  1912 
he  was  made  an  assistant  foreman,  a  position 
which  he  filled  so  capably  for  the  next  four 
years  that  in  1916  he  was  promoted  to  fore- 
man. This  latter  position  he  continues  to 
hold  with  much  success.  During  several 
years,  from  1911  until  1918,  he  was  also  an 
instructor  in  the  Wilkes-Barre  Mining  Insti- 
tute. He  is  a  member  of  several  Masonic 
bodies,  including  Lodge  No.  395,  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons;  Shekinah  Chapter,  Royal 
Arch  Masons;  Dieu  le  Veut  Commandery,  No. 
45.  Knights  Templar;  and  Irem  Temple  of 
Wilkes-Barre,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles 
of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  In  politics  he  is  a 
supporter  of  the  Republican  party  and  its 
principles,  while  his  religious  affiliations  are 
with  the  Edwards  Memorial  Church  of  Ed- 
wardsville. 

William  D.  Thomas  married,  in  1901,  Han- 
nah Williams,  a  native  of  South  Wales  and  a 
daughter  of  Thomas  I.  and  Janet  Williams. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thomas  are  the  parents  of  three 
children:  Emilie  M.,  born  in  May,  1902; 
Aaron  W.,  born  in  May,  1908;  and  William  D., 
Jr.,  born  in  July,  1912.  The  family  home  is 
located  at  No.  374  Chestnut  Street,  Kingston. 


BURTON     AVILLIAM     D.VVIS — One     of     the 

well-known  members  of  the  Luzerne  County 
Bar,  Burton  William  Davis,  Bachelor  of 
Philosophy  and  Bachelor  of  Laws,  has  prac- 
ticed the  law  in  Luzerne  County  since  1893. 
He  has  been  attorney  representing  Kingston 
Borough  for  thirty  years,  is  director  of  a 
bank  in  Wilkes-Barre,  and  has  numerous 
fraternal   and   political   connections. 

Burton  William   Davis   was   born   at  Strat- 


ford, Fulton  County,  New  York,  on  November 
7,  1867,  son  of  William  C.  and  Louisa  (Brow- 
nell)  Davis,  his  father  having  been  a  farmer, 
lumberman  and  cheese  manufacturer,  and 
the  son  of  John  W.  and  Esther  (Jones)  Davis, 
both  natives  of  Llanarth,  Cardiganshire, 
Wales,  who  came  to  the  United  States  toward 
1827.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  John  Davis  were  the  par- 
ents of  nine  children,  whose  names  were 
Mary,  David,  Margaret,  William  C,  John, 
Ellen,  Evan,  Edward,  and  Elizabeth  Ann. 
William  C.  Davis  and  his  wife  were  likewise 
the  parents  of  nine  children,  viz.:  1.  Arthur 
J.,  postmaster  at  Noxen,  Wyoming  County, 
Pennsylvania.  2.  Burton  William,  of  whom 
further.  3.  Martin  C,  deceased,  was  a  rail- 
way engineer  on  the  D.  L.  and  W.  Railroad, 
killed  in  an  accident  at  Mount  Pocono,  Penn- 
sylvania. 4.  Fred  B.,  member  of  the  Luzerne 
County  Board  (q.  v.).  5.  William  K.,  died  at 
the  age  of  fourteen  years.  6.  Henry  K., 
deceased,  was  a  teacher  in  the  medical  de- 
partment of  Cornell  University,  at  Ithaca, 
New  York.  7.  John  W.,  a  farmer,  near  St. 
Johnsville,  New  York,  on  the  old  homestead. 
8.  Edward,  and  (9)  Esther,  twins,  Edward  a 
merchant  at  St.  Johnsville. 

When  a  youth,  Burton  W.  Davis  attended 
grade  and  high  school  at  St.  Johnsville,  then 
enrolled  in  the  Starkey  Seminary  at  Eddy- 
town,  New  York,  and  later  entered  Cornell 
University,  where  he  graduated  in  the  class 
of  1891  with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Philos- 
ophy. He  then  entered  the  law  department 
of  Cornell,  and  was  graduated  in  the  class 
of  1893  with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Laws. 
Mr.  Davis  took  the  New  York  State  Bar 
examination  after  his  graduation,  then  came 
to  Wilkes-Barre.  He  was  admitted  to  the 
Luzerne  County  Bar  Association  in  1893  and 
has  since  continued  in  the  practice  of  law. 
In  addition  to  his  membership  in  the  County 
Bar  Association  he  is  also  a  member  of  the 
Pennsylvania  State  Bar  Association,  and  the 
American  Bar  Association.  Mr.  Davis  was 
once  a  candidate  for  the  presidency  of  the 
American  association,  and  is  affiliated  with 
a  large  number  of  fraternal  organizations, 
including  the  Kingston  Lodge,  No.  395,  of 
the  Free  and  Accepted  Masons;  Shekinah 
Chapter,  No.  82,  Royal  Arch  Masons;  Dieu  le 
Veut  Commandery,  No.  45,  Knights  Templar; 
the  thirty-second  degree  of  Keystone  Con- 
sistory of  Scranton,  Pennsylvania;  Irem 
Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the 
Mystic  Shrine;  the  Irem  Temple  Country 
Club,  the  Craftsman's  Club,  and  Wilkes- 
Barre  Lodge,  No.  109,  of  tha  Benevolent  and 
Protective  Order  of  Elks.  He  is  a  director  of 
the  Kingston  Bank  and  Trust  Company;  and 
a  member  of  the  Kingston  Methodist  Epis- 
copal   Church. 

Burton  William  Davis  married,  June  16, 
1892.  Rose  L.  Cross,  daughter  of  John  Cross, 
of  Ithaca,  New  York.  The  union  has  resulted 
in  two  children:  1.  Daniel  Beach  Davis,  who 
is  superintendent  of  the  County  Service  Cor- 
poration, at  Oakmont,  Pennsylvania.  He 
married  Mildred  L.  Space  of  Forty  Fort,  Lu- 
zerne County,  to  them  being  born  three  chil- 
dren, Betty  Jane,  Dorothy,  and  Daniel  Beach, 
Jr.  2.  Esther  L.  Davis,  unmarried,  of  King- 
ston, a  graduate  trained  nurse  from  Mercy 
Hospital  at  Wilkes-Barre,  with  special  train- 
ing at  Johns  Hopkins  Hospital  at  Baltimore, 
and  a  graduate  of  the  Floating  Hospital  at 
Boston,  Massachusetts. 

Burton  William  Davis  is  known  among  his 
confreres  in  the  law  and  in  business  as  one 
of  the  most  public-spirited  citizens  in  Lu- 
zerne  County. 


EDWARD  FRANCIS  McGOVERIV — An  in- 
spiring illustration  of  the  success  which 
comes  to  the  man  of  ability  and  character 
who  bends  every  energy  toward  advance- 
ment in  his  profession  and  who  uses  his 
gifts  and  attainments  for  the  public  welfare, 
is  the  life-story  of  Edward  Francis  Mc- 
Govern.  one  of  the  leading  lawyers  and  citi- 
zens of  Wilkes-Barre  and  Luzerne  County, 
Pennsylvania.  He  is  chairman  of  the  Demo- 
cratic County  Committee  and  maintains  his 
law  ofBces  at  No.  514  Second  National  Bank 
Building. 

Edward  Francis  McGovern  was  born  at  No. 
239  North  Main  Street,  Wilkes-Barre,  Penn- 
sylvania, in  1896,  son  of  Edward  Francis  and 
Ellen  (Murphy)  McGovern.  The  father,  born 
in  Darlington,  England,  September  10,  1860, 
was  the  son  of  Frank  McGovern,  and  Frances 
(Ray)  McGovern.  This  couple  came  to  the 
United  States  when  their  son  was  about  three 
years  old  and,  after  a  brief  residence  in 
Carbondale,  settled  in  Luzerne  County,  where 
the  senior  Edward  Francis  McGovern  grew 
up.  As  a  boy  he  worked  in  the  mines  and  lost 
a  leg  in  an  accident  as  a  young  man.  He  had 
the  same  quality  of  ambition  as  was  later  dis- 
played by  his  son,  and  refused  to  be  downed 
by  his  misfortunes.  He  was  a  breaker  boss 
for  the  Delaware  and  Hudson  Coal  Company, 
became  interested  in  politics  and  was  elected 
alderman  of  Wilkes-Barre,  in  18S1,  and 
served  for  five  years  and  saw  the  necessity 
of  further  educating  himself.  By  unwearying 
efforts  he  surmounted  all  difficulties  and  en- 
tered the  law  school  of  the  University  of 
Pennsylvania,  graduating  "with  the  degree 
of  Bachelor  of  Laws,  class  of  18S6,  and  win- 
ning admission  to  the  Luzerne  County  Bar 
June  6,  1887.  There  he  practiced  with  great 
success  for  fourteen  years,  building  up  an 
excellent  reputation  as  a  capable,  honest,  and 
alert  lawyer.  His  career  came  to  an  abrupt 
close  on  April  27,  1902,  when  he  died  at  the 
age  of  forty-five.  His  widow  and  several  of 
their  six  children  survive  him:  Francis,  who 
died  at  the  age  of  eight  years;  Edward  Fran- 
cis, of  whom  further;  Lawrence  John,  "who 
died  at  the  age  of  twenty-seven;  Paul  George, 
foreman  for  the  Glen  Aldon  Coal  Company 
of  Luzerne  County;  Theresa,  a  teacher  in  the 
Wilkes-Barre  public  school;  Michael  Francis, 
a  clerk;  Helen  Esther,  a  medical  student  at 
Loyola  University  School  of  Medicine  in  Chi- 
cago. The  father  was  an  active  Democrat 
for  more  than  twenty  years  and  declined  the 
nomination  to  the  office  of  judge  of  the 
Orphans  Court  of  Luzerne  County. 

The  son  of  this  courageous  and  successful 
man,  Edward  Francis  McGovern,  Jr.,  attended 
the  Wilkes-Barre  public  schools  and  gradu- 
ated from  high  school  in  1908.  He  followed 
this  up  with  a  post-graduate  course  in  the 
high  school  in  1909,  continuing  his  education 
in  the  Law  School  of  the  University  of  Penn- 
sylvania in  1910  and  graduating  in  1913  with 
the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Laws.  That  same 
year  he  was  admitted  to  the  Luzerne  County 
Bar.  Because  of  his  father's  early  death,  he 
had  experienced  many  of  the  difficulties 
which  confronted  his  father  in  his  pursuit  of 
an  education.  At  the  age  of  twelve  he  became 
a  delivery  boy  for  the  "Times-Leader"  and 
was  a  carrier  for  the  Wilkes-Barre  "Morning 
Record."  He  later  worked  in  the  circulation 
department  of  the  first-named  paper.  Thus 
he  was  well  known  and  conversant  with  af- 
fairs in  general  in  his  city  when  he  began 
to  practice  law.  Like  his  father  a  Democrat 
he  is  influential  in  liis  party  and  is  now 
county  chairman.  He  enjoys  a  large  and 
growing  practice,  with  a  reputation  for  deal- 


ing honestly  and  capably  with  Important  liti- 
gation. He  is  a  member  of  the  Knights  of 
Columbus,  Wilkes-Barre  Lodge,  No.  109, 
Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  IClks,  the 
Fraternal  Order  of  Eagle.s,  the  Fox  Hill 
Country  Club.  His  religious  affiliation  is  with 
St.  Mary's  Roman  Catholic  Church.  Mr.  Mc- 
Govern has  never  married. 


WALTER  C.  AVILLIAMS — Born  and  edu- 
cated in  Wiikes-Barre,  Mr.  Williams  has 
spent  his  entire  life  in  that  city,  excepting 
only  one  year,  during  wiiich  he  resided  in 
Colorado.  Having  acquired  in  his  youth  a 
very  thorough  knowledge  of  the  plumbing 
contracting  business,  by  attending  a  trade 
school  and  by  working  for  several  years  as 
a  practical  plumber,  he  established  himself 
some  twenty  years  ago  as  a  plumbing  and 
heating  contractor  in  Wilkes-Barre.  He  has 
built  up  a  very  large  and  profitable  business, 
employs  constantly  a  large  force  of  men  and 
is  considered  one  of  the  leading  men  in  his 
field.  For  many  years  he  has  been  prominent 
in  Masonic  affairs  and  in  every  way  he  is 
regarded  as  one  of  the  most  useful  and  sub- 
stantial of  tlie  younger  generation  of  Wilkes- 
Barre   business   men. 

Walter  C.  Williams  was  born  in  Wilkes- 
Barre,  December  30,  1882,  a  son  of  John  M. 
and  Catherine  (Morgan)  Williams.  His  father, 
who  was  born  in  Wales  in  1856  and  who  came 
to  this  country  early  in  his  life,  was  for 
many  years  a  miner  and  later  a  tipstaff  in 
the  County  Courthouse  in  AVilkes-Barre.  He 
died  in  November,  1923.  His  mother,  like- 
wise a  native  of  Wales  and  born  there  in 
1857,   is   still   a   resident   of  Wilkes-Barre. 

Mr.  Williams  was  educated  in  the  public 
grammar  and  high  schools  of  his  native  city, 
graduating  from  the  latter  in  1S9S.  Always 
of  a  mechanical  turn  of  mind,  he  then  became 
a  student  in  the  New  York  Technical  School, 
graduating  there  in  1902.  Next  he  accepted 
employment  with  tlte  firm  of  William  Kaiser 
&  Son,  well  known  plumbing  contractors  of 
Wilkes-Barre.  with  which  he  was  connected 
for  two  years.  He  then  went  to  Colorado  and 
there  followed  his  trade  for  one  year.  In 
190S  he  returned  to  Wilkes-Barre  and  estab- 
lished himself  under  his  own  name  as  a 
plumbing  and  heating  contractor,  in  which 
business  he  has  continued  since  then,  carry- 
ing on  a  general  contracting  business.  As 
the  result  of  his  energy,  reliability  and  abil- 
ity the  business  has  prospered  greatly,  and 
today  Mr.  Williams  finds  it  necessary  to  em- 
ploy as  many  as  sixty  men.  Until  February, 
192S,  his  headquarters  were  located  at  No. 
36  North  Main  Street,  Wilkes-Barre,  from 
where  he  moved  at  that  time  to  No.  24  North 
Main  Street.  There  he  maintains  spacious  and 
modernly  equipped  offices  and  showrooms.  He 
is  a  member  and,  in  192S,  president  of  the 
Master  Plumbers  Association  of  Wilkes- 
Barre.  He  is  also  a  member  of  Lodge  No. 
61,  Free  and  -Accepted  Masons;  Shekinah 
Chapter,  Royal  Arch  Masons;  Dieu  le  Veut 
Commandery,  No.  45,  Knights  Templar;  Irem 
Temple,  No.  71,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles 
of  the  Mystic  Shrine;  and  the  Wilkes-Barre 
Rotary  ciub.  In  politics  he  is  a  supporter  of 
the  Republican  party,  while  his  religious 
affiliations  are  with  the  Congregational 
Church  and  more  particularly  with  the  Puri- 
tan  Congregational   Church   of   'Wilkes-Barre. 

Mr.  Williams  married,  April  30,  1910,  Elea- 
nor Shadrach  of  Wilkes-Barre,  a  daughter  of 
John  and  Agnes  Shadrach.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Williams  are  the  parents  of  four  children: 
Walter  C,  Jr.,  born  in  January,  1912;  David 
S.,   born  in  January,   1913;   Robert  J.,  born  in 


7o6 


December,  1915;  and  Catherine  A.  Williams, 
born  in  July,  191S.  The  family  residence  is 
located  at  No.  43  Carlisle  Street,  Wilkes- 
Earre. 


GEORGE  F.  ROYER — As  president  of  the 
Royer  Foundry  and  Machine  Company,  of 
Kingston,  Pennsylvania,  George  F.  Royer 
heads  a  company  which  owes  its  success 
largely  to  his  own  energy  and  ability.  He 
established  a  foundry  and  machine  shop  in 
Wilkes-Barre,  in  the  early  years  of  the  cen- 
tury, carefully  guided  it  through  the  critical 
first  years,  watched  its  business  grow  to 
successful  proportions  under  his  direction, 
and  Anally  brought  about  its  incorporation 
under  the  present  name  in  Kingston.  The 
company  specializes  in  the  manufacture  of 
the  Royer  Sand  Separator  and  Blender,  a 
machine  of  unique  excellence  in  its  field, 
which  is  also  manufactured  in  Birmingham, 
England,  and  in  Paris,  France,  for  European 
distribution  under  a  royalty  arrangement. 
Other  apparatus  is  also  produced,  including 
the  Royer  emergency  governor  for  mine 
cages. 

Mr.  Royer  was  born  on  February  23,  1S63, 
at  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania,  a  son  of  Enos 
and  Lucy  (Zugenfuse)  Royer,  both  now  de- 
cea.sed.  His  father,  "who  came  to  Wilkes- 
Barre,  then  a  small  country  town,  in  1850, 
was  a  carpenter  and  builder  by  trade,  a 
Democrat  in  politics,  and  a  Protestant  in 
religion.  He  and  his  wife  "were  the  parents 
of  nine  children:  Emma,  who  is  now  a  widow; 
J.  F.,  who  was  a  carpenter,  now  deceased; 
Charles  R.,  also  deceased,  who  was  a  painter; 
Mary  B.,  who  married  John  Lyons;  Elizabeth, 
who  married  John  Slusser;  Ellen  J.,  the 
widow  of  Harry  S.  Dalley;  George  F.,  of 
whom  further;  Lucy,  also  a  widow;  and 
Harry  D.,  who  lives  at  Forty  Fort,  Luzerne 
County,    Pennsylvania. 

George  F.  Royer  grew  up  about  Wilkes- 
Barre,  and  until  he  was  nine  attended  the 
public  schools  there.  At  the  age  of  nine,  he 
was  obliged  to  take  a  job,  and  he  found 
work  in  a  bake  shop  and  later  in  a  grocery 
store.  While  still  a  young  man  he  learned 
the  machinist  trade  at  the  shops  of  the  Cen- 
tral Railroad  of  New  Jersey,  at  Ashley,  Lu- 
zerne Count.v,  Pennsylvania,  and  in  1900,  in 
association  with  a  Mr.  Weibel,  he  established 
a  machine  shop  and  foundry  at  Wilkes- 
Barre,  which  he  conducted  for  eighteen  years 
under  the  firm  name  of  Royer  and  Weibel. 
In  this  enterprise  he  was  very  successful, 
and  finally,  in  1918  Mr.  Royer  bought  out  his 
partner,  maintained  the  business  for  three 
more  years  at  Wilkes-Barre,  and  then  moved 
it  to  the  present  duarters  at  No.  158  Pringle 
Street,  Kingston,  Pennsylvania,  at  the  same 
time  that  the  coinpany  "was  incorporated  as 
the  Royer   Foundry  and  Machine   Company. 

Politically,  Mr.  Royer  supports  the  prin- 
ciples and  candidates  of  the  Republican 
party.  He  is  a  member  of  Wilkes-Barre 
Lodge,  No.  174,  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias, 
and  is  also  affiliated  fraternally  with  the 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  in  which  organi- 
zation he  is  a  member  of  Fidelity  Lodge,  No. 
655,  an  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite  Mason 
of  the  thirty-second  degree,  a  member  of 
Keystone  Consistory,  at  Scranton,  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  a  member  of  Irem  Temple  of  the 
Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic 
Shrine.  Mr.  Royer  is  also  a  member  of  the 
Greater  Wilkes-Barre  Chamber  of  Commerce, 
and  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  of 
Wilkes-Barre. 

In  1884,  at  Wilkes-Barre,  he  married  Har- 
riet E.  LaBar,  a  daughter  of  Charles  E.  and 
Mary    (Marshall)    LaBar,    of    that    place.     Mr. 


and  Mrs.  Royer  became  the  parents  of  three 
children:  1.  Gertrude,  who  died  at  the  age 
of  twenty-seven  years.  2.  Harriet  E.,  who 
lives  with  her  parents.  3.  George  F.,  who 
died  at  the  age  of  three  years.  The  family 
home  is  at  No.  1740  Wyoming  Avenue,  Forty 
Fort,  Pennsylvania. 


GOMER  E.  DAVIS — As  city  controller  dur- 
ing the  years  1923-27,  Gomer  E.  Davis  ful- 
filled the  duties  of  that  office  efficiently  and 
creditably.  An  able  man,  natural  leader,  with 
wide  interests  and  hosts  of  friends,  he  holds 
a  prominent  position  in  the  civil,  social,  busi- 
ness and  fraternal  life  of  Wilkes-Barre. 

Gomer  E.  Davis  was  born  December  4, 
18S2,  a  son  of  Isaiah  and  Hannah  (Williams) 
Davis.  When  he  was  only  six  months  old, 
he  was  brought  to  America  by  his  parents, 
who  settled  in  Ashland,  Schuylkill  County, 
Pennsylvania.  Isaiah  and  Hannah  (Williams) 
Davis  were  the  parents  of  three  children: 
M.,  Gomer  E.,  of  further  mention,  and  John. 
W^hen  Gomer  E.  was  six  years  of  age,  his 
father  died.  He  attended  the  public  schools 
and  at  the  age  of  eight  years  began  work 
to  help  support  himself  by  selling  news- 
papers. When  he  was  sixteen  years  old  he 
became  a  clerk  in  the  book  store  of  C.  W. 
Hartman,  in  Ashland,  Schuylkill  County, 
where  he  served  as  a  telephone  operator  in 
the  early  days  of  the  telephone.  His  next 
position  was  with  the  Lehigh  Valley  Coal 
Company  in  Centralia,  Pennsylvania;  then,  in 
1910,  he  was  transferred  to  the  Wilkes-Barre 
office,  where  he  held  a  post  in  the  accounting 
department  in  addition  to  the  city  controller- 
ship.  Ever  on  the  alert  to  the  best  interests 
of  his  firm,  Mr.  Davis  continues  to  be  asso- 
ciated with  the  accounting  department  of  the 
Lehigh  Valley  Coal  Company  in  their  Wilkes- 
Barre  office.  Mr.  Davis  is  a  staunch  Repub- 
lican, and  has  been  prominent  for  many  years 
in  this  section  in  the  ranks  of  that  party. 
In  1916  and  1917  he  served  his  party  as 
chairman  of  the  Republican  committee  for 
the  city  of  Wilkes-Barre.  In  1923  the  voters 
elected  him  as  controller  for  a  term  of  four 
years,  where  he  proved  himself  a  conscien- 
tious worker  for  the  welfare  and  advance- 
ment of  the  community. 

Mr.  Davis  is  prominent  in  fraternal  circles, 
being  a  member  and  a  past  officer  of  the 
Brotherhood  of  America:  John  Knox  Com- 
mandery.  No.  12,  Knights  of  Malta;  Past 
Master  of  Fidelity  Lodge,  No.  655,  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons;  member  Shekinah  Chapter, 
No.  182,  Royal  Arch  Masons;  Dieu  le  Veut 
Commandery,  Knights  Templar;  a  Past  Mas- 
ter of  Keystone  Consistory,  of  Scranton,  An- 
cient Accepted  Scottish  Rite,  in  which  he 
holds  the  thirty-second  degree;  and  Irem 
Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the 
Mystic  Shrine,  of  Wilkes-Barre.  He  is  also 
a  member  of  Lodge  No.  128,  Loyal  Order  of 
Moose,  of  Wilkes-Barre.  Mr.  Davis  is  a 
member  of  the  First  Baptist  Church  of 
Wilkes-Barre,  which  he  serves  as  a  trustee. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Irem  Country  Club, 
the  Craftsman's  Club,  and  the  Pen  and  Pencil 
Club.  ■  Mr.  Davis,  who  has  won  a  leading 
place  in  the  life  and  history  of  Wilkes- 
Barre  and  of  this  section  of  Pennsylvania, 
has  attained  his  present  position  through  his 
own  efforts  and  endeavors,  and  is  one  of  the 
best  known  and  highly  respected  citizens. 
He   is   unmarried. 


GEORGE   FREDERICK   SCHROEDER — For 

almost  a  ciuarter  of  a  century  Mr.  Schroeder 
has  been  one  of  the  leading  architects  of 
Wilkes-Barre.  His  high  standing  in  his  pro- 
fession   and    the    great   success    which   he    has 


707 


achieved,  are  the  result  of  his  deep  study  of 
the  worl<  in  which  he  is  engaged.  His  tech- 
nical education,  followed  Ijy.  many  years  of 
practical  experience,  gained  through  his  con- 
nection with  various  important  construction 
companies  and  architects  in  New  York  City 
and  elsewhere,  explain  why  he  has  been  able 
to  make  his  way  to  the  very  front  of  his  pro- 
fession. During  his  long  career  he  and  his 
associates  have  designed  and  erected  many 
important  public  and  private  buildings,  and 
in  every  case  the  commissions  enti'usted  to 
thein  have  been  carried  out  to  the  complete 
satisfaction  of  their  clients. 

George  P.  Schroeder  was  born  at  Hawley, 
Wayne  County,  Pennsylvania,  February  28, 
1880,  a  son  of  the  late  Prank  B.  and  Louise 
(Seidler)  Schroeder.  His  father,  who  was 
born  in  Germany  in  1S46,  came  to  the  United 
States  as  a  boy  in  1S61.  In  spite  of  his  youth 
he  served  in  the  Civil  War  under  General 
McClellan.  Later  he  became  a  successful  con- 
tractor in  Scranton,  where  he  died  in  Sep- 
tember. 1922.  Mr.  Schroeder's  mother  was 
born  at  Kingston,  New  York,  in  1849  and 
died  in  Scranton  in  September,  1917.  Mr. 
Schroeder  was  educated  in  the  public  gram- 
mar and  high  schools  of  Hawley  and  of 
Scranton  and  at  the  Pratt  Institute,  Brook- 
lyn, New  Y'ork,  from  which  he  graduated  in 
1902.  Later  he  took  special  courses  in  engi- 
neering and  architecture  at  Columbia  Uni- 
versity, New  York  City,  and  at  the  Brooklyn 
Polytechnic  Institute.  He  commenced  his 
active  career  as  superintendent  of  construc- 
tion for  his  uncle,  Conrad  Schroeder,  a  well- 
known  builder  and  contractor  of  Scranton, 
with  whom  he  remained  one  year.  During 
this  period  he  had  charge  of  the  supervision 
of  the  construction  of  depots  for  the  Dela- 
ware and  Hudson  Railroad,  of  which  his 
uncle's  firm  was  building  five  depots  in  as 
many  different  cities  at  one  and  the  same 
time.  Next  he  served  for  one  year  as  super- 
intendent of  construction  with  the  General 
Electric  Company  at  Schenectady,  New  York, 
and  then  spent  one  year  with  the  Ransom 
Concrete  Construction  Company  in  New  York 
City.  The  following  two  years  he  was  con- 
nected with  two  of  the  leading  architects  of 
New  York  City,  first  for  one  year  with 
Arnold  Brunner  in  charge  of  various  con- 
struction jobs,  and  then  for  another  year 
with  the  architectural  firm  of  Mowbray  and 
Ufflnger  as  that  firm's  field  man.  In  1904  he 
came  to  Wilkes-Barre  and  there  established 
himself  as  an  architect,  forming  a  partner- 
ship with  Austin  L.  Riley  under  the  name  of 
Riley  and  Schroeder.  This  arrangement  con- 
tinued until  1913,  when  the  partnership  was 
dissolved  and  Mr.  Schroeder  then  engaged  in 
the  practice  of  his  profession  alone  and  under 
his  own  name  in  offices  in  the  Weitzenkorn 
Building.  Wilkes-Barre,  which  he  still  oc- 
cupies. However,  in  1923,  he  formed  a  new 
partnership  with  Carl  J.  Schmitt  under  the 
firm  name  of  Schmitt  and  Schroeder,  which 
has  continued  since  then.  The  firm  also 
maintain  ofBces  at  Hazleton,  Luzerne  County. 
Amongst  the  very  large  number  of  different 
buildings  designed  and  erected  by  Mr. 
Schroeder  should  be  especially  mentioned  the 
Wilkes-Barre  Police  Station,  the  Wilkes- 
Barre  South  Side  Bank  and  the  Nanticoke 
National  Bank.  He  has  also  been  the  archi- 
tect for  the  Slovak  Orphanage  at  Middle- 
town,  Pennsylvania,  along  with  the  mother 
house  and  other  buildings,  and  numerous 
schools  and  churches,  amongst  the  latter  one 
of  the  outstanding  examples  of  his  work  is 
the  new  St.  Aloysius  Roman  Catholic  Church 
at  the  corner  of  Barney  and  Division  streets. 


Wiikis-Barre.  Since  1921  he  has  been  the 
architect  for  the  Luzerne  County  Commis- 
sioners. He  is  a  member  of  the  WllkeB- 
Barre  Press  Club,  the  Fraternal  Order  of 
Eagles  and  Lodge  No.  109,  Benevolent  and 
Protective  Order  of  Elks.  In  politics  he  i» 
a  supporter  of  the  Republican  party,  while 
his  religious  affiliations  are  with  the  Roman 
Catholic  Church  and  more  particularly  with 
St.   Aloysius   Church   of   Wilkes-Barre. 

Mr.  Schroeder  married,  in  October,  1917, 
Mary  Ruddy  of  Hudson,  Jefferson  County, 
Pennsylvania,  a  daughter  of  Anthony  J.  and 
Mary  (Kilker)  Ruddy.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Schroeder 
are  the  parents  of  two  children,  Mary  Louise, 
born  in  October,  1918,  and  George  A.,  born  in 
May,  1926.  The  family  residence  is  located 
at    No.    182    Carey   Avenue,    Wilkes-Barre. 


AliGUST  H.  GENETTI — The  largest  food 
establishment  in  Hazleton,  Pennsylvania,  is 
the  one  generally  known  as  the  Genetti 
Markets,  located  at  the  corner  of  Broad  and 
Pine  streets,  and  operated,  since  the  retire- 
ment of  the  founder  in  1920,  under  the  name 
of  D.  Genetti  Sons.  Here  all  kinds  of  food 
products  of  the  finest  quality  may  be  pro- 
cured, groceries,  meats,  delicatessen  products, 
and  pastrj'.  A  first  class  bakery  and  restau- 
rant gives  prompt  and  efficient  service  to 
those  who  wish  to  have  their  meals  served 
here,  and  the  twenty-flve  acre  farm  at  Con- 
yngham,  Pennsylvania,  provides  fresh  veg- 
etables, milk,  eggs,  etc.  Since  the  sons  of  the 
founder  took  charge  they  have  erected  a  new 
two-story  building  to  house  their  greatly 
exparided  business,  and  they  now  (1928)  give 
employment  to  one  hundred  and  twenty-four 
people. 

Damiano  Genetti,  founder  of  the  business, 
was  born  in  the  Austrian  Tyrol,  in  August, 
1858,  and  came  to  this  country  as  a  young 
man  of  twenty-three  years,  in  1882.  He  lo- 
cated at  Lattimer,  Pennsylvania,  where  for 
many  years  he  was  engaged  as  a  mining  con- 
tractor. After  his  marriage,  however,  he  re- 
turned to  Austria,  and  there  he  remained  for 
about  eighteen  years,  taking  an  active  part 
in  the  public  and  business  life  of  his  town 
and  serving  as  mayor  of  Castelfondo  for  a 
period  of  seven  years  and  as  Senator  for  three 
years.  He  had  the  highest  respect  of  his 
fellow-townsmen  and  of  his  many  friends  and 
was  deeply  attached  to  his  home  land,  but 
after  eighteen  years  of  enjoyment  of  the 
association  of  his  countrymen  he  again  came 
to  America,  locating  this  time  in  Hazleton, 
Pennsylvania.  Here  he  engaged  in  the  meat 
business,  but  after  a  period  of  success  in 
this  line  he  again  returned  to  the  land  of 
his  birth.  In  1904  he  established  a  meat  busi- 
ness of  his  own  in  Hazleton,  and  this  he  con- 
tinued to  operate  until  1920,  when  he  retired 
from  active  business  life,  leaving  his  four 
sons  to  continue  the  business  under  the  name 
of  D.  Genetti  Sons.  Since  his  retirement  Mr. 
Genetti  has  spent  his  time  in  this  country  and 
in  Austria,  alternating  each  year,  spending 
one  year  here  and  the  next  in  Austria.  He 
married  Olive  Zambatti,  and  they  became  the 
parents  of  nine  children:  1.  Leo,  married 
Angeline  Morchetti,  and  has  children:  Rita, 
John,  Catherine,  Adeline,  Joyce,  and  Leo,  Jr. 
2.  Dora,  wife  of  Vercondo  Bott,  of  Hazleton, 
has  children:  Anna,  Henry,  Esther.  Agnes, 
Helen,  and  Emma.  3.  Tillie.  wife  of  Peter 
Zambatti,  of  Weston,  Pennsylvania,  has  chil- 
dren: Leo,  Elizabeth,  and  Leona.  4.  August 
H..  of  further  mention.  5.  Albert,  unmarried. 
B.  Esther,  unmarried.  7.  Erma,  wife  of  Henry 
Boduz,  of  Freeland,  Pennsylvania:  has  one 
child,  Catherine.  S.  Stanley,  unmarried.  9. 
Angeline,   unmarried. 


7o8 


August  H.  Genetti,  son  of  Damiano  and 
Olive  (Zambatti)  Genetti,  is  associated  with 
liis  three  brothers,  Leo,  Albert,  and  Stanley, 
in  the  management  and  ownership  of  the 
Genetti  Markets,  under  the  name  of  D.  Ge- 
netti Sons,  In  1924  the  brothers  erected  the 
two-story  building  in  which  the  business  is 
at  present  (1928)  housed,  and  soon  after  re- 
moving to  the  new  quarters,  which  are  com- 
modious and  convenient,  forty  by  two  hun- 
dred feet  in  dimension,  they  began  to  en- 
large the  business,  adding  one  new  depart- 
ment after  another  until  they  had  made  the 
Genetti  Market  one  of  the  most  complete 
food  establishments  in  this  part  of  the  State. 
Today  they  handle  practically  everything  in 
the  food  line,  groceries,  meat,  delicatessen 
stock,  pastry,  and  they  also  conduct  a  bakery 
and  restaurant.  The  business  has  grown  by 
leaps  and  bounds,  and  the  brothers  are  not 
content  to  be  merely  middle  men.  They  own 
a  twenty-five  acre  farm  in  Conyngham,  Penn- 
sylvania, where  they  grow  most  of  their  veg- 
etable produce,  and  where  they  produce  the 
finest  milk  and  eggs,  and  in  each  of  the 
various .  departments  of  the  Genetti  Market 
is  found  only  the  finest  and  best  of  food 
products.  Quality  of  goods  and  quality  in 
service  have  made  the  Genetti  Market  a  cen- 
ter of  interest  to  housewives,  and  fair  prices 
have  made  the  market  a  boon  to  many  of 
the  residents  of  Hazleton. 

Along  with  their  business  success  all  of  the 
brothers  have  sliown  a  deep  interest  in  the 
town  and  have  been  ever  ready  to  lend  a 
hand  at  the  task  of  improving  the  com- 
munity. They  give  employment  to  one  hun- 
dred and  twenty-four  people.  In  1925  the 
number  of  employees  was  only  six,  and  this 
great  increase  has  all  come  within  the  short 
space  of  three  years.  Able,  progressive,  and 
public-spirited  in  a  practical  and  intelligent 
way,  tlie  Genetti  family  has  been,  and  is,  a 
factor  to  be  reckoned  with  in  tlie  business 
and  civic  life  of  the  town.  Their  contribution 
to  the  business  life  of  the  place  is  self- 
evident,  and  socially,  as  well  as  in  civic 
affairs,  they  occoupy  a  high  place.  As  time 
passed  the  Genetti  business  has  expanded  far 
beyond  the  limits  of  its  central  location  and 
three  branch  stores  aid  in  the  distribution  of 
food  products.  One  at  No.  436  South  Poplar 
Street  was  established  in  1912,  one  at  598 
Altar  Street,  was  established  in  1925,  and  the 
third,  at  7  West  Diamond  Avenue,  was  estab- 
lished in  1926.  Steady  expansion  has  been 
the  fixed  policy  since  the  sons  took  charge 
of  the  business,  and  the  firm  foundations  laid 
by  the  father  have  made  possible  this  rapid 
growth.  In  August,  1928,  the  firm  took  over 
the  management  of  the  Hotel  Altamont  dining 
room,  in  Hazleton,  and  have  made  it  one  of 
the  attractive  eating  places  of  Eastern  Penn- 
sylvania. 

August  H.  Genetti,  general  manager  of  all 
departments,  is  also  active  in  civic  affairs; 
is  a  member  of  the  board  of  directors  of  the 
People's  Savings  and  Trust  Company  and  of 
the  Hazleton  Credit  Bureau,  and  is  generally 
known  as  ojie  of  the  progressive  citizens  of 
the  city.  He  is  a  member  of  Lodge  No.  200, 
Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks:  and 
of  the  Rotary  National  Club.  He  married 
Mary  Daugherty,  and  they  have  one  child. 
Rose  Marie.  He  and  his  wife,  as  well  as  the 
other  members  of  the  Genetti  family,  are 
communicants  of  St.  Gabriel's  Roman  Catho- 
lic Church. 


DR.  A.  ERIVEST  SHAPBR,  D.  C. — Nine 
years  of  successful  practice  in  the  city  of 
Hazleton  have  brought  to  Dr.  A.  Ernest 
Shafer,  chiropractor,  well  earned  success  and 


a  large  following.  He  is  a  graduate  of  the 
Universal  Chiropractic  College,  at  Davenport, 
Iowa,  class  of  19.17,  and  served  in  the  'World 
War  for  nineteen  months  before  locating  in 
Hazleton  in  August,  1919.  Dr.  Shafer  is 
active  in  civic  and  fraternal  affairs  in  this 
district,  and  both  he  and  his  wife  have  made 
for  themselves  many  friends  here.  His  offices 
are  located  at  No.  20S  in  the  Markle  Bank 
Building. 

Dr.  A.  Ernest  Shafer  was  born  at  Moun- 
tain Top,  Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania,  De- 
cember 17,  1888,  son  of  Henry  and  Ellen 
Shafer.  and  as  a  boy  attended  the  grammar 
and  high  schools  of  his  birthplace.  Later 
he  continued  study  in  Wyoming  Seminary, 
at  Kingston,  Pennsylvania,  graduating  in 
1910,  followed  by  undergraduate  work  at 
Syracuse  University,  after  which  he  was 
variously  engaged  for  a  time  working  at 
several  different  occupations.  Finally,  how- 
ever, he  decided  to  complete  his  professional 
studies  and  with  that  purpose  in  view  began 
a  course  of  study  in  the  Universal  Chiro- 
practic College,  at  Davenport,  Iowa,  where 
he  finished  his  course  with  graduation  In 
1917,  receiving  at  that  time  the  degree  of 
Doctor  of  Chiropractic.  By  the  time  he  had 
finished  his  professional  preparation,  how- 
ever, the  United  States  had  entered  the 
World  War,  and  soon  after  graduation  he 
enlisted  and  was  called  to  Camp  Meade.  For 
nineteen  months,  in  all,  he  was  in  service, 
spending  ten  months  of  that  time  in  France, 
and  during  the  greater  part  of  the  time 
serving  with  the  79th  Artillery,  in  profes- 
sional capacity.  This  long  term  of  pro- 
fessional service  under  special  conditions  gave 
him  most  excellent  experience,  and  upon  his 
return  to  civilian  life  he  came  at  once  to 
Hazleton.  where  he  has  since  been  located. 
He  opened  his  office  here  in  August,  1919, 
and  during  the  nine  years  which  have  passed 
since  that  time  he  has  built  up  a  large 
and  important  practice.  Each  year  brings 
to  him  more  of  those  who  are  seeking  bodily 
health  without  the  use  of  drugs,  and  his 
success  in  a  wide  range  of  ailments  has 
won  for  him  a  reputation  which  brings  him 
confidence  and  the  esteem  of  tlaose  whom 
he  serves.  He  is  a  member  of  the  State 
Chiropractic  Association,  also  of  the  District 
Chiropractic  Association  of  Northeastern 
Pennsylvania,  and  he  is  well  known  among 
his  professional  colleagues  as  a  man  of  skill 
and  experience.  Dr.  Shafer  is  interested  in 
the  civic  welfare  of  Hazleton  and  is  always 
ready  to  "do  his  bit"  in  promoting  its  prog- 
gress.  He  is  a  member  of  Coalville  Lodge, 
No.  474,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons;  and  of 
Lehigh  Consistory.  He  is  also  a  member 
of  Mountain  Top  Lodge  and  of  Berry  Hill 
Encampment,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fel- 
lows: Lodge  No.  200,  Benevolent  and  Pro- 
tective Order  of  Elks,  and  Epsilon  Chi  Beta. 
Politically,  he  supports  strongly  the  princi- 
ples and  the  candidates  of  the  Republican 
party,  and  in  a  quiet  way  accomplishes  con- 
siderable in  its  behalf.  Progressive  and  full 
of  enthusiasm  wherever  his  interest  is  en- 
listed, he  is  an  effective  worker  in  any  cause 
which  he  espouses,  and  his  cooperation  and 
support  are  always  eagerly  sought.  His  re- 
ligious membership  is  with  the  Methodist 
Episcopal    Church. 

Dr.  A.  Ernest  Shafer  was  married,  in  1920, 
to  "Veda  L.  Lueder,  of  "W^ilkes-Barre,  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  they  have  one  child,  Eugenia  L. 
Mrs.  Shafer  is  identified  with  several  local 
organizations,  and  both  she  and  her  husljand 
are  among  the  representative  citizens  of  the 
place.  They  have  their  home  at  No.  177 
South   Church   Street,   in  Hazleton. 


REV.      NICHOLAS     MARTYAK — St.     John's 

Greek  Catholic  Church,  Hazleton,  of  which 
Rev.  Nicholas  Martyal<  is  the  pastor,  came 
into  existence  in  July,  181)3,  as  an  offshoot  of 
St.  Mary's  Greek  Catholic  Church,  which  was 
founded  about  seven  years  previously.  Rev. 
Victor  Martyak,  a  brother  of  the  present 
priest  in  charge,  was  the  first  pastor,  the 
parish  then  having  a  membership  of  about 
forty-five.  They  worshiped  in  a  small  edifice 
which  stood  on  the  site  of  the  present  church, 
and  which  was  burned  about  1896.  Following 
the  fire  a  part  of  the  building  of  St.  John's 
was  erected,  and  later  the  structure  was  en- 
larged to  its  present  capacity  of  five  hundred 
persons.  Rev.  Victor  Martyak  resigned  in 
1900.  and  he  was  succeeded  in  the  pastorate 
by  Rev.  John  Halyko,  who  remained  in  charge 
until  1907,  when  Rev.  Theodore  Ladomersky, 
now  stationed  in  Jessup,  was  pastor  here  for 
a   short   time. 

Rev.  Nicholas  Martyak  was  born  in  Hun- 
gary, July  16,  1879.  He  was  educated  at 
Eperjes,  Hungary,  and  "was  ordained  to  the 
priesthood,  September  14,  1902.  For  five  years 
thereafter  he  conducted  his  priestly  office  in 
his  native  land,  and  on  October  1,  1907,  ar- 
rived in  America.  He  was  called  to  MacAdoo 
in  this  State  and  was  priest  at  St.  Mary's 
Church  there  for  three  months.  He  then  came 
to  Hazleton  and  was  settled  over  St.  John's 
Church,  December  16,  1907.  At  that  time 
tbere  "were  three  hundred  families  in  the 
parish,  and  under  his  ministrations  that  num- 
ber has  increased  to  four  hundred  families, 
and  the  church  is  said  to  be  in  a  flourishing 
state.  For  five  years  after  tlie  present  pastor 
came  to  St.  John's,  he  had  charge  also  of  the 
Beaver  Meadow  Greek  Catholic  Church  of 
SS.  Peter  and  Paul.  Rev.  Nicholas  Martyak 
is  actively  engaged  in  the  civic  affairs  of 
Hazleton.  During  the  World  War  he  partici- 
pated enthusiastically  and  with  great  energy 
in  the  campaigns,  especially  for  the  Red 
Cross.  He  is  a  director  of  the  City  Bank  and 
Trust   Company   of  Hazleton. 

Rev.  Nicholas  Martyak  married,  August  12, 
1902,  Olga  Janiczky,  a  native  of  Hungary. 
Their  children:  1.  Anna,  married  Rev.  Igor 
Maczko,  priest  at  Beaverdale.  2.  Emil,  a 
medical  student  at  Georgetown  University. 
3.  Helen,  a  graduate  of  the  Hazleton  High 
School.  4.  Gabriel,  a  pupil  of  the  eighth  grads 
of  the  Hazleton  schools.  St.  John's  Church 
and  rectory  are  at  545-555  Arthur  Street, 
Hazleton. 


WILLIAM  J.  COSTELLO — Distinguished  as 
a  soldier  in  the  late  World  War  and 
conducting  one  of  the  leading  clothing  busi- 
nesses in  Plymouth,  Pennsylvania,  William 
J.  Costello  is  one  of  the  outstanding  citizens 
of  this  place.  He  is  the  son  of  Michael  and 
Mary  (Gavin)  Costello,  both  of  whom  are 
natives  of  Ireland.  His  father,  who  is  now 
deceased,   was  a  miner   by   trade. 

William  J.  Costello  was  born  at  Larks- 
ville,  Pennsylvania,  November  15,  1895,  and 
was  educated  there  in  the  public  schools.  He 
then  attended  the  University  of  Pittsburgh 
for  six  months  after  which  he  clerked  in 
P.  A.  Roan's  drug  store  at  Plymouth,  Penn- 
sylvania, for  eight  years,  and  at  the  end  of 
that  period,  Mr.  Costello  started  a  retail  cigar 
business  which  he  carried  on  under  his  own 
name  for  four  years.  In  1924,  he  made  a 
complete  change  in  his  business  activities 
by  starting  a  retail  gents'  furnishing  goods 
store.  He  successfully  carried  on  this  busi- 
ness until  August,  1927,  when  the  business 
reached  such  proportions  that  it  was  incor- 
porated under  the  name  of  Thomas,  Costello, 
Incorporated.  The  officers  in  this  organiza- 
tion   are    W.    J.    Costello,   president;   David   B. 


Thomas,  secretary  and  treasurer;  Frank 
Martz,  vice-president.  The  new  company 
handles  a  full  line  of  haberdashery  and  men's 
clothing.  During  the  World  War,  Mr.  Cos- 
tello served  with  the  423d  Motor  Truck  Divi- 
sion of  the  Transportation  Department  and 
was  in  service  overseas  for  thirteen  months. 
His  rank  was  that  of  a  sergeant.  He  re- 
ceived a  special  citation  for  distinguished 
service  and  was  honorably  discharged  at 
Camp  Dix  in  May,  1919.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  American  Legion,  the  Loyal  Order  of 
Moose,  the  Knights  of  Columbus,  the  Repub- 
lican party,  and  Saint  Vincent's  Roman  Cath- 
olic   Church. 

In  October,  1921,  William  J.  Costello  mar- 
ried Lillian  Tischler,  of  Plymouth,  Pennsyl- 
vania, daughter  of  Roljert  and  Minnie  Tisch- 
ler. They  have  three  sons:  1.  William, 
born  February  28,  1923.  2.  Robert,  born 
August  23,  1924.  3.  Burton,  born  May  28, 
1926. 


ABDIEL  PHILLIPS — Having  been  impelled 
by  the  commendable  desire  to  advance,  Ab- 
diel  Phillips,  of  Plymouth,  has  given  evidence 
during  his  remarkable  business  career,  of 
his  great  ability  and  fund  of  energy  which 
have  been  powerful  factors  in  his  forging 
ahead  to  his  present  prominent  position  in 
the  financial  life  of  Pennsylvania.  Mr.  Phil- 
lips is  cashier  and  secretary  of  the  board  of 
directors  of  the  Plymouth  National  Bank, 
one  of  the  most  substantial  banking  insti- 
tutions in  Northeastern  Pennsylvania,  and 
his  entire  business  life  has  been  spent  with 
this  institution  in  which  he  started  his 
career  as  a  messenger  boy  in  1908,  and  just 
twenty  years  later,  January,  1928.  was  elected 
to  his  present  responsible  positions.  Still 
a  young  man,  he  possesses  the  youthful 
enthusiasm  and  idealism  which  have  contri- 
buted so  greatly  to  his  success,  while  these 
same  qualities  have  attracted  to  the  bank 
many  new  and  desirable  clients.  Esteemed 
by  his  townspeople,  he  is  active  in  every- 
thing pertaining  to  civic  progress  and  is  a 
leader  in  the  various  activities  and  organiza- 
tions which  foster  the  work  of  public  wel- 
fare  and   improvement. 

Mr.  Phillips  was  born  in  Plymouth,  May 
16,  1890,  son  of  John  L.  and  Elizabeth  G. 
(Richards)  Phillips,  both  of  whom  were  born 
in  Wales.  John  L.  Phillips  is  actively  en- 
gaged in  the  real  estate  and  insurance 
brokerage  business  in  Plymouth  and  is  one 
of   the    foremost   citizens   of   this    town. 

Abdiel  Phillips  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools  of  Plymouth  and  after  high  school 
took  special  courses  with  the  International 
Correspondence  School  of  Scranton  in  busi- 
ness forms  and  bookkeeping.  Satisfactorily 
completing  these  studies,  in  1908,  he  accepted 
a  position  with  the  Plymouth  National  Bank 
as  messenger  hoy  and  from  the  first  displayed 
the  same  estimable  qualities  which  have 
marked  his  career,  step  by  step,  during  the 
succeeding  years.  He  applied  himself  to 
mastering  the  various  details  of  the  bank- 
ing business  and  was  promoted  to  the  rank 
of  clerk  and  later  becoming  bookkeeper,  from 
which  position  he  proceeded  to  the  office  of 
teller,  and  in  this  work  by  his  contact  with 
the  patrons  of  the  organization,  proved  his 
great  value  and  made  many  friends  among- 
the  depositors  and  clients.  Successfully  con- 
tinuing as  teller,  Mr.  Phillips  was  elected 
on  January  1,  1928,  cashier  and  secretary  of 
the  board  of  directors  and  as  such  has  con- 
tinued in  his  capable  and  prosperous  direc- 
tion of  the  bank's  affairs.  In  fraternal  cir- 
cles, he  is  a  popular  member  of  the  Ancient 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons.  Plymouth  Lodge, 
No.   321,   also   Plymouth   Chaptei",   Royal  Arch 


Masons,  the  Junior  Order  United  American 
Mechanics,  the  Foresters  ot  America,  Knights 
of  Malta,  and  the  Kiwanis  Club.  His  political 
principles  are  those  of  the  Republican  party 
and  his  religious  adherence  is  given  to  the 
Welsh  Baptist  Church,  where  he  is  now  presi- 
dent of  the  board  of  trustees  and  assistant 
superintendent    of    the    Sunday    school. 

Abdiel  Phillips  married,  in  1917,  Hannah 
Morgan,  of  Plymouth,  daughter  of  Winfield 
S.  and  Mary  E.  Morgan,  and  to  this  union 
were  born  three  children:  Elizabeth  H., 
John  W.  and  Abdiel,  Jr.  The  family  resides 
at  No.   10   West  Shawnee  Avenue. 

Mr.  Phillips'  career  is  a  remarkable  ex- 
ample to  the  younger  generation  and  he 
deserves  to  be  called  a  true,  self-made  man, 
having  risen  by  his  own  untiring  efforts 
and  spurred  on  by  a  rightly  fostered  ambi- 
tion. 


with  the  22d  Infantry,  11th  Division.    He  was 
discharged  in  May,   1919. 


B.  P.  ROBERTS,  D.  D.  S. — Dentistry  is 
really  a  highly  specialized  branch  ot  medicine 
and  surgery;  and  as  such  it  may  be  con- 
sidered the  youngest  of  the  healing  arts.  It 
is  easily  within  the  memory  of  men  now 
living  that  the  importance  of  the  proper  care 
of  the  teeth  and  gums  came  to  be  recognized, 
not  only  as  an  end  in  itself  but  in  relation 
to  health  in  general.  And  the  most  mar- 
velous advances  have  been  made  within  the 
past  thirty-five  or  forty  years  in  the  knowl- 
edge of  every  phase  of  this  subject.  Every 
year  witnesses  a  great  stride  forward.  The 
doctor  who  has  come  from  a  great  school 
of  dentistry  within  recent  years  has  at  his 
command  all  the  latest  knowledge  in  the 
theory  and  practice  of  his  profession.  Dr. 
B.  P.  Roberts  is  one  of  those  whose  train- 
ing includes  the  very  latest  word  on  the 
subject  of  dentistry.  Oral  defects  that  were 
not  even  recognized  a  few  years  ago  now 
receive  scientific  attention.  For  example, 
defects  in  the  formation  and  occlusion  of 
teeth  are  corrected;  teeth  that  a  few  years 
ago  would  have  been  extracted  are  now 
saved  for  years  of  useful  service  and  simi- 
lar progress  has  been  made  in  the  making 
and  fitting  of  artificial  teeth.  But  the  dental 
profession  lays  greatest  stress  upon  preven- 
tive treatment  whereby  the  suffering  and 
loss  formerly  endured  through  neglect  and 
ignorance  can  be  avoided  by  modern  scienti- 
fic  attention. 

Dr.  B.  P.  Roberts  was  born  in  Plymouth, 
October  22,  1899,  son  of  James  and  Mar- 
garet (James)  Roberts.  The  father  was  born 
in  Cardiff,  Wales,  and  grew  up  in  the  coal 
mining  Industry.  After  coming  to  America 
he  located  in  Plymouth  where  he  was  em- 
ployed as  section  foreman  in  the  mines.  He 
died  February  13,  1913.  His  widow,  who  is 
still  living,  was  born  in  Aberystwith,  Wales, 
February    6,    1860. 

Dr.  Roberts  attended  the  grammar  and 
high  schools  of  Plymouth,  graduating  from 
the  latter  in  the  class  of  1918.  In  1927,  Dr. 
Roberts  was  graduate  manager  of  the  Plym- 
outh High  School  athletics.  He  pursued  his 
dental  studies  in  Temple  University,  from 
which  he  was  graduated  in  1926,  with  the 
degree  of  Doctor  of  Dental  Surgery.  Imme- 
diately he  opened  an  ofBce  in  his  home  town 
where  he  is  meeting  with  gratifying  success. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Luzerne  County  Dental 
Society,  the  Pennsylvania  Dental  Society  and 
the  National  Dental  Association.  His  frater- 
nal memberships  include  the  Junior  Order 
United  American  Mechanics  and  the  Knights 
of    Pythias. 

On  April  11,  1925,  Dr.  B.  P.  Roberts  mar- 
ried Mildred  Keeley  of  Philadelphia.  They 
are  members  ot  the  Congregational  Church. 
During    the    World    War,    Dr.    Roberts    served 


WILLIAM  G.  XEILSON — As  a  Successful 
and  progressive  florist,  there  is  perhaps  no 
one  more  alert  to  the  business  of  cut-flowers 
than  William  G.  Neilson,  of  Plymouth,  Penn- 
sylvania. The  history  of  Mr.  Neilson's 
business  career  is  of  much  interest.  He  is  a 
native  of  Scotland,  son  of  Hugh  and  Ann 
(Lloyd)  Neilson,  his  father  was  a  general 
contractor,  who  was  born  in  Scotland  in 
1832  and  lived  until  1870.  His  mother  was 
also  a  native  of  Scotland,  born  in  1834  and 
died    in    1883. 

William  G.  Neilson  was  born  in  Glasgow, 
Scotland,  March  3,  1857.  He  was  educated  in 
the  public  schools  of  Wales,  and  when  quite 
a  lad,  started  to  learn  the  plasterer's  trade 
under  the  direction  of  his  father.  He  fol- 
lowed this  trade  until  1894,  after  coming  to 
this  country  and  then  engaged  in  a  retail 
florist's  business  of  his  own  at  Plymouth, 
Pennsylvania.  He  has  also  carried  on  a  gen- 
eral contracting  business  here  during  the 
years  from  1902  to  1909.  Prior  to  that  time, 
from  1882  to  1902,  he  had  been  employed 
with  Hershberger  Brothers  and  Mains,  con- 
tractors in  Plymouth,  and  in  1902,  when  Mr. 
Mains  and  son  retired  from  the  business, 
Mr.  Neilson  became  a  partner  and  the  firm 
name  was  changed  to  Hershberger  and  Neil- 
son and  so  continued  until  1909,  since  which 
time,  Mr.  Neilson  has  given  all  of  his  time 
to  the  florist  business.  He  deals  mostly  in 
cut-flowers  and  has  twenty-five  thousand  feet 
of  space  under  glass.  This  enables  him  to 
produce  quantities  of  flowers  of  high  quality 
and  supply  the  markets  in  the  neighbor- 
hood. Mr.  Neilson  has  taken  active  part  in 
public  affairs  by  serving  as  school  director 
in  the  borough  of  Plymouth  from  1896  to 
1898.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Kiwanis  Club, 
the  Shawnee  Club,  the  Knights  of  Pythias; 
Lodge  No.  332,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons; 
Chapter  No.  214,  Royal  Arch  Masons;  Wilkes- 
Barre  Commandery.  Knights  Templar;  Irem 
Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of 
the  Mystic  Shrine.  He  is  a  Republican  in 
politics  and  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal   Church. 

On  December  25,  1880.  William  G.  Neilson 
married  Janet  Noble  of  Avondale,  Pennsyl- 
vania, daughter  of  Alexander  Noble,  Sr.,  who 
is  now  deceased,  and  Margaret  (Ross)  Noble. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Neilson  have  had  nine  chil- 
dren, five  of  whom  are  living:  Howard, 
Alexander  Lloyd,  Harry  M.,  Walter  Ross,  and 
Janet  Noble,  now  wife  of  Edward  L.  Fenn. 
Mr.  Neilson  also  has  two  grandchildren: 
William   G.    Neilson   and   Janet  N.   Neilson. 


MICHAEL  JOHN  MRAS — The  great  idea 
behind  all  merchandising  is  service;  for  the 
merchant  is  not  a  producer:  he  performs  the 
important  function  of  distributor.  That  mer- 
chant succeeds  best  who  makes  it  a  point  to 
study  the  merchandise  needs  of  the  territory 
he  serves  and  gets  that  merchandise  into 
the  hands  of  the  consumer  most  expeditiously, 
giving  in  value  the  utmost  possible  for  each 
dollar  expended.  Thus  the  merchant  who 
serves  his  community  best  also  serves  best 
his  own  personal  interests.  Michael  John 
Mras  of  Plymouth  is  such  a  merchant.  The 
treatment  he  accords  his  customers  is  the 
kind  he  would  like  to  receive  were  their 
relative  positions  reversed.  And  the  success 
he  is  achieving  shows  that  he  made  no  mis- 
take in  choosing  his  vocation. 

Michael  John  Mras  was  born  in  Kisfalu, 
Austria,  April  24,  1874,  son  of  Andrew  and 
Mary  Mras.  The  father  was  born  in  Austria 
in    1840,    and    followed    farming    there.     After 


he  came  to  America  he  became  a  contractor 
and  engaged  in  that  business  until  his  death 
in  18S7.  Young  Mras  began  his  elementary 
education  in  his  native  land.  He  came  to  the 
United  States  and  Plymouth  with  his  parents 
in  1SS7  and  continued  his  schooling  here, 
completing  his  grammar  school  grades  and 
attending  the  high  school.  His  first  work 
was  as  a  clerk  in  the  general  store  of  Charles 
Shupp,  with  whom  he  remained  five  years. 
He  was  then  in  the  employ  of  Chamberlain 
and  Company  in  a  similar  capacity  for  a 
year.  During  all  this  time  he  had  been  study- 
ing the  merchandise  he  handled  and  the 
whims  and  peculiarities  of  people  as  well: 
also,  he  had  been  practicing  the  utmost 
thrift  and  economy  that  he  might  accumulate 
capital  wherewith  to  start  into  business  for 
himself  when  the  opportunity  presented. 
In  March,  1S99,  he  felt  that  the  time  to  make 
the  venture  had  arrived,  and  full  of  hopes, 
courage  and  confidence  he  opened  his  pres- 
ent store  stocked  with  a  good  line  of  general 
merchandise.  He  did  not  trust  to  any  ele- 
ment of  luck  or  personal  favor  to  put  the 
new  business  on  its  feet.  He  worked  inde- 
fatigably,  early  and  late,  he  studied  the  busi- 
ness from  every  possible  angle;  he  watched 
income  and  outgo  and  overhead:  he  fol- 
lowed the  markets  and  bought  to  advantage, 
remembering  the  old  adage,  "A  thing  well 
bought  is  half  sold."  And  the  result  was 
the  only  one  to  be  expected — results  were 
encouraging  from  the  start  and  he  has  estab- 
lished for  himself  an  enviable  place  in  the 
confidence  and  good  will  of  his  fellow-citi- 
zens. Since  190S  he  has  been  a  director  of  the 
First  National  Bank  of  Plymouth,  and  he 
is  a  member  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce, 
the  Merchant's  Association,  and  the  Shawnee 
Club. 

He  is  identified  with  the  Republican  party 
and  at  one  time  served  as  clerk  of  the  Board 
of  Elections  in  the  Second  Ward.  His  inter- 
est in  public  affairs  is  not  limited  to  the 
political  phase,  however.  Every  concern  of 
the  community  is  a  matter  of  personal 
importance  to  him  and  he  supports  in  every 
way  in  his  power  all  movements  that  have 
as  their  object  the  promotion  of  the  commoi> 
good. 

On  January  13,  1901,  Michael  John  Mras 
married  Theresa  Prokop,  daughter  of  Michael 
and  Veronica  Prokop  of  Plymouth.  Four 
children  have  been  born  from  this  union: 
George  A.,  now  in  business  with  his  father; 
Joseph,  a  law  student  at  Carlisle  University: 
John  A.,  associated  with  his  father:  and 
Anna,  a  student  in  the  Plymouth  High  School. 
The  family  are  members  of  St.  Stephen's 
Roman  Catholic  Church. 


REV.  ANDREW  PAUCO — Holy  Trinity 
Catholic  Church,  of  Hazleton,  -was  founded 
in  1907,  when  there  occurred  a  schism  in 
St.  Joseph's  Parish.  Among  the  organizers 
of  the  new  branch  were  Michael  Cimbala, 
John  Parish,  Andrew  Mike,  George  Hanisck, 
John  Kallar,  and  John  Petra.  Subscriptions 
were  taken,  and  a  plat  of  ground  on  North 
Wyoming  Street  between  Gum  and  Fern 
streets  secured.  A  fine  church  of  blue  granite 
with  a  seating  capacity  of  eight  hundred  was 
erected,  together  with  the  parsonage,  at  the 
intersection  of  Fern  Street  and  Wyoming. 
The  latter  was  completed  in  1923,  at  a  cost 
of  $25,000.  The  cost  of  the  church  edifice 
was  $60,000.  It  is  one  of  the  most  prosperous 
parishes  in  the  Wilkes-Barre  area. 

Rev.  Joseph  Zuchy  was  the  first  pastor  of 
Holy  Trinity,  from  1907  to  1909:  next.  Rev. 
John  Szeman,  Rev.  Frank  Chevry,  Rev.  Joseph 
Marciuko.  Rev.  M.  Tusch,  Rev.  Alex  Kutka, 
Rev.  Joseph  Korman,  and  Rev.  Andrew  Pauco, 


who  assumed  to  the  pastorate  in  October  of 
1916,  and  has  held  it  since.  His  congregation 
numbers  three  hundred  families,  and  the 
parish  owns  a  cemetery  of  four  acres  at 
Laurel    Hill. 

Rev.  Andrew  Pauco  was  born  in  Czecho- 
slovakia, November  3,  1863;  was  educated  at 
the  University  of  Budapest,  and  ordained  to 
the  priesthood  in  IS86.  First  he  served  as 
priest  in  a  German  parish,  and  in  1897,  at 
the  age  of  thirty-three  years,  came  to  the 
United  States,  serving  at  Scranton,  Pittston 
and  Freeland  before  assuming  to  the  pas- 
torate of  Holy  Trinity  in  1916.  He  built  the 
church  and  parish  houses  in  Freeland,  and 
the  rectory  in  Hazleton,  in  addition  to  the 
parish  house  at  Scranton.  He  is  a  devoted 
worker  for  the  faith,  unanimously  esteemed 
by  his  parishioners,  and  well  known  in  church 
circles. 


REV.  LOUIS  LVCHI— The  Hazleton  area 
is  wealthy  in  its  assemblages  of  persons 
whose  connection  "with  Europe  continues  com- 
paratively fresh,  removed  as  they  are  from 
the  mother  countries  by  one,  two  or  three 
decades,  or  by  a  single  generation.  Hazle- 
ton is  interesting  for  its  sociological  aspects, 
and  is  fortunate  in  the  possession  of  num- 
bers of  citizens  from  the  Tyrol,  that  small 
and  cultured  section  between  Austria  and 
Italy  in  the  South  of  Continental  Europe. 
The  cultures  of  the  Tyrol  are  developed  to 
that  degree  possible  only  through  centuries 
of  contact  with  civilization,  and  its  admira- 
ble people,  whose  tastes  include  something 
of  the  tastes  of  Italians  and  Austrians  to- 
gether with  a  blending  of  individual  cul- 
tivation, make  most  worthy  American  citi- 
zens. 

A  recognized  leader,  at  the  head  of  the 
Tyrolese  people  in  Hazleton,  Father  Liouis 
Luchi  has  given  long  years  of  service  to  the 
happy  amalgamation  of  Tyroleans  and  native 
citizenry.  In  him  they  have  implicit  confi- 
dence, having  found  his  leadership  of  incal- 
culable benefit,  and  the  church  of  which  he 
is  pastor,  the  Lady  of  Mount  Carmel.  No. 
102  South  Church  Street,  is  the  center  of 
their  society.  This  parish,  St.  Vigilius,  Ro- 
man Catholic,  was  the  first  Tyrolese  founded 
in  the  United  States,  in  1905.  At  that  time 
it  included  some  one  hundred  and  seventy 
families.  Growth  has  been  steady,  healthful; 
and  today  the  parish  is  composed  of  two 
hundred  and  twenty-five  families,  number- 
ing about  one  thousand  souls.  Rev.  I^ouis 
Luchi  was  founder  of  the  church — a  work 
for  which  he  will  own  immortality.  He  has 
presided  over  it  through  the  ensuing  years 
to  the  present.  The  church  edifice  was 
erected  in  1906,  a  year  after  foundation  of 
the  parish,  and  has  a  seating  capacity  of 
four  hundred.  In  1927  Father  Luchi's  parish 
completed  a  beautiful  mortuary  establish- 
ment in  the  Tyrolese  Cemetery:  and  the 
parish  also  has  a  capacious  hall,  used  by  the 
St.  Vigilius  Society  of  Toung  Men,  as  well 
as  by  the  Lady  of  Lourde's  Society  for  Toung 
Women,  a  sorority.  On  the  whole.  Father 
Luchi  has  lived  to  see  this  important  parish 
attain  to  a  flourishing  condition.  He  founded 
the  Italian  Church  of  the  Holy  Rosary,  Ro- 
man Catholic,  and  this  too  flourishes  nicely, 
under  the  charge  of  his  nephew.  Rev.  Henry 
Luchi. 

Father  Luchi  was  born  in  the  Tyrol,  in 
September,  1859.  He  received  his  earliest 
school  instruction  there,  then  studied  at 
Verona,  Italy,  afterward  taking  an  advanced 
course  in  the  L^niversity  of  Padova,  Italy, 
whence  he  received  a  certificate  entitling 
him  to  teach.  For  eighteen  years,  accord- 
ingly,  he   did  tean'i.     It  was   in   1SS3   that  he 


was  ordained  a  priest — in  October  of  that 
year — of  the  Stigmatini,  in  Italy,  then  being 
twenty-four  years  of  age.  In  1905  he  came 
to  the  United  States,  joined  the  people  of 
his  native  blood  in  Hazleton,  and  estab- 
lished the  Order  of  Stigmatina  in  Hazleton, 
Scranton  and  Springfield,  himself  having  been 
founder  of  the  order  in  this  country.  From 
the  first,  October,  1905,  until  the  present, 
he  has  made  his  center  of  operations  in 
Hazleton.  For  some  years,  in  Hazleton,  he 
took  charge  of  two  other  churches  besides 
his  own.  Both  of  them  were  Italian  Roman 
Catholic.  When  they  "were  suitably  supplied 
with  priests  from  the  Stigmatini,  he  retired 
from  control.  The  Tyrolese  are  among  the 
most  prosperous  people  in  Hazleton,  and  the 
Church  of  the  Lady  of  Mount  Carmel  is  free 
of  all  financial  encumbrance,  leaving  Father 
Luchi  free  to  pursue  works  of  good  unham- 
pered by  monetary  restrictions.  He  himself 
was  responsible  for  many  Tyrolean  families 
coming  to  Hazleton,  as  they  took  residence 
here  at  his  suggestion.  Largely  they  are 
agriculturally  inclined;  sound  business  men 
of  conservative  habits.  All  became  citizens 
of  the  United  States  of  America  at  the 
earliest  possible  time,  and  are  especially 
proud  of  their  industry  and  their  American- 
ism. 

Father  Luchi  founded  a  newspaper  for  his 
people  in  Hazleton.  This  proved  a  worth- 
while medium  for  exchange  of  ne'nrs  and 
comment,  and  was  a  valuable  agent  in  the 
solidification  of  American-Tyrolese.  During 
the  period  of  America's  participation  in  the 
World  War  Father  Luchi  served  the  cause 
notably,  being  the  means  of  a  unified  Tyro- 
lean support  of  American  principles  at  that 
decisive  period.  He  is  sought  after  by  the 
business  and  social  spheres  of  the  commun- 
ity. For  by  all  classes  he  is  respected  for 
the  work  which  he  has  carried  through  so 
admirably,  and  is  esteemed  most  sincerely 
for  his  personal  attributes  of  integrity  and 
manliness. 


JOHN  M.  JANOSOV — Owner  of  the  Citizens 
Publishing  Company  of  Hazleton,  which 
issues  the  only  Slavic  newspaper  in  this 
city,  John  M.  Janosov  has  one  of  the  most 
profitable  and,  at  the  same  time,  one  of  the 
most  valuable  establishments  from  the  pub- 
lic viewpoint,  in  this  county,  with  its  large 
percentage  of  Slavonic  population.  This 
paper,  founded  by  Mr.  Janosov's  brother,  has 
experienced  satisfactory  growth  since  John 
M.  Janosov  assumed  charge  of  it,  and  among 
its  other  departments  is  included  one  for 
commercial  printing.  Another  unique  dis- 
tinction held  by  the  Citizens  Publishing  Com- 
pany is  the  fact  that  four  brothers  are  con- 
nected in  various  capacities  therewith,  all  of 
them  practical  printers.  Mr.  Janosov  is 
widely  known  and  highly  respected  among 
the  Slavic  residents  of  this  district,  and  is 
connected  with  virtually  every  society  com- 
posed of  members  of  this  race.  In  political 
affairs,  too,  he  holds  a  place  of  leadership, 
and  plays  an  important  role  in  the  ranks  of 
his  party. 

John  M.  Janosov  was  born  October  30, 
1S98,  in  Hazleton,  son  of  Michael  and  Theresa 
(Hlad)  Janosov.  Michael  Janosov  and  his 
wife  came  from  Czechoslovakia  to  this  coun- 
try and  first  located  near  Hazleton,  where 
they  now  reside.  For  more  than  thirty  years 
he  has  worked  as  a  miner,  and  he  and  his 
wife  have  seven  children:  Michael  J.,  George 
A.,  Mary,  John  M.  (of  whom  further),  Theresa, 
Joseph  J.,  and  Andrew  A.  All  of  these  chil- 
dren were  educated  in  Saint  Joseph's  Paro- 
chial School.  The  four  sons  apprenticed 
themselves  to   the  printing  trade   in   this   city 


and,  as  heretofore  noted,  are  no'w  connected 
with   the   Citizens   Publishing   Company. 

The  Citizens  Publishing  Company  was 
founded  by  the  oldest  son  of  Michael  and 
Theresa  (Hlad)  Janosov,  Michael  J.  Janosov, 
in  1912,  and  he  was  responsible  for  the  estab- 
lishment of  the  "Slovak  Citizen."  He  re- 
tained control  of  this  company  until  1922, 
wlien  John  M.  Janosov  took  over  the  manage- 
ment of  the  concern.  In  the  meantime,  the 
other  brothers  have  entered  into  the  com- 
pany and  through  their  joint  efforts  are 
providing  the  people  of  their  race  with  one 
of  the  best  newspapers  of  its  kind  in  America. 
The  "Slovak  Citizen"  is  a  weekly  publication, 
seven  columns  wide,  and  with  a  minimum 
issue  of  six  pages.  Two  editions  are  printed, 
one  for  Hazleton  and  another  for  Lansford. 
The  circulation,  six  thousand,  is  unusually 
large  for  a  weekly  newspaper,  and  the  con- 
tents of  this  journal  are  devoted  mainly  to 
happenings  of  interest  to  members  of  the 
Slavic  race,  although  general  affairs  also 
are  given  space  within  its  columns.  The 
concern  also  maintains  a  modern  and  com- 
pletely equipped  job  printing  department, 
producing  commercial  printing  of  the  high- 
est class.  This  newspaper  Is  filling  the  needs 
of  the  community  most  adequately,  and  its 
conduct  has  brought  praise  and  prestige 
upon   the  Janosov   family. 

John  M.  Janosov  is  a  member  of  Saint 
Joseph's  Roman  Catholic  Church,  and  having 
been  a  Republican  since  maturity,  has  de- 
voted much  time  and  effort  in  promoting  the 
candidates  and  principles  of  that  party.  His 
fraternal  affiliations,  as  heretofore  noted,  are 
confined  to  a  great  extent  to  those  societies 
of    Slavic    origin. 

Mr.  Janosov  married,  in  1922,  Veronica 
Mihalik,  of  Hazleton,  and  their  children  are 
John,  Margaret,  and  Mary.  The  family  re- 
sides at  No.  5S8  North  Vine  Street,  and  Mr. 
Janosov's  business  headquarters  are  in  the 
office  of  the  Citizens  Publishing  Company,  36 
South    Wyoming    Street,    Hazleton. 


FELIX  DOMBROWSKI — Prom  a  beginning 
with  a  capital  of  nothing  but  a  will  to  suc- 
ceed and  a  knowledge  of  the  business,  gained 
by  years  of  study  under  competent  masters, 
Felix  Dombrowski  has  built  up  one  of  the 
finest  and  most  successful  jewelry  establish- 
ments in  the  Wyoming  Valley,  at  Nanticoke. 
An  exceptional  industry,  a  keen  business 
ability  and  a  favoring  personality  have 
brought  their  reward  in  an  ever-growing  cus- 
tom, making  for  him,  as  well,  friends  in  all 
walks  of  life.  His  store  is  not  only  a  credit 
to  Nanticoke  but  would  be  a  worthy  com- 
panion of  similar  establishments  of  much 
larger  centers.  His  motto  lias  been  that  the 
best  is  none  too  good  for  his  customers,  a 
position  that  he  has  maintained  in  every  re- 
spect, to  the  benefit  of  his  trade  and  to  his 
own. 

Felix  Dombrowski  was  born  in  Poland, 
January  10,  1SS8,  a  son  of  John  Dombrowski, 
and  emigrated  to  the  United  States  when  he 
was  eighteen  years  of  age.  For  a  time  he 
lived  in  Connecticut,  coming  to  Nanticoke  in 
1910,  where  he  has  since  resided  and  con- 
ducted his  business.  He  learned  the  jewelry 
business  in  his  native  land  and  immediately 
went  to  work  here  as  a  salesman,  doing  con- 
siderable traveling  and  creating  a  good  trade 
in  the  neighborhood  and  in  New  York  and 
New  Jersey.  Eventually  he  established  him- 
self in  business  at  No.  IS  South  Market  Street, 
where  he  conducts  his  business  and  makes  his 
home  in  the  same  building,  which  he  erected 
a  few  years  ago.  He  does  a  considerable 
mail  order  business  through  his  annual  cata- 
logue, which  illustrates  a  large  and  attractive 


line  of  high  grade  goods.  He  is  active  in 
civio  affairs  and  is  a  stockholder  in  the 
^liners'  Trust  Company  and  a  member  of  the 
Nantiooke  Kiwanis  Club.  He  is  district  presi- 
dent of  the  Falcons  Society  and  of  other 
Polish  organizations,  including  the  Polish 
Union,  and  is  a  communicant  of  Holy  Trinity 
Roman   Catholic   Church. 

Mr.  Dombrovvski  married,  January  9,  1910, 
Eleanor  Roginski,  of  Nantiooke.  They  are 
the  parents  of  six  children:  Stefania,  a 
teacher  in  Nanticoke  schools;  Henry,  Edwin, 
Sigfried,   Girard   and   Eleanor. 


the  admiration  and  the  respect  of  the  peo- 
ple. An  indication  of  his  popularity  is  his 
candidacy  for  the  office  of  coroner  of  Luzerne 
County. 

In  1904,  Dr.  Krajewski  married  Alexandra 
M.  Yacewicz,  of  Nanticoke,  and  they  are  the 
parents  of  four  children:  Lydla,  Delphin, 
Hownald,    and    Yolanda. 


FRANCIS  J.  KRAJEWSKI,  M.  D. — "Well 
known  as  a  physician  and  popular  as  a  citi- 
zen of  Wilkes-Barre,  Francis  J.  Krajewski 
has  been  conducting  a  general  practice  of 
medicine  here  since  1909,  when  he  came  from 
Nanticoke,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  previously 
had  engaged  in  his  profession.  Ready  and 
able  at  all  times  to  devote  his  time  and 
energy  to  the  work  of  advising  and  treating 
those  who  need  his  services,  he  has  won  the 
confidence  and  the  esteem  of  those  who  come 
to  him  for  aid,  especially  among  the  Polish- 
American  population.  As  a  matter  of  fact, 
the  Polish-American  citizens  of  the  vicinity 
unanimously  endorsed,  in  1927,  his  candidacy 
for  the  coronership  of  Luzerne  County,  show- 
ing by  this  act  the  extent  of  their  trust  in 
him.  Dr.  Krajewski  conducts  his  practice  at 
No.  61  North  Washington  Street,  Wilkes- 
Barre. 

He  was  born  in  Poland  on  July  19,  1S75,  the 
son  of  Francis  and  Rose  Krajewski,  now  de- 
ceased. His  parents  came  to  America  in  1SS6 
and  settled  in  Nanticoke,  Luzerne  County, 
Pennsylvania,  where  the  father  was  for  many 
years  a  coal  miner  for  the  Susquehanna  Coal 
Company.  Dr.  Krajewski's  father  died  at  the 
age  of  sixty-four  years,  and  his  mother  at 
the  age  of  sixty-two  years,  leaving  four  chil- 
dren: Esletta  D.;  Francis  J.,  of  whom  fur- 
ther:    Catherine,    and    Thomas. 

Francis  J.  Krajewski,  who  was  reared  in 
Nanticoke,  attended  the  public  schools,  and 
later  became  a  student  at  the  Wyoming  Sem- 
inary, in  Kingston,  Pennsylvania.  Then  he 
went  to  the  Medico-Chirurgical  College  of 
Medicine,  in  Philadelphia,  from  which  he  was 
graduated  in  the  class  of  1902  with  the  degree 
of  Doctor  of  Medicine.  In  that  year  he  re- 
turned to  Nanticoke,  the  town  of  his  boyhood, 
where  he  began  the  practice  of  his  chosen 
profession.  In  1909  he  came  to  Wilkes-Barre, 
where  he  opened  offices  at  No.  61  North  Wash- 
ington Street.  Since  that  time  he  has  built 
a  lucrative  practice.  Thoroughly  active  in  the 
affairs  of  his  profession.  Dr.  Krajewski  is  a 
member  of  the  American  Medical  Association, 
the  Lehigh  Valley  Medical  Society,  the  Penn- 
sylvania Medical  Society,  and  the  Luzerne 
County  Medical  Society.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Board  of  Directors  and  is  chief  medical 
director  of  the  Polish  Union  of  North  America. 
During  the  World  War  he  was  a  volunteer, 
having  served  in  France  in  the  Forty-first 
Division  of  the  United  States  Army,  in  which 
he  had  the  rank  of  captain  in  the  Medical 
Corps.  After  the  war  he  was  appointed  by 
the  United  States  Veterans'  Bureau  as  the 
district  medical  examiner  for  Luzerne  County 
for  the  care  of  disabled  veterans  of  the  World 
War.  He  is  now  a  member  of  the  American 
Legion,  in  which  organization  he  is  affiliated 
with  Post  No.  132.  He  is  identified  with  sev- 
eral fraternal  orders,  and  is  a  member  of  St. 
Mary's  Polish  Catliolic  Church.  Dr.  Krajew- 
ski had  made  a  place  for  himself  in  the  com- 
munity in  and  near  Wilkes-Barre  and  the 
surrounding    group    of    towns,    and    has    won 


DOMIIVICIv  GITR.XARI — The  spirit  whicn 
made  Rome  the  Eternal  City,  built  the  vast 
Roman  Empire  of  other  times  and  has  pre- 
served the  cultural  and  prosperous  city  of 
Rome  and  Nation  of  Italy  of  today  is  much 
the  same  as  the  spirit  of  America,  richer 
than  that  of  the  newer  land,  however,  in  its 
traditions  of  great  men.  The  Italians  are 
well  represented  in  our  citizenry,  and  in  the 
Wilkes-Barre  area  have  contributed  much 
to  the  general  progress.  Among  them  are 
most  worthy  representatives  but  none  among 
them  is  worthier  of  citation  than  Dominick 
Gurnari,  who  came  to  this  country  without 
funds  or  friends,  builded  a  large  business, 
and  is   a  foremost  citizen   of  Luzerne. 

Dominick  Gurnari  was  born  at  Slorenzo, 
Italy,  January  9,  1890,  a  son  of  Joseph  and 
Santa  (Zumbo)  Gurnari,  both  of  whom  are 
natives  of  Italy,  now  living,  Joseph  Gurnari 
having  engaged  for  years  as  dealer  in  meats. 
In  the  schools  of  Italy,  Dominick  Gurnari 
secured  his  academic  instruction,  and  in  1906, 
at  the  age  of  but  sixteen  years,  embarked  for 
the  United  States,  here  to  seek  his  fortune. 
He  landed  at  New  York  City  April  27,  soon 
thereafter  removing  to  Pennsylvania.  At 
Scranton  he  worked  three  years.  In  1909  he 
came  to  Luzerne,  learned  and  followed  the 
trade  of  mason,  and  in  1912  started  in  a 
general  contracting  business,  under  the  style 
of  his  own  name.  His  commencement  in  this 
business  followed  years  of  saving,  so  that  he 
would  have  the  funds  for  necessary  equip- 
ment, and  years  of  application  to  learning 
the  latest  developments  of  the  trade.  He  has 
been  engaged  as  contractor  through  the  years 
that  have  followed,  and  now  employs  twenty 
men  the  year  entire.  He  maintains  eight 
motor  trucks,  two  concrete  machines,  five 
mixers,  and  one  air  compressor  mounted  on 
a  truck,  besides  being  the  owner  of  two 
pleasure  cars.  His  success  as  business  figure 
has  been  extensive.  He  has  erected  some  of 
the  larger  and  more  modern  structures  in 
Luzerne  and  vicinity,  and  has  wide  commer- 
cial interests,  which  include  directorship  of 
the  Merchants  and  Miners'  Bank  of  Luzerne. 
Also,  he  manufactures  cement  blocks,  and  in 
that  business  has  met  with  the  fortune  Which 
has  marked  his  every  enterprise. 

Despit,3  the  time  and  attention  required  for 
direction  of  his  affairs  in  business,  Mr.  Gur- 
nari has  not  failed  to  play  the  role  of  good 
citizen.  A  Republican,  he  adheres  to  the  prin- 
ciples of  the  party,  supporting  them  and  the 
party's  candidates  to  good  effect.  He  supports 
all  worthy  movements  designed  for  the  wel- 
fare and  general  advancement  of  Luzerne's 
interests,  occupying  a  place  high  in  the  re- 
spect of  those  around  him.  Fraternally  he  is 
affiliated  with  the  Benevolent  and  Protective 
Order  of  Elks,  as  member  of  the  Lodge  No. 
109.  He  belongs  to  the  Italian  Muti  Sucorso 
and  the  Liberty  Citizens'  Club  of  Luzerne. 

Mr.  Gurnari  married,  in  1912,  Angeline 
Zuppa,  of  Luzerne,  a  daughter  of  John  and 
Mary  Zuppa;  and  they  have  sons:  1.  Joseph, 
born  June  IS,  1914.  2.  John,  November  27, 
1916.  3.  Francis,  April  2S,  1917.  4.  Victor, 
November  11.  191S — Armistice  Day,  date  of 
the  closing  of  hostilities  of  the  World  War. 
Mr.  Gurnari's  offices  in  Luzerne  are  at  No. 
2S1    Miller   Street. 


714 


ROSAHIO  L.  MANTIONB,  M.  D. — In  the  life 
story  of  Rosario  L.  Mantione,  physician,  of 
Pittston,  lies  an  inspiration  for  the  youth 
who  is  left  to  his  own  resources  to  make 
his  way  in  the  woild.  This  young  man  has 
risen  superior  to  circumstances  that  would 
have  held  down  a  lesser  spirit,  has  acquired, 
under  most  disheartening  conditions,  a  splen- 
did medical  education  and  already  has  estab- 
lished himself  high  in  the  esteem  of  his 
fello-w  practitioners  in  this  district.  A  native 
ot  Italy,  he  was  brought  to  this  country  by 
his  parents  when  ten  years  of  age  and  was 
reared  in  l^ittston,  Pennsylvania.  Like  many 
of  the  cliildren  of  the  "working  people  of  this 
district,  he  became  a  breaker  boy  at  the  coal 
mines,  but  the  secret  of  his  later  success 
was  an  ambition  that  sent  him  to  night 
schools,  where  he  laid  the  foundation  of  his 
subsequent  professional  education.  Nothing 
.  could  dishearten  him  and  he  strode  forward 
to  tlie  position  he  now  occupies,  one  of  the 
most  finisned  members  of  the  medical  pro- 
fession in  this  section  of  the  State,  with  a 
splendid    future    before    him. 

His  birthplace  was  Montedoro,  Italy,  his 
parents  being  Marian  and  Rose  Mantione. 
They  emigrated  to  America  In  1903  and  took 
up  their  abode  in  Pittston,  where  they  went 
to  work.  The  son  had  had  three  years  of 
schooling  in  Italy  and  acquired  the  remainder 
of  his  elementary  work  at  night,  after  he 
had  finished  his  labors  at  the  coal  breakers. 
Keeping  up  this  until  he  was  seventeen 
years  of  age,  he  abandoned  the  mines  and 
for  the  following  three  years  worked  as 
agent  for  several  mercantile  factories.  Sav- 
ing his  money,  when  he  was  t"wenty  years 
of  age  he  was  able  to  afford  further  educa- 
tion and  went  to  Springfield,  Massachusetts, 
where  he  entered  the  American  International 
College.  There  he  completed  the  four-year 
course  in  three  years,  when  he  took  another 
year  of  college  work  and  then  matriculated 
at  Tufts  College,  where  he  studied  for  one 
year.  The  United  States  entered  the  World 
War  and  he  entered  the  army  and  "v\^as  sent 
to  France  with  the  American  Expeditionary 
Forces,  attached  to  the  79th  Division.  He 
saw  severe  service  with  this  detachment  and 
was  in  the  activities  of  the  Meuse-Argonne 
offensive,  his  discharge  coming  in  June,  1919. 
Not  yet  satisfied  with  his  college  work,  he 
took  a  three  months'  summer  course  at 
Harvard  University  and,  in  September,  1919, 
reentered  Tufts  College  and  took  the  medical 
course,  from  "which  he  was  graduated  with 
honors  and  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medi- 
cine in  the  class  of  1923.  For  the  follow- 
ing year  he  served  as  an  interne  in  St, 
Mary's  Hospital,  Waterbury,  Connecticut,  fol- 
lowed by  sixteen  months'  at  Carney  Hos- 
pital, Boston,  Massachusetts,  in  which  last- 
named  institution  he  worked  in  the  depart- 
ment of  obstetrics  and  gynecology,  in  which 
he  no"w  specializes.  He  passed  the  examina- 
tion of  the  State  Medical  Board  of  Massachu- 
setts in  1923  and  the  Pennsylvania  board  in 
1926,  establishing  himself  in  practice  in  July 
of  that  year  in  Pittston.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  American  Medical  Association,  of  the 
Massachusetts  Medical  Society,  of  the  Penn- 
sylvania State  Medical  Society  and  of  the 
Luzerne  County  Medical  Society,  and  is  also 
a  member  of  the  staff  of  the  Pittston  Hos- 
pital. He  belongs  to  the  Loyal  Order  of 
Moose  and  to  the  Italian  Century  Club  and 
attends  St.  Rocco's  Roman  Catholic  Church. 
Dr.  Rosario  L.  Mantione  married,  July  27, 
1922,  Louise  Lombardi  of  Boston,  Massachu- 
setts, daughter  of  J.  L.  Lombardi.  They  are 
the  parents  of  the  following  children:  1. 
Rose  Margaret,  born  July  S.  1924.  2.  Rosario 
Lewis,    Jr.,     born    October    26,    1926. 


Dr.  Mantione  has  his  residence  at  No.  24 
Montgomery  Avenue,  West  Pittston,  and  has 
his  office  in  the  New  Dime  Bank  Building, 
Pittston,    Pennsylvania. 


PETER  A.  SARLI,  M.  D. — Native  of  Italy 
and  a  medical  graduate  in  that  land,  Peter 
A.  Sarli,  established  in  the  practice  of  his 
profession  in  Pittston  since  1913,  has  made 
for  himself  a  high  reputation.  There  are  few 
people  who  emigrate  to  this  country  from 
Europe  who  more  readily  assimilate  the  at- 
mosphere of  their  adopted  country  than  those 
of  the  Italian  race  and  Dr.  Sarli  happens  to 
be  one  of  the  most  conspicuous  examples  of 
this  trait.  This,  as  well  as  his  professional 
skill  and  meritorious  services  to  the  people 
of  this  community,  bring  to  him  a  constantly 
growing  clientele  and  an  ever  widening  circle 
of  friends. 

Dr.  Sarli  was  born  in  Naples,  Italy,  Sep- 
tember 23,  1879,  a  son  -of  Louis  and  Rosa 
fPinto)  Sarli,  and  received  his  professional 
education  at  the  University  of  Naples,  from 
which  he  "was  graduated,  with  the  degree  of 
Doctor  of  Medicine,  in  1906.  He  then  served 
as  an  interne  in  the  Naples  Hospital  for 
incurables  and,  in  1907,  came  to  America, 
establishing  himself  in  practice  in  Philadel- 
phia, where  he  remained  for  nearly  seven 
years.  He  then  came  to  Pittston  and  began 
a  general  practice,  which  he  has  since  con- 
tinued. 


FRANK  KORONKIEWICZ — One  of  the  citi- 
zens well  known  and  respected  in  Nanticoke 
is  Frank  Koronkiewicz,  pharmacist,  whose 
place  of  business  is  at  No.  186  South  Market 
Street.  Here  Mr.  Koronkiewicz  carries  every- 
thing common  to  the  most  modern  and  best 
regulated  of  drug  stores,  and  does  an  ex- 
tensive trade.  As  a  citizen  of  loyal  public- 
spirit  he  is  highly  regarded  by  all  associated 
with  him  in  commercial  and  fraternal  life, 
and  it  is  with  pleasure,  indeed,  that  these 
associates  accord  him  place  in  this  history 
of    Wilkes-Barre    and    centers    nearby. 

Prank  Koronkiewicz  was  born  in  Nanti- 
coke, September  28,  1892,  son  of  Stanley  and 
Martha  (Rydlewski)  Koronkiewicz.  Stanley 
Koronkiewicz,  who  died  in  March,  1927,  at 
the  age  of  seventy-three  years,  was  by  trade 
a  carpenter,  and  contracting  foreman.  Born 
in  Poland,  he  came  to  the  United  States  at 
the  age  of  seventeen  years,  took  residence 
in  Nanticoke,  and  here  spent  the  balance  of 
his  days.  He  was  a  forceful,  kindly  man, 
fond  of  his  home  and  children,  and  early 
inculcated  in  them  those  principles  of  con- 
duct and  thought  that  have  assisted  them 
to  attain  and   maintain   responsible  positions. 

In  the  public  schools  of  his  native  city, 
Frank  Koronkiewicz  secured  his  basic  aca- 
demic training,  graduating  from  Nanticoke 
High  School  with  the  class  of  1910.  He 
entered  the  Philadelphia  School  of  Pharmacy, 
and  from  it  graduated  in  1916.  Meanwhile, 
from  1907  to  1913,  he  had  served  an  ap- 
prenticeship in  medicine  under  Dr.  J.  F.  Hill, 
in  Dr.  Hill's  pharmacy,  and  while  in  the 
school  at  Philadelphia  was  employed  by  the 
pharmaceutical  firm  of  Shinn  &  Kirk,  of  that 
city.  Soon  after  his  graduation,  however, 
our  country's  entry  into  the  World  War 
interrupted  his  career.  Mr.  Koronkiewicz 
enlisted  in  April,  the  month  war  was  de- 
clared, and  served  until  December,  1918,  in 
the  medical  department,  stationed  at  Atlanta, 
Georgia,  and  at  Fort  Slocum.  When  mustered 
out,  he  held  the  rank  of  sergeant,  first  class. 
It  was  in  1919  that  he  established  himself 
in  the  pharmacy  at  Nanticoke,  which  he  has 
continued  to  operate  during  the  years  that 
have   followed.      In  college  he   was  a  member 


of  the  Alchemists'  Society,  and  is  now  a 
member  of  the  pharmaceutical  societies  of 
Luzerne  County  and  the  United  States.  Fra- 
ternally, he  is  affiliated  with  the  Knights 
of  Columbus  and  the  Benevolent  and  Pro- 
tective Order  of  Elks.  His  religious  adher- 
ence is  given  St.  Stanislaus'  Roman  Catholic 
Churcli,  and  in  matters  of  ciiarity  he  deals 
with  large  heart,  generously,  regardless  of 
race  or  creed.  Mr.  Koronkiewicz  is  active  in 
affairs  of  the  American  Legion,  and  partici- 
pates constantly  in  enterprises  for  tlie  wel- 
fare of  the  city.  He  is  a  stockholder  in  the 
Miners'  Trust  Company,  is  recognized  as  of 
sound  financial  judgment  by  his  confreres 
in  business,  and  on  the  whole  possesses  a 
most  substantial  position  in  his  community, 
Mr.  Koronkiewicz  takes  a  deep  interest  in 
athletics,  in  which  he  participated  while  a 
youtli,  and  is  especially  interested  in  the 
sporting  events  of  Nanticoke  High  School, 
which  he  supports  heartily.  He  resides  at 
No.   2S0  West  Main   Street. 

MILLIAM  T.  SCUREM-VN — For  more  than 
sixty  years  the  name  of  Scureman  has  been 
associated  with  the  leaders  among  the  morti- 
cians of  the  Wyoming  Valley,  the  present 
representative  being  William  T.,  who  has 
been  so  engaged  since  1918  in  the  town  of 
Wyoming.  In  that  comparatively  brief  space 
of  time  he  has  maintained  the  traditions  of 
his  grandfather,  ■who  established  the  first 
house  shortly  after  the  Civil  War  and  which 
has  been  handed  down  in  the  family  in  an 
unbrolien  line  of  inheritance.  Mr.  Scureman 
carefully  prepared  for  the  work  he  looked 
upon  as  a  heritage  and  has  since  lived  up 
to  the  rules  laid  down  by  the  founder,  that 
the  very  best  of  material  and  service  should 
at  all  times  be  at  the  command  of  the  pub- 
lic. His  business  life  has  been  of  the  high- 
est character,  while  his  reputation  for 
honesty  of  intent  and  careful  execution  of  his 
obligations  has  grown  with  his  life  in  this 
district.  He  has  been  called  to  public  office 
and  has  served  faithfully  and  well,  while 
his  fraternal  interests  and  his  social  relaxa- 
tions have  brought  him  a  multitude  of  de- 
voted   friends   and  admirers. 

He  was  born  in  Wyoming,  Pennsylvania, 
June  25,  1S94.  a  son  of  George  Scureman,  a 
native  of  Pittston,  who  was  associated  with 
the  company  store  at  Forty  Fort  and  whose 
death  occurred  in  1905.  His  mother  was 
Mercy  (Townsend)  Scureman,  who  is  still 
living  in  Wyoming,  the  place  of  her  birth. 
His  grandfather  was  William,  who,  with 
his  brother,  George  Town(s)end,  established 
his  business  as  related  and  which  has 
remained  in  the  family.  The  present  pro- 
prietor acquired  his  education  in  the  local 
public  schools  and  was  graduated  from  high 
school,  following  which  he  took  up  the  study 
of  embalming  and  was  graduated  from  the 
Eckles  School  of  Embalming  in  Philadelphia 
in  1914.  This  was  followed  by  the  course  at 
the  Cincinnati  School  of  Embalming,  from 
which  he  was  graduated  in  1927.  He  had 
established  himself  in  his  own  name  and 
was  conducting  a  complete  establishment, 
with  a  mortuary  chapel  and  a  complete 
equipment  for  all  details  of  his  professional 
work.  In  1926  he  erected  the  present  build- 
ing in  "Wyoming  which  he  occupies  con- 
jointly with  the  telephone  exchange  and 
Masonic  lodge,  to  which  organizations  he 
rents  space.  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics 
and  is  no'w  on  the  school  board  and  deputy 
county  coroner  of  Luzerne  County.  His 
church  is  the  Methodist  Episcopal  and  his 
fraternal  and  other  affiliations  include  the 
Junior  Order  United  American  Mechanics; 
Lodge   No.    496,    Free    and    Accepted    Masons; 


Keystone  Consistory,  Ancient  Accepted  Scot- 
tish Rite  Masons;  Irem  Temple,  Ancient 
Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine; 
Fraternal  Order  qX  Eagles;  Monument  Lodge 
of  Wyoming,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fel- 
lows. 

William  T.  Scureman  married,  in  1918,  May 
Griffith,  of  Kingston,  Pennsylvania,  daugh- 
ter   of    Edward    and    Hannah    Griffith. 


BERNARD    S.    AIVDROSIvY,    M.    D. — One    of 

the  younger  members  of  the  medical  profes- 
sion in  Pittston,  Pennsylvania,  is  Dr.  Bernard 
S.  Androsky,  whose  offices  are  located  at  Nos. 
201-202  New  Rose  Building,  in  Pittston.  Dr. 
Androsky  is  a  graduate  of  St.  Thomas  Col- 
lege and  of  Jefferson  Medical  College,  and 
has  done  post-graduate  work  in  the  New 
York  Lying-in  Hospital  and  in  the  Seamen's 
Institute  Clinic.  He  is  one  of  the  progressive 
young  men  of  the  profession  and  is  already 
on  the  way  to  success  as  a  physician  and 
surgeon. 

Bernard  S.  Androsky  was  born  in  Inker- 
man,  Pennsylvania,  February  15,  1901,  son 
of  Charles  and  Sophia  Androsky,  of  Duryea, 
Pennsylvania,  natives  of  Russia.  Dr.  And- 
ro.sky  was  a  student  in  the  public  schools, 
graduating  from  Duryea  High  School  in  1918, 
and  then  continued  study  in  St.  Thomas  Col- 
lege, where  he  completed  his  course  in  1920. 
The  following  fall  he  began  professional 
study  in  Jefferson  Medical  College,  from 
which  he  was  graduated  in  1924.  receiving 
at  that  time  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine. 
His  interneship  was  served  in  the  Jefferson 
Hospital  and  he  then  greatl.v  enlarged  his 
experience  i>y  serving  as  chief  resident  phy- 
sician in  Haward  Hospital.  In  1926  he  took 
post-graduate  work  in  the  New  York  City 
Lying-In  Hospital  and  in  the  New  York 
Post-Graduate  Hospital.  He  also  had  charge 
of  the  Seamen's  Church  Institute  Clinic,  after 
which  he  came  to  Pittston  and  opened  his 
offices  in  the  New  Rose  Building,  Rooms 
201-202,  where  he  has  since  been  engaged 
in  practice  as  a  physician  and  surgeon.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  Luzerne  County  Medical 
Society,  the  Pennsylvania  State  Mtdital  So- 
ciety, and  the  American  iledical  Association, 
and  there  is  every  indication  that  he  has 
before  him  a  successful  professional  career. 
Pie  is  a  member  of  Omega  Upsilon  Phi  col- 
lege fraternity,  of  Philadelphia,  and  of  the 
Brubaker  Physiological  Society,  and  in  addi- 
tion to  his  general  practice  is  a  member  of 
the  Pittston  Hospital  staff.  In  1926  he  served 
as  deputy-coroner  in  this  district,  and  he 
is  actively  interested  in  local  affairs  here 
in  Pittston.  He  is  active  in  the  affairs  of 
the  Republican  party,  locally,  has  served 
as  school  examiner  for  Jenkins  Township 
and  Duryea  High  School,  and  also  as  chair- 
man of  the  Board  of  Health  of  Duryea,  Penn- 
sylvania. During  the  period  of  the  participa- 
tion of  the  United  States  in  the  World  War, 
he  served  as  a  member  of  the  Student  Army 
Corps,   at  Villa  Nova   College. 

Dr.  Androsky  is  a  member  of  the  Knights 
of  Columbus,  and  of  the  Roman  Catholic 
Church  of  St.  Cassinova.  His  many  friends 
in  Pittston,  where  he  makes  his  home,  predict 
for  him  the  highest  success,  and  during  the 
short  time  he  has  been  in  practice  he  has 
made  a  most  satisfactory  beginning,  both 
as    a    physician    and    as    a    surgeon. 

STANLEY  MROWCZYXSKI — Before  he  was 
of  voting  age  Stanley  Mrowczynski  became 
independently  established  in  business  in 
Plymouth  and  so  well  adapted  was  he  for 
the  career,  that  prosperity  has  perched  upon 
the  banner  of  his  ambition  and  he  has  be- 
come  one   of   the    representative   retail   mer- 


7i6 


chants  here.  With  an  ambition  to  forge 
ahead  and  the  will  to  labor  to  that  end,  his 
future  seems  assured  and  his  mature  years 
secure.  He  is  possessed  in  full  with  the 
hardihood  and  intellectuality  of  his  race  and 
of  a  native  industry  that  will  stand  him  in 
good  stead  in  his  march  with  the  commercial 
army  in  the  ranks  of  which  he  has  enrolled. 
He  was  born  in  Poland,  November  16,  1S91, 
son  of  Toeffll  and  Rozalea  Mrowczynski,  both 
natives  of  Poland,  who  came  to  America 
when  he  was  an  infant  and  settled  in  Plym- 
outh. Here  he  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools  and  at  the  age  of  fourteen  years 
entered  the  employ  of  the  mines  as  a  breaker 
boy,  which  occupation  he  followed  for  three 
years.  He  then  became  associated  with  his 
father  in  his  butcher  store  here  and  remained 
there  for  four  years,  learning  the  business, 
when,  in  1911,  he  established  his  own  shop 
and  began  independent  operations,  ■which  he 
has  continued.  During  the  World  War  he 
served  overseas  with  the  American  Expedi- 
tionary Forces  in  the  311th  Field  Artillery 
of  the  77th  Division  for  nine  months.  He 
was  mustered  out  of  the  service  May  2,  1919, 
and  returned  to  Plymouth  to  reengage  in 
business.  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics  and 
belongs  to  the  Polish  National  Catholic 
Church.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Polish 
National  Union;  the  Knights  of  Pythias; 
Lodge  No.  109,  Benevolent  and  Protective 
Order  of  Elks;  and  the  Kiwanis  Club.  He 
also  belongs  to  Alexander's  Band,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre.  the  oldest  musical  organization  in  the 
Wyoming   Valley    of   Pennsylvania. 

STEVEN  B.  DVORSHAK  —  Among  the 
younger  merchants  of  Freeland  a  prominent 
place  is  filled  by  Steven  B.  Dvorshak,  pro- 
prietor of  the  Center  Market  and  one  of  the 
most  progressive  citizens  of  this  district. 
Establishing  himself  in  business  in  a  small 
way,  he  began  his  operations  with  the  firm 
intention  of  serving  those  who  gave  him 
their  patronage  to  the  full  extent  of  cour- 
tesy, fairness  and  quality  of  wares.  Never 
departing  from  this  original  conception  of 
what  is  due  the  public  from  a  private  enter- 
prise, he  won  the  natural  reward  of  high 
principle  and  saw  his  trade  grow  to  the 
substantial  position  it  now  commands.  Under- 
standing that  interest  in  civic  and  fraternal 
affairs  begets  a  wider  friendship  and  more 
prosperous  business  clientele,  he  has  affil- 
iated himself  with  such  organizations  that 
appeal  to  the  better  element  and  has  taken 
his    share    of    the    duties    of    all    citizens. 

Mr.  Dvorshak  was  born  in  Freeland,  Penn- 
sylvania, September,  1S97,  a  son  of  Andrew 
and  Julia  Dvorshak,  and  received  his  elemen- 
tary education  in  the  local  public  schools, 
going  to  work  when  a  boy  In  the  grocery, 
meat  and  provision  business,  which  he 
learned  so  thoroughly  that.  In  1919,  he  felt 
qualified  to  establish  his  own  market  and 
did  so,  at  No.  622  Center  Street,  Freeland, 
and  which  he  conducts,  on  a  greatly  enlarged 
scale,  at  this  time.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Freeland  Business  Men's  Association,  of  the 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows;  Benevo- 
lent and  Protective  Order  of  Elks  and  other 
fraternal  organizations.  The  family  resi- 
dence   is    at   No.    712    Ridge    Street,    Freeland. 

Steven  B.  Dvorshak  married,  in  1919, 
Emma  Russell,  of  Freeland,  who  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Order  of  the  Eastern  Star.  Their 
children    are:      Marian,    John    and   Steven,    Jr. 

THE  REV.  F.  X.  DOMINIAK — As  pastor  of 
the  Roman  Catholic  Church  of  the  Trans- 
figuration, at  the  corner  of  Wayne  and  Green 
streets.  West  Hazleton,  Pennsylvania,  the 
Rev.    P.    X.    Dominiak    fills    with    fine    ability 


and  dignity  an  important  place  m  the 
spiritual  and  material  life  of  the  community. 
Under  his  able  management  the  condition  of 
the  parish  has  prospered,  the  membership 
has  increased  and  the  finances  of  the  church 
have  been  placed  on  a  sound  basis,  while 
spiritual  development  has  been  equally  notice* 
able. 

The  Church  of  the  Transfiguration  was 
founded  in  1906  by  the  Rev.  J.  Gratza.  Start- 
ing with  a  membership  of  some  thirty  fam- 
ilies, services  were  held  originally  in  a  rented 
hall,  but  by  the  year  1909,  a  basement  church 
had  been  completed,  and  dedicated  by  the 
Rt.  Rev.  M.  J.  Hoban,  late  Bishop  of  Scran- 
ton.  Continued  growth  over  a  period  of  ten 
years  resulted,  in  1921,  in  the  dedication  of 
the  present  beautiful  church  building,  with 
a  seating  capacity  of  nine  h\indred  people, 
to  care  for  the  membership  which  now  num- 
bers more  than  five  hundred  families.  The 
following  pastors  have  been  in  charge  since 
the  establishment  of  the  parish:  the  Rev. 
Paul  Szulerecki,  the  Rev.  A.  Kowalczyk,  the 
Rev.  V.  D.  Biczysko,  the  Rev.  Emil  Sikorskl, 
the  Rev.  Felix  Nowak,  the  Rev.  A.  Ziebura, 
D.  D.,  the  Rev.  W.  Kwiatkowski,  the  Rev. 
Joseph  Ziemba,  the  Rev.  D.  C.  Tomkiewicz, 
the  Rev.  V.  S.  Matuszewski,  and  the  Rev.  F. 
X.  Dominiak. 

Father  Dominiak  has  been  active  in  the 
affairs  of  various  church  organizations  and 
civic  enterprises,  and  he  is  highly  esteemed 
at  West  Hazleton  by  the  community  at  large 
for  his  fine  character  and  public-spirited 
participation   in  worthy  movements. 

MICHAEIj     salvatore     de     pierro  — 

Having  forged  his  way  to  a  place  of  leader- 
ship at  the  Luzerne  County  bar,  Michael  S. 
De  Pierro,  of  Freeland,  is  recognized  in  his 
native  township  and  borough  as  one  of  the 
most  efficient  and  progressive  of  the  lawyers 
in  his  jurisdiction.  As  a  member  of  the 
younger  group  of  legal  practitioners  he  has 
distinguished  himself  at  the  bar  and  in  the 
municipal  and  civic  affairs  of  Freeland.  He 
is  prominent  also  in  financial  and  educational 
circles     of    the     township    and    borough. 

Michael  Salvatore  De  Pierro  was  born  in 
Freeland,  April  4,  1SS6,  a  son  of  Frank  and 
Anna  (Bush)  De  Pierro.  At  the  age  of 
twelve  years  his  father  came  from  his  native 
Italy  and  spent  the  rest  of  his  life  in  Free- 
land,  Drifton  and  Lattimer.  In  his  boyhood 
years  he  spent  much  of  his  time  working 
in  the  coal  mines  of  this  county.  He  was  a 
violinist  of  ability  and  played  for  dances 
and  many  other  forms  of  entertainment. 
By  trade  he  was  a  painter  and  paper  hanger, 
and  rose  to  be  a  leading  figure  in  the  munici- 
pal life  of  Freeland.  He  was  elected  presi- 
dent of  the  Town  Council,  served  as  a  m.em- 
ber  of  the  school  board,  and  at  the  time 
of  his  death,  in  September,  1923,  he  was 
sixty-three  years  of  age  and  holder  of  the 
office  of  chief  of  police  of  Freeland.  His 
fraternal  affiliations  were  with  the  Benevo- 
lent and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  the  Fra- 
ternal Order  of  Eagles,  and  the  Knights  of 
Pythias.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Freeland 
Fishing  and  Hunting  Club,  and  was  a  mem- 
ber and  organizer  of  St.  Anthony's  Roman 
Catholic  Church  at  Freeland.  His  widow 
and  four  children  survive,  the  latter  being: 
1.  Michael  Salvatore,  of  whom  further,  2. 
Pauline.      3.   Rachael.      4.   Seraphine. 

Having  graduated  from  the  Freeland  High 
School,  class  of  1909,  Michael  Salvatore  De 
Pierro  entered  the  West  Chester  State  Nor- 
mal School,  from  which  he  was  graduated 
in  1912.  He  next  took  a  course  at  Bucknell 
University,  concluding  with  studies  in  the 
law   department   of   the   University    of   Penn- 


sylvania,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in 
the  class  of  1914  with  the  degree  of  Bachelor 
of  Laws.  He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of 
Luzerne  County  and  to  practice  before  the 
State  Supreme  Court  in  laiS.  His  practice  has 
been  general  throughout  Luzerne  County.  For 
a  short  time  he  was  an  associate  of  Thomas 
H.  Farrell,  of  Wilkes-Barre.  Mr.  De  Pierro 
is  a  director  of  the  Citizens  Bank  of  Freeland, 
solicitor  of  the  Freeland  Building  and  Loan 
Association,  of  which  he  was  one  of  the 
organizers,  and  solicitor  of  the  Conyngham 
Water  Company.  His  public  service,  from 
a  political  standpoint,  has  been  rendered  as 
a  member  of  the  Republican  party.  He  is 
solicitor  for  the  Freeland  Borough  Council, 
the  Borough  School  Board  and  the  Town- 
ship School  Board  and  trustee  of  Hazleton 
State  Hospital.  For  five  years  he  held  the 
office  of  first  assistant  district  attorney  of 
Luzerne  County,  and  is  now  solicitor  of  the 
county  controller  of  Luzerne.  He  is  aflil- 
iated  with  the  Luzerne  County  Bar  Asso- 
ciation: the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order 
of  Elks,  of  which  he  is  Past  Exalted  Ruler; 
the  Fraternal  Order  of  Eagles  of  Freeland; 
Hazleton  Nest  of  Owls;  the  Freeland  Fish- 
ing and  Hunting  Club;  Hazleton  Kiwanis 
Club;  the  Sons  of  Italy,  of  Freeland;  the 
Soci^tf  la  Giovanna  Italia,  of  Hazleton;  the 
Knights  of  Columbus,  fourth  degree;  and  St. 
Anthony's  Roman  Catholic  Church  of  Free- 
land. 

Michael  S.  De  Pierro  married  (first)  Fannie 
C.  Thomas,  of  Eckley,  and  by  this  union 
there  are  four  children:  Dorothy,  Frank  T., 
Salvatore,  and  Lucile.  Mrs.  De  Pierro  died 
January  10,  1926,  and  Mr.  De  Pierro  married 
(second),  in  November,  1927,  Kate  Breihoff, 
of  Conyngham.  The  De  Pierro  residence  is 
934    Washington    Street,    Freeland. 


PASCO  SCHIAVO — As  an  attorney  in  Hazle- 
ton, Pennsylvania,  Pasco  Schiavo  has  taken 
his  place  as  solicitor  of  some  of  the  most 
prominent  firms  in  this  community.  He  is 
the  son  of  Louis  and  Theresa  Schiavo,  both 
natives  of  Italy  where  his  father  was  a 
laborer  and  came  to  Hazleton  from  Latium 
in  1S93.  He  died  on  November  19,  1926,  at 
the    age    of    eighty-seven    years. 

Pasco  Schiavo  was  born  in  New  York  City, 
August  1,  18S3.  He  was  educated  in  the 
Hazleton  Township  High  School  -and  then 
read  law  at  Cumberland  University  at  Leba- 
non, Tennessee,  where  he  graduated  in  the 
class  of  1914,  with  the  degree  of  Bachelor 
of  Laws.  He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in 
Luzerne  County  in  June,  1926,  and  since  then 
has  been  engaged  in  the  practice  of  law. 
For  a  time  he  practiced  at  Knoxville,  Ten- 
nessee. Since,  he  has  made  his  residence 
in  Hazleton,  where  he  carries  on  a  general 
law  practice.  He  is  a  director  and  solicitor 
of  the  Union  Building  and  Loan  Association; 
and  of  the  West  Hazleton  Building  and  Loan 
Association,  and  director  of  the  American 
Bank  and  Trust  Company.  He  is  active  in 
the  Republican  party  and  was  city  comptrol- 
ler from  1920  to  1924,  and  takes  an  active 
part  in  county  and  State  politics.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias  (Past 
Chancellor  Commander);  the  Fraternal  Order 
of  Eagles  and  the  Roman  Catholic  Church 
of   the    Incarnation. 

In  June,  1909,  Pasco  Schiavo  married  Rose 
Cuozzo,  of  Hazleton,  Pennsylvania.  Their 
children  are;  Angeline,  Therese,  and  Louis. 
Mr.  Schiavo  and  family  make  their  residence 
at  No.  121  North  Wyoming  Street,  Hazleton, 
Pennsylvania. 


geons,  of  Washington,  District  of  Columbia, 
Dr.  W.  A.  Oborski  has  been  engaged  in  gen- 
eral veterinary  practice  in  Nanticoke,  since 
1916.  He  is  also  serving  as  City  Food  in.spec- 
tor,  and  is  active  in  the  affairs  of  the  Demo- 
cratic party,  which  he  has  served  as  secre- 
tary of  the  local  committee.  Dr.  Oborski  has 
his  offices  in  the  Gabriel  Building,  No.  147 
South    Market   Street,    Nanticoke. 

William  O.  Oborski,  father  of  Dr.  Oborski, 
was  born  in  Poland.  There  he  married  Cath- 
erine Kulinski,  also  a  native  of  that  country, 
and  about  1S7S  the  couple  left  the  land  of 
their  birth  and  ca.me  to  this  country.  They 
chose  Nanticoke  as  their  permanent  home, 
and  here  William  O.  Oborski  engaged  in  the 
retail  meat  business,  which  he  followed  to 
the  time  of  his  death.  He  was  an  able  busi- 
ness man  and  a  good  citizen,  and  he  and  his 
wife  were  active  and  loyal  members  of  St. 
Stanislaus'  Roman  Catholic  Church. 

Dr.  W.  A.  Oborski,  son  of  William  O.  and 
Catherine  (Kulinski)  Oborski,  was  born  in 
Nanticoke,  March  25,  1S87,  and  as  a  boy  at- 
tended the  local  schools.  After  deciding  upon 
the  profession  of  veterinary  surgeon  as  his 
future  field  of  work,  he  entered  the  United 
States  College  of  Veterinary  Surgeons,  at 
Washington,  District  of  Columbia,  where  he 
completed  his  course  with  graduation  in  1916. 
He  located  here  in  his  native  town  and  from 
1916  to  the  present  time  (192S)  has  been 
building  up  a  prosperous  practice,  drawing 
his  patronage  from  a  large  area  surrounding 
this  community.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Northeastern  Pennsylvania  Veterinarian 
Medical  Club,  and  is  well  known  as  a  skilled 
member  of  his  profession.  He  has  taken  an 
active  interest  in  civic  affairs  since  he  was 
old  enough  to  give  public  matters  intelligent 
attention,  and  is  also  active  in  the  affairs  of 
the  Democratic  party.  He  has  served  as  sec- 
retary of  the  local  Democratic  Committee, 
and  on  January  1,  1925,  was  appointed  to  fill 
the  office  of  city  food  inspector,  in  which 
capacity  he  is  still  (192S)  serving  efficiently, 
giving  entire  satisfaction  to  the  people  of 
Nanticoke.  Like  his  parents,  he  is  an  inter- 
ested member  of  St.  Stanislaus  Roman  Catho- 
lic Church.  Dr.  Oborski  is  very  well  known 
in  Nanticoke,  where  his  boyhood  friends,  as 
well  as  those  he  has  made  in  later  life,  know 
him  as  a  loyal  and  faithful  friend,  as  well  as 
an  able  professional  practitioner.  He  is  a 
member  of  Polish  National  Alliance  and  of 
the  Falcons.  He  has  always  been  interested 
in  animal  life,  and  has  ministered  to  and 
relieved  the  suffering  of  numerous  dumb  pa- 
tients in  this  part  of  Luzerne  County.  As  a 
lover  of  animals,  Dr.  Oborski  brings  to  his 
work  a  subtle  understanding  and  sympathy, 
which,  added  to  his  thorough  training  and 
sound  knowledge,  enables  him  to  render  un- 
usually  valuable   service. 

Dr.  W.  A.  Oborski  married  Julia  B.  Wa- 
sulewski.  and  they  make  their  home  at  No. 
143  South  Market  Street,  in  Nanticoke.  His 
office  is  in  the  Gabriel  Building,  corner  Main 
and  Market  streets. 


"W.  A.   OBORSKI,  D.   V.   M. — A   graduate    of 
the  United  States  College   of  Veterinary   Sur- 


MICHAEL  OLEYAR — A  prominent  factor  in 
commercial  circles  of  Freeland  is  Michael 
Olevar,  conductor  of  a  general  merchandise 
store  at  No.  427  Center  Street,  a  business 
that  was  established  in  1901.  Here  Mr.  Ole- 
yar  has  a  large  trade,  dealing  in  various  lines 
of  merchandise,  carrying  dry  goods,  clothing, 
shoes,  groceries,  hay,  feed,  and  grain.  The 
growth  of  this  concern,  which  was  started 
on  a  small  scale,  has  been  most  remarkable 
and  provides  employment  for  a  large  number 
of  clerks.  Mr.  Oleyar  has  had  no  roses  strewn 
in  his  path  to  success,  having  emigrated  to 
this    country    while    quite    young,    and    during 


7i8 


his  early  years  has  known  the  grime  and 
back-breaking  toil  of  the  mines.  Thus  he 
deserves  much  credit  for  his  attainments  and 
success,  which  include  membership  on  the 
board  of  directors  of  a  bank. 

Mr.  Oleyar  was  born,  November  20.  1869, 
in  Austria-Hungary,  but  came  to  America  in 
1888,  at  the  age  of  nineteen.  He  located  at 
Highland,  and  immediately  "went  to  work 
around  the  mines,  starting  at  a  wage  of  seven 
and  one  half  cents  an  hour  and  working  ten 
hours  a  day.  He  worked  seven  years  in  the 
boiler  house  and  six  years  in  the  engine 
house.  During  part  of  this  time  it  was  his 
duty  to  hoist  the  miners  from  Mine  No.  4  at 
Jeddo.  Dissatisfied  with  this  calling,  he  de- 
termined to  enter  business  as  an  individual, 
and  in  1901,  came  to  Freeland.  In  this  year 
he  opened  a  business  with  Frank  Hayne  as 
a  partner,  under  the  firm  name  of  Oleyar  & 
Hayne,  the  doors  of  the  store  opening  in 
June,  1901.  About  two  months  later,  the  firm 
was  hard  pressed  for  money  and  it  was  nec- 
essary tor  Mr.  Oleyar  to  borrow  money  from 
his  friends.  Seeing  that  the  only  way  to 
succeed  was  to  buy  in  large  quantities,  in 
order  to  get  a  better  price,  he  again  borrowed 
money  from  his  friends.  When  the  coal  strike 
of  1902  started,  Mr.  Oleyar  returned  all  the 
money  he  borrowed,  fearing  if  the  firm  would 
fail,  he  might  lose  the  money  he  borrowed 
from  his  friends.  During  the  coal  strike,  the 
firm  had  to  refuse  most  of  the  customers 
credit,  due  to  the  insufficient  capital.  After 
the  strike  was  settled  it  was  difficult  for  the 
firm  to  get  back  the  customers  to  whom  they 
refused  credit,  as  they  could  not  realize  the 
situation.  This  partnership  continued  until 
October,  1905,  at  which  time  it  was  dissolved 
and  Mr.  Oleyar  took  over  the  concern  and 
moved  it  to  its  present  location,  at  No.  427 
Center  Street,  Freeland.  He  has  since  devoted 
himself  unremittingly  to  the  building  up  of 
his  general  merchandise  concern,  which,  as 
heretofore  stated,  comprises  dry  goods,  cloth- 
ing, shoes,  groceries,  hay,  feed,  etc.  He  now 
utilizes  three  fioors  of  a  building  covering 
twenty-three  by  seventy-two  feet.  In  view  of 
the  fact  that  his  original  capital  was  two 
thousand  dollars,  the  present  standing  of  this 
business  appears  all  the  more  remarkable, 
for  it  now  has  one  of  the  largest  stores  in 
Freeland.  The  service  of  four  clerks  are  re- 
quired in  the  conduct  of  the  business,  in  addi- 
tion  to  Mr.   Oleyar  and   his  two  sons. 

Coincident  with  the  expansion  of  his  com- 
mercial interests,  Mr.  Oleyar  has  become  asso- 
ciated with  various  other  enterprises  and  or- 
ganizations in  Freeland,  being  one  of  the 
directors  of  the  First  National  Bank,  wherein 
his  sagacious  counsel  is  appreciated  by  his 
confreres.  A  member  of  St.  Mary's  Greek 
Catholic  Church,  Mr.  Oleyar  is  also  a  member 
of  St.  George's  Society  and  Holy  Cross  So- 
ciety, and   St.   Michael's  Society. 

Michael  Oleyar  married,  February  10,  1899, 
Anna  Hayne,  of  Lodi,  New  Jersey,  and  their 
children  are:  1.  Theodore  Frank,  graduated 
from  the  Mining  and  Mechanical  Institute  of 
Freeland  and  attended  the  University  of 
Pennsylvania.  He  assists  his  father;  and  he 
married  Seraphine  Bonomo.  2.  Mary,  gradu- 
ated from  Freeland  High  School,  attended 
Syracuse  Univei'sity  for  two  years,  and  grad- 
uated from  the  New  York  School  of  Music 
and  Arts.  She  married  Harold  M.  Woelfel. 
3.  Oion  J,,  graduated  from  the  Mining  and 
Mechanical  Institute  of  Freeland,  attended 
Culver  Military  Academy  for  a  year,  and 
attended  Lehigh  University.  He  also  assisted 
his  father.  He  married  Sarah  Gallagher.  4. 
Victor  H.,  graduated  from  the  Mining  and 
Mechanical  Institute  of  Freeland,  class  of 
1928,    and    entered    Bucknell    University.     Mr. 


Oleyar  and  his  family  reside  at  No.   533   Vine 
Street,    Freeland. 

JOHIV  J.  PUSTI — One  of  the  active  and  pro- 
gressive members  of  the  community  at  Hazle- 
ton,  Pennsylvania,  John  J.  Pusti  is  a  funeral 
director  at  No.  480  West  Broad  Street.  Thor- 
oughly trained  in  his  profession,  he  carries 
a  complete  line  of  the  most  modern  equip- 
ment, his  quick  sympathy  and  ready  tact  in 
the  discharge  of  his  professional  duties,  en- 
abling him  to  carry  on  his  work  in  a  very 
successful    way. 

Mr.  Pusti  was  born  at  Harwood,  Pennsyl- 
vania, August  15,  1898,  a  son  of  John  and 
Anna  (Locker)  Pusti,  both  natives  of  Austria. 
John  Pusti  came  to  the  United  States  as  a 
young  man  settling  at  Harwood.  Until  the 
year  1898,  he  \vorked  in  the  mines  at  that 
place.  Coming  to  West  Hazleton  at  the  end 
of  this  time,  he  established  his  hotel  which 
he  operated  until  his  death  on.  March  7,  1924, 
at  the  age  of  forty-nine.  Politically  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Democratic  party  he  "was  active  in 
community  affairs,  and  a  member  of  St. 
John's  Greek  Catholic  Church,  of  Hazleton. 
Anna  (Locker)  Pusti  is  still  living  and  of 
her  marriage  with  John  Pusti,  several  chil- 
dren were  born:  1.  John  J.,  of  whom  further. 
2.  Anna,  who  married  Michael  Lopchak.  3. 
Amel.    4.  Jacob.    5.  Helen. 

John  J.  Pusti  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools  of  Pennsylvania,  after  which  for 
some  years,  he  acted  as  bookkeeper  for  Swift 
and  Company.  On  December  8,  1921,  however, 
he  was  graduated  from  Eckels  School  of 
Embalming,  in  Philadelphia,  and  in  January, 
1923,  was  licensed  to  practice  his  profession. 
Soon  afterwards  he  established  his  business 
in  Hazleton,  in  which,  having  quickly  won 
the  confidence  of  the  community,  he  was  im- 
mediately successful.  In  1928  he  was  ap- 
pointed deputy  coroner  of  Luzerne  County 
for  a  term  of  four  years,  to  operate  in  Hazle- 
ton and  vicinity,  and  in  June,  1928,  he  bought 
a  fine  invalid  car,  the  only  one  in  the  city. 
Mr.  Pusti  is  a  member  of  the  Luzerne  County 
Funeral  Directors'  Association  and  also  a 
member  of  the  State  association.  He  has 
always  been  interested  in  the  growth  and 
welfare  of  the  community  in  whose  various 
activities  he  plays  an  active  part.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  West  Hazleton  Fire  Company, 
and  affiliated  with  the  Fraternal  Order  of 
Eagles.  He  and  his  wife  attend  St.  Joseph's 
Roman  Catholic  Church,  at  Hazleton  and  are 
members  of  the  Sts.  Peter  and  Paul  societies, 
and    Holy    Trinity    Society. 

On  July  1,  1924,  John  J.  Pusti  married 
Pauline  Parish,  of  Hazleton.  Mrs.  Pusti  is  a 
talented  musician,  and  is  now  organist  at 
Holy  Trinity  Catholic  Church,  having  played 
in   local  churches   for  several   years  past. 

LESTER  P.  TREVASKIS,  D.  D.  S. — A  native 
of  Freeland,  Pennsylvania,  Dr.  Lester  P.  Tre- 
vaskis  has  spent  the  greater  part  of  his  life 
in  his  birthplace  where,  since  completing  his 
course  in  the  University  of  Pennsylvania  in 
1919.  he  has  been  successfully  practicing  as 
a  dental  surgeon.  His  offices  are  located  at 
No.  608  Center  Street,  in  Freeland,  where  he 
is  taking  care   of  a   large  clientele. 

Dr.  Lester  P.  Trevaskis  was  born  in  Free- 
land,  Pennsylvania,  November  9,  1895,  son  of 
John  H.  and  Mary  A.  (Philips)  Trevaskis, 
both  natives  of  Freeland,  the  father  a  manu- 
facturer of  overalls  in  Sunbury,  Pennsyl- 
vania. After  completing  the  usual  courses  in 
the  public  school.  Dr.  Trevaskis  prepared  for 
professional  life  by  entering  the  Dental  De- 
partment of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania, 
from  which  he  was  graduated  with  the  class 
of    1919,    receiving    the    degree    of    Doctor    of 


719 


Dental  Surgery.  Upon  the  completion  of  his 
course  he  returned  to  Freeland  and  engaged 
in  practice.  He  is  well  known  in  this  section 
and  during  the  nine  years  which  have  passed 
since  he  opened  his  offices  here  he  has  won 
the  confidence  of  a  large  following  and  has 
built  up  a  large  practice.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Luzerne  County  Dental  Association,  also 
of  the  Pennsylvania  State  Dental  Asso- 
ciation, and  of  the  American  Dental  So- 
ciety, and  among  his  professional  colleagues 
is  recognized  as  one  who  has  demonstrated 
his  right  to  be  known  as  a  successful  man  of 
his  profession.  He  is  interested  and  active  in 
civic  affairs,  and  there  are  few  public  pro- 
jects planned  for  the  general  good  which 
fail  to  receive  his  generous  support.  He  is  a 
charter  member  and  treasurer  of  the  Rotary 
Club,  and  a  member  of  the  Young  Men's 
Christian  Association.  Fraternally,  he  is 
identified  with  Lodge  No.  611,  Free  and  Ac- 
cepted Masons;  and  with  Lehigh  Consistory; 
and  he  is  also  a  member  of  Lodge  No.  1145, 
Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks. 
During  the  period  of  the  participation  of  the 
United  States  in  the  World  War  Dr.  Treva- 
skis  served  in  the  Medical  Reserve  Corps,  be- 
ing mustered  out  in  1919.  He  has  many 
friends  in  Freeland  and  vicinity,  and  both  he 
and  his  wife  are  held  in  high  esteem  among 
a  large  group  of  associates.  His  religious 
affiliation  is  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.  .    ^     ., 

Dr  Lester  P.  Trevaskis  was  married,  June 
7  19'>2  to  Edna  D.  Davis,  daughter  of  Ben- 
jamin Davis,  of  Freeland.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Tre- 
vaskis make  their  home  at  No.  605  Mam 
Street,    in   Freeland. 

JOSEPH    C.    KOCHCZYXSKI,    M.    D.— Born 

at  Mount  Carmel,  Northumberland  County, 
the  son  of  Jacob  and  Margaret  Kochczynski, 
the  former  a  native  of  Poland  who  came  to 
this  country  in  1S63,  it  did  not  take  long  for 
Dr  Joseph  Kochczynski  to  decide  that  the 
healing  of  the  sick  and  suffering  was  to  be 
his  career,  and  as  soon  as  he  completed  his 
preliminary  educational  work  he  began  the 
study  of  medicine. 

The    early    education    of    Dr.    Kochczynski 
was  acquired   in   the   State  Normal   School  at 
Bloomsburg,  Columbia  County,  from  which  he 
was    graduated    with    the    class    of    1909.     He 
then     entered     the     medical     school     of     the 
Medico-Chirurgical    College    in    Philadelphia, 
and    graduated    in    1913    with    the    degree    of 
Doctor  of  Medicine.      Dr.   Kochczynski  served 
as  interne  at  St.  Francis'  Hospital  at  Trenton 
New    Jersey,    for    one    year,    and    m    1914    he 
located    in    Hazleton,    Luzerne   County,    Penn- 
sylvania,   where    he    quickly   acquired   an    ex- 
tensive and  lucrative  practice.     He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  county.   State  and  American  medi- 
cal  societies,    and    is   a   past   president   of  the 
Hazleton   branch   of  the  county  organization. 
In    the    World    War.    Dr.    Kochczynski    gave 
freelv  of  his  skill  and  science  to  the  relief  ot 
those    wounded    and    shattered    in    rnind    and 
body  in  that  great  struggle.     He  yolu^t^f""^ 
for  service  in  1917,  and  was  with  the  Medical 
Department    at    Fort    Oglethorpe.      Later    he 
was    assigned    to    the    49th    Infantry    of    the 
United    States    Army,    and    he    went    overseas 
with   the    American    Expeditionary    Forces    in 
1918     He  was  with  the  30Sth  Motor  Transport 
Corps,  and  when  the  Armistice  was  declared 
was  a<;signed  to  the  American  Armistice  Com- 
mission,   serving   with    this   body    on    its    visit 
to   Berlin.    He  was  placed  in  charge  of   Rus- 
sian  prisoners   of  war  in   hospitals   in   Chem- 
nitz, Saxony,  and  other  cities  in  that  section, 
and   helped   in    their  repatriation.    On   his  re- 
turn   from    Germany.     Dr.    Kochczynski    was 
placed  in  the  medical  detachment  of  the  com- 


posite regiment  known  as  "Pershing's  Own," 
and  returned  with  the  first  division  to  Amer- 
ica, being  mustered  out  at  Camp  Dlx  in  No- 
vember, 1919,  with  the  rank  ot  captain.  He 
resumed  his  practice  In  Hazleton  and  quickly 
gathered  around  him  the  patients  who  had 
regretted  to  see  him  depart,  and  welcomed 
his  return. 

Dr.  Kochczynski  is  very  much  to  the  fore 
in  all  civic  activities  in  Hazleton.  He  is  a 
director  of  the  American  Bank,  and  a  member 
of  the  leading  Polish  societies  of  that  city. 
Fraternally,  he  is  affiliated  with  Hazleton 
Lodge,  No.  200,  Benevolent  and  Protective 
Order  of  Elks,  and  is  one  of  the  foremost 
members  of  the  local  Post  of  the  American 
Legion. 

In  1921  Dr.  Kochczynski  married  Dorothy 
Waschko,  of  Hazleton,  Pennsylvania.  Dr. 
and  Mrs.  Kochczynski  are  the  parents  of  one 
child,  a  son,  Joseph  C,  Jr.  The  family  resi- 
dence is  at  No.  250  North  Wyoming  Street, 
Hazleton. 


VIXCEXT  J.  LUPCO — One  of  Nanticoke's 
most  progressive  young  business  men,  Vin- 
cent J.  Lupco,  is  a  leader  in  the  insurance 
world,  representing  twelve  different  com- 
panies, specializing  particularly  in  automo- 
bile insurance,  in  which  he  has  a  large  cli- 
entele. He  is  one  of  this  city's  best-known 
citizens,  taking  an  active  interest  in  all  pro- 
jects for  community  advancement  and  im- 
provement and  is  ever  an  enthusiastic  sup- 
porter of  all  movements  which  tend  to  ad- 
vance the  welfare  and  good  ot  all. 

Mr.  Lupco  was  born  in  Nanticoke,  July  19, 
1S9S,  son  of  Andrew  and  Mary  M.  (Fabian) 
Lupco,  both  of  whom  are  residents  of  Nanti- 
coke, coming  originally  from  Austria- 
Hungary  to  this  country,  and  locating  in 
Nanticoke  about  1884.  Andrew  Lupco  was 
engaged  in  the  mining  industry  for  a  tew 
years  after  which  he  opened  what  was  prob- 
ably the  first  hotel  in  Nanticoke,  conducting 
a  prosperous  business  until  1904,  when  he 
became  president  and  organizer  of  the  Penn- 
sylvania Slovak.  Roman  and  Greek  Catholic 
Union,  the  headquarters  of  which  society  are 
now  located  at  the  corner  of  North  and  North 
Main  streets,  Wilkes-Barre,  being  at  present, 
one  of  the  strong  fraternal  insurance  organi- 
zations in  this  country.  He  was  occupied  in 
the  affairs  ot  this  organization,  building  it  up 
steadily  from  1904  to  1911,  during  which  time 
he  officiated  as  its  president.  In  1911,  he 
opened  an  independent  office  as  an  insurance 
broker  in  Wilkes-Barre  and  has  ^er  con- 
tinued to  devote  his  entire  attention  to  affairs 
of  insurance.  He  was  one  ot  the  prime  fac- 
tors in  the  founding  of  St.  Joseph's  Roman 
Catholic  Church  at  Nanticoke,  which  edifice 
is  located  at  Noble  and  Prospect  streets.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Lupco  are  the  parents  of  seven  chil- 
dren- 1.  John,  engaged  in  the  oil  business  at 
Altoona,  Kansas.  2.  Andrew,  one  of  the  chief 
electricians  of  the  General  Electric  Company 
plant  at  Los  Angeles,  California.  3  Anna, 
married  Frank  Hayne,  a  merchant  of  Free- 
land 4.  ifichael,  a  hotel  clerk  at  Adrian, 
Micliigan.  5.  Vincent  J.,  of  whom  further  6. 
Joseph  A,  a  collector  in  the  Department  of 
Internal  Revenue,  Scranton  District.  7.  Eliza- 
beth,  married   Andrew   Sable,   a  mechanic   of 

'  V'incent  J.  Lupco  was  educated  in  the  pub- 
lic schools  of  Nanticoke.  graduating  from 
high  school  in  1918,  being  the  first  boy  of 
Slovak  parentage  to  complete  the  high  school 
course  in  Nanticoke  High  School.  Having  a 
desire  and  aptitude  tor  the  insurance  busi- 
ness, he  was  occupied  in  1919  for  a  short 
time  as  claim  adjuster  for  the  Ocean  Accident 
&   Guarantee   Corporation   of   New   York.    He 


then  entered  Bucknell  University,  where  he 
toolv  a  special  two-year  course  in  business 
and  insurance,  graduating  with  distinction 
and  honor.  In  1923.  he  was  appointed  special 
agent  for  the  Milwaukee  Mechanics  Fire  In- 
surance Company,  and  in  this  capacity  trav- 
eled over  the  entire  State  of  Pennsylvania. 
In  1924,  he  became  manager  of  the  local 
agency  of  Andrew  Lupco  and  Son,  continuing 
in  this  association  until  May,  1927,  when  he 
engaged  in  business  independently.  In  addi- 
tion to  the  many  companies  that  he  repre- 
sents, Mr.  Lupco  is  district  manager  of  the 
United  Life  &  Accident  Insurance  Company, 
of  Concord,  New  Hampshire.  His  business  has 
grown  remarkably,  due  mainly  to  his  tireless 
energy  and  popular  and  affable  manner,  and 
he  enjoys  the  distinction  of  heading  an  or- 
ganization which  is  rated  third  in  importance 
in  this  city  for  volume  of  business  handled. 
Mr.  Lupco  is  a  member  of  the  National  Asso- 
ciation of  Insurance  Agents,  the  Insurance 
Federation  of  Pennsylvania,  the  Luzerne 
County  Insurance  Exchange,  and  he  was  one 
the  organizers  of  the  Nanticoke  Insurance 
Exchange.  In  March,  1928,  he  was  appointed 
Alderman  of  Nanticoke  by  Governor  Fisher. 
He  has  been  special  police  magistrate,  and 
acting  mayor  during  absence  of  the  mayor. 
He  is  an  active  member  of  the  Republican 
party  and  his  religious  afBliation  is  with  St. 
Joseph's   Roman    Catholic    Church. 

Vincent  J.  Lupco  married,  August  25,  1921, 
Bertha  P.  Zima,  of  Parsons,  which  is  now  a 
part  of  the  city  of  Wilkes-Barre.  Mr.  Lupco 
is  a  graduate  of  Parsons  High  School  and 
later  studied  stenography  and  secretarial 
work.  They  have  one  son,  Carl,  born  Feb- 
ruary 1,  1923. 


DR.  A.  D.  HOBRENBR — As  the  years  pass 
and  scientific  knowledge  increases,  the  means 
by  which  human  suffering  is  prevented,  re- 
lieved, and  cured  steadily  change  and  grow 
in  theory  and  in  practice.  Fifty  years  ago, 
the  chiropractic,  as  such,  was  non-existent. 
Today,  all  over  the  world  doctors  of  chiro- 
practic are  getting  at  the  cause  of  numerous 
ailments  by  external  treatment  of  the  spine. 
Lesions,  displacements,  and  old,  muscle- 
bound  mal-adjustments  are  being  rectified 
without  drugs,  by  mechanical  manipulation, 
and  in  the  wake  of  these  corrections  come  in- 
numerable cures.  Among  those  who  are  suc- 
cessfully practicing  this  highly  natural 
method  of  correcting  some  of  the  ills  of 
humanity,  is  Dr.  A.  D.  Hoebener,  who  has 
been  engaged  in  practice  in  Hazleton,  Penn- 
sylvania, for  the  past  five  years.  Dr.  Hoe- 
bener is  a  graduate  of  the  Palmer  School  of 
Chiropractic,  and  has  his  offices  at  No.  308  in 
the  American  Bank  Building  in  Hazleton. 

Born  here  in  Hazleton,  Pennsylvania,  Octo- 
ber 20,  1S97,  Dr.  Hoebener  is  a  son  of  John 
P.  and  Catherine  E.  (Reinmiller)  Hoebener, 
the  first  mentioned  of  "whom  is  living  (1928). 
He  attended  the  public  schools  of  his  birth- 
place, graduating  from  the  high  school  with 
the  class  of  1916,  and  then  entered  the  em- 
ploy of  the  Lehigh  Valley  Coal  Company, 
with  whom  he  remained  as  assistant  division 
shipper  until  1920.  By  that  time,  being  then 
a  young  man  of  twenty-three  years,  he  de- 
cided that  he  would  enter  professional  life 
and  chose  chiropractics  as  his  field  of  en- 
deavor. Accordingly,  he  entered  the  Palmer 
School  of  Chiropractic,  at  Davenport,  Iowa, 
where  he  finished  his  course  with  the  class  of 
1922,  graduating  in  February  of  that  year. 
For  a  period  of  one  year  he  practiced  in 
Palmerton,  Pennsylvania,  and  then  came  to 
Hazleton,  where  he  has  since  been  engaged  in 
practice.  He  has  been  successful  in  treating 
a  wide   range   of   ailments   and   has   built   up 


both  a  practice  and  a  reputation.  Conscien- 
tious in  his  work,  always  ready  to  call  in 
the  assistance  of  an  M.  D.  when  he  finds  that 
the  nature  of  the  trouble  is  such  that  drugs 
rather  than  chiropractic  treatment  are 
needed,  he  has  won  the  confidence  of  his 
patients  by  his  honest  recognition  of  the 
limits  of  his  profession  as  well  as  by  his 
skill  and  success  in  giving  treatment.  Dr. 
Hoebener  is  a  inember  of  the  Pennsylvania 
State  Chiropractic  Association  and  of  Delta 
Sigma  Chi  Fraternity;  and  he  is  also  a  mem- 
ber of  Lodge  No.  200,  Benevolent  and  Pro- 
tective Order  of  Elks,  and  of  Lodge  No.  34, 
Junior  Order  of  United  American  Mechanics. 
His  religious  interest  is  with  Christ  Lutheran 
Church,   of  w^hich  he  is  a  comniunicant. 

Dr.  A.  D.  Hoebener  was  married,  October 
20,  1926,  to  Anna  E.  Bohan,  of  Wilkes-Barre, 
Pennsylvania,  and  they  make  their  home  at 
No.   70  South  Wyoming  Street,   in  Hazleton. 

I/EO  LANDAU — One  of  the  finest  business 
concerns  in  Hazleton,  Pennsylvania,  is  the 
jewelry,  music,  victrola  and  furniture  estab- 
lishment owned  by  the  four  Landau  brothers, 
and  managed  by  Leo  Landau.  The  brothers 
own  two  establishments,  one  located  at  No. 
66  South  Main  Street,  in  Wilkes-Barre,  and 
the  other  here  in  Hazleton,  located  at  No.  17 
West  Broad  Street,  and  they  operate  on  the 
deferred  payment  plan.  Though  young  in 
point  of  time  in  operation,  the  Hazleton  busi- 
ness is  prospering  greatly  and  its  operations 
cover   a   wide    territory. 

Leo  Landau  was  born  in  Austria,  February 
8,  1897,  son  of  Manual  and  Mary  Landau.  In 
June,  1910,  the  parents  came  to  this  country, 
bringing  with  them  their  little  family,  and 
Mr.  Landau,  who  had  been  attending  the  com- 
mon schools  of  Austria,  finished  his  education 
in  the  public  schools  of  Wilkes-Barre.  From 
boyhood  days  he  was  associated  with  the 
music  and  jewelry  business  which  was  oper- 
ated by  his  brothers,  and  in  1919,  when  he 
was  twenty-two  years  of  age  he  was  admitted 
to  partnership  in  the  firm.  In  the  business  in 
Wilkes-Barre  he  received  a  thorough  train- 
ing, and  for  eight  years  he  continued  to  worli 
hard  in  the  interests  of  the  original  concern. 
As  time  passed,  however,  it  became  evident 
that  it  would  be  advantageous  to  all  con- 
cerned to  expand  the  field  of  operations,  and 
this  was  accordingly  done  by  opening  a  sec- 
ond store  in  Hazleton  and  placing  Leo  Landau 
in  charge  as  manager.  The  store  was  opened 
on  November  11.  1927,  under  the  name  of 
Landau  Brothers,  and  they  are  selling  full 
lines  of  jewelry,  music,  radios,  and  furniture 
on  the  deferred  payment  plan.  The  business 
is  owned  by  the  four  brothers,  Hyman,  Leo, 
Nat  and  Isadore;  Leo  Landau  has  full  charge 
of  the  Hazleton  district.  The  store  is  seven- 
teen and  a  half  by  one  hundred  and  fifty 
feet,  four  fioors,  and  basement,  and  it  draws 
its  patronage  from  all  sections  of  Hazleton 
as  well  as  from  a  large  territory  surrounding 
the  place. 

Fraternally,  Mr.  Landau  is  affiliated  with 
Landmark  Lodge,  No.  442,  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons,  Wilkes-Barre;  also  with  Irem  Tem- 
ple, Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the 
Mystic  Shrine;  and  with  Caldwell  Consistory, 
of  Bloomsburg,  Pennsylvania.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Masonic  Club  and  of  the  Kiwanis 
Club,  also  of  the  Craftsman's  Club,  and  has 
been  very  active  in  the  Young  Men's  Hebrew 
Association,  of  which  he  is  a  member  of  the 
board  of  directors.  His  religious  membership 
is  with  the  B'nai  B'rith  Hebrew  Congrega- 
tion, and  he  is  a  helpful  member  of  all  the 
various  organizations  with  which  he  is  iden- 
tified. 

Leo    Landau    was     married,    September    10, 


lf)22.  to  Anna  Weisberger,  of  Nanticoke, 
Pennsylvania,  and  they  are  the  parents  of 
two  sons:  Howard  R.  and  Calvin  Jerome. 
The  family  home  Is  located  at  No.  160  North 
Church   Street,   Hazleton. 

ZOLT.\)V  J.  DROSDICK — Though  still  a 
young  man,  Zoltan  J.  Drosdick  has  won  a 
position  of  unusual  importance  in  the  finan- 
cial world  of  Hazleton  and  the  vicinity.  After 
thorough  preparation  for  his  career  and  a 
period  of  preliminary  training  during  which 
he  revealed  great  talent,  he  became  an  officer 
and  a  director  of.  the  City  Bank  and  Trust 
Company,  of  Hazleton,  of  which  his  father, 
Michael  Drosdick,  was  then  president.  Aside 
from  his  business  interests,  Mr.  Drosdick  is 
highly  regarded  in  his  community  as  a 
public-spirited  citizen,  and  he  is  a  member 
of  several  local  civic  and  fraternal  organiza- 
tions. 

Mr.  Drosdick  was  born  October  S,  1899,  in 
Hazleton,  Pennsylvania,  a  son  of  Michael 
Drosdick,  now  deceased,  who  was  born  in 
Hungary,  and  of  Malvina  (Duboczky)  Dros- 
dick. His  father  came  to  the  United  States 
when  he  was  fifteen  j'ears  old  and  after 
■working  in  "^'arious  capacities  for  a  number 
of  years,  entered  the  foreign  exciiange  house 
of  Martin  and  Nemeth,  at  Hazleton,  of  which 
he  soon  became  manager  and  eventually  a 
partner  in  the  business.  In  1917,  he  organized 
the  American  Bank  and  Trust  Company,  first 
known  as  the  Hazleton  Slavonic  Bank,  of 
^^'hich  he  was  vice-president  and  manager  of 
foreign  exchange,  and  in  1922  he  organized 
and  served  as  first  president  of  the  City  Bank 
and  Trust  Company,  which  position  he  re- 
tained until  his  death  on  December  21,  1926. 

Zoltan  J.  Drosdick  attended  the  public 
schools  of  Hazleton,  and  the  high  school, 
from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1917.  Later 
he  undertook  a  course  of  study  at  the  Whar- 
ton School  of  Finance  in  Philadelphia,  and 
upon  its  completion,  entered  the  employ  of 
the  Hazleton  Slavonic  Bank,  where  he  re- 
mained from  February,  1918,  until  February, 
1922.  At  the  end  of  that  time,  he  and  his 
father  began  the  organization  of  the  City 
Bank  and  Trust  Company,  which  was  char- 
tered on  February  S,  1923,  and  opened  its 
doors  on  April  2,  of  the  same  year,  at  No. 
31  South  Wyoming  Street,  Hazleton.  This 
bank  has  a  capital  of  $125,000,  and  deposits 
of  well  over  a  million  dollars,  its  shares  of 
capital  stoclv  selling  now  at  a  premium.  The 
original  ofHcers  of  the  institution  were: 
Michael  Drosdick,  president:  J.  H.  Lahm, 
vic.?-president;  Zoltan  J.  Drosdick,  secretary; 
J.  L.  Michel,  treasurer;  directors:  Michael 
Drosdick,  J.  H.  Lahm,  John  H.  Bonin,  M.  A. 
Gallagher,  Stephen  F.  Payer,  John  Bagler, 
Adam  Iffert,  E.  P.  Hanlon,  E.  D.  Snyder,  C. 
A.  Mason,  Charles  H.  Rice,  and  Zoltan  J. 
Drosdick.  Upon  the  death  of  Michael  Dros- 
dick, John  H.  Lahm  became  president,  and 
Zoltan  J.  Drosdick,  vice-president  and  treas- 
urer, and  this  arrangement  has  continued 
since  that  time.  Correspondents  of  the  bank 
include:  The  City  National  Bank  and  Trust 
Company,  of  Philadelphia,  the  Mellon  Na- 
tional Bank,  of  Pittsburgh,  and  the  Chemical 
National  Bank,   of  New  York  City. 

Politically,  Mr.  Drosdick  is  a  member  of 
the  Republican  party,  and  he  is  affiliated  fra- 
ternally with  the  Knights  of  Columbus, 
fourth  degree.  He  is  a  member  of  the  local 
Chamber  of  Commerce,  and  attends  St.  Ga- 
briel's Roman  Catholic  Church.  His  residence 
is  at  No.   160  South  Church  Street,  Hazleton. 

CLEMENT     H.     WARKOMSKI,     D.     D.     S 

Although  he  is  one  of  the  j"ounger  profes- 
sional men  of  Pittston,  Clement  H.  Warkom- 


ski  already  ha.s  shown  considerable  promi.se 
as  a  practicing  dentist  of  this  city.  Those 
who  have  become  his  patients  and  they  in- 
clude a  large  number  of  men  and  women  of 
the  community — have  been  impressed  by  his 
skill  and  craftsmanship,  as  well  as  with  the 
care  with  which  he  goes  about  his  work.  He 
has  been  practicing  only  a  few  years,  but 
in  that  time  he  has  made  a  name  for  himself, 
both  among  his  patients  and  among  his  fel- 
low professional  men. 

Dr.  Warkomski  is  a  son  of  Barney  and 
Josephine  Warkomski,  his  father  being  a 
native  of  Russia  and  his  mother  having  been 
born  in  Germany.  His  parents  live  in  Nanti- 
coke, Pennsylvania,  where  the  father  is  en- 
gaged in  mine  work.  As  a  boy,  Clement  H. 
Warkomski,  who  was  born  in  Nanticoke, 
Pennsylvania,  September  29,  1903,  attended 
the  public  schools  and  the  high  school  there. 
In  the  class  of  1921  he  was  graduated  from 
the  Nanticoke  High  School.  Then  he  became 
a  student  at  the  University  of  Pittsburgh, 
from  which  institution  he  was  graduated  in 
the  class  of  1925,  receiving  the  degree  of 
Doctor  of  Dental  Surgery.  Then  in  1926  he 
began  his  practice,  settling  in  Pittston.  He 
maintains  offices  at  No.  200,  New  Rose  Build- 
ing, Pittston,  and  already  has  attained  a 
large  following  of  faithful  patients  who  rely 
utterly  upon  his  skill  because  they  have 
learned  to  know  his  work  and  the  care  with 
which  he  performs  it. 

Dr.  Warkomski  keeps  in  close  touch  with 
affairs  in  his  profession,  especially  through 
his  membership  in  the  National  Dental  Asso- 
ciation, the  Pennsylvania  State  Dental  As- 
sociation, and  the  Luzerne  County  Dental 
Association.  In  his  religious  affiliations,  he 
is  a  member  of  the  Roman  Catholic  Church 
of   Pittston. 


LOUIS  A.  TURON — When  Louis  A.  Turon 
was  ten  years  of  age  he  had  already  begun 
to  acquire  his  education  in  the  "University 
of  Hard  Knocks,"  and  if  the  character  of  his 
schooling  is  to  be  judged  by  the  success  of 
mature  years,  his  school  was  a  good  one.  In 
1913,  as  a  young  man  of  twenty-three  years, 
he  formed  a  partnership  with  D.  H.  Schwartz 
under  the  firm  name  of  Turon  &  Schwartz, 
and  engaged  in  the  lumber  business  in  Pitts- 
ton, and  today  (1928)  that  concern  ranks  as 
one  of  the  leading  lumber  concerns  of  Pitts- 
ton. Mr.  Turon  is  very  well  known  in  this 
section  of  Luzerne  County  as  a  very  able 
business  man  and  also  as  a  public-spirited 
citizen.  He  is  chief  of  the  Building  Com- 
mittee of  the  Italian-American  Society  of 
Wilkes-Barre,    and    active    in    all    its    affairs. 

Lawrence  P.  Turon,  father  of  Mr.  Turon, 
was  born  in  Italy,  about  1862,  but  in  1885,  as 
a  young  man  of  twenty-three  years  of  age, 
he  left  his  native  land  and  came  to  America 
seeking  the  longed  for  opportunity  to  make 
the  most  of  his  ability  unhampered  by  the 
restrictions  of  the  Old  World.  He  came  to 
Pittston.  Pennsylvania,  and  here  for  a  time 
he  worked  as  a  mason  and  later  as  a  car- 
penter. The  energy  and  initiative  which  had 
enabled  him  to  leave  the  land  of  his  birth 
and  come  to  a  strange  country  for  the  bet- 
terment of  his  fortunes,  however,  was  still 
his  in  large  measure  and  he  had  no  intention 
of  remaining  merely  a  carpenter  working 
in  the  employ  of  others.  He  decided  to  study 
architecture  and  to  this  profession  he  brought 
not  only  his  building  experience  but  also  first 
class  artistic  ability.  As  time  passed  he  came 
to  be  recognized  as  one  of  the  talented  men 
of  his  profession  and  took  his  place  among 
his  fellows  as  one  of  the  finest  architects  in 
the  city.  Some  of  the  contracts  executed  by 
Mr.   Turon   are    the   Dime    Bank,    the   Newrose 


722 


Building,  the  Kehoe  residence,  and  the 
Planters  Building,  of  Wilkes-Barre.  In  early 
life,  Mr.  Turon  was  a  cabinet  maker,  and  all 
his  early  experience  has  contributed  to  his 
pronounced  success  in  later  years.  He  is  still 
active  (192S)  at  the  age  of  sixty-six  years 
and  is  steadily  adding  to  his  well  earned 
reputation  as  a  skillful  and  talented  architect 
and  an  able  business  man.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Italian-American  Society,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre;  and  of  the  Fraternal  Order  of  Eagles, 
of  Pittston.  He  married  Mary  Pulisanna,  also 
a  native  of  Italy. 

Louis  A.  Turon,  son  of  Lawrence  P.  and 
Mary  (Pulisanna)  Turon  was  born  in  Pitts- 
ton,  Pennsylvania,  March  10,  1S90,  and  se- 
cured his  education  wherever  he  could  find 
something  to  learn.  He  says  that  his  educa- 
tion was  secured  mostly  in  the  "school  of 
hard  knocks,"  and  it  is  certain  that  he  began 
that  training  at  an  early  age  for  when  he 
was  ten  years  old  he  was  hard  at  work  in 
a  bake  shop.  He  had  inherited  a  goodly  share 
of  his  father's  progressiveness  and  ability, 
however,  and  he  worked  steadily  toward  his 
goal,  never  fearing  hard  work,  giving  full 
measure  for  the  pay  he  received,  and  keeping 
a  close  look-out  for  opportunity  in  whatever 
form  it  might  appear.  He  was  well  aware  of 
the  fact  that  if  he  was  ever  to  become  the 
owner  of  a  business  he  must  have  capital, 
and  with  that  end  in  view  he  not  only  worked 
hard  but  he  also  saved  hard.  In  1913,  when 
he  was  still  only  twenty-three  years  old,  he 
formed  a  partnership  with  D.  H.  Schwartz 
under  the  firm  name  of  Turon  &  Schwartz, 
and  engaged  in  the  lumber  business.  Both 
of  the  partners  were  good  business  men,  and 
both  devoted  their  energy  to  the  development 
of  the  business  which  they  had  founded.  The 
result  is  that  the  enterprise  has  grown  and 
prospered  marvelously,  and  the  boy  who  at 
the  age  of  ten  was  working  hard  in  a  bake 
shop  is  now  one  of  the  leading  business  men 
of  the  city  of  Pittston.  Like  his  father.  Mr. 
Turon  is  a  member  of  the  Italian-American 
Society,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  and  he,  too,  is 
active  in  its  affairs,  serving  as  chief  of  its 
building  committee.  He  is  also  a  member 
and  a  director  of  the  Roaring  Run  Fishing 
Club. 

Louis  A.  Turon  was  married,  April  14, 
1920,  to  Jeannette  Eagan,  of  Pittston,  and 
they  are  the  parents  of  four  children:  Jean, 
Louis  A.,  Jr.,  Marie  and  Doris.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Turon  are  members  of  St.  John's  Roman 
Catholic  Church,  but  Lawrence  P.  Turon,  the 
father,  and  his  wife  are  communicants  of  St. 
Rocco's  Roman  Catholic  Church.  Louis  A. 
Turon  and  his  family  make  their  home  at 
No.   1110  Susquehanna  Avenue,  in  Pittston. 


JACK  LANDAU — Since  early  1927  Jack 
Landau  had  been  manager  of  the  Landau 
Music  and  Jewellery  Store  at  Pittston. 
Though  still  relatively  young  he  has  proved 
himself  a  business  man  of  the  finest  pro- 
gressive type,  maintaining  the  traditional  ^ 
excellence  associated  with  the  Landau  name.  ' 
The  Pittston  store,  a  direct  outgrowth  of 
the  original  store  founded  by  Samuel  Landau 
in  189S  at  Wilkes-Barre,  was  established 
on  Octobor  21,  1921.  bv  Harry  Michlosky, 
Messers.  Hyman  and  Nathaniel  Landau.  Lo- 
cated first  at  No.  40  South  Main  Street,  they 
moved  in  April,  1923,  to  larger  quarters  at 
No.  21  North  JIain  Street,  where  they  still 
remain,  occupying  a  two-story  building  one 
hundred  and  sixty-five  feet  long  and  twenty- 
five  feet  wide.  The  store  is  well  stocked  with 
a  complete  line  of  the  best  jewelry,  musical 
instruments,  and  radios,  featuring  especially 
Victor  records  and  Viotrolas,  R.  C.  A.  Radiolas, 
Atwater  Kent    radios,    Buescher   and   Gibsons 


instruments.  Leedy  drums,  Bulova  wrist 
watches  and  other  merchandise  of  a  high 
grade.  For  the  first  six  years  of  its  existence 
Nathaniel  Landau  acted  as  manager  for  the 
store,  but  in  March,  1927,  Harry  Michlosky 
assumed  full  control  of  the  enterprise, 
Hyman  and  Nathaniel  Landau  relinquishing 
their  holdings,  and  at  that  time  Jack  Landau 
became  manager,  a  position  whicli  he  still 
holds. 

His  father,  Samuel  Landau,  was  born  in 
Galicia,  Hungary,  in  1876.  Coming  to  the 
United  States  as  a  young  man,  he  established 
a  jewelry  and  music  store  in  1898  at  Wilkes- 
Barre,  at  the  age  of  twenty-two,  continuing 
in  business  there  until  his  death  in  1913.  Mr. 
Landau  was  highly  respected  in  the  commun- 
ity and  a  member  of  the  Independent  Order 
of  Odd  Fellows.  He  married  Sara  Michlosky, 
a  sister  of  the  present  proprietor  of  the 
Landau  Pittston  store,  who  is  still  living,  and 
they  were  the  parents  of  three  children.  Jack, 
Nathaniel,  and  Leroy.  Of  these  Nathaniel  is 
now  connected  with  the  Wilkes-Barre  store, 
and  the  manager  of  the  Victor  department 
there. 

Jack  Landau  was  born  in  Wilkes-Barre, 
January  31,  1905.  He  attended  the  public 
schools  there,  and  as  he  grew  up,  became 
associated  with  the  Landau  music  and  jewelry 
stores  in  Wilkes-Barre  and  Pittston,  finally 
becoming  manager  of  the  latter.  His  initia- 
tive and  undoubted  business  talent,  besides 
being  of  great  value  In  his  work,  have 
brought  him  tl"ie  respect  of  his  entire  com- 
munity. He  is  a  member  of  the  Toung  Men's 
Hebrew  Association,  and  associated  with  the 
local  Chamber  of  Commerce. 

On  January  16,  1927,  Mr.  Landau  married 
Frances  Baron,  of  Plymouth,  and  they  are 
the  parents  of  one  child,  Samuel,  who  was 
born  December  29,  1927.  The  family  home 
is  at  No.  85  First  Avenue,  Kingston,  Penn- 
sylvania. 

EDMUND      NIIvLEWSKI    —    One      of      the 

younger  doctors  of  dental  science  engaged 
in  general  practice  in  Nanticoke,  witli  offices 
in  the  Hill  Building,  South  Market  Street, 
is  Edmund  Niklewski,  who  was  born  in  Nan- 
ticoke, May  15,  1898,  a  son  of  Joseph  and 
Anna  (Nilkewski)  Niklewski.  Joseph  Nik- 
lewski was  born  in  Posen,  Poland;  there  at- 
tended public  school,  learned  the  trade  of 
stone  mason,  and  came  to  the  United  States 
soon  after  he  had  attained  his  majority  of 
years.  He  located  in  Nanticoke  and  here 
engaged  in  his  trade  for  many  years,  up 
until  the  time  of  his  retirement.  He  is 
now  (1928)  living,  still  active  in  affairs  of 
Nanticol^e,  and  especially  in  those  of  the 
Polish  circles   in  which  he  moves. 

Edmund  Niklewski  attended  the  public 
schools  of  his  native  city.  He  graduated 
from  Nantiooke  High  School  with  the  class 
of  1917,  and  matriculated  in  Bucknell  Uni- 
versity. At  Bucknell  he  was  for  four  months 
in  the  Reserve  Officers'  Training  Corps,  up 
to  the  close  of  the  war  and  to  the  end  of  his 
studies  in  that  institution.  Meanwhile  he 
had  decided  upon  dentistry  as  a  career, 
and  after  leaving  Bucknell,  which  is  located 
in  Lewisburg,  he  entered  the  University  of 
Pittsburgh,  and  from  its  department  of  den- 
tistry graduated  in  1924,  witli  honors  for 
class  standing  and  the  degree  of  Doctor  of 
Dental  Surgery.  Without  delay  he  began 
the  practice  of  his  profession  in  Nanticoke, 
and  his  offices  are  known  to  an  ever  increas- 
ing clientele.  Dr.  Niklewski  is  secretary- 
treasurer  of  the  Nanticoke  Dental  Society; 
a  member  of  the  Dental  Association  of  Lu- 
zerne    Counts'    and    of    the    National    Dental 


Society,  and  in  all  organizations  enjoys  the 
liishest  professional  standing.  He  is  also 
a  member  of  the  American  Legion,  the  Polish 
Union,  and  the  Polish  Falcons.  While  he 
does  not  profess  great  concern  in  matters 
of  politics,  his  influence  in  Polish  circles  and 
in  those  fraternal  bodies  in  which  he  is  a 
member  tends  to  be  substantial,  and  he  em- 
plovs  it  quietly,  always  to  the  good  of  the 
community  at  large.  He  is  a  communicant 
of  the  Roman  Catholic  Church,  is  devout  in 
the  service  of  the  church,  and  most  kindly 
in  his  works  for  charity.  Dr.  Niklewski  is 
one  of  the  staff  of  physicians  and  surgeons 
attending  the  clinics  held  in  the  Polish 
Orphanage,  and  here,  as  in  so  many  ways 
outside,    he    accomplishes    material    good. 

Dr.  Niklewski  is  possessed  in  generous 
degree  of  those  endowments  of  character 
which  elevate  a  man  in  the  opinions  of  his 
fellows:  and  it  is  said  of  him  by  those  who 
know  him  well,  that  in  his  profession  he  is 
skilled,  strictlv  ethical;  in  his  manner  tem- 
perate;' in  conviction  firm,  but  ready  quickly 
to  alter  a  contention  upon  discovery  that 
it  is  in  error;  and  a  citizen  whose  value  to 
community.  State  and  Nation  is  not  to  be 
doubted.  Bowling  forms  his  chief  recreation, 
and  he  is  a  member  of  the  American  Bowl- 
ing  Team    (192S). 

FREDERICK  A.  MUSCHLITZ.  M.  D.— Since 
1917  Dr  Frederick  A.  Muschlitz  has  been 
identified  with  the  medical  staff  of  the  Pitts- 
ton  Hospital  where  he  devotes  most  of  his 
activity    to    general    practice    and    surgery. 

Frederick  A.  Muschlitz  was  born  in  Slatmg- 
ton  Lehigh  County,  Pennsylvania,  December 
(1  isST,  the  son  of  Robert  F.  and  Amanda 
S  (Meensden)  Muschlitz.  He  has  received 
his  education  in  most  well  known  institu- 
tions in  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  going 
first  to  Mercersburg,  then  to  the  University 
of  Pennsvlvania,  and  then  graduating  from 
the  Jefferson  Medical  College  in  Philadel- 
phia with  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine 
in  the  class  of  1911.  This  was  followed  by 
a  term  as  interne  in  the  Philadelphia  Gen- 
eral Hospital  and  when  he  had  completed 
his  interneship,  he  returned  to  his  native 
town  and  began  the  general  practice  of 
medicine.  He  continued  in  this  work  until 
the  death  of  his  father,  when  he  found  it 
necessary  to  retire  from  the  practice  for 
awhile  and  carry  on  the  business  of  his  late 
father.  This  he  did  for  a  period  of  five 
vears  after  which  time  he  again  resumed 
the  activities  of  his  chosen  profession.  It 
was  at  this  time  that  he  came  to  Pittston 
and  became  a  member  of  the  staff  m  the 
Pittston    Hospital.  ,.   ,   j     .        ^y.^ 

In  1917  Dr.  Muschlitz  enlisted  m  the 
United  States  Navy  for  the  period  of  the 
World  War.  While  waiting  to  be  called  into 
service  he  went  to  Clinton,  New  Jersey, 
where  he  took  charge  of  the  practice  of  Dr. 
\  H  Coleman.  He  spent  several  months 
in  Clinton  and  then  came  back  to  Pittston 
where  he  has  since  remained  as  a  member 
of  the  surgical  staff  of  the  local  hospital. 
He  is  also  an  assistant  surgeon  at  the  Penn- 
sylvania Coal  and  Coke  Company's  collieries. 
Dr  Muschlitz  is  a  member  of  the  Luzerne 
County  Medical  Society;  the  State  Medical 
Society,  and  the  American  Medical  Associa- 
tion. He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Junior 
Order  United  American  Mechanics,  the  Fox 
Hill  Country  Club  and  the  Presbyterian 
Church.  .    , 

In  1911  Dr.  Frederick  A.  Muschlitz  married 
Elizabeth  Boyer,  of  Easton.  Pennsylvania. 
They  have  one  child,  Charlotte.  Dr.  and 
Mrs.'  Muschlitz  make  their  home  at  No  910 
Susquehanna  Avenue. 


JOHN  H.  HAHAC'f. — Patriotism  runs  high 
in  the  blood  of  John  II.  Haracz,  of  Plymouth, 
whose  retail  clothing  business  at  No.  105 
West  Main  Street,  is  well  known  and  one 
of  the  prosperous  establishments  of  the 
township.  He  was  but  twenty  years  of  age 
when  he  enlisted  in  the  army  and  spent  more 
than  two  years  at  the  fighting  front  in  the 
World  War.  This  indomitable  spirit  won 
for  him  the  praise  of  his  fellow-townsmen 
and  a  circle  of  friends  that  has  been  a  power- 
ful factor  in  his  success  as  a  merchant, 
although  his  individuality,  industry  and  per- 
sonality have  had  their  full  share.  He  has 
proven"  himself  a  citizen  of  great  value  to 
the  community,  for  it  is  the  younger  element 
working  today  that  will  lead  the  way  for 
another  to  follow  and  the  example  that  is  set 
by  the  present  generation  will  have  its  effect 
upon  the  next.  In  this  respect  Mr.  Haracz 
is   a   worthy    example    to    follow. 

He  was  born  in  Plymouth  Township,  Lu- 
zerne County,  Pennsylvania,  September  21. 
1S96,  a  son  of  Anthony  and  Victoria  (Ripski) 
Haracz,  both  natives  of  Poland,  who  came 
to  this  country  when  young  and  settled  here. 
His  father  is  connected  with  the  fire  depart- 
ment of  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  West- 
ern Railroad.  The  boy  acquired  his  educa- 
tion in  the  public  schools  of  Plymouth  and 
was  graduated  from  high  school,  after  which 
he  entered  the  employ  of  Max  Kaiser,  cloth- 
ing merchant,  where  he  worked  for  five 
years,  learning  the  business.  In  1916  he 
enlisted  in  the  army,  before  the  United  States 
entered  the  World  War,  and  was  assigned 
to  the  Machine  Gun  Corps,  with  which,  in 
the  16th  Company,  he  was  sent  overseas  with 
the  first  100,000  men  of  the  American  Lx- 
peditionary  Forces.  He  was  in  action  m  the 
Toul  sector  and  elsewhere  and  was  wounded. 
He  was  discharged,  with  the  rank  of  cor- 
poral, June  16,  1919,  and  returned  to  Plym- 
outh, where  he  established  himself  in  the 
men's  clothing  and  furnishings  business  at 
No  105  West  Main  Street,  where  he  now 
continues  to  conduct  the  enterprise.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  Plymouth  Chamber  of  Com- 
merce, the  American  Legion,  Kiwanls  and 
Shawnee  clubs.  Lodge  No.  109,  Benevolent 
and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  Soci6t6  40 
kommes  et  S  Chevaux  and  Plymouth  Fire 
Company,  No.  1.  In  politics  he  is  a  Repub- 
lican.    His  church  is  St.  Mary's  Roman  Cath- 

"'j'ohn  H  Haracz  married,  in  1921,  Blanche 
Surowinski  of  Plymouth,  daughter  of  An- 
thony and  Catherine  Surowinski.  They  are 
the  parents  of  two  children:  1-  Jol^"  i" 
born  June  IS,  1923.  2.  Rosemary,  born  Feb- 
ruary   4,    1926. 

BEXJAMIN  C.  RYDZEWSKI— A  fine  exam- 
ple of  rise  to  a  position  of  importance  and 
nfluence  in  the  banking  world  of  this  dis- 
trict is  furnished  by  the  career  of  Benjamin 
C  Rydzewski,  one  of  the  organizers  of  the 
Glen'Lvon  National  Bank,  which,  and  its 
predecessor  as  a  State  bank,  he  has  served  as 
cashier  for  a  period  approaching  twenty 
vears  Mr.  Rydzewski  worked  up  from  an 
employee  at  a  coal-breaker,  through  various 
clerkships,  to  a  position  in  a  bank,  where  he 
made  practical  application  of  a  course  in 
banking  taken  at  an  institute.  His  ascent 
was  rapid,  and  he  is  still  a  young  man,  a 
leader  in  the  group  of  progressive  financiers 
of  the  Wyoming  Valley. 

Benjamin  C.  Rydzewski  was  born  in  Plym- 
outh, April  17,  1890,  the  son  of  Hilary  and 
A.niela  (Niemkiewicz)  Rdyzewski.  his  father 
born  in  Russian  Poland,  in  1S61,  and  is  a 
miner-  his  mother,  born  in  Russian  Poland  in 


1S74.  His  early  education  in  the  Plymouth 
public  schools  was  followed  by  a  special 
course  in  banking:  in  an  institution  which 
made  that  one  of  its  principal  subjects.  At 
that  time  even,  it  seemed  that  he  had  his 
mind  fixed  upon  a  career  in  the  financial 
realm,  and  he  bided  his  time  against  the  day 
when  he  should  make  the  desired  connection. 
For  a  short  time  he  worked  in  a  coal-breaker; 
this  was  employment  ready  at  hand  and  his 
father  was  also  engaged  in  coal  mining.  Next 
he  accepted  a  position  as  clerk  for  the  Bartel 
Brewing  Company,  with  which  he  remained 
for  one  and  one-half  years.  The  conclusion 
of  his  service  there  marked  his  entrance 
upon  the  line  of  work  upon  which  he  had  set 
his  heart. 

He  was  offered  a  clerkship  in  the  Plymouth 
National  Bank,  which,  needless  to  state,  he 
readily  accepted.  Every  step  of  the  banking 
profession  that  he  took  in  the  line  of  promo- 
tion he  covered  with  the  intention  of  master- 
ing each  detail.  Such  an  exhibition  of  zeal, 
loyalty  and  thoroughness  did  not  long  go  un- 
rewarded, and  in  due  time  he  was  advanced 
to  the  position  of  teller.  He  had  been  with 
the  Plymouth  institution  five  years  when 
called  to  another  field  in  a  similar  service, 
but  on  a  more   important  scale. 

In  1912,  Mr.  Rydzewski  was  called  to  Glen 
L;  on  to  organize  the  Glen  Lyon  Bank,  which 
cpened  for  business  in  April  of  that  year 
under  a  State  charter.  The  first  board  of  offi- 
cers comprised;  President,  Harry  U.  Nyhart; 
vice-president,  John  Barrett  (since  deceased) ; 
cashier,  Benjamin  C.  Rydzewski.  The  insti- 
tution continued  to  function  as  a  State  bank 
until  January  3,  192S,  when  reorganization 
was  effected  under  the  National  Bank  Act, 
and  its  present  stj  le  was  adopted.  The  present 
board  of  officers  consists  of  Harry  U.  Nyhart, 
president;  Sandor  Engel,  vice-president;  Ben- 
jamin C.  Rydzewski,  cashier.  The  bank's 
quarters  were  built  in  1912,  and  a  remodeling 
of  the  building  along  modern  lines  was  com- 
pleted in  192S. 

Mr.  Rydzewski  is  a  member  of  the  Wyo- 
ming Valley  Country  Club,  and  is  a  helpful 
and  influential  member  of  the  Republican 
party,  affilisted  with  the  Knights  of  Colum- 
bus, the  Z.  N.  P.  and  the  Polish  Union;  a 
director  and  treasurer  of  the  Federation  of 
Charities  of  Nanticoke  and  vicinity;  and 
was  treasurer  of  St.  Stanislaus'  Orphanage  at 
Shaytown,  and  a  communicant  of  St.  Stanis- 
laus' Roman  Catholic  Church  at  Nanticoke,  in 
which  city  he  and  his  family  have  their  resi- 
dence. 

Benjamin  C.  Rydzewski  married,  in  1915, 
Anna  Groblewski,  of  Plymouth,  daughter  of 
Albert  G.  and  Helen  Groblewski.  Their  chil- 
dren are:  1.  Benjamin  A.,  born  October  17, 
1916.     2.   Gertrude,    born    February    14,    1919. 


A.  PETER  K.VNJORSKI — Associated  with 
his  brother,  Bruno  Kanjorski,  in  the  practice 
of  law  with  offices  in  the  Kanjorski  Building 
at  Nanticoke  and  the  Bennett  Building  in 
Wilkes-Barre  is  A.  Peter  Kanjorski,  who  was 
admitted  to  the  Luzerne  County  Bar  in  1932 
and  to  the  Supreme  Court  of  Pennsylvania  in 
January,  1923.  He  organized  the  Polish 
Miners  Beneficial  Society  of  the  United 
States  of  North  America,  and  is  now  its 
general  counsel. 

A.  Peter  Kanjorski  was  born  April  5,  1897, 
in  the  city  of  Nanticoke,  son  of  Peter  and 
Constance  Kanjorski.  The  father  is  identified 
with  the  mercantile  and  real  estate  business 
in  Nanticoke;  is  a  communicant  of  the 
Roman  Catholic  Church  and  in  politics  a 
Republican.      The    son    was    reared    to    man- 


hood in  his  native  city,  attending  the  public 
schools  until  his  graduation  from  Nanticoke 
High  School  in  1915  when  he  entered  the 
Wharton  School,  University  of  Pennsylvania, 
from  which  he  received  the  degree  Bachelor 
of  Science  in  Economics  with  the  class  of 
1919.  In  the  following  autumn  he  entered 
the  law  school  of  the  same  institution  and  in 
1922  was  graduated  with  the  degree  Bachelor 
of  Laws.  While  a  student  he  was  a  member 
of  the  Philosophic  Literary  Society  and  was 
assistant  business  manager  of  the  under- 
graduate literary  monthly,  "The  Red  and 
Blue." 

He  served  in  1917  with  the  United  States 
Food  Administration  under  Howard  Hinz  and 
later  in  the  course  of  the  World  War  was 
transferred  to  the  military  intelligence  staff 
and  stationed  in  W^ashington,  District  of 
Columbia,  until  the  declaration  of  peace.  He 
is  a  member  of  Nanticoke  Post,  No.  350, 
American  Legion;  Kiwanis  Club  of  Nanti- 
coke; Wilkes-Barre  Lodge,  No.  109,  Benevo- 
lent and  Protective  Order  of  Elks;  Polish 
National  Alliance  of  America;  the  Polish  Fal- 
cons of  America;  the  Polish  Union  of 
America;  and  he  is  a  communicant  of  Holy 
Trinity  Roman  Catholic  Church  of  Nanticoke. 
In  politics  he   is   a  Republican. 

Mr.  Kanjorski  married,  April  13,  1925, 
Wanda  Isabelle  Nedbolski,  of  Lee  Park, 
daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Joseph  Nedbolski 
of  Hanover  Township,  Luzerne  County.  They 
have   a  daughter,   Wanda  Isabelle. 


JOHN  K.  JENKINS — One  of  the  citizens  of 
Wilkes-Barre  whose  services  as  a  banker 
have  been  noteworthy  is  John  K.  Jenkins, 
who  is  assistant  cashier  of  the  Wyoming 
National  Bank,  of  this  city,  with  which  firm 
he  has  been  identified  actively  since  1907.  He 
is  keenly  interested  in  the  public  affairs  of 
his  community,  the  inhabitants  of  which  con- 
sider him  as  a  leading  figure  here.  He  takes 
a  prominent  part  in  the  club  and  fraternal 
life  of  this  part  of  Pennsylvania,  and  is 
active   in  a  political  way. 

Mr.  Jenkins  was  born  on  July  29,  1887,  in 
Wilkes-Barre,  a  son  of  George  S.  and  Ida  K. 
(Kinne)  Jenkins.  Although  his  father  died 
at  the  age  of  sixty-nine  years,  his  mother  is 
still  living,  having  been  born  in  1851.  George 
S.  Jenkins  was  during  his  lifetime  a  foreman 
at  the  Sheldon  Axle  Works,  of  Wilkes-Barre, 
a  position  which  he  held  for  many  years.  He 
and  Ida  K.  (Kinne)  Jenkins  had  four  chil- 
dren: William  A.,  of  Wilkes-Barre;  James 
W.,  of  Newark,  New  York;  Clara  L.,  who  is 
unmarried  and  is  living  in  Wilkes-Barre; 
and   John   K.,   of   further   mention. 

John  K.  Jenkins,  while  a  boy,  attended  the 
public  schools,  and  was  graduated  from  the 
Wilkes-Barre  High  School  in  the  class  of 
1905.  Then  he  took  a  business  course  in  the 
Wyoming  Seminary,  from  which  institution 
he  was  graduated  in  the  class  of  1906.  On 
February  4,  1907,  he  took  a  position  with  the 
Wyoming  National  Bank,  of  Wilkes-Barre, 
and  since  that  time  has  been  continuously 
employed  with  this  company.  He  has  served 
as  junior  bookkeeper,  as  teller,  and,  since 
1923,  as  assistant  cashier.  His  years  of  faith- 
ful service  have  brought  him  the  esteem  of 
his  co-workers,  and  have  given  him  an  im- 
portant place  in  the  banking  circles  of  his 
community.  Mr.  Jenkins  takes  an  active  part 
in  political  matters,  being  a  member  of  the 
Republican  party,  whose  principles  and  can- 
didates he  supports.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  in 
which  order  he  is  affiliated  with  the  Wilkes- 
Barre  Lodge,  No.  109;  of  the  Wyoming  VaHey 


725 


Country  Club:  of  the  Franklin  Club;  of  the 
Greater  Wilkes-Barre  Chamber  of  Commerce; 
and  of  the  Memorial  Presbyterian  Church. 
Mr.  Jenkins  married,  June  6,  1918,  Jean  W. 
Davis,  daughter  of  J.  Wallace  and  Martha 
(Nesbit)  Davis.  On  her  mother's  side,  Mrs. 
Jenkins  is  descended  from  a  family  which 
vas  one  of  the  first  to  settle  in  the  Wyoming 
Valley,  originally  having  settled  in  Con- 
necticut when  they  came  to  the  United  States. 
The  Jenkins  family  residence  is  situated  on 
East  Pettibone  Street,  in  Forty  Fort,  Luzerne 
County.  Pennsylvania.  John  K.  and  Jean  W. 
(Davis)  Jenkins  are  the  parents  of  one  child, 
Elda  Ruth. 


WILLI-VM  BEXJjVMIN  HOISER — A  busi- 
ness man  of  long  experience  and  proved 
ability,  William  Benjamin  Houser  has  been 
active  in  the  life  of  Parsons  and  Wilkes- 
Barre  for  many  years.  Associated  with  sev- 
eral local  ventures  at  various  times,  he  is 
now  chiefly  interested  in  insurance  and  real 
estate,  conducting  a  business  in  these  fields 
under  his  own  name.  He  has  been  very 
prominent  in  civic  affairs  and  is  now  justice 
of  the  peace,  an  office  to  which  he  was  first 
elected  more  than  twentj'  years  ago  and 
which  he  has  filled  most  successfully  since 
that  time. 

Mr.  Houser  was  born  in  Schuylkill  County, 
Pennsylvania,  on  July  17,  1877,  a  son  of 
Franklin  Houser,  a  blacksmith  by  trade  who 
died  on  December  5,  1S9S,  and  of  Elizabeth 
(Keller)  Houser,  who  "n^as  born  in  Berks 
County,  Pennsylvania,  and  died  in  September, 
1894.  The  father  was  a  member  of  an  old 
Schuylkill  County  family,  the  line  running 
back  in  this  section  for  more  than  two 
hundred   years. 

William  Benjamin  Houser  came  with  his 
parents  to  Luzerne  County  in  1884,  attended 
the  public  schools  of  Parsons,  and  was  grad- 
uated from  the  local  high  school  in  1892. 
With  the  completion  of  his  academic  train- 
ing, he  followed  the  trade  of  carpenter  for  a 
few  years,  keeping  alert  for  the  larger  op- 
portunities which  might  come  to  him.  Event- 
ually he  acquired  the  ownership  of  a  hotel 
here  which  he  conducted  for  a  few  years, 
before  retiring  in  1908  to  begin  his  activities 
in  the  local  real  estate  market  and  in  insur- 
ance work.  He  possessed  a  remarkably 
sound  judgment  in  the  matter  of  business 
trends  and  property  values  which  brought 
him  immediate  success  in  his  new  venture,  to 
which  he  has  devoted  most  of  his  time  and 
attention  since  he  established  his  business. 
A  director  since  1922  of  the  Liberty  State 
Bank  and  Trust  Company,  at  "U^ilkes-Barre, 
Mr.  Houser  is  regarded  as  an  authority  on 
local  business  conditions  and  his  advice  in 
matters  of  importance  is  frequently  sought 
and   highly   regarded. 

He  has  always  considered  service  In  the 
public  interest  no  less  v^^orthy  of  his  best 
attention  than  his  own  affairs,  and  from  the 
time  he  reached  his  majority  he  held  public 
office  continuously  in  the  Borough  of  Par- 
sons until  that  liorough  was  annexed  by  the 
City  of  Wilkes-Barre.  It  w-as  in  1908  that  he 
was  first  elected  justice  of  the  peace,  an 
office  which  he  still  holds,  while  a  few  years 
later  he  served  for  a  period  as  borough 
assessor  of  Parsons.  In  politics,  Mr.  Houser 
is  a  consistent  supporter  of  Republican  prin- 
ciples and  candidates,  while  fraternally  he 
is  affiliated  with  the  Patriotic  Order  Sons  of 
America,  the  Junior  Order  of  United  American 
Mechanics,  the  Loyal  Order  of  Moose,  and  the 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  in  which 
body   he    is   a   member   of  Uri   Lodge,  No.   433. 


He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Fraternal  Order 
of  Eagles,  while  with  his  family  he  worships 
in  the  Reformed  faith,  attending  St.  Luke's 
Church   of  this  denomination   at   Parsons. 

In  1898,  William  Benjamin  Houser  married 
Ida  Wandell,  of  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  a 
daughter  of  John  Roth  and  Mary  Wandell  of 
that  city.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Houser  are  the  par- 
ents of  one  daughter,  Anna,  now  Mrs.  Wil- 
liam Hayes.  There  is  also  one  granddaughter, 
Wilhelmina  Hayes.  The  family  residence  in 
Parsons  is  situated  at  No.  217  Laurel  Street. 


ALBERT  W.  DRIESBACH— Among  the  best 
known  and  most  popular  business  men  of 
Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania,  is  Albert  W. 
Driesbach,  trust  officer  for  the  Miners'  Bank 
of  that  city. 

Born  at  Pittston,  Luzerne  County,  Pennsyl- 
vania. December  10,  1895,  he  was  the  son  of 
David  and  Bertha  Driesbach.  His  father,  now 
dead,  was  for  many  years  stationary  engi- 
neer of  the  Shovel  Works  at  Pittston,  Penn- 
sylvania. His  mother  is  still  living.  Their 
children  were:  Eva,  the  widow  of  Dr.  John  M. 
MulhoUand;  Esther  R.,  who  married  Stanley 
Smith,  of  Philadelphia;  and  Albert  W.,  who 
was  the  youngest  of  the  family,  and  of  whom 
further. 

Educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Wyo- 
ming, Luzerne  County,  Albert  W.  Driesbach 
then  entered  the  Wilkes-Barre  Business  Col- 
lege, and  was  graduated  in  the  class  of  1916. 
For  the  next  eighteen  months  he  was  em- 
ployed in  a  clerical  capacity  by  the  Vulcan 
Iron  Works.  In  1917  he  went  into  the  service 
of  the  Miners'  Bank  of  Wilkes-Barre  as  clerk 
and  bookkeeper,  and  was  promoted  to  trust 
officer  in  1925. 

Mr.  Driesbach  is  a  Republican.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  Wyo- 
ming, Pennsylvania.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  of  Wyoming 
Lodge,  No.  468,  Caldwell  Consistory,  of 
Bloomsburg,  Pennsylvania,  and  has  attained 
the  thirty-second  degree  in  the  Ancient  Ac- 
cepted Scottish   Rite. 

On  January  13,  1923,  Mr.  Driesbach  married 
May  E.  Vance,  daughter  of  John  and  Agnes 
(Elliott)  Vance,  of  Wyoming,  Pennsylvania. 
Their  two  children  are  William  Vance  and 
Robert  Albert. 

HARRY  MICHLOSKY,  once  a  newsboy  on 
the  streets  of  his  native  city,  today  carries 
the  esteem  of  his  fellows-citizens  of  Luzerne 
County.  The  fact  that  he  is  recognized  as 
one  of  the  leading  jewelry  and  music  -mer- 
chants of  Northeastern  Pennsylvania  is  due 
largely  to  his  dynamic  personality  and  un- 
tiring perseverance  in  everything  he  asso- 
ciates himself  with.  He  is  a  man  who  has 
depended  entirely  upon  his  own  initiative. 
The  county  cannot  boast  a  better  citizen,  as 
he  gives  unhesitatingly  and  unsparingly  of 
his  time  and  money  to  just  causes.  His  name 
has  been  identified  on  numerous  occasions 
where  a  committee  of  local  men  identify 
themselves  for  the  promotion  of  better  work- 
ing conditions — reconciliation  of  mining  dis- 
agreements— a  champion  of  the  working 
man's  ri.ghts — a  man  "VN-ith  the  courage  to 
back  up   his   convictions  to  the  end. 

Mr.  Michlosky  is  a  member  of  Landmark 
Lodge,  442,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons;  Key- 
stone Consistory  at  Scranton.  Pennsylvania; 
Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite  Mason,  thirty- 
second  degree;  Irem  Temple  of  the  Ancient 
Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine, 
and  the  Shrine  Country  Club;  Wilkes-Barre 
Lodge  No.  109,  Benevolent  and  Protective 
Order    of    Elks;    the    Toung    Men's    Christian 


726 


Association  and  Young  Men's  Hebrew  Asso- 
ciation; one  of  the  organizers  and  present 
directors  of  the  Wilkes-Barre  Industrial 
Loan  Corporation:  was  an  organizer  and  is 
a  director  of  the  Union  Savings  Banli  and 
Trust  Company  of  Wilkes-Barre.  He  has 
served  three  consecutive  terms  as  president 
of  the  State  Young  Men's  Hebrew  Association. 

Harry  Michlosky  was  born  in  'Wilkes- 
Barre,  Pennsylvania,  April  16,  18S4,  the  son 
of  the  late  Jacob  and  Yetta  Michlosky.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Michlosky  were  the  parents  of  six 
children:  Peter  and  David,  connected  with 
their  brother,  Harry,  in  the  pursuit  of  his 
business:  Joseph,  the  proprietor  of  tlie  Joann 
Dining  Room  at  No.  33  West  Northampton 
Street:  MoUie,  wife  of  Hyman  Landau  of 
Wilkes-Barre;  and  Sara,  widow  of  Samuel 
Landau,  the  founder  of  Landau's  ]\Iusic  and 
Jewelry  Stores.  Mr.  Michlosky's  sole  educa- 
tion was  received  in  the  local  public  schools, 
for,  as  aforementioned,  he  made  an  early 
start  in  business  selling  papers  while  still  in 
his  teens^ — and  at  the  age  of  fifteen  he  en- 
tered the  lunch  and  restaurant  business  with 
his  brother,  Joseph,  purchasing  a  lot  from 
Harold  Rust  on  West  Northampton  Street. 
Together  they  built  the  Hampton  Apartment 
Building  which  housed  their  dining  room  and 
public  dance  hall,  at  that  time  being  known 
as  one  of  the  finest  in  the  State.  In  1913  he 
dissolved  partnership  relations  with  his 
brother,  Joseph,  and  purchased  an  interest 
in  the  Landau  INIusic  and  Jewelry  Store  at  No. 
34  South  Main  Street,  Wilkes-Barre.  In  1927 
he  bought  out  the  other  interests  and  is  now 
the  sole  proprietor  of  the  Landau  Music  and 
Jewelry  Stores  "which  are  located  at  Wilkes- 
Barre  and  Hazleton,  an  institution  catering 
to  the  jewelry,  music,  furniture  and  radio  re- 
quirements of  the  public. 

Mr.  Michlosky  married  Tiba  Rosenblatt  on 
June  6,  1911,  at  Elmira,  New  York,  the  daugh- 
ter of  Charles  and  Minnette  Rosenblatt.  They 
have  three  children:  Minnette,  Roslj'n  and 
Charles. 


REV.  EMIL  SEMETKOVSKY — Coming  to 
the  pastorate  of  St.  Mary's  Greek  Catholic 
Church  at  No.  321  Chestnut  Street,  Kingston, 
Pennsylvania,  in  1922,  the  Rev.  Emil  Semet- 
kovsky  quickly  won  the  affection  and  esteem 
of  his  people,  a  condition  so  necessary  for 
progress  in  the  work  of  a  parish.  He  has 
shown  himself  to  be  a  man  of  fine  spirit,  cul- 
tured, tolerant,  firm  in  the  discharge  of  his 
duties,  and  with  an  executive  capacity  which 
has  brought  to  the  church  a  fine  new  school 
and  parish  and  parish  house,  and  a  growing 
membership  of  three  hundred  families,  total- 
ing some  fifteen  hundred  souls. 

Dr.  Semetkovsky  was  born  in  Austria- 
Hungarian  territory,  which  is  now  a  part  of 
Czechoslovakia,  on  January  20,  1SS4,  a  son  of 
Michael  and  Olga  Semetkovsky,  and  their 
only  child.  The  mother  is  now  dead,  but 
Michael  Semetkovsky  is  still  living  in  his 
native  country.  ■ 

Emil  Semetkovsky  attended  the  schools  of 
Hungary  and  after  further  training  "was  or- 
dained to  the  priesthood  in  August,  1907, 
serving  in  Hungary  in  this  capacity  until 
1921,  when  he  came  to  the  United  States.  His 
first  charge  in  America  was  the  rectorship  of 
a  Catholic  church  in  Phillipsburg,  New  Jersey, 
and  here  he  remained  for  one  year.  At  the 
end  of  that  time  he  was  appointed  rector  in 
charge  of  St.  Mary's  Greek  Church  at  King- 
ston, and  in  this  position  he  has  since  re- 
mained. 

The  first  St.  Mary's  Church  was  erected  in 
Kingston   In   18S6   by   the   Rev.   Nicholas   Zu- 


brisky,  but  the  present  structure  of  fine  press 
brick  with  all  modern  improvements  and  a 
seating  capacity  of  nearly  one  thousand,  was 
built  in  1913  by  the  Rev.  Nicholas  Molchany. 
To  this  work  of  his  predecessors.  Rev.  Brail 
Semetkovsky  has  added  the  new  church 
school  and  parish  house,  erected  in  1923,  and 
these  are  modern  in  every  respect  and 
worthy  additions  to  the  group  of  buildings 
which  occupies  one  of  the  most  beautiful 
locations  in  Kingston.  While  tire  material 
growth  of  the  parish  has  been  rapid,  the 
spiritual  growth  is  no  less  noticeable,  and  the 
present  rector  has  been  at  pains  to  niake  one 
as  much  his  care  as  the  other.  In  this  he 
has  been  entirely  successful  as  the  large 
church  membership  shows. 

On  July  16,  1907,  the  Rev.  Semetkovsky 
married  Mary  Martak,  who  was  also  born  in 
Austria,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  two 
children:  Mary  and  Edith,  both  of  whom  live 
at  liome  with  their  parents. 


FR.VXK  PUCKEY — For  more  than  half  a 
century  Prank  Puckey  was  an  active  member 
of  the  firm  of  William  Puckey  and  Brother, 
of  Wilkes-Barre,  dealers  in  art  goods,  books 
and  stationery,  the  house  having  been  estab- 
lislied  here  by  the  elder  brother  in  1866. 
Frank  Puckey  was  born  in  England  and  came 
to  America  when  a  young  man,  settling  in 
Wilkes-Barre.  He  died  here  on  August  2, 
1925,  aged  seventy-seven  years.  He  was  a 
man  of  the  highest  character  in  business, 
social  and  religious  circles  and  was  a  mem- 
ber of  many  fraternal  organizations.  During 
the  course  of  his  long  business  life  here  he 
had  endeared  himself  to  his  fellow-citizens 
through  his  upstanding  probity  and  real 
value  to  the  community,  as  an  exponent  of 
the  movements  that  have  been  made  for  the 
improvement  of  the  social  and  business  struc- 
ture. His  activity  in  civic  matters  was  no 
less  keen  than  his  business  studies,  in  both 
of  which  he  maintained  the  highest  standards 
and    followed    the   Golden   Rule   to   the    letter. 

Located  at  No.  54  South  Main  Street, 
Wilkes-Barre,  the  establishment  founded  by 
William  Puckey  in  1866  is  the  largest  and 
oldest  business  of  its  kind  in  the  Wyoming 
■Valley.  Frank  Puckey  was  a  Republican  In 
politics  and  a  leading  member  of  the  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  Church,  in  which  organization 
here  he  had  served  for  many  years  as  secre- 
tary of  the  board.  He  was  a  thirty-second 
degree  member  of  the  order  of  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons,  holding  membership  in  the 
lower  ranks  as  well  as  in  the  exclusive  Irem 
Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the 
Mystic  Shrine.  He  also  belonged  to  the  Young 
Men's  Christian  Association  and  for  more 
than  fifty  years  was  a  leading  citizen  of  this 
community,  being  at  the  time  of  his  death 
the  oldest  merchant  in  active  business  in  the 
city. 

Mr.  Puckey  married  Emily  H.  White,  a 
native  of  England,  living  in  Wilkes-Barre  at 
the  time,  the  couple  becoming  the  parents  of 
two  children:  Francis  Willard,  of  Chicago; 
and  Grace  White,  now  the  wife  of  Randall 
Salisbury  of  New  York  City. 


MAMIE  A.  GAPINSKI,  D.  D.  S. — As  th6  first 
Polish  dentist  to  locate  in  Northeastern  Penn- 
sylvania, Dr.  Mamie  A.  Gapinski  has  abun- 
dantly demonstrated  the  fact  that  the  dental 
profession  is  one  in  which  a  woman  may 
achieve  pronounced  success.  A  graduate  of 
the  Philadelphia  Dental  College,  Dr.  Gapin- 
ski received  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Dental 
surgery  in  1920,  and  since  the  fall  of  that 
year   has   been   engaged   in   practice   in   Nan- 


ticoke,  where  her  offices  are  located  at  No. 
104    South    Market   Street. 

.\clam  Gapinski,  father  of  Dr.  Gapinski, 
now  deceased,  was  of  German-Polish  birth. 
With  his  wife,  Frances  (Maciewski)  Gapin- 
ski, he  came  to  this  country  and  settled  in 
Nanticoke,  where  they  made  their  permanent 
home,  and  where  they  reared  a  family  of 
four  children,  two  of  whom  are  now  (1928) 
living:  Dr.  Mamie  A.,  of  further  mention: 
and    Frank. 

Dr.  Mamie  A.  Gapinski  was  born  in  Nanti- 
coke, and  attended  the  public  schools  of  this 
city.  Always  an  able  and  ambitious  girl,  she 
early  determined  to  prepare  herself  for  the 
practice  of  a  profession,  and  finally  chose 
that  of  the  dentist.  In  1916,  she  graduated 
from  the  Nanticoke  High  School,  and  four 
years  later  in  1920,  she  received  the  degree 
of  Doctor  of  Dental  Surgery  from  the  Phila- 
delphia Dental  College.  In  the  fall  of  that 
year  she  located  in  Nanticoke,  the  place  of 
her  birth  and  of  her  childhood  and  youth, 
and  here  she  has  remained,  filling  a  place 
of  usefulness  and  of  honor,  and  making  a 
financial  success  of  her  profession.  She  has 
the  distinction  of  being  the  first  dentist  of 
Polish  birth  to  practice  the  dental  profession 
in  Northeastern  Pennsylvania,  and  this, 
together  with  the  fact  that  she  is  a  skilled 
dentist,  has  brought  her  marked  success. 
Skilled,  tactiful,  faithful,  and  enthusiastically 
interested  in  her  work,  she  has  the  full  con- 
fidence and  trust  of  her  many  patients,  and 
is  performing  a  valuable  work  among  her 
fellow-countrymen,  as  well  as  among  many 
others  who  have  tested  her  skill  and  found 
her  amply  prepared  for  her  work.  She  is 
a  member  of  the  Luzerne  County  Dental  As- 
sociation, of  the  Pennsylvania  State  Dental 
Association,  and  of  the  American  Dental 
Society,  and  among  her  colleagues  is  known 
as    an    able    member   of   the    profession. 

Outside  her  profession.  Dr.  Gapinski  is  a 
woman  of  culture  and  refinement,  much  loved 
by  her  friends,  and  greatly  respected  by  all 
who  know  her.  For  seven  years  she  has 
been  building  the  large  practice  which  she 
now  cares  for,  and  as  those  years  have 
passed,  she  has  steadily  grown  in  favor,  both 
among  her  patients,  who  regard  her  as  a 
friend  in  need,  as  well  as  a  good  dentist, 
and  among  her  colleagues,  whom  time  and 
experience  have  fully  convinced  and  recon- 
ciled. 


WARREN  E.  S-\VANK,  D.  C,  Ph.  C— Thor- 
oughly trained  in  his  profession,  Warren  E. 
Swank  is  now  a  chiropractor  at  Hazleton, 
Pennsylvania,  with  offices  at  No.  305  Hazle- 
ton Bank  Building.  Mr.  Swank  furnishes  to 
this  district  a  chiropractic  service  of  the 
highest  type,  usually  obtainable  only  in  the 
largest  cities,  and  by  his  own  efforts  he  has 
built   up   an  extensive  practice. 

Dr.  Swanls  was  born  in  Sunbury,  Penn- 
sylvania, on  October  15.  1S95,  a  son  of  E. 
W.  and  Annie  M.  (Snyder)  Swank,  of  that 
place.  He  attended  the  public  schools  of  his 
birthplace,  and  the  local  high  school,  from 
which  he  was  graduated  in  1915.  In  1917, 
when  the  United  States  entered  the  World 
War,  Mr.  Swank  immediately  enlisted,  was 
assigned  to  Headquarters  Troop,  2Sth  Divi- 
sion, and  stationed  for  a  time  at  Camp  Han- 
cock, in  Augusta,  Georgia.  In  the  spring  of 
191S,  Dr.  Swank  went  to  France  with  his 
division  as  a  memiier  of  the  American  Ex- 
peditionary Forces,  was  present  at  the  en- 
gagement at  St.  Mihiel,  the  Argonne  Offen- 
ive,  and  participated  also  in  other  major 
operations  of  the  war.  In  the  summer  of 
1919,  while  still  in  France,  Dr.  Swank  at- 
tended   the    University   of   Beaume,    and   upon 


his  return  to  the  United  States  he  took  up 
the  study  of  chiropractic,  at  the  Palmer 
School  of  Chiropractic,  Davenport,  Iowa. 
From  this  institution  he  was  graduated  in 
1921,  and  soon  afterivards  began  the  prac- 
tice of  his  profession  in  Hazleton.  Quickly 
winning  the  confidence  of  the  communit.v,  he 
built  up  a  prosperous  practice  to  which  he 
has  since  devoted  his  time  and  attention 
with  complete  success. 

Dr.  Swank  is  active  in  the  various  civic 
enterprises  of  Hazleton,  and  he  is  affiliated 
fraternally  with  the  Free  and  Accepted  Ma- 
sons, in  which  order  he  is  a  member  of 
Maclay  Lodge,  No.  632,  at  Sunbury,  and  a 
member  of  Lehigh  Consistory.  Dr.  Swank 
is  also  a  member  of  Lodge  No.  200  of  the 
Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  a 
member  of  the  Patriotic  Order  of  the  Sons 
of  America,  and  of  the  American  Legion, 
Young  Men's  Christian  Association,  Crafts- 
men's Club,  and  Motor  Club.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Pennsylvania  State  Chiropractors 
Association  and  of  the  Universal  Chiroprac- 
tors Association.  He  and  Mrs.  .Swank  attend 
the    local    First    Presbyterian    Church. 

On  June  27,  1923,  Warren  E.  Swank  married 
Elsie  E.  Morgan,  of  Hazleton,  daughter  of 
Mrs.  Lillian  Morgan  of  this  place.  Mrs. 
Swank  was  educated  at  Bloonisburg  Normal 
School  and  in  Columbia  University,  following 
which  she  taught  for  a  time  in  the  Hazleton 
schools.  She  is  a  member  of  the  Order  of  the 
Eastern  Star,  and  is  active  in  primary  church 
work.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Swank  make  their  home 
at  No.  127  West  Magnolia  Street,  Hazle- 
ton. 


REVEREND     GEORGE     V.     INCZURA,     the 

present  pastor  of  St.  Mary's  of  the  Annun- 
ciation, Lithuanian  Roman  Catholic  Church, 
is  the  son  of  Aloysius  and  Veleria  (Adoma- 
vicz)  Inczura,  both  now  deceased,  who  were 
natives  and  citizens  of  Lithuania  and  the 
parents  of  six  children:  Christina;  John; 
Joseph;  Anthony;  Leo;  and  George  V.,  of 
whom    further. 

George  V.  Inczura  was  born  August  1, 
1SS2,  in  Lithuania,  where  he  was  educated  and 
when  quite  a  young  man  received  his  degree 
of  Bachelor  of  Arts.  He  is  especially  well 
versed  in  different  languages,  being  familiar 
with  the  Russian  language  which  he  speaks 
fluently.  While  living  in  Lithuania,  he  was 
a  teacher  of  penmanship,  and  also  taught 
Latin  in  Mintaujia  in  Latvia.  He  has  famil- 
iarized himself  with  four  languages.  He 
came  to  this  country  in  1907  and  very  soon 
after  began  the  study  of  theology  at  St. 
Bonaventure  Seminary  at  Allegany,  New 
York,  from  which  he  graduated  in  190S.  On 
July  3,  190S,  he  was  ordained  in  the  Cathedral 
of  Sts.  Peter  and  Paul  at  Scranton,  Penn- 
sylvania, by  the  Right  Reverend  M.  J.  Hoban, 
Bishop  of  Scranton.  Reverend  Inczura  took 
his  first  charge  at>  St.  Mary's  Lithuanian 
Roman  Catholic  Church  at  Wanamie,  Penn- 
sylvania, where  he  remained  from  August 
15,  190S,  to  December  6,  1910.  He  was  then 
transferred  to  the  Church  of  Sts.  Peter  and 
Paul  at  Hazleton,  Pennsylvania,  where  he 
served  from  December,  1910,  to  May,  1911. 
His  next  charge  was  at  St.  Casimir's  Lith- 
uanian and  Polish  Church  at  Freeland,  Penn- 
sylvania, in  Luzerne  County.  He  "n'as  here 
from  1911  to  1917,  when  he  was  transferred 
to  his  present  charge  at  Kingston,  Pennsyl- 
vania. The  history  of  the  church  at  King- 
ston is  interesting.  It  was  organized  in 
February,  1902,  the  congregation  being 
formed  from  that  of  the  Church  of  St. 
Casimir's  at  Plymouth,  which  church  was 
burned  down  about  1901  or  1902.  It  was 
owing    to    the    bad    roads,    the    crowded    cars 


and  the  long  distance  and  great  inconven- 
ience in  getting  to  tlie  Churcli  of  St.  Casi- 
mir's  at  Plymouth,  especially  during  bad 
weather,  that  many  of  its  worshippers  went 
out  to  form  the  new  church.  After  the  con- 
gregation was  organized  into  a  church,  it 
worshipped  at  the  Church  of  Sts.  Cyrilius  and 
Methodias,  at  Kd^^ardsville,  Pennsylvania, 
for  a  period  of  six  months  wlien  that  church 
edifice  was  burned.  This  occurred  in  1902. 
The  congregation  then  used  the  basement 
of  the  present  church  building  for  "worship 
until  the  edifice  was  completed.  The  church 
was  dedicated  by  the  Right  Reverend  M.  J. 
Hoban.  bishop  of  Scranton,  on  August  15, 
190S,  and  the  Reverend  J.  V.  Kudizka  was 
installed  as  its  first  pastor.  He  served  the 
congregation  from  February  15,  1902  until 
1917.  While  in  charge,  he  built  the  church 
and  the  parish  house  and  when  he  left,  the 
church  did  not  owe  a  penny.  This  church 
is  of  modern  construction  and  up-to-date 
in  all  appurtenances.  It  has  two  large  double 
towers  of  red  pressed  brick,  and  is  one 
hundred  and  ten  feet  In  length,  and  fifty 
feet  in  width  with  a  seating  capacity  of 
nearly  nine  hundred  persons.  Father  Inczura 
has  a  congregation  of  about  four  hundred 
and  fifty  families  comprising  nearly  two 
thousand  souls,  and  carries  on  all  the  work 
of  the  parish  without  an  assistant.  He  is  a 
hard  worker,  and  who  is  democratic  in  all 
his  dealings  with  his  fellovvmen.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Lithuanian  Roman  Catholic 
Alliance,  Branch  No.  1,  at  Kingston,  Penn- 
sylvania.     In   politics    he    is    a    Democrat. 

DENNIS  EUGENE  SOSNOAA'SKI — It  is  quite 
appropriate  that  two  young  descendants  of 
Polish  parentage  should  engage  in  the  prac- 
tice of  law  at  Wilkes-Barre  in  the  same 
firm,  and  that  each  should  have  served  the 
country  of  his  adoption  In  the  World  War. 
The  reference  is  to  Dennis  Eugene  Sosnow- 
ski  and  Michael  John  TorlinsUi  (q.  v.),  who 
maintain  offices  at  822-26  Miners'  Bank  Build- 
ing and  have  been  quite  successful  since  they 
entered    into    partnership. 

Mr.  Sosnowski  was  born  at  Nanticoke, 
Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania,  October,  9, 
18S9,  son  of  John  and  Wladyslawa  Sosnow- 
ski, parents  who  came  to  this  city  about 
1S70  from  their  native  land,  Poland,  to  seek 
better  opportunities.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sosnow- 
ski became  the  parents  of  fourteen  chil- 
dren, ten  of  whom  grew  up,  viz:  Stanley, 
now  deceased;  Casimir,  Frank,  Narcissus, 
Theodosia.  now  Mrs.  Stanley  Zborowski; 
John.  Dennis  Eugene,  of  whom  further; 
Mary,  now  Mrs.  Stanley  Witkowski:  Alex- 
ander, and  Helen,   now  Mrs.   Gerald  Ruddy. 

Dennis  Eugene  Sosnowski  attended  the 
Nanticoke  public  schools  as  a  boy  and  in  the 
class  of  1907  graduated  from  the  Nanticoke 
High  School.  Thereupon  he  entered  the 
Wyoming  Seminary  and  graduated  in  the 
class  of  1911.  Desiring  to  still  further  equip 
himself  with  educational  tools,  he  matric- 
ulated at  Yale'  University  at  New  Haven, 
Connecticut,  which  institution  awarded  him 
the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts  in  the  class 
of  1915.  Deciding  that  his  best  opportunities 
lay  in  the  law,  Mr.  Sosnowski  entered  the 
Law  School  of  the  same  institution,  from 
which  he  was  graduated  in  the  class  of  1917 
with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Laws. 
Shortly  after  leaving  Yale,  and  before  he 
could  become  established  at  his  chosen  pro- 
fession, the  United  States  was  embroiled  in 
the  World  War,  and  he  patriotically  joined 
the  colors  in  the  fight  against  German  mili- 
tarism joined  the  Officers'  Training  Camp  in 
the  Federal  Infantry  and  was  commissioned 
as   second   lieutenant   and    stationed   at   Camp 


Lee,  Virginia,  until  the  close  of  the  war. 
He  rendered  essential  service  in  training 
combat  troops  for  duty  in  France,  and  re- 
ceived the  thanks  of  a  grateful  govern- 
ment. 

Mr.  Sosnowski  was  admitted  to  the  Penn- 
sylvania Bar  in  1921  at  Philadelphia  and  was 
associated  -with  tlie  law  firm  of  Brown  and 
Williams  in  the  Morris  Building.  He  returned 
to  Luzerne  County  and  the  friends  of  his 
childhood  and  was  admitted  to  the  Luzerne 
County  Bar  in  1925.  Mr.  Sosnowski  is  well 
versed  in  law,  is  well  read  as  a  lay-reader, 
and  enjoys  an  unusually  high  standing  among 
his  fellow-members  of  the  profession.  In 
politics  Mr.  Sosnowski  is  an  independent, 
for  he  has  always  refused  to  wear  a  party 
collar.  He  votes  for  and  supports  the  best 
man,  whether  Republican,  Democrat  or 
otherwise,  holding  it  to  be  a  duty  of  good 
citizenship  to  vote  convictions  rather  than 
accept  party  labels.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Luzerne  County  Bar  Association,  and  the 
Yale  Alumni  Association  of  Luzerne  County. 
In  religious  affairs  he  is  an  adherent  of  the 
St.  Joseph's  Roman  Catholic  Church  of  Hud- 
son, this  county.  He  represents  the  consul 
general  of  Poland  in  legal  matters  at  Wilkes- 
Barre,  and  in  this  capacity  has  proven  of 
great  value  to  the  numerous  subjects  of 
Poland,  seeking  accommodation  and  oppor- 
tunity in  this  new  country.  Altogether  he 
has  made  himself  valuable  in  the  commer- 
cial and  legal  cosmology  of  Luzerne  County, 
and  is  warmly  regarded  by  his  associates  and 
contemporaries.      He    is    still    unmarried. 

JOHN  MENOVSKY — The  worthy  ambition 
of  European  immigrants  to  achieve  success 
in  the  Western  Hemisphere  and  their  ability 
to  do  so  are  well  illustrated  in  the  career  of 
John  Menovsky,  well  known  member  of  the 
Luzerne  County  Bar,  with  offices  at  300-301 
Meyer  Building,  Wilkes-Barre.  Most  of  the 
European  countries  are  overcrowded  with 
people;  business  and  agricultural  methods 
are  conservative,  transportation  slow,  and 
the  rank  and  file  of  the  people  poor.  Not 
only  these  things,  but  the  excesses  of  the 
ruling  dynasties  are  such  that  taxes  are 
extremely  burdensome,  and  the  principal 
item  contributing  to  misery  is'  war,  which 
comes  every  ten  years  or  oftener.  These 
conditions  existed  in  the  boyhood  of  John 
Menovsky,  whose  future  looked  dark  to  his 
fond  parents;  so  the  determination  was  ar- 
rived at  to  shake  the  dust  of  Europe  from 
their  feet  and  turn  their  faces  to  the  sunlight 
in  America,  the  land  of  opportunity  and 
peace.  The  family  crossed  the  Atlantic 
Ocean  and  settled  at  Plymouth,  Luzerne 
County,  Pennsylvania,  where  Mr.  Menovsky 
obtained  employment  in  a  clothing  store. 
The  lad  had  received  a  little  schooling  in  his 
native  land,  and  he  was  anxious  to  continue, 
but  it  was  necessary  first  to  keep  the  wolf 
away  from  the  door,  so  he  worked  hard  day 
and  night.  When  he  had  made  some  money 
and  could  take  things  easier,  he  entered 
Wyoming  Seminary  at  Kingston,  having  ac- 
quired a  fair  command  of  the  English  lan- 
guage. He  worked  hard  during  the  sum- 
mers and  at  odd  times  during  the  winter 
months,  until  he  was  able  to  set  himself  up 
in  the  office  of  a  member  of  the  local  bar 
with  books  and  the  other  things  needed  to 
start  studying  law.  Presently  he  entered 
law  school,  from  which  he  was  duly  grad- 
uated, and  began  the  practice  of  the  law  in 
Wilkes-Barre.  That  was  nearly  thirty-three 
years  ago,  since  which  time  he  has  success- 
fully followed  his  profession  here  and  won 
for  himself  an  admirable  place  in  the  esti- 
mation  of  his  associates  and  contemporaries. 


729 


Mr.  Menovsky  was  born  December  31,  1873, 
at  Presov,  Czecho-Slovakia,  son  of  hard- 
working and  deserving  parents  who  made 
many  sacrifices  for  him;  his  father  died  some 
years  ago,  but  his  mother  and  two  sisters, 
with  whom  he  lives,  have  been  spared  to 
see  and  enjoy  his  triumplis.  After  his  pre- 
liminary schooling,  at  fourteen  years  of  age 
he  accompanied  his  parents  to  America. 
Following  his  experience  at  the  Wyoming 
Seminary  he  entered  the  law  office  of  the 
late  John  T.  Lenahan,  and  later  the  office 
ot  the  late  W.  C.  McLarney,  of  Plymouth. 
-Association  with  these  learned  men  inspired 
him,  and  he  got  together  enough  money  to 
enter  the  Dickinson  College  Law  School  at 
Carlisle.  He  made  rapid  progress  in  his 
work  and  after  only  a  year  in  the  Dickinson 
Law  School  he  returned  home  and  took  the 
Luzerne  County  Bar  examination,  and  was 
admitted  to  practice  October  14,  1S95,  and 
has  been  a  general  practitioner  ever  since. 
His  knowledge  of  the  law  is  extensive  and 
he  haffdles  himself  in  court  with  a  becoming 
ease  and   grace. 

Mr.  Menovsky  has  always  cultivated  the 
habit  of  thinking  for  himself,  and  is  inde- 
pendent in  his  political  views.  He  cham- 
pioned the  cause  of  Theodore  Roosevelt.  In 
the  campaign  of  1912  he  served  as  treasurer 
of  the  Luzerne  County  organization  of  the 
Progessive  party,  and  was  successful  in  add- 
ing substantially  to  the  campaign  chest. 
In  1910  his  prominence  and  ability  were  such 
that  he  was  appointed  assistant  district  at- 
torney of  Luzerne  County  under  the  late 
John  H.  Williams.  He  acquitted  himself  most 
creditably  in  this  difficult  position  and  ob- 
tained an  experience  that  has  been  invalu- 
able  to   him   ever   since. 

Mr.  Menovsliy  is  a  leading  member  of  the 
Luzerne  County  Bar  Association,  the  Con- 
cordia Club  of  Wilkes-Barre:  the  Young 
Men's  Christian  Association,  and  the  National 
Slovak  Society.  He  is  attorney  for  the  Penn- 
sylvania Bank  and  Trust  Company,  with 
which  concern  he  has  made  an  admirable 
record.  He  is  a  thorough  student  and  one 
of  the  best  read  members  of  the  Luzerne 
County  Bar. 


REV.  EDW.4RD  A.  BEr>L,.\S,  born  in  Hazle- 
ton,  Pennsylvania,  March  13,  1S95,  is  a  son 
of  Edward  A.  and  Elizabeth  (Terrence) 
Bellas,  both  of  "whom  were  natives  of  Czecho- 
slovakia. He  has  two  brothers  and  one 
sister:  1.  Joseph  J.,  physician,  of  Newton 
Falls,  Ohio.  2.  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Stephen 
Gryczka,  Doctor  of  Medicine,  of  Reading, 
Pennsylvania.  3.  Henry  B.,  student,  at 
Hazleton. 

Rev.  Edward  A.  Bellas  was  the  second 
child  of  the  family.  He  received  his  earliest 
education  in  St.  Gabriel's  Parochial  School, 
at  Hazleton;  graduated  then  from  Hazleton 
High  School,  and  entered  St.  Charles'  Sem- 
inary, at  Overbrook,  Pennsylvania.  He  com- 
pleted his  course  in  theology  at  St.  Vincent's 
at  Beatty,  Pennsylvania,  in  the  class  of  1920, 
and  was  ordained  a  priest  July  IS,  1920,  at 
the  age  of  twenty-five  >*ears.  The  ceremony 
was  performed  in  St.  Patrick's  Roman  Cath- 
olic Church,  at  Scranton,  with  the  Rt.  Rev. 
M.    J.    Hoban    officiating.  ^ 

Rev.  Bellas'  first  charge  was  in  Scranton, 
over  a  Polish  church  of  the  faith.  Early  in 
1921  he  was  transferred  to  the  cathedral, 
of  Scranton.  In  August,  1921,  he  was  sent 
to  the  Church  of  St.  Rocco,  at  Hazleton,  there 
having  under  his  charge  a  congregation  of 
Italians.  The  following  month  he  was  sent 
to  St.  Vincent's,  at  Plymouth,  and  in  October, 
1921,  transferred  to  St.  Hedwig's  Polish  Cath- 
olic Church,   at  Kingston.     On   November   16, 


1921,  he  was  called  to  his  present  congrega- 
tion, at  E:dwardsville,  as  pastor  of  SS.  Cyril 
and  Methodius  Catholic  Church.  This  church, 
one  of  the  finest  in  the  region,  located  at 
No.  115  Zerbey  Avenue,  is  composed  of 
pressed  red  brick,  modern  in  every  way, 
and  has  a  capacity  for  nine  hundred  persons. 
The  congregation  is  composed  chiefly  of 
Russians  and  Slovakians  of  the  Roman  Cath- 
olic Order.  The  history  of  the  church  Is 
interesting;  It  was  organized  In  1901,  by 
the  Rev.  J.  F.  Jedlicka,  at  No.  219  East 
Grove  Street,  Edwardsville,  and  drew  its  con- 
gregation from  Kingston,  Luzerne  and  Larks- 
ville.  In  1906  the  church  burned  down,  and 
in  the  year  following  the  church  of  SS.  Cyril 
and  Methodius  was  begun,  but  was  not  com- 
pleted until  1925,  with  Rev.  Bellas  in  charge. 
Father  Jedlicka  died  in  1921,  at  which  time, 
as  noted.  Rev.  Edward  A.  Bellas  assumed 
charge  of  the  parish.  The  parish  house  was 
built  by  the  old  Myers  estate,  about  1S75, 
but  this  has  been  renovated  from  time  to 
time,  and  today  the  church,  house  and  ca- 
pacious  hall  are  in   harmony   of  style. 

Rev.  Bellas  takes  an  active  interest  in 
the  affairs  of  Edwardsville  and  vicinity,  and 
supports  all  worthy  undertakings  for  the 
public  good,  though  he  devotes  the  greater 
part  of  his  time  to  the  church  and  his  parish. 


REV.  JOHN  H.  KRASHKEVIfH— A  native 
Of  Russia,  but  a  resident  of  this  country  for 
almost  two  decades.  Rev.  Krashkevich  de- 
cided to  follow  in  his  father's  footsteps, 
when  the  time  had  arrived  to  choose  his  life 
work,  and  became  a  priest  of  the  Russian 
Orthodox  Church.  After  having  held  several 
charges  in  Cambria  and  Lackawanna  coun- 
ties, Pennsylvania,  he  came  to  Wilkes-Barre 
in  1923  and  since  then  has  been  rector  of  the 
Russian  Orthodox  Holy  Resurrection  Church. 
A  man  of  deep  religious  feeling  and  of  great 
executive  ability  he  has  built  up  his  con- 
gregation to  very  large  numbers  and  to 
a  high  degree  of  prosperity.  He  has  been 
a  powerful  influence  for  good,  not  only 
amongst  his  own  people,  but  also  in  the 
community  at  large,  and  he  has  gained  for 
himself  to  an  unusual  degree  the  respect  and 
confidence  of  all  who   know   hini. 

Rev.  Gregory  Krashkevich,  the  father  of 
the  subject  of  this  article  was  a  priest  of  the 
Orthodox  Russian  Church  and  for  many  years 
did  valuable  work  in  his  native  country, 
Russia.  He  lost  his  life  shortly  after  the 
outbreak  of  the  Russian  Revolution,  refus- 
ing to  renounce  his  church  and  its  teachings 
and  as  a  result  was  killed  by  Communist 
soldiers.  He  was  the  father  of  five  sons: 
Peter,  an  inspector  of  public  schools  in 
Russia;  Basil,  a  priest  of  the  Russian  Ortho- 
dox Church  and  now  in  prison  in  Russia  on 
account  of  his  determined  adiierence  to  his 
religious  faith;  John  H.,  of  whom  further; 
Eugene,  Avho  died  in  Moscow  of  starvation 
in  1917;  and  Vladimir  Krashkevich,  a  student 
in  Kief,  Russia,  "who  expects  to  come  to  the 
United   States   at   the   earliest    opportunity. 

Rev.  John  H.  Krashkevich  was  born  at 
Holm,  Russia.  May  27,  1SS6.  a  son  of  Rev. 
Gregor.v  and  Theodora  Krashkevich.  He  ^\'as 
educated  in  the  seminary  ot  his  native  town 
and  became  a  priest  of  the  Russian  Orthodox 
Church.  After  having  served  for  some  years 
in  Russia,  he  came  to  the  United  States  in 
December,  1909.  His  first  charge  in  this 
country  was  the  Russian  Orthodox  Church 
at  Vintondale,  Cambria  County,  Pennsylvania, 
of  which  he  was  rector  for  two  years.  From 
there  he  went  to  the  Russian  Orthodox 
Church  of  Olyphant,  Lackawanna  County, 
Pennsylvania,  the  head  of  which  he  remained 
for   nine    years.      In    1923    he    became    rector 


730 


of  the  Russian  Orthodox  Holy  Resurrection 
Church,  Wilkes-Barre,  a  position  which  he 
has  continued  to  hold  since  then  with  much 
ability  and  success.  This  church  was  or- 
ganized in  1S94  by  Rev.  Alexis  Toth,  who 
died  at  Wilkes-Barre  in  1909.  At  the  time 
of  its  organization  its  congregation  consisted 
of  about  one  hundred  families;  in  1927  it 
had  grown  to  a  membership  of  more  than 
five  hundred  families,  consisting  of  some 
2,800  individuals.  Much  of  this  growth  is 
attributable  to  the  work  and  to  the  inspiring 
leadership  of  Rev.  Krashkevich.  His  church 
has  also  done  a  great  deal  of  missionary 
work  in  nearby  communities  and  has  or- 
ganized several  new  parishes,  w^hicli  have 
been  nourished  into  a  very  flourishing  con- 
dition. These  include  the  parishes  at  Ed- 
wardsville,  Alden  Station,  Hanover,  Old 
Forge  and  Berwick,  all  in  Luzerne  County. 
Including  the  mother  cliurch,  some  ten  thou- 
sand communicants  find  spiritual  guidance 
in  these  several  churches.  Holy  Resurrection 
Church  located  at  No.  591  North  Main  Street, 
"Wilkes-Barre,  is  an  attractive,  modern  brick 
building  and  one  of  the  most  active  religious 
organizations  of  the  city.  A  fine  priests' 
house  adjoins  the  church  and,  under  the  able 
direction  of  its  rector,  the  congregation  is 
engaged  in  many  worth^while  educational  and 
similar  enterprises.  Rev.  Krashkevich,  at  the 
outbreak  of  the  World  War  in  1914  was  on 
a  visit  to  his  native  country  and,  like  thou- 
sands of  other  Americans  then  in  Europe, 
experienced  considerable  difficulty  in  return- 
ing to  this  country.  However,  he  finally 
succeeded  in  doing  so  and  arrived  here  even- 
tually in  November,  1914.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Russian  Orthodox  Mutual  Aid  Society 
of  the  United  States  and  of  the  National 
Slavonic  Society.  In  politics  he  is  a  sup- 
porter   of    the    Republican   party. 

Rev.  Krashkevich  married.  May  31,  1912, 
Mary  Repa,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  a  daughter  of 
John  and  Julia  (Wanat)  Repa.  They  are  the 
parents  of  three  children:  George,  a  junior 
in  the  Wilkes-Barre  High  School:  Natalie 
and  Margaret  Krashkevich,  both  students  in 
the  graded  schools   of  Wilkes-Barre. 

FELIX  W.  BOLOWICZ — One  of  the  men  of 

the  legal  profession  who  has  earned  his  Tvay 
as  he  went  and  has,  by  financing  his  own 
education,  gained  a  valuable  practical  ex- 
perience before  admission  to  the  bar,  is  Felix 
W.  Bolowicz,  who  is  a  graduate  of  the  Law 
School  of  Columbia  University,  New  York 
City,  and  who  was  admitted  to  the  New 
York  State  Bar  in  1920  and  to  the  Luzerne 
County  Bar,  Pennsylvania,  in  1923.  Mr. 
Bolowicz  is  a  director  of  the  Kingston  Bank 
and  Trust  Company  of  Kingston,  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  solicitor  of  Larksville  Borough, 
as  well   as  holding  other  offices   of  trust. 

Felix  W.  Bolowicz,  father  of  Mr.  Bolowicz, 
was  a  miner  and  was  killed  in  an  accident 
in  the  Gaylord  Mines,  in  Plymouth,  Luzerne 
County,  a  short  time  before  Felix  W.,  Jr., 
was  born.  His  mother,  Frances  Bolcwicz, 
therefore,  was  left  with  the  care  of  a  fam- 
ily and  of  the  posthumous  son,  until  several 
years  thereafter  when  she  was  married  to 
Anthony    Staszinski. 

Felix  W.  Bolowicz,  son  of  Felix  W.  and 
Frances  Bolowicz,  was  born  in  Nanticoke, 
Luzerne  County,  November  13,  1891,  and  when 
he  was  nine  years  of  age  was  taken  by  his 
mother  to  Larksville,  Luzerne  County.  He 
grew  up  around  the  mines  of  Nanticoke, 
Simpson,  and  Larksville,  attended  the  public 
schools,  but  even  as  a  boy  began  work,  at 
the  age  of  fourteen,  as  a  breaker  boy,  or 
slate  picker,  working  during  all  the  holidays 
and   vacation    periods,    and    Saturdays,    while 


attending  school.  In  190S  he  was  graduated 
from  the  Larksville  High  School,  after  which 
he  attended  the  Harry  Hillman  Academy,  at 
Wilkes-Barre,  for  one  year,  graduating  from 
that  institution  in  1909.  When  his  prepara- 
tory course  was  completed  he  took  a  posi- 
tion with  the  Kingston  Bank  and  Trust  Com- 
pany, of  Kingston,  Pennsylvania,  where  he 
began  as  a  bookkeeper,  and  where  he  rose 
through  various  promotions  to  the  position 
of  teller,  in  whicli  capacity  he  ^vas  serving 
when  he  resigned  in  1914.  In  the  fall  of 
1914  he  entered  Dickinson  College,  at  Carlisle, 
Pennsylvania,  from  which  he  was  graduated 
"with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts  in  1917. 
In  the  fall  of  that  same  year  he  began 
professional  study  in  the  La^v  School  of 
Columbia  University,  in  New  York  City, 
vrhere  he  completed  his  course  with  grad- 
uation in  1920,  receiving  the  degree  of 
Bachelor  of  Laws.  Meantime,  in  191S,  he 
had  enlisted  for  service  in  the  World  War, 
was  made  a  second  lieutenant  of  Field  Artil- 
lery, and  assigned  to  Camp  Taylor,  in  Ken- 
tucky, where  he  served  until  he  was  mus- 
tered out  of  service,  in  December,  191S,  after 
which  he  resumed  his  studies  in  the  Law 
School  of  Columbia  University,  and  was 
graduated  in  1920,  as  has  already  been  stated. 
Soon  after  graduation  he  was  admitted  to 
the  New  York  State  Bar  and  became  identified 
with  the  Union  Carbide  and  Carbon  Corpora- 
tion of  New  York.  In  1922  he  returned  to 
Wilkes-Barre,  and  was  admitted  to  the  Lu- 
zerne County  Bar  in  the  spring  of  1923, 
Since  that  time  he  has  been  engaged  in  gen- 
eral practice  here,  associated  with  Attorney 
Michael  A.  Donoliue.  He  is  a  inember  of 
the  Luzerne  County  Bar  Association,  of  the 
Pennsylvania  State  Bar  Association  and  the 
American  Bar  Association,  and  in  addition 
to  the  care  of  his  private  practice  he  is  also 
a  member  of  the  board  of  directors  of  the 
Kingston  Bank  and  Trust  Company,  of 
Kingston,  Pennsylvania,  and  a  solicitor  for 
Larksville  Borough.  He  is  also  a  school 
director  for  Larksville  Borough.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Larksville  Post,  American 
Legion,  and  of  Phi  Beta  Kappa  (honorary) 
and  Beta  Theta  Pi  college  fraternities.  His 
religious  affiliation  is  with  the  Roman  Cath- 
olic Church. 

FLORENTINE  LAURENT  SCHOTT — It  Was 

about  two-score  years  ago  that  a  resident 
of  Alsace,  then  a  province  of  the  German 
Empire,  but  since  the  World  War  restored 
to  France,  decided  to  seek  his  fortune  in  this 
great  land  of  opportunity.  It  was  Laurent 
Schott  who  thus  challenged  fate  and  with 
him  were  his  wife,  Magdalena  and  his  two- 
year-old  son.  Florentine  L.  Schott.  Massil- 
lon,  Ohio,  then  a  small  but  rapidly-growing 
town,  Tvas  the  place  where  the  Schott  fam- 
ily first  located  and  it  was  there  that  Floren- 
tine L.  Schott  grew  to  manhood. 

Following  his  graduation  from  the  public 
schools  of  Massillon  Mr.  Schott  took  a  course 
in  a  business  college,  having  set  his  mind 
on  a  commercial  career.  It  was  in  1900  that 
he  decided  that  there  was  a  greater  oppor- 
tunity in  a  larger  field  and  he  went  to  New 
York  City,  where  he  was  employed  at  various 
commercial  pursuits  until  1909.  He  came  in 
that  year  to  Wilkes-Barre  and  shortly  after- 
wards was  appointed  president  and  general 
manager  of  Bartels  Brewing  Company,  at 
Edwardsville,  Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania. 
In  1923  he  founded  the  Nepenna  Building 
Materials  Company  and  today  is  president 
of  that  concern,  with  offices  at  Edwardsville 
and  Kingston  and  works  at  Swoyersville. 
His  company  manufactures  a  special  line  of 
brick  and   tile   and   other  building  materials. 


731 


Signal  honor  was  paid  to  Mr.  Schott  when 
on  January  IS,  1927,  he  was  elected  presi- 
dent of  the  Greater  Wilkes-Earre  Chamber 
of  Commerce.  A  Republican  in  politics,  Mr. 
Schott  has  never  sought  for  office  but  has 
devoted  his  talents  in  that  line  to  the  advan- 
cement of  Wilkes-Barre.  He  is  an  active 
member  of  Kingston  Lodge,  No.  395,  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons;  Caldwell  Consistory,  thirty- 
second  degree;  and  Irem  Temple,  Ancient 
Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine; 
and  of  Wilkes-Barre  Lodge,  No.  109,  Benevo- 
lent and  Protective  Order  of  Elks.  He  is 
also  a  member  of  the  Franklin  Club  of 
Wilkes-Barre  and  the  Wilkes-Barre  Rotary 
Club.  He  and  his  family  are  members  of 
the    Kingston    Presbyterian    Church. 

In  December,  1900,  Mr.  Schott  was  united 
in  marriage  to  Rose  E.  Raab,  of  Cleveland, 
Ohio,  a  daughter  of  George  and  Louise 
(Schatz)  Raab.  They  are  the  parents  of  a 
daughter,  Eleanor  Gertrude,  who  is  a  grad- 
uate of  Wheaton  College,  Norton,  Massachu- 
setts, and  Katherine  Gibbs  School  of  Boston, 
Massachusetts. 


JAMES     RICHARD     OLIVER — One     of     the 

most  attractive  automobile  garages,  show 
rooms  and  service  stations  in  Luzerne  County, 
is  the  structure  on  Jlain  Street,  Dallas, 
erected  and  owned  by  James  Richard  Oliver, 
agent  for  the  Dodge  and  the  Packard  cars. 
Mr.  Oliver  employs  ten  men  in  his  estab- 
lishment, and  carries  a  complete  line  of  parts 
with  which  to  do  all  kinds  of  automobile 
repair  work. 

Mr.  Oliver  was  born  at  Pikes  Creek,  Lu- 
zerne County,  on  October  4,  1J86,  the  son  of 
Franklin  Pierce  and  Elizabeth  (Payne) 
Oliver,  the  former  a  carpenter  by  trade, 
who  was  born  at  Idetown,  Luzerne  County, 
in  1837,  and  who  died  in  1S91.  The  mother 
of  Mr.  Oliver  was  a  native  of  Freeland, 
Luzerne  County,  where  she  was  born  in  1852. 
Mr.  Oliver  obtained  his  early  education  in 
the  public  schools  of  Ross  Township,  Lycom- 
ing County,  after  which  he  was  with  the 
American  Car  and  Foundry  Company,  in  Ber- 
wick, Columbia  County,  where  he  acquired 
a  very  thorough  knowledge  of  mechanics. 
He  then  went  into  the  business  of  repair- 
ing and  selling  automobiles  under  his  own 
name,  and  in  1922  he  located  in  Dallas,  where 
he  undertook  the  agency  for  the  Dodge  cars, 
and  also  did  a  general  repair  business.  It 
was  in  1926  that  he  purchased  the  Dr.  Henry 
Lang  property  on  Main  Street  and  erected 
thereon  his  present  splendid  building.  He 
then  took  over  the  Packard  agency  and,  in 
addition,  went  into  the  business  of  selling 
radio  outfits  and  supplies.  In  political  faith, 
Mr.  Oliver  is  a  Democrat,  but  he  has  taken 
no  active  part  in  the  political  contests  of 
his  town.  He  is  affiliated  with  Dallas  Lodge, 
No.  531.  Free  and  Accepted  Masons;  with 
Shekinah  Chapter,  Royal  Arch  Masons;  with 
Dieu  le  Veut  Commandery.  Knights  Templar, 
and  with  Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order 
Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  His  religious 
affiliations  are  with  the  local  Methodist 
Church,  of  which  he  is  a  member  of  the 
official  board. 

Mr.  Oliver  married  (first)  Carrie  HufEord, 
of  Berwick,  and  of  this  union  there  were 
four  children:  Kenneth,  JIargaret,  Madge, 
and  James  Richard,  Jr.  Mrs.  Oliver  passed 
away  in  April,  1921,  and  in  1924  Mr.  Oliver 
married  (second)  Ethel  Yaple,  of  Dallas, 
daughter  of  M.  Lowery  and  Amanda  Taple. 
Of  this  union  there  was  one  child,  Richard 
Taple  Oliver. 


Ashley,  Pennsylvania,  in  association  with  his 
father,  with  offices  also  in  Sugar  Notch.  Mr. 
Mroziewski  is  thoroughly  trained  in  his  work 
and  his  company  carries  a  complete  line  of 
the  most  modern  equipment  obtainable.  He 
was  born  on  April  24,  1895,  at  Sugar  Notch, 
Pennsylvania,  a  son  of  Jacob  Mroziewski, 
who  was  born  in  Poland  in  1863  and  came 
to  the  United  States  in  1880,  and  of  Louise 
(Conniff)  Mroziewski,  who  was  born  in 
Poland   in    1870,    and   who   died    in    1908. 

Zigmund  A.  Mroziewski  attended  the  pub- 
lic schools  of  his  birthplace,  and  later  entered 
the  Eckels  School  of  Embalming,  in  Phila- 
delphia, from  which  he  was  graduated  in 
191fi.  Returning  to  Sugar  Notch,  he  joined 
his  father  in  the  undertaking  and  embalming 
business,  the  latter  having  l>egun  this  work 
in  Sugar  Notch  in  1906,  and  offices  were  main- 
tained both  in  Ashley  and  in  Sugar  Notch 
under  the  firm  name  of  Jacob  Morris  and 
Son.  This  arrangement  has  continued  since 
that  time.  Mr.  Mroziewski  has  always  been 
interested  in  the  progress  and  growth  of  his 
community  and  he  is  now  president  of  the 
School  Board  of  Ashley,  having  served  In 
that  capacity  for  two  years.  Politically,  he 
is  a  member  of  the  Republican  party,  and 
he  is  affiliated  with  the  Fraternal  Order  of 
Eagles.  He  and  his  family  attend  the  Holy 
Family  Polish  Catholic  Church. 

On  April  24.  1917,  Zigmund  A.  Mroziewski 
married  Sophia  Perlowski  of  Sugar  Notch, 
Pennsylvania,  a  daughter  of  John  and  Mary 
Perlowski  of  that  place.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Mroziewski  are  the  parents  of  two  children: 
1.  Marion  Louise,  born  August  4,  1922.  2. 
Eunice    Lorraine,    born   July    3,    1926. 


ZIGMUND  A.  MROZIEWSKI  has  since  1916 
been  engaged  in  the  undertaking  business  in 


ADAM  W.  OLSZEWSKI — Numbered  promi- 
nently among  the  men  of  Polish  birth  resid- 
ing in  Nanticoke,  and  here  engaged  exten- 
sively in  business  as  baker  and  grocer,  Adam 
W.  Olszewski  is  one  of  the  public-spirited 
citizens  of  the  community,  active  in  its  com- 
mercial, political  and  general  affairs,  and 
sincerely  respected  by  all  who  know  him  for 
his    character    and    what    he    has    done. 

Mr.  Olszewski  was  born  in  Poland  on  No- 
vember 2S,  1889,  a  son  of  Stanley  and  Wanda 
Olszewski.  He  attended  the  schools  of  his 
native  community  until  he  had  reached  the 
age  of  fourteen  years,  "when,  in  1903,  he  came 
to  the  United  States,  with  his  parents,  locat- 
ing in  Pittsburgh,  Pennsylvania.  His  first 
business  connection  in  the  country  of  his 
adoption  was  with  the  Ward  Baking  Com- 
pany, with  whom  he  was  employed  during 
eighteen  months.  In  this  time  he  acquired 
proficiency  in  baking;  and,  intelligent,  quick 
to  learn  the  language,  as  well  as  the  methods 
of  ills  chosen  work,  he  transferred  to  a  bak- 
ing concern  in  Nanticoke.  Here  he  was 
employed  for  several  years.  He  was  indus- 
trious, saved  his  money,  mastered  all  details 
of  the  business  that  he  had  not  learned  with 
the  Ward  organization,  and  in  1911  opened 
a  bakery  of  his  own.  Suddenly  faced  with 
the  responsibility  of  meeting  the  weekly 
wage  obligations  of  two  employees,  not  to 
speak  of  rent  and  the  ramified  expenses  to 
be  found  in  any  commercial  venture,  Mr. 
Olszewski  went  through  the  most  difficult 
experiences  of  his  independent  enterprise 
during  the  first  year.  But  at  the  end  of  the 
fiscal  period  his  books  showed  a  fair  profit; 
his  staff  of  employees  had  increased  in  num- 
ber, and  the  routine  of  business  had  become 
fixed,  therefore  certain  in  function.  At  the 
time  of  tills  writing  there  were  employed 
in  the  bakery  and  grocery  store  at  No.  36 
East  Ridge  Street  under  his  direction  twenty- 
four  workers,  and  the  Olszewski   company   is 


732 


one  of  the  largest  of  its  category  in  Nanti- 
coke,  comparing  with  the  more  prosperous 
concerns  of  Wilkes-Barre. 

jMeanwhile  Mr.  Olszewski  has  given  of  his 
energies  in  other  directions,  not  alone  con- 
tenting himself  with  the  development  of  the 
business  under  his  name.  He  is  a  director 
of  the  People's  Savings  and  Trust  Company 
of  Nanticoke,  and  associates  on  the  board 
welcome  his  advice  on  numerous  matters 
financial,  having  found  it  invariably  sound 
in  times  past.  A  Democrat  and  loyal  to  the 
party's  principles  of  government,  he  exer- 
cises a  broad  influence  in  local  politics,  not- 
ably among  persons  of  Polish  antecedents, 
and  constantly  for  the  good  of  the  commun- 
ity as  a  whole.  He  was  elected  in  November, 
1929,  city  treasurer  and  tax  collector  of 
Nanticoke,  for  a  term  of  four  years.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  Sons  of  Poland,  the  Kiwanis 
Club,  the  Polish  Union,  and  the  Polish  Fal- 
cons. He  is  chairman  of  the  Polish  Roman 
Catholic  Death  Beneficial  Association  for  the 
State  of  Pennsylvania.  Mr.  Olszewski  is  a 
communicant  of  St.  Stanislaus  Roman  Cath- 
olic Church,  is  devoted  to  its  service,  and 
is  an  influence  for  good  among  younger 
members. 

On  May  9,  1914,  Mr.  Olszewski  was  united 
in  marriage  with  Josephine  Kana,  who  was 
born  in  Nanticoke  and  they  are  the  parents 
of  four  children:  Wanda,  Stanley,  Henry,  and 
Teddie.  They  family  reside  at  No.  34  East 
Ridge  Street. 


GEORGE  K.  SAVARTZ,  M.  D. — Although  but 
a  few  years  in  the  practice  of  medicine  in 
Luzerne  County,  Dr.  George  K.  Swartz.  of 
Dalla.s,  has  already  gathered  around  him  an 
influential  and  extensive  clientele.  Dr. 
Swartz  is  a  member  of  the  staff  of  one  of 
the  leading  hospitals  of  the  county,  and  as 
a  Rotarian  and  churchman  is  one  of  the 
foremost   men    in    the    community. 

Dr.  Swartz  was  born  in  Center  County, 
April  23,  1S97,  the  son  of  Charles  W.  and 
Emma  (Krumrine)  Schwartz,  both  natives  of 
Center  County,  where  Charles  W.  Schwartz 
was  born  in  186S,  and  his  wife,  the  mother 
of  Dr.  Swartz,  was  also  born  in  that  county 
the  same  year.  The  father  of  Dr.  Swartz  is 
occupying  the  post  of  trust  officer  in  the  First 
National  Bank  of  State  College,  Center 
County.  Dr.  Swartz  obtained  his  early  edu- 
cation in  the  public  schools  of  Center  County, 
after  which  he  attended  Susquehanna  Uni- 
versity Academy,  at  Selinsgrove,  Snyder 
County,  graduating  in  1916.  He  then  entered 
the  Susciuehanna  University,  and  in  1920 
received  his  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts.  He 
took  his  medical  course  at  the  University  of 
Pennsylvania,  Philadelphia,  and  in  1924  was 
granted  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  ISIedicine. 
For  a  year  he  acted  as  interne  at  the  Geisen- 
ger  Hospital,  at  Danville,  Montour  County, 
and  in  1925  he  located  in  Dallas.  He  is  an 
active  member  of  the  County  and  State  Med- 
ical societies,  and  of  the  American  Medical 
Association.  He  is  one  of  the  prominent 
physicians  on  the  staff  of  the  Nesbitt  West 
Side  Hospital,  and  an  active  member  of  the 
Dallas  Rotary  Club.  His  religious  affiliations 
are    "with    the    Lutheran    Church. 

In  1925,  Dr.  Swartz  married  Clementu  Mil- 
ler, of  Collinswood,  New  Jersey,  daughter  ot 
Charles  and  Anna  Miller,  of  that  town.  Dr. 
and  Mrs.  Swartz  are  the  parents  of  one  child, 
a    girl,    Nancy    Lou,    born    April    13,    1927. 


,VI-BERT  G.  GROBLEWSKI.  2d  —  Well 
known  among  the  business  men  of  Plymouth, 
Pennsylvania,    is    Albert    G.    Groblewski,    2d, 


secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  concern  which 
manufactures  proprietary  medicines  under 
the  name  of  Albert  G.  Groblewski,  Incor- 
porated, and  which  is  e.specially  known  for 
the  famous  Rattle  Snake  Brand  Liniment 
which  it  ships  to  all  parts  of  the  United 
States  and  the  Orient.  The  business  was 
founded  by  Mr.  Groblewski's  father,  who 
bore  the  same  name,  and  the  son  has  been 
identified  with  the  concern  since  the  com- 
pletion of  his  academic  training,  and  has 
held  his  present  offices  in  the  company  since 
the   death   of  the   father   in    1925. 

Albert  G.  Groblewski,  Sr,,  was  born  in 
Poland,  but  came  to  this  country  many  years 
ago  and  settled  in  Plymouth,  where  he  en- 
gaged in  business  for  himself  as  a  manu- 
facturer of  various  proprietar.v  medicines  and 
drugs,  under  the  name  of  Albert  G.  Grob- 
lewski. He  had  the  characteristic  ability 
and  persistence  which  is  possessed  by  so  many 
of  the  natives  of  Poland  (he  was  born  in 
German  Poland)  and  he  became  famous  for 
the  manufacture  of  the  widely  known  remedy 
for  rattle  snake  bites  which  was  sold  under 
the  name  of  Rattle  Snake  Brand  Liniment, 
and  which  created  for  itself  a  market  not 
only  throughout  this  country  but  abroad, 
wherever  the  services  of  such  a  liniment 
are  necessary.  In  1921  the  business  was  in- 
corporated under  the  name  of  Albert  G. 
Groblewski,  Incorporated,  and  the  founder 
continued  to  be  the  active  head  of  the  con- 
cern to  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred 
in  April,  1925.  He  served  in  many  civic  ca- 
pacities and  served  on  the  Exemption  Board. 

Albert  G.  Groblewski,  2d,  son  of  Albert  G. 
and  Helen  Groblewski,  the  latter  a  native 
of  Germany  (Poland),  was  born  in  Plymouth, 
Pennsylvania,  April  19,  1S9S,  and  after  at- 
tending the  public  schools  here,  including 
the  high  school,  continued  study  in  Chest- 
nut Hill  Academy,  from  which  he  was  grad- 
uated with  the  class  of  1917.  After  gradua- 
tion he  became  associated  with  his  father 
in  the  business  of  manufacturing  medicines, 
but  the  entrance  of  the  United  States  into 
the  World  War  changed  plans  somewhat  for 
he  soon  enlisted  and  was  stationed  at  Pitts- 
burgh, Pennsylvania,  until  the  time  of  the 
signing  of  the  Armistice.  When  the  war  was 
over,  he  returned  to  Plymouth  and  to  his 
father's  business,  which  had  been  founded 
in  1S92  and  which  had  prospered  steadily, 
and  in  1921  the  concern  was  incorporated 
as  Albert  G.  Groblewski,  Incorporated,  with 
Albert  G.  Groblewski,  Sr.,  as  president.  After 
the  death  of  the  father  the  son  was  made 
secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  company,  both 
of  which  official  positions  he  has  continued 
to  fill  to  the  present  time  (1928).  His  office 
is  located  at  No.  241  East  Main  Street,  Plym- 
outh, and  the  business  has  grown  to  propor- 
tions which  require  the  services  of  fifty- 
two  employees  in  the  plant.  The  famous 
Rattlesnake  Brand  Liniment  is  still  manu- 
factured and  sent  to  all  parts  of  the  world, 
and  in  addition  to  this  remedy  there  are  sixty 
other  patented  medicines  made.  Mr.  Grob- 
lewski is  a  member  of  the  Plymouth  Cham- 
ber of  Commerce,  and  is  one  of  the  public- 
spirited  business  men  of  the  place.  Frater- 
nally, he  is  identified  with  Lodge  No.  109, 
Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks;  and 
with  Phi  Sigma  Delta  Greek  letter  fraternity; 
and  he  is  also  a  member  of  Post  No.  463, 
American  Legion.  His  club  is  the  Kiwanis 
Club. 

Albert  G.  Groblewski,  2d.,  was  married, 
in  February,  1920,  to  Mercedes  Snyder,  of 
Wilkes-Barre,  daughter  of  Peter  C.  and 
Katherine  Snyder,  and  they  have  one  son: 
Albert  G.  (3d),  who  was  born  March  29,  1927. 
Mr.    and    Mrs.    Groblewski    make    their    home 


at  No.  189  New  Alexander  Street,  in  Wilkes- 
Barre.  They  are  attendants  of  the  Episcopal 
Church. 


JOHN    JEROMIS    ZAWADZKI,    D.    D.    S. — In 

the  profession  of  dentistry  with  which  riym- 
outh  is  favored  by  a  sliilled  numlaer  of  prac- 
titioners, Jolin  Jerome  Zawadzki  holds  a  good 
position  among  the  younger  element.  He 
entered  the  profession  in  command  of  a 
substantial  preparation  and  is  building  up 
a  good  practice,  enlarging  his  circle  of 
friends  as  he  advances.  He  takes  a  deep 
interest  in  the  civic,  social,  religious  and 
fraternal  activities  of  the  community  and  is 
held  to  be  a  citizen  of  value  to  his  fellows 
in    all    walks  of   life. 

He  was  born  in  Sugar  Notch,  Pennsyl- 
vania, June  27,  1901,  a  son  of  John  J.  and 
Josepliine  (Kramnitz)  Zawadzki,  both  natives 
of  Poland  and  both  living  (192S).  He  ac- 
quired his  early  education  in  the  public 
schools  of  Sugar  Notch,  being  graduated  from 
the  Hanover  Township  High  School  in  the 
class  of  1920.  This  was  followed  by  a  course 
in  the  dental  college  of  Georgetown  Uni- 
versity, from  which  he  was  graduated  in 
the  class  of  1925  with  the  degree  of  Doctor 
of  Dental  Surgery.  He  then  came  to  Plym- 
outh and  established  himself  in  practice  here. 
His  offices  are  at  No.  32  West  Main  Street, 
Plymouth,  his  residence  at  No.  343  Pierce 
Street.  Kingston.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
American  Dental  Association  and  of  the  Penn- 
sylvania State  and  the  local  county  societies. 
In  politics  he  is  a  Republican,  his  church  is 
the  St.  Mary's  Roman  Catholic.  He  belongs 
to  the  Xi  Psi  Phi  college  fraternity,  Tatra 
Club  of  Wilkes-Barre,  Knights  of  Columbus, 
and    the    Fraternal    Order    of   Eagles. 


SIMON  J.  TISDEL— At  the  early  age  of  ten 
years  Simon  J.  Tisdel  liegan  earning  his  way 
at  the  laborious  work  of  the  coal  breaker. 
Today  I192S)  at  the  age  of  forty  years,  he 
is  half  owner  of  the  Shawnee  Supply  Com- 
pany, of  Plymouth,  a  wholesale  and  retail 
hardware  business,  of  which  he  is  the  man- 
ager; and  part  owner  of  the  Plymouth  Lum- 
ber Company,  a  wholesale  and  retail  lum- 
ber company,  of  which  he  is  secretary  and 
a  member  of  the  board  of  directors.  He 
and  Joseph  R.  Hooper,  an  account  of  whose 
life  appears  elsewhere  in  this  work,  have 
been  business  associates  since  1919,  and  both 
men  are  well  known  for  their  ability  and 
for  their  honest  dealing.  Mr.  Tisdel  is  affil- 
iated with  the  Masonic  Order  and  with  the 
Junior  Order  United  American  Mechanics, 
and   is  active  in   the  Kiwanis   Club. 

Simon  J.  Tisdel  was  born  in  Larksville, 
Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania,  September  23, 
1S8S.  Both  parents  are  living.  His  father, 
James  Tisdel,  born  in  Centre  Moreland,  Penn- 
sylvania, in  1S61,  is  a  stationary  engineer, 
and  his  mother,  Rebecca  (James)  Tisdel,  was 
born  in  Wales,  British  Isles,  in  1S63.  Simon 
J.  Tisdel  attended  the  public  schools  of  the 
district  in  which  he  was  born,  but  his  ad- 
vantages were  limited,  for  by  the  time  he 
was  ten  >'ears  of  age  he  was  hard  at  work 
as  a  coal  breaker.  That  he  was  not  afraid 
of  hard  work,  even  as  a  boy,  is  evidenced 
by  the  fact  that  he  continued  at  his  first 
job  for  a  period  of  seven  years.  At  the  end 
of  that  time,  being  then  seventeen  years  old, 
he  secured  a  position  as  shipping  clerk  in 
the  employ  of  a  hardw-are  concern  in  Wilkes- 
Barre,  and  in  this  connection  he  made  the 
most  of  such  opportunities  as  came  "within 
his  reach,  al'wa>"s  keeping  a  sharp  "weather 
eye"  out  for  the  right  time  to  make  an 
advantageous  change.  In  1910  he  went  on 
the   road   as    traveling  representative   for   the 


Shawnee  Supply  Company,  of  Plymouth,  and 
four  years  later  he  was  recalled  to  the.  Shaw- 
nee Company's  store  at  Plymouth,  as  man- 
ager. In  1919,  in  partnership  with  Joseph 
R.  Hooper,  he  purchased  the  interests  of 
the  Shawnee  Supply  Company  from  Ambrose 
West,  and  since  that  time  he  and  Mr.  Hooper 
have  continued  to  be  the  successful  owners- 
of  the  business.  Mr.  Tisdel  is  manager,  and 
is  handling  a  large  and  steadily  growing 
wholesale  and  retail  hardware  and  plumbing 
business.  His  establishment,  located  at  Nos. 
106-08  Main  Street  in  Plymouth,  has  long 
been  known  as  the  leading  concern  of  its 
kind  in  Plymouth,  and  Mr.  Tisdel  has  for 
many  years  been  known  as  a  dependable  and 
capable  business  man  who  possesses  vision 
and  foresight  and  also  the  ability  to  put  into 
practical  operation  his  best  business  ideas. 
In  1922,  having  placed  the  business  which 
he  and  Mr.  Hooper  had  purchased  on  a  firm 
foundation,  the  partners  extended  their  inter- 
ests by  the  organization  of  the  Plymouth 
Lumber  Company,  of  which  Mr.  Tisdel  has 
been  secretary  and  a  member  of  the  board 
of  directors  to  the  present  time  (192S).  Mr. 
Hooper  is  vice-president  and  general  man- 
ager of  the  Plymouth  Lumber  Company,  and 
both  men  have  continued  their  association  in 
both  business  enterprises.  Mr.  Tisdel  gives 
his  support  to  the  principles  and  the  candi- 
dates of  the  Republican  party.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  Kingston  Lodge,  No.  39.5,  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons;  of  Plymouth  Chapter,  Royal 
Arch  Masons,  of  Wilkes-Barre;  and  is  a 
Knight  Templar.  He  is  also  identified  with 
the  Junior  Order  United  American  Mechanics. 
His  club  is  the  Kiwanis  Club,  in  the  affairs 
of  which  he  is  very  active,  and  which  he 
has  served  as  president  for  four  years.  His 
religious  affiliation  is  with  the  Presbyterian 
Church. 

Simon  J.  Tisdel  was  married,  November  23, 
1910,  to  Janet  Hodder,  of  Wilkes-Barre, 
Pennsylvania,  daughter  of  Harry  and  Mar- 
garet Hodder,  and  they  have  five  children: 
Eleanor  Marian,  Elizabeth  Mary,  Leona  Mar- 
jorie,  James,  Jr.,  and  Janet  Jane.  The  fam- 
ily home  is  located  at  No.  40  Church  Street, 
in   Plymouth. 


C.iSlMIR      CHARLES      GROBLEW'SKI,      1»I. 

n. — Born  in  West  Nanticoke,  Pennsylvania, 
of  Polish  parentage,  Casimir  Charles  Grob- 
lewski,  practicing  phj'sician  of  Plymouth, 
forged  steadily  ahead  from  his  school  days, 
until  today  he  has  reared  for  himself  a  sub- 
stantial structure  in  the  medical  world  and 
■won  the  highest  regard  of  the  citizens  of 
the  community  in  which  he  lives  and  works. 
He  is  a  man  of  culture  and  high  profes- 
sional attainments,  friendly  and  gregarious 
in  his  instincts,  staunch  in  his  civic  pride, 
a  citizen  of  laudable  character  and  an  orna- 
ment to  the  citizenry  of  which  he  is  a  valu- 
able unit. 

His  birth  occurred,  September  15,  1886,  the 
son  of  Albert  G.  and  Helen  Groblewski,  the 
father  born  in  Poland  In  1859,  emigrated  to 
America,  settled  in  Plymouth  and  here  be- 
came a  manufacturing  druggist,  in  which 
he  was  engaged  at  the  time  of  his  demise, 
in  1925,  the  mother  a  native  of  Poland  (Ger- 
many), and  still  living  (1928).  Casimir  ac- 
quired his  education  in  the  Plymouth  public 
schools  and  was  graduated  from  high  school 
in  1904.  He  then  attended  the  Harry  Hill- 
man  Academy,  in  ^'ilkes-Barre.  from  which 
he  was  graduated  in  1907.  This  was  followed 
by  a  course  at  the  Medical  School  of  the 
LTniversity  of  Pennsylvania,  from  which  he 
was  graduated  with  the  class  of  1911  with 
the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine.  He  at 
once  established  himself  in  practice  in  Plym- 


734 


outh  and  has  since  been  so  engaged.  He 
is  a  Republican  in  politics  and  a  member 
of  St.  Mary's  Roman  Catholic  Church,  of 
Plymouth.  He  is  a  member  of  the  advisory 
committee  of  the  Republican  party  of  Plym- 
outh and  president  of  the  school  board;  is 
a  director  in  the  First  National  Bank  of 
Plymouth  and  of  the  Plymouth  Lumber  Com- 
pany. His  fraternal  memberships  include  the 
Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks, 
Lodge  No.  109,  and  the  Knights  of  Pythias. 
Casimir  Charles  Groblewski  married  Octo- 
ber 7,  1912,  Lucy  Butkiewicz,  daughter  of 
Thomas  and  Anna  Butkiewicz.  They  are  the 
parents  of  two  children:  Lucia  K.  and 
Harry    J. 


JOSEPH  S.  \VURM.*-X — An  outstanding  ex- 
ample of  what  may  be  accomplished  through 
undeviating  devotion  to  duty  and  unquench- 
able ambition  is  provided  through  a  resumg 
of  the  career  of  Joseph  S.  Wurman,  King- 
ston, who  came  to  the  New  World  from 
Poland,  and  attained  a  position  of  honor  and 
respect  that  well  might  be  the  envy  of  any 
native  resident  of  this  community.  Perhaps 
the  most  important  factor  in  Mr.  Wurman's 
success  has  been  his  continued  association 
with  the  vocation  he  chose  before  attaining 
to  manhood.  Although  now  (1928)  practi- 
cally retired  from  business  pursuits,  Mr.  Wur- 
man is  by  no  means  inactive  in  his  works 
as  a  citizen,  if  his  many  associations  with 
diversified  organizations  may  be  taken  into 
consideration. 

Mr.  Wurman  was  born  April  14,  1871,  in 
Poland,  son  of  Louis  M.  and  Sophia  (Hoff- 
man) Wurman.  Louis  M.  Wurman,  native 
of  Poland,  was  a  prominent  commission  mer- 
chant in  that  country  previous  to  coming  to 
America,  and  he  died  in  1906,  at  New  York 
City.  Sophia  (Hoffman)  Wurman,  also  born 
in  Poland,  passed  away  in  1905  in  New  York 
City. 

.Joseph  S.  Wurman  was  educated  in  the 
public  schools  of  his  native  land,  his  training 
including  that  similar  to  the  high  schools 
in  the  United  States.  At  the  age  of  eighteen 
years  Mr.  Wurman  came  to  New  York  City 
and  took  up  the  trade  of  cigar  maker. 
He  was  so  employed  in  various  capacities 
and  with  several  companies  until  1904.  In 
that  year  he  became  associated  with  the 
United  Cigar  Manufacturing  Company,  which 
later  changed  its  name  to  the  General  Cigar 
Manufacturing  Company.  Mr.  Wurman  main- 
tained his  allegiance  to  this  concern  until 
1912,  when  he  affiliated  with  Boudy  &  Lederer, 
which  was  later  absorbed  by  the  General 
Cigar  Company,  and  he  "was  sent  to  Nanti- 
coke  by  his  firm  as  manager  of  the  Nanti- 
coke  plant.  Later,  in  1924,  he  was  trans- 
ferred to  Kingston  and  here  was  district 
manager  for  the  General  Cigar  Company, 
which  included  various  factories  in  the 
anthracite  region,  where  he  remained  until 
his  retirement  in  January,  192S.  Various 
other  enterprises  have  interested  Mr.  Wur- 
man since  he  came  to  Pennsylvania,  and 
while  a  resident  of  Nanticoke  he  assisted 
in  organizing  the  Peoples  Trust  Company  of 
that  place,  and  served  as  a  director  of  that 
institution  until  1924,  his  resignation  being 
brought  about  through  his  removal  to  King- 
ston. Soon  after  coming  to  Kingston  Mr. 
Wurman  became  a  director  of  the  West  Side 
Trust  Company.  Later,  this  company  was 
merged  with  the  Kingston  Bank  and  Trust 
Company,  and  he  now  (1928)  is  a  director  of 
this  institution.  He  holds  a  similar  office 
with  the  West  Side  Mortgage  Company  and 
is  interested  in  several  other  commercial  con- 
cerns  here. 

Mr.    Wurman    has    been    deeply    concerned 


with  the  conduct  of  Hebrew  organizations 
in  this  county  and  is  a  recognized  leader 
therein.  He  is  vice-president  of  the  Young 
Men's  Hebrew  Association,  of  Wilkes-Barre; 
president  of  the  Wilkes-Barre  Hebrew  In- 
stitute, and  a  member  of  B'nai  B'rith  Re- 
formed Congregation.  The  Republican  party 
receives  Mr.  Wurman's  support,  although  he 
has  not  consented  to  the  use  of  his  name 
for  public  office.  Other  organizations  with 
which  he  is  affiliated  include  Lodge  No.  109, 
Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks  and 
the    Fox    Hill    Country   Club. 

Joseph  S.  Wurman  married  (first),  in  1894, 
Fannie  Berg,  a  native  of  New  York  City;  and 
they  had  five  children:  Harry  P.,  who  is 
general  manager  of  the  Bayuk  Cigar  Cor- 
poration of  Philadelphia;  Morris  L.,  Lawrence 
M.,  Delia,  and  Harriett  S.  Fannie  (Berg) 
Wurman  died  in  1924,  and  Mr.  Wurman  mar- 
ried (second),  in  1927,  Sadie  Brandenburg, 
of  New  York  City,  who  has  one  daughter 
by  a  former  marriage:  Helen  Goldstein. 
The  Wurman  family  home  is  located  at  No. 
21   First  Avenue,   Kingston. 

CALVIIV  MORRIS  KELLER — The  proprie- 
tor of  a  retail  meat  market  at  No.  43  North 
Main  Street,  Ashley,  Pennsylvania,  Calvin 
Morris  Keller  is  one  of  the  successful  busi- 
ness men  of  the  community.  His  large  and 
prosperous  trade  is  the  result  of  the  excel- 
lence of  his  merchandise  and  the  efficiency 
of  his  business  operation.  He  is  a  member 
of  many  fraternal  organizations  and  promi- 
nent in  local  civic  affairs.  Mr.  Keller  was 
born  September  22,  1876,  at  Hazleton,  Penn- 
sylvania, a  son  of  Henry  Francis  Keller,  a 
harness  maker  by  trade,  who  was  born  in 
Allentown,  Pennsylvania,  in  1850  and  who 
died  in  1895,  and  of  Caroline  (Womer)  Kel- 
ler, who  was  born  in  Tamaqua,  Pennsylvania, 
in    1852,    and    who    died    in    1917. 

Calvin  Morris  Keller  attended  the  public 
schools  at  Hazleton  and  Wilkes-Barre,  and 
when  he  completed  his  education  worked  as 
a  clerk  in  various  local  meat  markets  until 
1902.  In  that  year,  he  entered  the  business 
for  himself  in  Ashley,  where  he  has  remained 
since    that    time. 

Politically,  Mr.  Keller  is  a  member  of  the 
Republican  party,  and  for  two  years  he 
served  as  school  director  in  Ashley.  He  is 
a  director  and  vice-president  of  the  Peoples' 
State  Bank  of  Newtown,  in  Wilkes-Barre, 
having  been  one  of  the  organizers  of  this 
institution,  and  he  is  a  member  of  the 
Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks, 
Lodge  No.  109,  a  member  of  the  Junior  Order 
United  American  Mechanics,  and  of  the 
Patriotic  Order  Sons  of  America.  He  and 
his  family  attend  the  local  Presbyterian 
Church. 

In  1900,  Calvin  Morris  Keller  married  Ella 
Johnson,  a  daughter  of  David  Johnson,  of 
Ashley.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Keller  are  the  parents 
of  three  children:  1.  Anna,  who  is  now  Mrs. 
Ichter.  2.  Margaret,  now  Mrs.  Koons.  3. 
Donald,  a  student  in  Columbia  University, 
in  New  York  City.  They  also  have  four 
grandchildren. 

FRANCIS  B.  GRYCZKA,  M.  D. — One  of  the 

very  useful  members  of  the  Polish  race 
engaged  in  the  practice  of  medicine  in  King- 
ston, Pennsj'lvania,  "where  he  does  a  great 
deal  toward  promoting  the  welfare  of  the 
residents  of  his  own  nationality  and  the  gen- 
eral health  of  the  community,  is  Francis  B. 
Gryczka,  M.  D.,  who  for  many  years  has 
been  a  prominent  physician  and  surgeon 
here.  Dr.  Gryczka  brought  with  him  to 
Luzerne  County  and  the  Wyoming  Valley 
an    experience    somewhat    broader    than    that 


of  the  ordinary  medical  doctor,  having  spent 
a  number  of  years  immediately  following 
the  termination  of  the  World  War  in  flgrht- 
ing  typhus  and  fever  epidemics  in  his  father's 
land  and  in  Western  Russia.  Active  also  in 
the  civic  and  social  affairs  of  his  community, 
he  holds  a  high  place  in  the  estimation  of  his 
fellowmen  in  Kingston,  Wilkes-Barre,  Lu- 
zerne and  the  surrounding  cities  and  towns 
of  this  region.  He  was  born  in  Blossburg, 
Tioga  County,  Pennsylvania,  September  14, 
1890,  a  son  of  Martin  and  Katherine  (Kam- 
inski)  Gryczka.  His  father  was  born  in 
Poland,  was  for  many  years  a  tanner  by 
trade,  and  died  March  5,  190.'>.  The  mother, 
Katherine  (Kaminski)  Gryczka,  a  native  of 
Poland,  is  a  highly  respected  citizen  of  King- 
ston. 

Francis  B.  Gryczka  received  his  early  edu- 
cation in  the  public  schools  and  the  high 
school  of  Blossburg,  his  birthplace,  and  was 
graduated  from  high  school  in  the  class  of 
1908.  He  then  went  to  the  Chicago  Prepara- 
tory School,  from  which  he  was  graduated 
in  1911  with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of 
Science.  Going  to  the  Medico-Chirurgical 
College  for  his  professional  training,  he  was 
graduated  from  that  institution  in  the  class 
of  1915  with  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medi- 
cine. Thereupon  he  became  an  interne  at 
Saint  Agnes  Hospital,  in  Philadelphia,  where 
he  remained  for  one  year,  until  he  started 
his  own  independent  practice  of  medicine  in 
Carbondale,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  did  his 
first  important  work  for  his  profession. 
There  he  stayed  for  two  years,  until  at  the 
outbreak  of  the  "World  War,  he  served  his 
country  actively  overseas  as  a  member  of 
the  United  States  Army  Medical  Corps.  In 
tlie  beginning  he  was  commissioned  a  lieuten- 
ant, and  later  was  given  the  rank  of  cap- 
tain. Stationed  for  a  considerable  period  at 
the  base  hospital  in  Bar  le  Due,  France,  he 
performed  there  a  great  amount  of  work  that 
proved  of  great  value  to  the  army  and  won 
for  hi!n  the  praises  of  his  superior  officers 
and  the  admiration  of  all  those  with  whom 
he  was  associated.  For  eighteen  months 
after  the  war  he  also  did  extensive  mis- 
sionary work  in  Russia  and  Poland,  where 
he    fought    typhus    and    fever. 

When  he  was  discharged,  on  October  30, 
1919,  he  immediately  made  preparations  for 
resuming  his  private  practice,  and  for  this 
purpose  settled  in  Reading,  Pennsylvania, 
where  he  remained  for  two  years  and  ac- 
quired a  considerable  practice.  Then,  in 
1921,  he  came  to  Kingston,  where  since  that 
time  he  has  been  engaged  in  a  general  med- 
ical and  surgical  practice.  At  all  times  his 
genial  personality  and  his  kindly  attitude 
toward  everyone  whom  he  has  encountered 
have  been  factors  wliich  go  hand  in  hand 
with  his  professional  skill  in  rendering  him 
a  highly  esteemed  and  dearly  loved  member 
of  his  community  and  an  excellent  physician. 

In  addition  to  his  regular  work  as  a  doctor 
of  medicine.  Dr.  Gryczka  keeps  in  close  touch 
with  all  developments  in  the  medical  world 
and  with  the  discoveries  and  theories  of  his 
professional  colleagues,  especially  through 
the  mediums  of  the  different  medical  societies. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Luzerne  County  Med- 
ical Society,  the  Pennsylvania  State  Medical 
Society  and  the  American  Medical  Associa- 
tion. He  also  is  a  member  of  the  staff  of 
the  Nesbitt  West  Side  Hospital.  Active  in 
civic  and  social  affairs,  he  is  especially  inter- 
ested in  political  developments,  being  him- 
self affiliated  closely  with  the  Republican 
party  and  a  strong  supporter  of  its  policies 
and  candidates.  He  also  holds  memberships 
in  the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of 
Elks,    in    which    he    is    identified   with    Lodge 


No.  109;  the  Tatranian  Club;  and  Saint  Hed- 
wig's  Polish  Church.  All  of  these  organiza- 
tions are,  it  may  readily  be  seen,  important 
in  the  life  of  Kingston  and  Luzerne  County, 
and  Dr.  Gryczka's  membershlfJ  in  them  Is 
indicative  of  the  breadth  and  publlc-spirlted- 
ness    of    his    interests. 

On  June  29,  1921,  Dr.  Francis  B.  Gryczka 
married  Rose  Summa,  of  Kingston,  Pennsyl- 
vania, a  daughter  of  Paul  and  Veronica 
(Steinberg)  Summa.  By  this  union  there  has 
been  one  son,  Francis,  Jr.,  who  was  born 
October    24,    1922. 

FATHER  SIGMUND  BRIXSKY — St.  Mary's 
Greek  Catholic  Church,  of  Preeland,  Penn- 
sylvania, owes  much  to  the  energy  and 
devotion  of  Rev.  Father  Sigmund  Brinsky, 
who  for  the  past  decade  has  worked  early 
and  late  in  the  interests  of  the  parish.  The 
rectory  and  the  school  building  are  visible 
results  of  his  efforts,  and  since  his  coming 
in  1918  the  membership  of  the  parish  has 
been  increased  by  one  hundred  families.  His 
parishioners  hold  him  in  high  esteem  and 
appreciate  the  high  quality  of  the  service 
he   has   rendered. 

Rev.  Father  Sigmund  Brinsky  was  born 
in  Austria-Hungary,  December  21,  1881,  son 
of  Rev.  Antony,  who  served  faithfully  in  the 
ministry  for  forty-nine  years,  now  deceased, 
and  of  Irma  (Brauer)  Brinsky,  who  is  still 
living  (1928).  He  received  his  education  in 
his  native  land,  completing  the  usual  prepara- 
tory and  advanced  courses  and  then  winning 
his  theological  degrees  in  Eperjes.  After  his 
ordination  in  1907  he  ministered  to  congre- 
gations in  his  own  land  for  four  years,  and 
then,  in  1912,  came  to  America,  locating  first 
at  Beaver  Meadows,  Carbon  County,  Penn- 
sylvania, where  he  remained  for  one  year. 
He  then  went  to  Cleveland,  Ohio,  for  three 
months,  and  from  there  to  Punxsutawney, 
Pennsylvania.  There  he  remained  until  1918, 
when,  on  March  26,  he  took  charge  of  St. 
Mary's  Greek  Catholic  Church  in  Freeland, 
succeeding  Iren  Yanicky.  Here  he  has  for 
the  past  ten  years  devoted  his  best  energy 
to  building  up  the  parish,  both  materially 
and  spiritually,  and  the  results  of  his  earnest 
labors    are    apparent    throughout    the    parish. 

The  parish  was  founded  in  1884.  There 
was  no  church  building  at  the  time  and  it 
was  five  years  before  the  little  struggling 
congregation  found  itself  in  a  position  to 
begin  the  building  of  a  church.  The  first 
church  edifice  of  the  parish  was  started  in 
1889,  and  as  the  congregation  grew  in  num- 
bers and  in  prosperity  additions  were  from 
time  to  time  made  to  the  original  structure, 
enlargements  being  made  at  various  times, 
and  a  special  addition  being  made  in  1890. 
Seventeen  more  years  of  growth  and  progress 
had  developed  the  parish  to  an  extent  which 
made  the  old  building  no  longer  adequate 
for  the  needs  of  the  congregation,  and  in 
1907  the  present  building  was  begun  and 
finished.  It  is  located»on  the  corner  of  School 
and  Fern  streets,  and  provides  seating  ca- 
pacity for  one  thousand  people.  The  pastors 
of  this  church  have  been:  Cyril  Gulovich, 
1890-98;  Gabriel  Martyak,  1898-1904;  Iren 
Yanicky,  1904-06;  Nicholas  Molchany,  1906-08, 
who  built  the  brick  church;  Bar.  Tutkovich, 
1908-13,  who  painted  and  repaired  the  interior 
of  the  church;  Michael  Andrejkovich,  1913-17: 
again  Iren  Yanicky,  1917-18;  and  S.  Brinsky, 
1918-to  the  present  time,  1928.  When  Father 
Brinsky  took  charge  of  the  parish  the  mem- 
bership included  four  hundred  families,  but 
since  that  time  the  growth  has  been  steady, 
increasing  until  at  the  present  time  (1928) 
there  are  some  five  hundred  families  living 
here.      While   encouraging  in   every  way  the 


izd 


general  spiritual  and  social  welfare  of  the 
parish,  Father  Brinsky  also  gave  careful 
attention  to  tlie  providing  of  suitable  mate- 
rial equipment  and  housing,  and  in  191S  the 
present  rectory  was  built.  In  1921  Father 
Brinsky  erected  the  school  building,  which 
now  accommodates  four  hundred  pupils,  and 
in  the  same  building  is  a  fine  club  room  for 
the  boys,  provided  with  all  modern  equip- 
ment, gymnastic  apparatus,  etc.  This  is 
greatly  appreciated  by  the  young  people  of 
the  parish,  who  make  full  use  of  the  oppor- 
tunities which  it  affords.  The  earnest  and 
devoted  interest  of  Father  Brinsky  in  all 
that  pertains  to  the  welfare  of  his  parish- 
ioners has  won  their  affection  and  their 
respect,  as  well  as  a  large  share  of  gratitude, 
and  his  close  touch  with  his  people  has 
enabled  him  to  quicken  the  spiritual  life  of 
the  parish  while  steadily  building  up  its 
material  resources.  The  members  of  St. 
Mary's  Parish  are  all  faithful  and  good  citi- 
zens and  it  is  through  their  loyal  help  and 
encouragement  that  Father  Brinsky  has  been 
able  to  accomplish  so  much  in  so  short  a 
time.  In  addition  to  their  faithful  parish 
activities,  the  members  have  entered  all  civic 
matters  connected  with  the  borough.  In 
fina.ncial  affairs  the  members  are.  of  course, 
very  liberal  in  all  things  and  ably  help  the 
pastor.  Rev.  Brinsky  is  a  member  of  Dioce- 
san Councillors,  nominated  in  1926  by  Bishop 
Narapi. 

Rev.  Sigmund  Brinsky  was  married,  June 
11,  190S,  to  Ella  Martyak,  daughter  of  Rev. 
Father  Gabriel  Martyalv,  of  Lansford,  Penn- 
sylvania, and  they  have  six  children;  1. 
Sigmund,  who  is  a  student  in  Georgetown 
University,  Washington,  District  of  Colum- 
bia, class  of  1931.  2.  Nicholas,  a  student  in 
Lehigh  University,  class  of  1932.  3.  Gabriel. 
4.  Clara.      5.   Mary.      6.   Martha. 


REV.  V.  I,.  BICZYSKO — Having  entered 
St.  Thomas'  College,  Scranton,  immediately 
after  coming  to  this  country  from  his  native 
Poland  as  a  boy  of  fourteen  years.  Rev.  V. 
L.  Biczysko  devoted  the  next  eleven  years 
to  study  and  to  his  preparation  for  the  priest- 
hood in  the  Roman  Catholic  Church.  Or- 
dained in  1908,  he  came  to  Nanticoke  in 
1914  as  pastor  of  St.  Stanislaus'  Church  and 
since  then  has  built  up  this  congregation 
and  its  various  allied  enterprises  to  a  re- 
markal)le  degree  of  prosperity  and  effective- 
ness. In  many  other  directions,  too,  he  has 
been  a  po"werful  influence  for  good,  and  every 
movement  tending  to  advance  the  welfare 
of  the  community  can  always  count  upon 
liis    helpful    and    enthusiastic   support. 

Rev.  v.  L.  Biczysko  was  born  in  England, 
February  11,  1883,  a  son  of  Leopold  and 
Maria  Biczysko.  When  he  w^as  fourteen  years 
of  age  he  came  to  this  country  and,  locat- 
ing at  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  entered  St. 
Tliomas'  College.  Though  at  that  time  he 
was  unable  to  speak  a  "word  of  English,  he 
was  at  tlie  end  of  the  first  year  at  the  head 
of  his  class.  Graduating  from  this  college 
in  1903  with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Science, 
he  went  to  a  seminary  in  Detroit,  Michigan, 
where  he  commenced  his  theological  studies 
and  from  which  he  graduated  in  1905.  He 
tlien  entered  St.  Bonaventure's  Seminary, 
Allegany,  New  York,  where  he  continued  his 
studies  until  1908,  when,  in  July  of  that 
year,  he  was  ordained  to  the  priesthood  by 
Rt.  Rev.  Bishop  M.  J.  Hoban.  For  a  time 
lie  served  as  an  assistant  priest  at  St.  Stanis- 
laus' Roman  Catholic  Church,  Nanticoke. 
His  first  permanent  charge  was  St.  John's 
Roman  Catholic  Church,  Exeter  Borough, 
Luzerne  County  to  which  he  came  in  1900 
and  where  he  remained  for  four  years.     Dur- 


ing these  years  he  proved  himself  an  inspir- 
ing spiritual  leader  and  a  very  able  adminis- 
trator, rebuilding  tliis  church  and  greatly 
extending  the  size  and  influence  of  his  con- 
gregation. In  1914  he  returned  to  St.  Stanis- 
laus' Church,  Nanticoke,  this  time  as  pastor, 
and  since  then  he  has  continued  at  the  head  of 
this    cliurch, 

St.  Stanislaus'  Roman  Catholic  Church, 
located  at  the  corner  of  Church  and  Maple 
streets,  Nanticoke,  was  founded  in  Septem- 
ber, 1875,  when  this  community  was  a  very 
small  village,  containing  some  twenty  fam- 
ilies. Its  first  pastor  was  Rev.  Eugene 
Zychowicz,  who  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  B. 
Gramliwicz.  The  latter  served  for  thirty- 
three  years  until  1910,  when  he,  in  turn, 
was  succeeded  l^y  the  present  incumbent,  on 
January  1,  1914.  At  the  time  Rev.  Biczysko 
assumed  charge,  the  congregation  numbered 
some  three  hundred  families,  but  since  then 
has  grown  to  upwards  of  five  hundred  fam- 
ilies. This  growth  has  been  the  result  of  the 
pastor's  untiring  efforts  and  able  leadership, 
and  he  has  also  been  responsible  for  many 
material  improvements  of  the  congregation's 
property.  In  1915  he  erected  a  parochial 
school  building  with  a  capacity  of  two  hun- 
dred and  fifty  pupils,  the  school  being"  con- 
ducted by  six  Eernardine  Sisters,  supplied 
by  the  headquarters  of  this  order  at  Reading, 
Pennsylvania.  In  1916  he  founded  an  orphan- 
age, of  which  he  was  one  of  tlie  original 
incorporators  and  of  wliich  he  has  been 
president  since  1920.  In  1922  the  church  it- 
self was  rebuilt  and  it  is  now  a  modern 
edifice  of  yello'w  pressed  l^rick  "with  a  seat- 
ing capacity  of  nine  hundred,  being  con- 
sidered one  of  the  most  attractive  churches 
of  Nanticoke.  The  priest's  liouse,  adjoining 
tile     church,     has    also     been    remodeled. 

Though  naturally  the  major  share  of  his 
time  and  attention  is  devoted  to  his  pastoral 
worlv  and  to  the  interests  of  his  cliurch  and 
congregation.  Rev.  Biczysko  has  been  promi- 
nently active  in  many  other  directions  as 
well.  He  has  always  given  freely  of  his 
experience  and  labor  to  all  worth-while  civic 
enterprises  and  has  been  especially  interested 
in  advancing  education,  benevolent  enter- 
prises and  similar  undertakings,  and  in  many 
ways  has  made  his  influence  felt  through- 
out tile  Wyoming  Valley.  He  is  a  man  of 
pleasing  personality  and  strong  character, 
very  popular  not  only  with  his  own  people, 
\t\\t  also  witli  all  who  know  him.  He  is  one 
of  the  original  members  of  the  Nanticoke 
Kiwanis  Club. 


JOHN  E.  JURICA — Though  a  native  of 
Austria  John  E.  Jurica  has  spent  the  greater 
part  of  liis  life  in  this  country.  He  located 
at  once  in  Pennsylvania  and  after  a  few 
months  went  to  Philadeliiliia,  where  he 
worked  in  the  Locomotive  Worlds  and  at- 
tended night  school.  Later,  he  was  engaged 
in  the  grocery  business,  but  eventually  he 
prepared  liimself  for  the  business  of  the 
mortician.  Since  February,  1914,  he  has  been 
engaged  in  business  for  himself  in  Freeiand, 
Pennsylvania,  where  he  has  a  modern,  thor- 
ouglily  well  equipped  establishment  at  No. 
426   Center  Street. 

John  E.  Jurica  was  born  in  Austria,  June 
24,  1888,  and  attended  school  in  his  native 
land  until  he  was  fourteen  years  of  age  and 
had  completed  his  first  year  in  higli  school. 
After  coming  to  America  he  spent  about  six 
months  in  Nesquelioning,  Pennsylvania,  but 
at  the  end  of  that  time  he  sought  a  location 
where  opportunities  for  work  and  for  educa- 
tion were  greater,  and  removed  to  Philadel- 
phia. There  he  entered  the  employ  of  the 
Baldwin    Locomotive    Works,     where    he    re- 


.piPPlUlilJiit^ 


ililllll 


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mained  for  two  years.  During  this  time  he 
was  steadily  attending  night  school,  in  order 
that  he  might  master  the  language  of  his 
adopted  country  and  make  himself  more 
familiar  with  its  manners  and  customs  and 
better  equip  himself  for  life's  battle  in  a 
new  land.  After  two  years  spent  in  the 
locomotive  works  and  in  night  school,  Mr. 
Jurica  decided  to  make  a  change  and  re- 
moved to  Lansford,  Carbon  County,  Pennsyl- 
vania, where  for  two  years  he  was  engaged 
in  the  grocery  business.  While  engaged  in 
this  line  of  business  he  was  keeping  a  keen 
eye  out  for  better  opportunities  and  finally 
decided  to  fit  himself  for  a  definite  profession. 
He  entered  the  Eckels  School  of  Embalm- 
ing, where  he  finislied  his  course.  He  then 
came  to  Freeland,  Luzerne  County,  and  en- 
tered the  employ  of  F.  A.  McDonald,  with 
whom  he  remained  for  sixteen  months.  Wish- 
ing to  still  further  enlarge  his  business 
experience  in  this  field  before  venturing  into 
operation  on  his  own  account,  he  associated 
himself  with  Edgar  Albert.  In  this  connec- 
tion he  worked  hard,  devoting  himself  to 
the  final  mastering  of  all  the  details  of  the 
mortician's  business,  and  on  January  6,  1914, 
received  his  license  as  an  undertaker.  In 
February  of  the  same  year,  he  opened  his 
own  place,  and  since  that  time  has  been 
giving  close  attention  to  the  building  up  of 
his  special  clientele.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Luzerne  County  Funeral  Directors'  Associa- 
tion, and  has  long  ago  established  a  reputa- 
tion for  skilled  work  and  honest  business 
methods.  Along  with  his  undertaking  busi- 
ness he  does  upholstering  and  cabinet-mak- 
ing, and  in  this  branch  of  his  business  he  has 
also  made  a  reputation  for  special  skill.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  First  National  Slovak 
Society,  and  of  the  Socio  Society,  and  his 
religious  membership  is  with  the  Roman 
Catholic   Church    of    St.    John. 

John  E.  Jurica  was  married,  Februitry  ^1, 
1914,  to  Susan  Veronica  Yanoshik,  of  Lofty, 
Pennsylvania,  and  they  have  seven  children: 
1.  Margaret.  2.  Mary.  3.  Olga.  4.  John.  5. 
Sylvester.  6.  Paul.  7.  Dolores.  The  family 
home  is  at  No.  426  Center  Street,  Freeland, 
Pennsylvania. 


PETER  A.  M.-VSIjOVVSKI  —  In  Plymouth. 
Pennsylvania,  Peter  A.  Maslowski  has  been 
engaged  in  the  embalming  and  funeral  direct- 
ing business  since  November,  1904,  a  period 
of  twenty-four  years.  He  is  a  graduate  of  the 
Eckles  School  of  Embalming,  of  Philadelphia, 
and  since  1906  has  been  the  owner  of  the 
business  founded  by  his  father,  Alexander 
Maslowski.  He  operates  under  his  own  name, 
and  carries  a  full  line  of  modern  equipment 
and  accessories.  He  is  active  in  the  affairs 
of  the  borough,  has  served  as  a  member  and 
chairman  of  the  Borough  Council,  and  for 
seventeen  years  was  court  interpreter  for 
Luzerne  County  in  Wilkes-Barre. 

Alexander  Maslowski,  father  of  Mr.  Mas- 
lowski, was  born  in  Lithuania,  Russia,  June 
6,  1S34,  and  died  in  Plymouth,  Pennsylvania, 
December  2S,  1917.  As  a  young  man  he  was 
one  of  the  many  who  left  the  restrictions 
and  the  difficulties  of  the  home  land  to  come 
to  America,  where  he  might  find  opportunity 
to  use  his  abilities  unhampered  by  the  har- 
rowing and  discouraging  conditions  which 
prevailed  under  the  imperial  regime  in  Rus- 
sia. He  located  here  in  Plymouth,  where  for 
some  years  he  was  the  owner  of  a  general 
store  and  retail  meat  market.  Later,  he 
owned  and  operated  a  hotel  here  in  Plymouth 
for  a  period  of  twenty-five  years,  and  still 
later  he  engaged  in  the  undertaking  business. 
After  his  son  completed  his  training  in  the 
Eckles   School   of  Embalming,   he   turned  the 


business  over  to  him,  and  since  that  time  the 
son  has  been  steadily  enlarging  and  develop- 
ing the  enterprise.  Alexander  Maslowski  mar- 
ried Rose  Yuskewicz,  who  was  born  in  Rus- 
sia, and  died  in  Plymouth,  Pennsylvania, 
October  3,  1914. 

Peter  A.  Maslowski,  son  of  Alexander  and 
Rose  (Yuskewicz)  Maslowski,  was  born  in 
Plymouth,  Pennsylvania,  August  3,  1883,  and 
as  a  boy  attended  the  local  public  schools. 
Later,  he  took  a  course  in  Wyoming  Semi- 
nary, a  business  course,  graduating  with  the 
class  of  1901.  He  then  further  prepared  for 
an  active  career  by  continuing  study  at  Wyo- 
ming Seminary,  taking  a  one  year  academic 
course,  after  which,  in  November,  1904,  he 
became  associated  with  his  father,  Alexander 
Maslowski,  in  the  undertaking  business.  In 
order  that  he  might  have  every  possible  ad- 
vantage in  this  line  of  business  he  then 
entered  the  Eckles  School  of  Embalming,  at 
Philadelphia,  and  completed  the  course  there 
with  graduation  with  the  class  of  1905.  In 
1906  he  took  over  his  father's  business,  and 
since  that  time  he  has  continued  to  operate 
the  business  under  his  own  name.  As  has 
been  stated,  he  is  modern  and  progressive 
in  all  his  methods,  using  the  most  advanced 
and  scientific  processes,  and  he  carries  a  full 
line  of  all  the  things  needed  for  the  highest 
grade  of  service  in  the  business  of  embalm- 
ing and  funeral  directing.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  National,  State  and  Luzerne  County 
Funeral  Directors  Associations.  .-Mong  with 
the  successful  management  of  his  business, 
Mr.  Maslowski  finds  time  for  active  partici- 
pation in  the  affairs  of  the  Borough  of  Plym- 
outh. He  is  a  Republican  in  his  political 
sympathies,  and  as  a  member  of  the  Borough 
Council  served  efficiently  for  four  years, 
1910-14,  being  chairman  of  the  council  during 
the  last  two  years.  As  a  Luzerne  County 
court  interpreter  he  has  been  especially  use- 
ful here  in  the  county,  and  he  has  served  in 
that  capacity  for  a  period  of  seventeen  years. 
Fraternally,  he  is  identified  with  Lodge  No. 
109,  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks, 
of  Wilkes-Barre;  with  Aerie  No.  546  Fra- 
ternal Order  of  Eagles:  and  he  is  a  member 
of  Goodwill  Hose  Company,  No.  2.  He  is  an 
honorary  member  of  Lithuanian  Dough  Boys: 
and  his  chief  recreations  are  hunting  and 
fishing.  His  religious  affiliation  is  with  St. 
Casimir's  Lithuanian  Church,  and  in  this  con- 
nection, too,  he  is  active  in  all  the  affairs  of 
the  organization,  and  a  trustee  and  director 
of  the  Cemetery  Association. 

Peter  A.  Maslowski  was  married,  August 
23,  1908,  to  Anna  McCloskey,  of  Plymouth, 
daughter  of  George  and  Mary  McCloskey,  and 
they  became  the  parents  of  seven  children: 
1.  Clement  V.,  born  July  19,  1909.  who  holds 
honorary  membership  in  Alpha  Beta  Chapter 
of  Kappa  Phi  Kappa  Fraternity.  2.  Leona, 
died  at  the  age  of  nine  months.  3.  Leonard. 
4.  Vincent.  5.  Edward.  6.  Peter  A.,  Jr.  7. 
Rosemary.  Mr.  Maslowski  has  his  establish- 
ment at  No.  3SS  West  Main  Street,  in 
Plymouth. 


REV.  JOSEPH  W1LI,I.*.M  TREITZ  is  held 
in  high  esteem  not  only  by  the  members  of 
his  parish  but  by  the  entire  community,  who 
have  always  given  him  a  spontaneous  and 
generous  cooperation  in  all  his  labors.  His 
church  is  the  Holy  Trinity,  located  at  the 
intersection  of  Laurel  and  Oak  streets.  He 
has    been    its    pastor    since    1906. 

Holy  Trinity  was  established  in  1887,  by 
Rev.  Nicholas  Forve,  who  was  a  native  of 
Wilkes-Barre,  and  who  came  to  Hazleton 
from  the  pastorate  of  St.  Mary's  of  the  As- 
sumption, in  Pittston.  The  church  was 
founded   in    the    need   of   a   place   of   worship 


738 


for  German  Catholics,  and  during  the  nine- 
teen years  of  his  pastorate  here,  Father 
Forve  inaugurated  a  most  satisfactory  serv- 
ice, holding-  the  post  until  1906,  when  he 
was  transferred  to  AVillia'msport.  Father 
Forve  was  succeeded  by  Father  Treitz  who 
found  in  the  parish  about  one  hundred  fam- 
ilies of  the  faith.  He  took  up  Father  Forve's 
work  where  it  was  left  off,  carrying  it  for- 
ward with  consistency  and  success,  until 
today  the  parish  is  one  of  the  most  thriving 
in  this  comiriunity,  numbering  now  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  families.  Since  his  coming 
he  has  made  extensive  improvements  to  the 
church  and  parish  buildings,  the  rectory  and 
Sisters  Convent.  In  the  parish  school  are  one 
hundred  and  fifty  students,  under  the  charge 
of   the    good    Sisters    of   Christian    Charity. 

Father  Treitz  was  born  in  New  York  City, 
October  20,  1862,  a  son  of  Peter  and  Catharine 
(Stephan)  Treitz.  His  early  education  was 
received  in  the  public  schools  and  with  the 
school  Sisters  of  Notre  Dame  in  New  Tork. 
In  preparation  for  the  priesthood  he  matric- 
ulated at  the  St.  Vincent  Benedictine  College 
in  Westmoreland  County,  Pennsylvania,  be- 
ing ordained  to  the  priesthood  in  1886,  by 
the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  O'Hara,  at  the  Cathe- 
dral in  Scranton.  His  initial  responsibility 
was  as  assistant  to  Father  Peter  Nagel, 
pastor  of  St.  Nicholas  Parish,  Wilkes-Barre, 
1886-91,  where  he  took  an  active  interest  in 
all  the  church  work  and  greatly  endeared 
himself  to  the  parishioners.  In  1891  he  was 
sent  to  the  Missions  of  Pike  County,  Penn- 
sylvania, and  there  labored  for  fifteen  years, 
building  the  Church  and  Rectory  at  Matte- 
moras,  and  taking  a  dominant  role  in  the 
pioneer  church  work  of  the  county.  Thus 
his  experience  before  coming  to  Hazleton 
was  a  most  valuable  asset  for  the  work  of  his 
new  charge.  His  learning,  his  sincere  reli- 
gious faith,  and  his  sympathetic  comprehen- 
sion of  human  nature  are  elements  render- 
ing him  most  effective  in  his  dealings  with 
his  flock  and  his  fellow-townsmen.  In  1922 
Rev.  Leo  J.  Post  was  appointed  his  assistant, 
and    remains   with    him. 

Prior  to  1912  the  people  of  the  parish  heard 
their  religious  services  in  German,  but  so 
Americanized  had  they  become  by  that  year 
that  the  services  were  changed  to  the  Eng- 
lish   language. 

In  1927  the  parish  purchased  two  pieces 
of  ground  adjacent  to  the  church  property 
and  adjoining  the  Sisters  Convent.  These 
afford  ample  room  for  expansion,  plans  for 
which  have  frequently  been  discussed.  Fi- 
nancially, as  spiritually,  the  parish  is  in 
excellent  condition.  In  his  unselfish  devotion 
to  the  interests  of  his  parish,  his  deep  sense 
of  integrity,  probity,  and  conscientiousness, 
Father  Treitz  has  won  the  hearts  of  his  flock, 
and  placed  himself  high  in  the  estimation 
of   his    fellow-citizens. 


JOEL  COHEN,  president  of  the  Select 
Furniture  Corporation,  is  a  native  of  Wyo- 
ming Valley  and  is  recognized  as  one  of  the 
leading  merchants  of  Wilkes-Barre.  This 
place  in  the  business  world  he  has  gained 
as  a  result  of  his  own  initiative,  business 
acumen  and  honorable  methods.  He  knows 
merchandise  and  he  knows  mankind.  He 
studies  the  needs  of  the  community  and 
tries  to  match  these  needs  with  commod- 
ities that  will  give  the  utmost  of  value  and 
satisfaction  for  the  money  expended.  Uni- 
formly courteous,  he  wins  friends  as  well  as 
trade,  with  the  result  that  from  a  modest 
beginning  he  has  developed  a  business  of 
large  proportions  and  of  importance  to  the 
community. 

Joel   Cohen   was   born    in   Scranton,  Novem- 


ber 27,  1889,  son  of  M.  J  and  Anna  (Bloch) 
Cohen.  The  mother  is  deceased;  but  the 
father  is  retired,  having  been  a  w^ell-known 
merchant  for  many  years.  He  and  his  wife 
were  the  parents  of  eight  children:  Sadie, 
Bessie,  Samuel  L.,  also  a  merchant  in  Scran- 
ton; Gussie,  Joel,  of  whom  further;  Gertrude, 
Irene,  all  married,  and  Martha,  who  is  de- 
ceased. 

Joel  Cohen  received  his  education  in  the 
grammar  and  high  schools  of  his  native 
city,  graduating  from  the  latter  in  the  class 
of  1907.  After  leaving  school  he  learned 
the  paint  and  wall  paper  business  in  Scran- 
ton. By  1909,  he  decided  that  if  he  were 
going  to  achieve  anything  worth  while  in 
the  business  world  it  "would  be  as  the  head 
of  a  business  of  his  own.  Accordingly,  he 
located  in  Wilkes-Barre  and  opened  a  paint 
and  wall  paper  store.  The  beginning  was 
modest,  but  progress  was  made  from  the 
start  and,  year  by  year  it  grew  until  it 
reached  a  point,  in  1922,  when  Mr.  Cohen 
felt  that  the  line  should  be  made  more  com- 
plete in  order  to  serve  the  householder 
more  fully.  In  that  year  a  line  of  furniture 
and  rugs  was  added  and  larger  quarters 
were  secured  on  South  Main  Street.  Today, 
the  business  known  as  the  Select  Furniture 
Corporation,  is  said  to  be  the  largest  of  the 
kind  in  Wilkes-Barre  and  is  a  monument  to 
Mr.  Cohen's  industry  and  the  high  standards 
of    his    business    methods. 

Mr.  Cohen  takes  a  lively  interest  in  every 
question  that  concerns  the  well-being  of  the 
city.  He  is  a  member  of  Schiller  Lodge, 
No.  345,  Ancient  Free  and  Accepted  Masons 
and  Keystone  Consistory,  Ancient  Accepted 
Scottish  Rite  at  Scranton.  He  is  also  iden- 
tified with  Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic 
Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  and  the 
Wilkes-Barre  Craftsman's  Club,  the  Fox  Hill 
Country  Club,  Wilkes-Barre  Lodge,  No.  109, 
Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Furniture  Club  of 
America,  and  a  member  and  director  of  the 
Wilkes-Barre-Wyoming  Valley  Chamber  of 
Commerce,  and  of  the  Young  Men's  Hebrew 
Association. 

On  August  27,  1912,  Joel  Cohen  married 
Gussie  Frankel,  daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Isaac  Frankel,  of  West  Pittston.  From  this 
union  four  children  have  been  born:  May- 
nard,  Miriam,  Joel,  Jr.,  and  Anne.  The  fam- 
ily   residence    is    at    No.    29    Terrace    Street. 


JOHN  H.  BOSACK — Character  of  high  order, 
a  strong  physique  and  dauntless  courage  are 
a  few  of  the  attributes  that  have  brought 
success  to  one  of  the  busy  business  men  of 
Wilkes-Barre,  who  came  to  the  United  States 
from  Slovakia,  where  he  was  born,  in  1890 
and  settled  in  this  State — John  H.  Bosack, 
manufacturer  and  merchant.  In  his  active 
lite  of  more  than  thirty  years  in  his  adopted 
land,  he  has  labored  with  his  hands  as  well 
as  his  brains  and  has  made  for  himself  a 
record  and  a  name  of  which  the  community 
may  be  proud.  His  constant  advance  in  his 
business  has  proved  him  to  be  a  man  of  high 
worth,  his  pleasing  personality  bringing  to 
him  a  host  of  friends,  both  commercial  and 
social. 

J.  H.  Bosack  was  born  in  Slovakia,  Decem- 
ber 21,  1869,  son  of  Andrew  and  Mary  Bosack, 
both  now  deceased.  The  lure  of  America 
brought  him  to  this  country  when  he  was 
twenty-four  years  of  age  and  he  settled  at 
Olyphant,  Lackawanna  County,  where  he  went 
to  work  as  a  miner.  Leaving  this  original 
employment,  he  established  a  grocery  busi- 
ness at  Luzerne,  Luzerne  County,  which  he 
conducted  for  a  considerable  period,  when  he 
broadened   his   sphere   of   action    by    engaging 


739 


in  the  wholesale  liquor  business.  This  he 
conducted  until  1914.  In  the  meantime  he 
had  invented  Bosack's  Poluiko  Horke  Vino 
Medicinal  Tonic,  in  Wilkes-Barre,  and  later 
manufacturing  Mint  Lax  Chewing  Laxative 
Gum.  He  is  the  sole  proprietor  of  the  J. 
H.  Bosack  Product  Company,  wholesale 
dealers   and   manufacturers,   of  Wilkes-Barre. 

In  politics  Mr.  Bosack  is  a  Democrat,  in 
religion  a  Roman  Catholic,  being  a  member 
of  the  Sacred  Heart  Slovak  Church  of 
Wilkes-Barre.  He  also  holds  membership 
In  the  St.  John's  First  Slovak  Catholic  Union, 
of  Trinity  Slovak  Catholic  Union,  and  has 
served  as  vice-president  of  the  Pennsylvania 
Slovak    and    Greek    Catholic    Unions, 

John  H.  Bosack  married  Mary  Yurkanin, 
of  Ashley,  Luzerne  County.  Their  children 
are:     Margaret   S.,  John   H.,   Jr.,  and  Charles. 

CHARLES  H.  WEISSMAN — Less  tn^n 
twenty  years  ago  a  young  Russian  emigrant 
landed  on  Ellis  Island,  New  York,  penniless, 
with  no  knowledge  of  the  language  of  this 
country,  but  with  a  determination  to  make 
his  way.  Today  he  is  one  of  the  leading 
citizens  of  Wilkes-Barre,  a  business  man  of 
highest  repute,  prominent  in  civic,  fraternal 
and  religious  affairs,  a  hustling,  bustling 
example  of  what  an  indomitable  perseverance 
and  unflagging  industry  may  do  for  the 
possessor.  This  emigrant  boy  was  Charles 
H.  Weissman,  now  general  manager  of  the 
Wilkes-Barre  plant  of  the  American  Auto 
Accessories  Company,  one  of  the  most  pros- 
perous concerns  of  its  class  in  the  Wyoming 
Valley,  with  branches  in  Scranton,  Pittston 
and    Hazleton,    Pennsylvania. 

Charles  H.  Weissman  was  born  in  Russia, 
August  16,  1S8S,  a  son  of  Nathan  and  Chie 
Weissman,  deceased.  The  boy,  one  of  nine 
children  of  his  parents,  all  ot  whom  except 
three  are  deceased,  was  educated  in  Russia 
and  when  he  had  reached  the  age  of  twenty- 
one  years  he  came  to  America,  settling  first 
in  New  York  City,  penniless  but  determined 
to  correct  that  misfortune  by  hard  work. 
He  made  a  living,  no  more,  and  in  two  years 
came  to  Wilkes-Barre  to  seek  better  fortune. 
It  came  in  the  shape  of  employment  in  a 
■wholesale  jewelry  house  here  at  a  moment 
when  his  funds  amounted  to  twenty  cents 
in  cash.  He  was  learning  the  difficult  lan- 
guage of  the  land  of  his  adoption  and  he 
was  advancing  in  business.  Within  five  years 
he  had  gone  so  far  that  he  was  able  to 
engage  in  the  business  of  automobile  acces- 
sories, an  occupation  that  was  to  be  his 
future  work.  By  stages  he  has  risen  to  his 
present  important  position.  He  was  very 
active  in  the  work  of  gathering  contributions 
for  the  erection  of  the  new  building  for  the 
Young  Men's  Christian  Association  in  Wilkes- 
Barre,  by  which  $800,000  were  obtained, 
although  he  is  a  Hebrew  and  now  president 
of  the  Wilkes-Barre  Hebrew  Institute.  He 
holds  membership  in  all  of  the  important 
civic  societies  of  the  city  and  also  belongs 
to  the  Young  Men's  Hebrew  Association,  the 
Wilkes-Barre-Wyoming  Valley  Chamber  of 
Commerce,  the  Fox  Hill  Country  Club,  the 
■K\'ilkes-Barre  Automobile  Club  and  the 
■Wilkes-Barre  Lodge,  No.  109,  Benevolent  and 
Protective  Order  of  Elks. 

Mr.  Weissman  married,  August  16,  1910, 
Fannie  Tannenbaum,  of  Nanticoke,  Pennsyl- 
vania. They  are  the  parents  of  three  chil- 
dren:     Mazie    Esther,    Regina    and    Oscar.  . 

GEORGE  YESKO — The  history  of  this  State 
is  replete  with  accounts  of  self-made  men, 
who,  by  their  ambition  and  industry  have 
risen  to  positions  of  prominence  in  their 
different    communities.     The    city    of    Wilkes- 


Barre  is  particularly  fortunate  to  claim  as 
one  of  its  important  citizens,  George  Yesko, 
the  genial  treasurer  of  the  Liberty  State 
Bank  and  Trust  Company,  who  started  his 
business  career  as  office  boy  with  the  Dela- 
ware and   Hudson   Coal  Company. 

Mr.  Yesko  was  born  on  March  19,  1S90,  in 
that  part  of  Austria  which  is  now  Czecho- 
slovakia, son  of  Paul  and  Mary  Yesko.  Paul 
Yesko  came  to  the  United  States  in  1890  and 
later  returned  to  his  native  land  where  he 
died.  Mrs.  Yesko  came  to  Luzerne  County 
with  her  family  in  1900  and  they  took  up 
their  residence  at  Miners  Mills  in  this  county. 

George  Yesko  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools  of  the  county,  and  after  high  school, 
entered  a  business  college  at  Hoboken,  New 
Jersey.  Upon  the  completion  of  his  course, 
he  returned  to  Luzerne  County,  obtaining  a 
position  with  the  Delaware  and  Hudson  Coal 
Company,  as  offlce-boy  at  their  Baltimore 
Colliery  Plant.  His  ability  and  courteous  dis- 
position soon  won  him  advancement  and  he 
was  promoted  to  the  position  of  chief  col- 
liery clerk.  Continuing  to  advance  success- 
fully, he  decided  to  venture  into  independent 
business,  consequently,  in  1919,  he  opened  a 
real  estate  office  in  Wilkes-Barre,  which  he 
operated  profitably  until  1920,  when  he  was 
elected  cashier  of  the  Liberty  Bank  which 
had  just  been  organized.  In  this  capacity  he 
served  with  great  courtesy  and  tact  and  be- 
came a  popular  figure  in  financial  circles. 
When  the  bank  obtained  a  State  charter  in 
1923  and  the  name  changed  to  that  of  the 
Liberty  State  Bank  and  Trust  Company,  Mr. 
Yesko  was  elected  treasurer,  being  one  of 
the  youngest  men  to  hold  such  a  responsible 
position  in  the  city.  In  politics,  Mr.  Yesko 
has  always  followed  the  principles  of  the 
Republican  party  in  which  he  has  taken  an 
active  part  since  reaching  his  majority.  Al- 
ways interested  in  civic  affairs,  he  is  an 
energetic  supporter  of  all  movements  for  the 
advancement  and  improveinent  of  his  city.  In 
fraternal  circles,  he  is  prominently  identified 
with  the  Wilkes-Barre  Lodge,  No.  109,  Be- 
nevolent and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  the 
Fraternal  Order  of  Eagles,  the  Loyal  Order 
of  Moose  and  Wilkes-Barre  Council,  No.  302, 
Knights  of  Columbus.  He  also  is  a  member 
of  the  Monarch  Club  and  several  Polish  fra- 
ternities. In  religious  affiliations,  he  is  a 
member   of   the   Catljolic   Church. 

George  Yesko  married,  on  June  18,  1913, 
Mary  Switch,  daughter  of  Michael  Switch, 
and  they  have  two  children,  Betty  M.  and 
Elmer  G. 

ALBERT  R.  PEINBERG,  M.  D. — Conduct- 
ing a  general  medical  practice  in  Wilkes- 
Barre,  Pennsylvania.  Albert  R.  Feinberg,  M. 
D.,  has  come  to  be  regarded  as  one  of  the 
city's  most  trusted  physicians  and  leaders  in 
the  professional  world.  Combining  a  natural 
skill  in  diagnosis  and  treatment  of  disease 
with  a  manner  essentially  calm,  gentle  and 
kind.  Dr.  Feinberg  is  thus  fitted  for  a  place 
of  preeminence  in  the  field  of  medicine;  and 
the  work  that  he  does  in  this  city  is  a  most 
valuable  one.  Especially  since  he  is  a  native 
of  this  place,  he  has  come  to  be  regarded  as 
a  most  desirable  type  of  man  to  have  asso- 
ciated with  the  medical  profession  locally: 
and  at  the  same  time  has  been  invited  upon 
numerous  occasions  to  participate  to  a 
marked  extent  in  the  social  and  civic  life  of 
his  city   and   county. 

Dr.  Feinberg  was  born  in  Wilkes-Barre, 
Pennsylvania,  on  July  2.  1S99,  a  son  ot  Louis 


740 


and  Anna  (Robins)  Feinberg.  His  father, 
born  in  Russia  in  1S75,  was  formerly  a  mer- 
chant in  Mount  Carmel,  although  he  is  now 
retired  from  active  life;  while  the  mother, 
Anna  (Robins)  Feinberg,  is  a  native  of  New 
York  City.  Albert  R.  Feinberg  received  his 
early  education  in  the  public  schools  of 
Mount  Carmel,  Pennsylvania,  and  went  to  tlie 
high  school  tliere,  from  which  he  was  gradu- 
ated in  the  class  of  1917.  He  then  became  a 
student  at  the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  in 
Philadelphia,  where  he  took  two  years  of  pre- 
medical  work,  and  entered  Jefferson  Medical 
College,  in  the  same  city,  from  which  he  was 
graduated  in  the  class  of  1924  with  the  de- 
gree of  Doctor  of  Medicine.  His  internesliip 
he  served  at  the  Allentown  General  Hospital, 
where  he  remained  for  a  year.  Since  that 
time  he  has  practiced  in  Wilkes-Barre,  hav- 
ing been  engaged  in  a  general  line  of  medical 
work  and  having  established  a  practice  that 
is  deservedly  large. 

Dr.  Feinberg  has  shown  every  inclination 
to  keep  in  touch  with  all  the  newest  develop- 
ments in  his  profession,  and  he  is  close  to 
the  activities  of  his  colleagues  in  the  Luzerne 
County  Medical  Society,  the  Pennsylvania 
State  Medical  Society  and  the  American  Medi- 
cal Association.  In  his  political  views,  he 
maintains  a  policy  of  independence,  pre- 
ferring to  vote  for  the  candidates  of  his 
choice  rather  than  to  ally  himself  blindly 
with  either  of  the  existing  major  parties.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  Free  and  Accepted  Ma- 
sons, in  which  he  is  identified  with  Lodge  No. 
61;  a  director  of  the  Young  Men's  Hebrew 
Association;  Hebrew  Institute  of  Wilkes- 
Barre,  and  a  member  of  the  Fox  Hill  Country 
Club.  He  belongs  to  the  109th  Field  Artillery, 
National  Guard.  Dr.  Feinberg  is  a  member 
of  Temple  Israel  Synagogue. 


THOMAS  BUTKIEWICZ — One  of  the  best 
known  men  of  the  legal  profession  in  Lu- 
zerne County  is  Thomas  Butkiewicz,  whose 
main  office  is  in  the  courthouse,  at  Wilkes- 
Barre.  Mr.  Butkiewicz  is  a  native  of  Luzerne 
County,  born  of  Polish  parentage,  and  is  a 
veteran  of  the  World  War  who  received  five 
decorations  from  the  French  Government,  and 
was  made  a  Chevalier  of  the  Order  of  the 
Military  Cross  by  the  Polish  Republic.  Mr. 
Butkiewicz  is  chief  assistant  district  at- 
torney. 

Thomas  A.  Butkiewicz,  father  of  Mr.  But- 
kiewicz, was  born  in  Poland,  and  came  to 
this  country  as  a  boy,  locating  in  Luzerne 
County,  Pennsylvania.  He  made  his  home  in 
Nanticoke,  Pennsylvania,  -where  he  married 
Anna  Klidzio.  In  1S94  he  was  appointed  post- 
master of  Nanticoke  by  President  Cleveland, 
in  which  office  he  served  until  1898.  They 
are  the  parents  of  six  children:  Thomas,  of 
further  mention;  Bolish,  deceased;  Zygmunt, 
who  is  a  dealer  in  automobile  accessories  in 
Nanticoke,  Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania; 
Harry  C,  a  lawyer  in  Detroit,  Michigan; 
Lucy,  who  married  Dr.  C.  C.  Groblewski,  who 
is  a  practising  physician  in  Plymouth,  Lu- 
zerne County,  Pennsylvania:  and  Dr.  Edward, 
who  is  a  dentist  in  Detroit,  Michigan. 

Thomas  Butkiewicz,  son  of  Thomas  A.  and 
Anna  (Klidzio)  Butkiewicz,  was  born  in  Nan- 
ticoke, Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania,  July 
21.  1883,  and  as  a  lad  attended  the  public 
schools,  graduating  from  the  high  school  with 
the  class  of  1897.  He  prepared  for  College  at 
Phillips-Andover  Academy,  at  Andover,  Mas- 
sachusetts, remaining  there  for  a  period  of 
three  years,  and  then  matriculated  in  Prince- 


ton University,  at  Princeton,  New  Jersey, 
where  he  continued  his  studies  for  two 
years.  In  the  fall  of  1902  he  entered  the  law 
department  of  the  University  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, from  whicli  he  was  graduated  "witli  the 
class  of  1905,  receiving  at  that  time  the  de- 
gree of  Bachelor  of  Laws.  He  was  admitted 
to  the  Luzerne  County  Bar  in  the  fall  of  that 
same  year,  and  has  been  engaged  in  practice 
liere  in  Wilkes-Barre  since  tliat  time.  Twenty- 
two  years  of  success  as  a  lawyer  has  won  for 
him  a  reputation  which  is  a  valuable  business 
asset,  and  has  made  him  "well  known  among 
his  professional  associates.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  American  Bar  Association.  In  1907  he 
was  made  assistant  district  attorney  under 
Abram  Salsbury,  and  on  February  1,  1926,  he 
was  chosen  assistant  district  attorney  under 
Arthur  H.  Jones.  In  November,  1926,  Arthur 
H.  Jones  was  elected  Lieutenant-Governor  of 
Pennsylvania,  and  Thomas  M.  Lewis  was 
chosen  as  his  successor.  Mr.  Butl^iewicz  was 
then  made  assistant  to  Mr.  Lewis,  this  time 
serving  as  first  assistant,  and  this  office  he 
is  still  filling  (1930).  Meantime,  in  1915,  Mr. 
Butkiewicz  joined  the  Norton  Horges  Ambu- 
lance Corps  and  was  attached  to  the  French 
Army.  He  went  to  the  front  as  a  private,  and 
was  later  commissioned  a  first  lieutenant.  In 
September,  1917,  he  joined  the  United  States 
Army  Ambulance  Corps  as  a  first  lieutenant, 
and  served  with  the  French  Army  to  the 
close  of  the  war,  being  mustered  out  of 
service  in  March,  1919.  During  his  period  of 
service  he  received  five  decorations  from  the 
French  Government  as  a  recognition  of  valor 
and  of  distinguished  service,  being  awarded 
the  Croix  de  Guerre  twice  with  the  palm, 
once  with  the  gold  star,  and  twice  with  tlie 
silver  star.  In  March,  1919,  he  went  to  Po- 
land as  assistant  commissioner  with  the 
American  Red  Cross,  and  remained  on  duty 
there  until  December  1,  1919,  at  which  time 
he  returned  to  the  United  States.  While  in 
Poland  he  received  from  the  Polish  Repub- 
lic the  honor  of  being  made  a  Chevalier  of  the 
Order  of  the  Military  Cross.  Since  his  return 
to  civilian  life  Mr.  Butkiewicz  has  been  en- 
gaged in  legal  practice  and  as  first  assistant 
district  attorney  he  is  rendering  valuable 
public  service.  He  gives  his  support  to  the 
principles  and  the  candidates  of  the  Repub- 
lican party.  His  religious  affiliation  is  with 
the  Holy  Trinity  Polish  Roman  Catholic 
Church.  Mr.   Butkiewicz   is  unmarried. 


WOLFE  KIRSHNER — Born  in  England,  of 
Austrian  stock,  Wolfe  Kirshner  has  achieved 
a  distinct  success  as  a  business  man  and  to- 
day conducts  one  of  the  very  enterprising 
motor  accessory  establishments  in  Wilkes- 
Barre,  as  well  as  another  in  Allentown,  Penn- 
sylvania. Energy,  perseverance,  uprightness 
and  conscientious  endeavor  to  give  full  value 
for  honest  material,  in  addition  to  a  keen 
interest  in  the  progressive  march  of  the  peo- 
ple among  whom  he  has  cast  his  lot  have 
combined  to  bring  a  full  return  on  the  in- 
vestment. He  thus  enjoys  a  prosperity  that 
such    community   service    fully   merits. 

Wolfe  Kirshner  was  born  in  London,  Eng- 
land, July  10,  1892,  a  son  of  Abraham  and 
Mollie  (Lereich)  Kirshner,  now  living  in 
Plains,  Luzerne  County.  Pennsylvania.  Abra- 
ham is  a  son  of  Isaac  and  Pauline  Kirshner, 
both  natives  of  Austria,  who  emigrated  to 
England.  When  Wolfe  was  four  years  of  age 
his  parents  came  to  America  and  settled  in 
Wilkes-Barre.  five  years  later  removing  to 
Plains,   where   the   father   established   himself 


in  a  general  merchandise  business,  which  he 
has  since  conducted  with  success.  He  and 
his  wife  are  the  parents  of  six  children; 
Jacob,  who  is  associated  with  his  father  in 
business:  Wolfe,  of  whom  further;  Samuel 
also  associated  with  his  father  and  brother: 
Harry,  another  associate  in  the  business  of 
his  father  and  brothers  in  the  business  at 
Plains:  Mae,  who  is  the  wife  of  Morris  Green, 
of  Scranton,  Pennsylvania:  and  Max,  asso- 
ciated with  Wolfe  in  business  and  having 
charge  of  the  management  of  the  Allentown 
store.  Abraham  Kirshner  is  a  Republican  in 
politics  and  is  a  director  in  the  Plains  State 
Bank. 

Wolfe  Kirshner  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools  of  Plains  Township  and  in  boyhood 
"Worked  in  his  father's  store,  establishing  his 
own  business  when  he  was  twenty-two  years 
of  age,  repairing  and  selling  motor  trucks, 
his  headquarters  at  No,  300  South  Main  Street, 
Wilkes-Barre.  In  1922  he  founded  his  present 
business  under  the  title  of  the  Kirshner 
Motor  Parts  Company,  with  offices  and  sales- 
rooms at  No.  76  North  Main  Street,  Wilkes- 
Barre.  Mr.  Kirshner  is  also  a  fish,  Are,  game 
and  forest  warden  of  Pennsylvania.  He  is 
a  Republican  in  politics  and  has  served  in 
the  Pennsylvania  Reserve  Militia,  at  Pittston, 
Pennsylvania,  ranking  as  sergeant.  He  be- 
longs to  Wilkes-Barre  Lodge,  No.  109,  Benev- 
olent and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  and  to 
Lodge  No.  353,  Fraternal  Order  of  Eagles. 
He  is  director  of  United  Sportsmen  of  Penn- 
sylvania. Camp  103;  director  of  Congregation 
O.  L.  A.  H. 

Mr.  Kirshner  married,  February  14,  1914, 
Rose  Lefkowitz,  of  Scranton,  Pennsylvania. 
The  couple  are  the  parents  of  four  children: 
Blanche,   Pauline,   Myron   and   Birdie. 


GILBERT  G.  JACOBOSKV — Two  honored 
professions  are  represented  in  Wilkes-Barre 
by  members  of  the  Jacobosky  family.  Accom- 
panying this  biography  will  be  found  a  rec- 
ord of  Dr.  Cyrus  Jacobosky,  one  of  this  city's 
outstanding  medical  practitioners,  a  brother 
of  Gilbert  G.  Jacobosky,  whose  career  will  be 
discyssed  hereafter.  He  is  engaged  in  busi- 
ness here  under  his  own  name,  devoting  his 
time  and  talents  to  civil  engineering,  in 
which  he  holds  a  college  degree.  Gilbert  G. 
Jacobosky  has  to  his  credit  here  many  large 
buildings  and  residences,  constructed  under 
his  supervision,  and  his  professional  record 
compares  well  with  that  of  his  distinguished 
brother.  He,  too,  is  deeply  interested  in  fra- 
ternal, civic,  and  religious  affairs  and  has 
served  in  the  military  forces  of  his  govern- 
ment. 

Mr.  Jacobosky  was  born  September  26,  1881, 
in  Wilkes-Barre,  son  of  the  late  Isaac  and 
Adelaide  (Auerbach)  Jacobosky,  both  natives 
of  Germany,  now  deceased.  Isaac  Jacobosky 
was  born  in  Posen,  Germany,  in  1844;  mi- 
grated to  America,  and  after  settling  at 
Wilkes-Barre  engaged  in  real  estate  activi- 
ties on  a  large  scale.  He  is  credited  with 
developing  and  christening  the  settlement 
now  called  Breslau,  in  Luzerne  County,  Penn- 
sylvania. He  remained  an  important  figure 
in  real  estate  circles  until  his  death,  which 
occurred  in  December,  1920.  Adelaide  (Auer- 
bach) Jacobosky,  also  born  at  Posen,  Ger- 
many, died  in  May,  1911. 

Gilbert  G.  Jacobosky  gained  his  elementary 
education  in  the  local  public  schools,  and 
after  his  graduation  from  Wilkes-Barre 
High  School,  in  1881,  for  a  period  of  five  years 
he    traveled    extensively    and    obtained    much 


knowledge  of  engineering  practices  that 
were  to  prove  of  inestimable  value  to  him  in 
the  years  which  have  followed.  He  returned 
to  Pennsylvania  about  1903,  entered  Lehigh 
University,  there  devoted  himself  to  a  spe- 
cial study  of  engineering,  and  was  graduated 
by  the  University  in  1907,  with  the  degree  of 
Civil  Engineer.  Unlike  a  great  many  other 
graduates,  Mr.  Jacobosky  already  had  several 
years  of  practical  experience  in  his  profes- 
sion and  thus  was  enabled  to  enter  bu.siness 
under  his  own  name  soon  after  completing 
his  theoretical  training.  He  established  his 
offices  in  Wilkes-Barre  and  since  has  been 
occupied  as  an  engineer  in  this  city.  Mr. 
Jacobosky  has  designed  and  erected  many 
substantial  buildings  in  Wilkes-Barre.  includ- 
ing the  Jacobosky  Building  on  South  Main 
Street,  where  his  own  offices  are  located. 
Many  years  ago  he  was  converted  to  Repub- 
licanism, that  party  has  since  been  given 
his  allegiance,  and  he  has  been  one  of  the 
leaders  in  local  political  circles,  although  he 
has   refused  to  enter  public  office. 

Mr.  Jacobosky  at  one  time  held  a  lieu- 
tenant-colonel's commission  in  tlie  United 
States  Army,  Engineers'  Corps.  He  entered 
the  service  in  1916,  went  overseas  with  the 
American  Expeditionary  Forces,  and  spent  a 
year  with  the  United  States  Army  Engineers. 
His  connection  with  the  military  forces  was 
maintained  until  1919,  he  receiving  his  hon- 
orable discharge  in  August  of  that  year. 
Since  discarding  his  uniform  and  returning 
to  peace-time  pursuits,  Mr.  Jacobosky  has  re- 
tained the  memories  of  his  soldier  days 
through  his  membership  in  the  American  Le- 
gion. In  this  organization  iie  has  been  ex- 
tremely active  and  at  one  time  was  adjutant 
of  the  Pennsylvania  Department,  American 
Legion.  His  professional  ideas  and  methods 
are  freshened  through  his  contact  with  the 
American  Society  of  Civil  Engineers,  of  which 
he  is  a  member.  In  the  Masonic  order  Mr. 
Jacobosky  also  plays  a  leading  role  and  is  a 
member  of  Lodge  No.  655,  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons;  Keystone  Consistory.  Ancient  Ac- 
cepted Scottish  Rite,  and  Irem  Temple.  An- 
cient Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic 
Shrine,  of  Wilkes-Barre.  In  religious  matters 
he  has  been  of  material  assistance  in  the 
B'nai  B'rith  Synagogue — ^physically,  morally, 
and  financially. 

Gilbert  G.  Jacobosky  married,  June  28,  1923, 
Audrey  Blumenthal.  Mrs.  Jacobosky  is  a 
native  of  New  York  City  and  a  daughter  of 
Charles  and  Hattie  Blumenthal.  and  is  a 
graduate  of  Vassar  College.  She  and  her 
husband  reside  at  No.  116  West  Ross  Street, 
while  Mr.  Jacobosky's  offices  are  located  in 
the  Jacobosky  Building,  No.  211-13  South 
Main  Street,  this  city. 


CYRUS  JACOBOSKY,  M.  D. — Respected  by 
his  confreres  for  his  accomplishments  In 
medicine  and  honored  and  esteemed  by  his 
fellow-citizens  for  his  many  good  works  in 
Wilkes-Barre,  Dr.  Cyrus  Jacobosky  has 
gained  additional  reno'wn  through  his  mili- 
tary service,  including  affiliation  with  the 
Pennsylvania  National  Guard,  and  with  the 
United  States  Army  during  the  World  War. 
A  native  of  this  city,  he  has  made  it  his  home 
since  graduating  from  college,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  that  period  devoted  to  his  govern- 
ment, and  enhancing  his  professional  achieve- 
ments is  Dr.  Jacobosky's  long  list  of  good 
deeds  performed  within  the  ranks  of  frater- 
nal and  religious  organizations. 

Dr.    Jacobosky    is   a   son    of    the    late    Isaac 


and  Adelaide  (Auerbach)  Jaoobosky,  both 
natives  of  Germany,  now  deceased.  A  brief 
review  of  his  father  is  found  in  a  preceding 
slietch  of  a  brother,   Gilbert  G. 

Cyrus  Jacobosky  was  born  August  17,  18S9, 
in  Wilkes-Barre,  and  here  he  obtained  the 
rudiments  of  his  education,  being  graduated 
from  high  school  in  1909.  In  the  autumn  of 
that  year  he  enrolled  at  the  University  of 
Pennsylvania,  where  he  studied  assiduously 
for  four  years  the  science  and  practice  of 
medicine.  In  1913,  he  was  graduated  from 
the  university,  with  his  coveted  degree  of 
Doctor  of  Medicine.  Following  the  custom  of 
his  profession.  Dr.  Jacobosky  then  served 
his  interneship  in  a  hospital,  being  so  oc- 
cupied from  September  1,  1913,  until  Novem- 
ber 1,  1914,  in  the  Wilkes-Barre  General 
Hospital.  His  training  completed.  Dr.  Jaco- 
bosky then  launched  upon  his  practice  in  his 
home  city,  and  was  forging  rapidly  to  the 
forefront  of  his  profession  when  he  responded 
to  the  call  of  his  government  for  service  in 
the  World  War.  He  entered  the  Medical 
Corps,  was  commissioned  first  lieutenant,  and 
five  months  later  was  promoted  to  a  cap- 
taincy, the  rank  he  held  at  the  time  of  his 
discharge,  July  19,  1919.  Captain  Jacobosky, 
for  two  years,  was  assigned  to  camps 
throughout  the  United  States,  devoting  him- 
self unceasingly  to  looking  after  the  welfare 
and  health  of  Uncle  Sam's  soldiers,  and  after 
receiving  his  discharge,  about  eight  months 
after  the  Armistice,  returned  home  to  Wilkes- 
Barre.  Here  he  has  since  remained.  From 
1908  to  1911,  Dr.  Jacobosky  was  a  member  of 
the  Pennsylvania  National  Guard,  entering 
this  organization  as  a  private.  After  the 
World  War,  from  1919  to  1923,  he  held  a  com- 
mission in  the  National  Guard,  and  in  the 
last-named  year  was  discharged  with  the 
rank  of  major-surgeon.  He  bears  the  dis- 
tinction of  having  been  the  only  man  to 
attain  this  rank  in  the  local  regiment  of  the 
Pennsylvania  Guardsmen,  in  which  he  has, 
incidentally,  served  in  every  rating,  from 
private  to  major-surgeon.  The  doctor  also 
has  held  six  separate  commissions  in  the  mili- 
tary forces — three  with  the  Reserve  Corps, 
and  a  like  number  in  the  State  organization. 

Resuming  his  practice  in  Wilkes-Barre, 
late  in  the  summer  of  1919,  Dr.  Jacobosky 
has  since  specialized  in  the  treatment  of 
venereal  diseases,  and  is  an  acknowledged 
authority  in  this  work.  Since  1919  he  has 
been  connected  witli  the  State  Department  of 
Health,  and  has  aided  materially  in  the  oper- 
ations of  that  body.  He  serves  on  the  staff  of 
Mercy  Hospital  here,  having  been  connected 
with  this  institution  since  1915;  was  presi- 
dent of  the  staff  in  1925,  and  now  is  associate 
urologist  there.  For  two  years  Dr.  Jacobosky 
was  an  instructor  at  St.  Thomas  College, 
Scranton,  Pennsylvania.  Among  the  profes- 
sional associations  in  which  he  has  enrolled 
are  the  Luzerne  County  Medical  Society  and 
the  Pennsylvania  State  Medical  Society.  Fra- 
ternally, he  is  a  member  of  King  Hiram 
Lodge,  No.  721,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons 
(Past  Master);  Shekinah  Chapter,  Royal  Arch 
Masons;  Mount  Horeb  Council,  Royal  and 
Select  Masters;  Keystone  Consistory,  thirty- 
second  degree.  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish 
Rite,  of  Scranton,  and  Irem  Temple.  Ancient 
Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine, 
Wilkes-Barre.  Dr.  Jacobosky's  religious  de- 
votions are  made  through  B'nai  B'rith  Syna- 
gogue. His  offices  are  at  No.  211  South  Main 
Street,  Wilkes-Barre,  while  the  doctor  re- 
sides at  No.   45  South  Street. 


JOHN  IJRBANSKI — In  the  development  and 
upbuilding  of  Greater  Wilkes-Barre,  pro- 
gressive contractors  endowed  and  equipped 
with  modern  construction  methods  and  facili- 
ties have  taken  a  prominent  part,  and  of 
these,  one  of  the  best  known  builders  in  this 
vicinity,  John  Urbanski  has  been  particularly 
Instrumental  in  promoting  civic  improvement 
in  the  erection  of  many  important  and  sub- 
stantial buildings  and  residences  in  this  city 
and  vicinity.  Mr.  Urbanski's  rise  to  promi- 
nence in  the  contracting  business  is  a  re- 
markable record  of  a  firm  determination  to 
succeed  in  the  face  of  numerous  adversities 
and  obstacles  in  his  path,  and  his  successful 
achievements  are  a  fitting  reward  to  his  in- 
defatigable energy  and  perseverance  in  the 
accomplishment  of  his  ambition. 

Mr.  Urbanski  was  born  in  Poland,  Decem- 
ber 15,  1882,  son  of  Alexander  and  Marion 
(Malinowski)  Urbanski,  both  of  whom  are 
now  deceased.  They  were  the  parents  of 
twelve  children,  five  of  whom  died  in  child- 
hood, and  the  seven  who  reached  maturity 
are:  Joseph,  Sophia,  John,  of  whom  further; 
Walter,  Victoria,   Stanley  and  Helen. 

John  Urbanski,  the  only  member  of  his 
family  to  come  to  the  United  States,  was 
educated  in  the  schools  of  his  native  land, 
and  while  a  boy,  learned  the  trade  of  car- 
pentry. He  was  later  impressed  into  the 
service  of  the  Russian  Army  and  served  as  a 
soldier  for  five  years,  fighting  against  the 
Japanese  in  the  Russo-Japanese  War,  par- 
ticipating throughout  the  entire  Harbin  and 
Port  Arthur  campaigns,  and  was  commis- 
sioned captain  of  a  Russian  company.  In 
1906.  he  came  to  the  United  States  and  settled 
in  Pittsburgh,  where  without  money,  without 
friends,  and  in  a  strange  land,  he  set  out  to 
overcome  these  disadvantages  and  concen- 
trated his  efforts  on  becoming  an  earnest, 
successful  American  citizen.  With  these  lofty 
ideals  ever  before  him,  he  labored  long  and 
hard,  and  coming  to  Luzerne  County  in  1908 
he  continued  to  follow  his  trade  as  carpenter. 
His  unswerving  attention  to  the  details  of 
his  work  and  his  painstaking  ability  evident 
in  every  operation  with  which  he  was  con- 
nected, caused  him  to  advance,  and  he  stead- 
ily rose  to  a  position  where  it  was  possible 
for  him  to  branch  out  into  an  Independent 
contracting  and  building  business,  which  he 
started  in  1914,  in  this  city.  From  the  very 
first,  he  won  the  admiration  and  acclaim  of 
all  his  patrons  for  his  thorough  dependa- 
bility and  the  superior  quality  of  all  work 
done  under  his  supervision,  with  the  result 
that  he  was  soon  the  recipient  of  many  con- 
tracts for  houses  and  buildings  awarded  him 
by  discriminating  builders.  His  office  and 
residence  are  located  at  No.  3S7  South  Main 
Street,  and  his  reputation  for  building  proj- 
ects of  superior  quality  and  workmanship  is 
established  throughout  this  city  and  its  en- 
virons. Among  the  many  contracts  which 
Mr.  Urbanski  has  completed  are  the  Leo 
Bmanski  Building,  Kingston;  the  Tony  Des- 
lesski  Building,  corner  North  Main  and  Chest- 
nut streets,  Wilkes-Barre;  John  Gibus  Apart- 
ments, Kingston;  and  the  Thomas  Grovik 
Apartments  and  Stores,  Koon  Krest,  Hanover 
Township.  Mr.  Urbanski  is  especially  promi- 
nent in  spreading  Americanization  policies 
among  his  fellow-citizens  of  Polish  descent 
and  in  this  connection  is  a  leading  figure  in 
the  affairs  of  the  Polish  Union  of  America 
and  the  Polish  Alliance  of  the  United  States, 
having  been  at  one  time  president  of  the 
latter.     He    was    for    two    years    treasurer    of 


Holy  Cross  Church  at  Buttonwood  and  the 
first  organizer  of  the  church.  In  politics,  he 
is  a  staunch  supporter  of  the  principles  of 
the  Republican  party,  and  his  religious  ad- 
herence is  given  to  St.  Mary's  Polish  Catholic 
Church    on    Park    Avenue,    Wilkes-Barre. 

John  Urbanski  married.  May  26,  1912,  Lot- 
tie Poremba,  of  Nanticoke,  and  they  are  the 
parents  cf  six  children:  Stanley,  Loretta, 
Chester,  Genevieve,  Edmund,  and  John,  Jr. 
Mrs.  Urban-ski  is  a  daughter  of  George  and 
Catherine  (Wolan)  Poremba,  both  of  whom 
were  natives  of  Poland.  Her  father  died  at 
the  age  of  fifty,  and  her  mother  survives.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Poremba  vsfere  the  parents  of  ten 
children:  Joseph,  Catherine,  George,  Martha, 
Nellie,  Lottie,  who  married  John  Urbanski, 
Viola,  Louise,  Nettie  and  Helen. 

Mr.  Urbanski  has  in  the  truest  measure 
earned  the  right  to  be  called  a  self-made 
man,  because  after  serving  five  hard  years  in 
the  Russian  Army  and  experiencing  trials 
and  privations  which  would  have  tried  the 
courage  of  one  of  less  determination,  he  came 
to  this  country  with  no  assets  but  his  will 
to  advance,  which  ambition  he  has  success- 
fully accomplished. 


and  maintains  a  diversity  of  economic  con- 
nections, holding  property  of  considerable 
value.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Tatra  Club, 
and  a  communicant  of  St.  Mary's  Roman 
Catholic   Church. 


JOSEPH  BLAZEJEAVSKI — In  the  business 
circles  of  Wilkes-Barre  the  name  of  Joseph 
Blazejewski  is  a  familiar  one.  It  stands  for 
achievement  in  diverse  financial  directions, 
and  for  a  man  whose  citizenship  has  been  of 
the  highest  order,  valued  for  constructive 
effort  in  connection  with  all  major  move- 
ments designed  for  the  benefit  of  the  greater 
community. 

Joseph  Blazejewski  is  a  native  of  Wilkes- 
Barre.  He  was  born  January  9,  1891,  son  of 
Michael  and  Martha  (Falkowski)  Blazejew- 
ski. His  father,  native  of  Poland,  was  born 
in  1868,  and  in  1891,  aged  twenty-three,  came 
to  the  United  States,  quickly  settling  as  resi- 
dent of  Wilkes-Barre.  In  the  course  of  his 
years  he  became  prominent  in  the  city's  busi- 
ness activities  as  proprietor  of  a  prosperous 
bottling  works,  which  he  founded  in  1908  and 
continues  to  operate.  He  is  a  Democrat. 
Michael  Blazejewski  married  Martha  Fal- 
ko"wski,  as  himself  a  native  of  Poland;  and 
of  their  union  were  born  ten  children,  of 
whom  nine  are  living,  and  of  whom  we  are 
concerned  with  Joseph  Blazejewski.  Both 
parents  survive,  making  their  home  in 
Wilkes-Barre. 

In  the  public  schools  of  Wilkes-Barre 
Joseph  Blazejewski  secured  his  elementary 
and  secondary  academic  instruction,  and  at 
an  early  age  went  to  work,  entering  the 
business  world  as  clerk  in  a  store.  As  clerk 
he  continued  through  a  full  twelve  years, 
learning  all  aspects  of  retail  merchandising, 
and  acquiring  much  destined  to  be  of  service 
to  him  later  as  his  own  proprietor.  In  1909, 
a  year  after  his  fatlier  had  founded  the  bot- 
tling works,  to  charge  bottles  with  car- 
bonated beverages,  he  became  associated  with 
him;  and  with  this  business  he  has  been 
affiliated  through  the  two  decades  that  have 
followed,  under  the  firm  style  of  Crystal  Bot- 
tling Company.  The  works  are  well  estab- 
lished, and  in  them  the  year  entire  are  em- 
ployed an  average  of  five  and  six  hands.  As 
his  father,  and  perhaps  to  greater  degree, 
Mr.  Blazejewski  interests  himself  in  the  city's 
general  affairs.  A  Democrat,  he  supports  the 
principles  and  candidates  of  the  party  with 
consistency.  He  is  a  director  of  the  North 
End  State  Bank  of  Wilkes-Barre,  treasurer 
of  the  Wyoming  Valley  Bottlers'  Association, 


JOSEPH  S.  MIESZKOWSKI — Coming  to 
America  from  Poland  as  a  young  boy,  Joseph 
'S.  Mieszkowski  grew  to  manhood  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  is  now  a  member  of  the  bar  of 
this  State  at  Wilkes-Barre.  Thoroughly 
trained  in  the  profession  which  he  has 
adopted,  he  has  won  recognition  for  his  work 
at  Wilkes-Barre,  where  he  is  considered  one 
of  the  most  promising  of  the  younger  attor- 
neys. He  has  achieved  success  solely  through 
his  fine  energy  and  ability,  and  may  well  be 
proud  of  his  record  as  the  community  is 
proud  to  number  him  among  its  citizens. 

Mr.  Mieszkowski  was  born  in  Poland  on 
August  15,  1900,  a  son  of  Stanislaw  Miesz- 
kowski, a  school  teacher  in  Poland,  now  de- 
ceased, and  of  Katharine  (Turczynska) 
Mieszkowski,  now  living  with  her  son  in 
Wilkes-Barre.  In  his  seventh  year  he  came 
to  the  United  States,  with  his  parents  who 
settled  in  Wilkes-Barre,  and  in  the  public 
schools  of  Plains  and  Parsons,  Pennsylvania, 
he  received  his  preliminary  education.  There- 
after he  undertook  the  course  of  study  at  the 
Polish  National  Alliance  College  in  Cambridge 
Springs,  Pennsylvania,  from  which  he  was 
graduated  in  1919,  and  then  matriculated  at 
Columbia  University,  where  he  received  the 
degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts  in  1923.  Mr. 
Mieszkowski  had  early  determined  upon  a 
legal  career,  and  continued  work  in  law  at 
Columbia,  receiving  the  Bachelor  of  Laws  de- 
gree in  1925.  Returning  to  Wilkes-Barre,  he 
was  admitted  to  the  local  bar  in  March,  1926, 
and  immediately  began  the  general  practice 
of  his  profession  in  the  office  of  the  late 
Judge  John  V.  Kosek.  This  arrangement  has 
been  continued  since  that  time,  his  services 
proving  repeatedly  of  great  value  to  his  firm, 
and  bringing  him  "wide  local  reputation.  Mr. 
Mieszkowski  is  a  member  of  the  Luzerne 
County  Bar  Association  and  of  the  Wilkes- 
Barre  Lawyers'   Club. 

Aside  from  his  professional  Tvork  he  is 
active  in  local  Republican  party  affairs, 
working  prominently  in  support  of  party  pro- 
grams, and  of  all  civic  movements  for  the 
welfare  of  the  community.  He  holds  member- 
ship in  the  Tatra  Club,  and  is  counted  a  gen- 
erous contributor  to  charitable  enterprises. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Polish  Union  of 
America  and  the  Polish  National  Alliance,  the 
Polish  Roman  Catliolic  Union,  and  the  Polish 
Alliance   of   Plymouth,    Pennsylvania. 

Joseph  S.  Mieszkowski  married,  June  12, 
1929,  Marie  I.  Stepan,  daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Adam  Stepan,  of  Wilkes-Barre.  Mrs.  Miesz- 
kowski is  a  graduate  of  Wilkes-Barre  High 
School  and  the  State  Teachers  College, 
Stroudsburg,  Pennsylvania,  and  taught  school 
before  her  marriage.  Mr.  Mieszkowski's  office 
is  in  the  Bennett  Building,  in  Wilkes-Barre, 
while  his  place  of  residence  is  situated  at  No. 
62    Miner   Avenue,    Miners   Mills. 


HERM.VN  JOSEPH  GOLDBERG,  who  is  the 

efficient  assistant  district  attorney  of  Luzerne 
County,  with  offices  at  No.  609  Coal  Exchange 
Building,  was  born  in  Wilkes-Barre  July  14, 
1S9S,  and  is  a  son  of  Israel  and  Minnie  F. 
(Silverstein)  Goldberg,  of  this  city.  Israel 
Goldberg  is  an  efficient  and  respected  mer- 
chant tailor  and  he  and  his  wife  are  the  par- 
ents   of    five    children:     1.    Harry,    engaged    in 


the  real  estate  business  at  Wilkes-Barre.  2. 
Gertrude,  married  to  Josepli  Monsky,  residing 
in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania.  3.  Herman  Joseph, 
of  whom  further.  4.  Dora,  who  is  a  teaclier 
at  Wyomingr  Borough,  Luzerne  County,  in  the 
public  school  system.  5.  Jacob  Maurice,  a 
practicing  attorney  at  law  in  Bedford,  In- 
diana. 

Herman  Joseph  Goldberg  was  reared  in  the 
city  of  Wilkes-Barre  and  as  a  boy  attended 
the  grammar  schools,  after  which  he  entered 
the  Wilkes-Barre  High  School  and  on  apply- 
ing himself  vigorously  graduated  with  the 
class  of  1916.  He  immediately  matriculated 
at  the  Dickinson  School  of  Law,  whence  he 
was  graduated  with  a  good  record  and  with 
the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Laws  in  the  class 
of  1919.  Mr.  Goldberg  was  admitted  to  the 
Luzerne  County  Bar  February  9,  1920,  and  on 
April  12,  1920,  w^as  admitted  to  practice 
before  the  Supreme  Court  of  Pennsylvania. 
On  October  S,  1920,  he  was  admitted  to  prac- 
tice before  the  United  States  Court  for  the 
Middle  District  of  Pennsylvania,  and  the 
United  States  Circuit  Court  of  Appeals  for 
the  Third  Circuit  on  May  2,   1922. 

Mr.  Goldberg,  it  will  be  seen,  was  making 
a  very  steady  progress,  and  his  abilities  were 
recognized  in  a  more  substantial  and  endur- 
ing form  when  he  was  appointed  assistant 
district  attorney  for  Luzerne  County  by 
Thomas  M.  Lewis,  November  25,  1926.  He  is 
a  leading  and  valued  member  of  the  Luzerne 
County  Bar  Association  and  the  Pennsylvania 
State  Bar  Association.  He  is  director  and 
solicitor  of  the  South  Side  Bank  and  Trust 
Company,  of  Wilkes-Barre. 

In  political  affairs  Mr.  Goldberg's  allegiance 
is  with  the  Republican  party.  He  was  presi- 
dent of  the  Young  Men's  Hebrew  Association 
of  Wyoming  Valley,  and  enjoys  an  unusual 
measure  of  popularity  in  this  worthy  organi- 
zation, as  in  the  others  with  which  he 
affiliated.  In  secret  order  circles  he 
prominently  identified  with  Landmark  Lodge, 
No.  442,  of  the  Free  and  Accepted  Masons; 
Shekinah  Chapter,  No.  182,  of  the  Royal  Arch 
Masons;  Mount  Horeb  Council,  No.  34,  of 
Royal  and  Select  Masters;  Keystone  Consistory 
at  Scranton;  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite 
Masons  of  the  thirty-second  degree;  Ireni 
Temple,  of  the  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of 
the  Mystic  Shrine,  of  Wilkes-Barre;  Wilkes- 
Barre  Lodge,  No.  109,  of  the  Benevolent  and 
Protective  Order  of  Elks;  and  Aerie  No.  353, 
of  the  Fraternal  Order  of  Eagles,  and 
Knights  of  Pythias,  No.  174.  He  is  also  a 
member  of  the  Craftsman's  Club,  the  Pennsyl- 
vania State  Hebrew  Institute  and  the  Greek 
letter  fraternity  of  Phi  Epsilon  Pi.  Mr.  Gold- 
berg has  made  a  remarkable  record  in  his 
chosen  profession. 


JOHIV  litrPAS — Though  he  was  born  in 
Italy,  John  Lupas  has  spent  the  greater  part 
of  his  lite  in  this  country.  Hard  work  and 
thrift  have  enabled  him  to  rise  steadily  and 
since  1926  he  has  been  in  Government  em- 
ploy, in  the  service  of  the  State  of  Pennsyl- 
vania. For  some  thirteen  years  he  worked 
in  and  around  the  mines,  but  later  he  engaged 
in  business  for  himself  as  a  merchant  in 
Plains,  Luzerne  County,  where  for  seventeen 
years  he  demonstrated  his  ability  to  conduct 
a  business  successfully.  He  is  one  of  the 
organizers  and  a  director  of  the  Plains  State 
Bank,  and  at  the  present  time  (1930)  is  presi- 
dent of  the  Wyoming  Valley  Coke  and  Cone 
Company,  Inc. 


John  Lupas  was  born  in  the  southern  sec- 
tion of  Italy,  April  25,  1888,  son  of  Anthony 
Lupas,  a  laborer,  who  was  born  in  Italy  in 
1862  and  is  still  living,  and  of  Rose  (Soca) 
Lupas,  born  in  Italy  in  1871,  also  still  living. 
Mr.  Lupas  was  brought  to  this  country  by  his 
parents  while  he  "u^as  still  a  small  boy  and 
as  a  lad  he  began  work  picking  slate  in  a 
coal  breaker  at  the  mines.  For  some  six 
years  he  continued  at  this  job,  and  then 
remained  around  the  mines,  holding  various 
positions,  fur  about  seven  years  more,  total- 
ing thirteen  years  in  all.  Like  most  of  his 
race,  he  w^as  sturdy,  industrious,  and  thrifty, 
also  ambitious,  and  he  had  no  intention  of 
remaining  in  subservient  positions  in  the 
mines  or  anywhere  else.  When  he  was  able 
he  engaged  in  lousiness  for  himself  as  a  mer- 
chant in  Plains,  and  his  native  ability,  to- 
gether with  close  attention  to  details  and 
honest  business  methods  brought  him  suc- 
cess. For  seventeen  years  he  continued  as  a 
merchant,  beginning  to  operate  his  own  con- 
cern when  he  was  twenty-one  years  old,  in 
1909,  and  continuing  until  1926,  when  he  sold 
out  at  a  satisfactory  price.  Since  1926  he  has 
been  in  the  employ  of  the  State  of  Pennsyl- 
vania as  State  inspector.  Mr.  Lupas  was  one 
of  the  organizers  of  the  Plains  State  Bank 
and  has  been  a  member  of  its  board  of  di- 
rectors since  its  organization,  and  he  is  presi- 
dent of  the  Wyoming  Valley  Coke  and  Cone 
Company,  Inc.,  in  which  capacity  he  is  ren- 
dering most  effective  service.  He  is  well 
known  among  the  business  men  of  this  dis- 
trict, and  in  addition  to  the  able  administra- 
tion of  his  business  affairs  is  also  active  in 
political  affairs.  He  is  a  Republican  and  has 
served  as  township  commissioner  here  from 
1919  to  1923,  a  four-year  term.  Fraternally, 
he  is  identified  with  Lodge  No.  109,  Benevo- 
lent and  Protective  Order  of  Elks;  and  with 
Lodge  No.  128,  Loyal  Order  of  Moose,  of 
Wilkes-Barre;  and  his  religious  membership 
is  with  the  Catholic  Church  of  the  Sacred 
Heart  here  in  Plains. 

John  Lupas  was  married  (first),  March  13, 
1905,  to  Antoinetta  Valenti,  of  Tatesville, 
Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania,  who  died  Oc- 
tober 29,  1912,  leaving  two  children:  1.  Rose, 
born  in  1908.  2.  Anthony,  born  in  1909.  Mr. 
Lupas  married  (second).  August  6,  1913, 
Catherine  Greco,  of  Old  Forge,  Pennsylvania. 
No  children  have  been  born  to  the  second 
marriage.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lupas  make  their 
home  at  No.  76  North  Carey  Street,  in  Plains, 
Pennsylvania. 


EMERSON  F.  SCHMALTZ — Fortifying  him- 
self with  a  thorough  knowledge  of  the  elec- 
trical business  by  a  practical  experience  of 
twelve  years.  Emerson  F.  Schmaltz,  of  King- 
ston, felt  qualified  for  independent  operations 
and  since  1916  has  been  forging  to  the  front 
rank  of  electrical  contractors  and  merchants 
of  appliances  in  this  district.  He  is  also  a 
man  of  fine  business  ability  and  pleasing  per- 
sonality, honorable  in  all  his  dealings  and  co- 
operative in  his  attitude  toward  others  in 
the  field,  believing  that  multiple  success  is 
best  attained  by  such  methods.  These  attri- 
butes commend  him  to  the  citizenry  and  draw 
to  his  headquarters  a  profitable  patronage, 
while  the  quality  of  his  wares  and  work  is  a 
tribute  to  his  belief  in  giving  full  value  for 
the  confidence  that  is  reposed  in  him.  He  is 
one  of  our  young  citizens  and  business  men 
who  is  bound  to  make  a  lofty  place  for  him- 
self in  the  commercial  world,  wherever  he 
may   find   his   footsteps  leading   him,   appreci- 


745 


ated  to  the  full  by  this  community,  which 
judges   a   man   by   his   merits  alone. 

Born  in  Pittston,  Pennsylvania,  January  4, 
1S91,  he  is  a  son  of  George  W.  Schmaltz,  also 
a  native  of  Pittston,  born  in  1865,  a  carpenter 
by  trade,  deceased  in  December,  1927,  and 
of  Gertrude  (Simmons)  Schmaltz,  also  of 
Pittston,  deceased  in  1892.  He  was  educated 
in  the  public  schools  and  came  to  Wilkes- 
Barre  after  leaving  the  class  room,  going  to 
work  here  for  the  Hazard  Manufacturing 
Company,  with  which  he  remained  for  five 
years.  He  learned  during  those  years  and  the 
seven  that  followed  the  electrical  trade,  and 
in  1916  established  himself  independently  in 
Kingston  as  an  electrician,  opening  his  pres- 
ent headquarters  in  Wyoming  Avenue  in 
1921,  where  he  has  a  complete  line  of  elec- 
trical equipment,  radios,  refrigerators  and 
appliances,  and  where  he  also  engages  in 
electrical  contracting  of  all  kinds.  He  em- 
ploys six  or  more  men  and  does  a  large  busi- 
ness. In  politics  he  is  a  Republican,  in  relig- 
ion a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.  His  fraternal  affiliation  is  with  tlie 
Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks, 
Lodge  No.  109. 

Emerson  F.  Schmaltz  married,  in  1912,  Irene 
Pursell,  daughter  of  John  S.  and  Edna  Pur- 
sell,  of  Wilkes-Barre.  They  were  the  par- 
ents of  one  child,  Helen  Blanche,  born  Janu- 
ary 12.  1915.  Mrs.  Schmaltz  died  December 
16,  1929. 


JOHJV  J.  BALOGA — After  some  thirteen 
years  of  experience  in  the  embalming  and 
funeral  directing  business  John  J.  Baloga 
purchased  the  establishment  of  A.  V.  Kozak, 
Incorporated,  at  No.  592  North  Main  Street, 
in  Wilkes-Barre,  where  he  is  now  (1930)  tak- 
ing care  of  a  rapidly  growing  business.  Mr. 
Baloga  is  an  active  member  of  the  various 
Slovak  Greek  Catholic  ar,d  Roman  and  Greek 
Catholic  Associations,  and  well  known  in 
Wilkes-Barre. 

Stephen  Baloga,  father  of  Mr.  Baloga,  now 
deceased,  and  his  wife  Mary,  who  survives 
him,  became  the  parents  of  children,  of  whom 
three  are  now  living:  Andrew  H.,  a  resident 
of  Wilkes-Barre;  Stephen  M.,  and  John  J., 
of   further    mention. 

John  J.  Baloga,  son  of  Stephen  and  Mary 
(Liptak)  Baloga,  was  born  in  Wilkes-Barre, 
Pennsylvania,  June  25,  1897.  He  attended  the 
local  public  schools  until  he  was  twelve  years 
of  age  and  then  found  his  first  remunerative 
employment  in  the  Sheldon  Axle  Works, 
where  he  remained  for  several  years.  He 
then  took  a  position  with  Andrew  V.  Kozak 
with  whom  he  learned  the  business  of  the 
embalmer  and  funeral  director.  The  associa- 
tion with  Mr.  Kozak  was  maintained  for 
more  than  ten  years  and  in  1925  the  business 
was  incorporated,  Mr.  Baloga  becoming  a 
partner  in  the  business  under  the  name  of 
A.  V.  Kozak,  Incorporated.  In  1927  he  pur- 
chased the  business  and  is  now  sole  owner 
of  the  establishment.  His  modern  parlors 
and  well  equipped  rooms  are  located  at  No. 
592  North  Main  Street  in  Wilkes-Barre,  and 
Mr.  Baloga  has  long  ago  established  a  repu- 
tation which  brings  him  a  steadily  increas- 
ing patronage.  Mr.  Baloga  enlisted  October 
17,  1918  in  the  World  War,  and  was  assigned 
to  Company  A,  as  automobile  mechanic  at 
Pennsylvania  State  College.  He  was  honor- 
ably discharged  December  12,  1918.  Mr. 
Baloga  is  a  member  of  Branch  No.  173,  First 
Slovak  Catholic  Union  of  America;  of  Brancli 
25,  Pennsylvania  Slovak  Union;  of  Branch  59, 
Roman  and  Greek  Catholic  Athletic  Asso- 
ciation; the  Ukranian  National  Association; 
♦  he   Commercial   Travelers    and    Mutual   Acci- 


dent Association;  the  Council  No.  2797,  the 
Security  Benefit  Association;  the  American 
Legion,  Post  No.  132;  and  is  also  identified 
with  the  Funeral  Directors'  Association  of 
Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania.  His  religious 
affiliation  is  with  the  Sacred  Heart  Slovak 
Catholic    Church    of    Wilkes-Barre. 

John  J.  Baloga  was  married,  in  St.  John 
the  Baptist's  Roman  Catholic  Church  by 
Rev.  Father  Marley,  in  Philadelphia,  to  Mary 
M.  Pribula,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  who  was  born 
in  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania,  daughter  of 
William  and  Julia  (Ulicny)  Pribula,  of 
Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Baloga  are  the  parents  of  five  children; 
John  J.,  Jr.,  Stephen,  Maria,  Dorothy  Ann 
and    Theresa. 


JOSEPH   STANLEY  WARKOMSKI.   D.   D.   9. 

— Born  at  Plains,  Luzerne  County,  December 
16,  1902,  Joseph  Stanley  Warkomski,  Doctor 
of  Dental  Surgery,  is  a  son  of  Julian  and 
Elizabeth  Warkomski,  both  of  whom  are 
natives  of  Poland,  the  father,  Julian  War- 
komski, having  been  proprietor  of  a  hotel  in 
Wilkes-Barre  for  many  years,  now  in  retire- 
ment. 

Joseph  Stanley  Warkomski  received  his 
elementary  and  secondary  instruction  in  the 
public  schools  of  Wilkes-Barre,  graduating 
froin  high  school  in  1921  with  markings  at- 
testing to  scholastic  excellence.  Thereafter 
he  matriculated  in  Temple  University  Dental 
School,  and  in  1925,  at  the  age  of  twenty- 
three-years,  took  the  degree  in  dentistry. 
From  that  year  onward  he  has  practiced  in 
Luzerne,  having  offices  at  No.  126  Main  Ave- 
nue. His  clientele  is  large,  and  already, 
within  the  few  years  of  his  activity  in  the 
profession,  he  has  advanced  to  a  respected 
position  among  confreres.  Dr.  Warkomski 
is  a  member  of  the  county.  State  and  National 
dental  societies;  the  Psi  Omega  Dental  Fra- 
ternity, the  Rotary  Club  of  Dallas,  and  the 
Knights  of  Columbus.  A  Republican,  he  has 
supported  the  party's  principles  and  candi- 
dates consistently.  He  is  a  communicant  of 
St.   John's   Church,   of  Luzerne. 

Dr.  Warkomski  married,  in  June.  1923, 
Louise  Norris.  of  Trucksville,  Pennsylvania, 
daughter  of  Charles  S.  and  Unice  Norris,  the 
family  of  Norris  being  one  of  the  oldest  in 
Luzerne  County,  its  members  among  the 
earliest  settlers  of  the  Wyoming  Valley.  Of 
this  union  was  born  a  son,  James  Norris, 
August  7,   1927. 


ANTHONY  DRAPIEWSKI — Anthony  Dra- 
piewski  &  Sons,  of  Nanticoke,  established  an 
undertaking  business  in  1881,  which  makes 
him  one  of  the  very  few  in  the  Wyoming 
Valley  in  this  business  at  that  early  date. 
He  came  to  this  country  at  the  age  of  ten 
years,  landing  at  "Castle  Garden"  in  1870. 
He  walked  from  New  York  to  Shamokin 
where  he  "worked  in  the  mines  for  a  year, 
then  to  Pittsburgh  for  a  few  months  and 
later  to  Chicago  after  the  great  conflagration 
there.  He  worked  in  different  factories  and 
went  to  school  when  out  of  a  job,  then  re- 
turned to  anthracite  at  Nanticoke,  working 
in  the  mines  and  outside,  attending  night 
school  in  winter  months.  He  met  with  a  few 
accidents,  including  falling  down  the  shaft 
(being  at  the  time  a  head  man)  and,  having 
enough  warning,  he  quit  the  mines.  He  began 
to  learn  shoe  making,  but  at  that  time  an 
undertaker  by  the  name  of  McNulty,  not  be- 
ing able  to  find  anybody  to  buy  him  out, 
persistently  urged  Mr.  Drapiewski  to  give 
up  shoe  making  and  go  into  the  undertaking 
business,  in  which  he  has  continued  to  this 
day. 


746 


REV.  I,EO  J.  KRONER — Consideration  of 
the  career  of  Rev.  Leo  J.  Kroner  is  one  and 
the  same  with  consideration  of  the  history  of 
St.  Joseph's  Slovakian  Catholic  Church,  for 
the  annal  of  one  is  closely  identified  with  that 
of  the  other,  and  that  of  each  is  interesting. 

First  the  church:  St.  Joseph's,  at  the  inter- 
section of  Fifth  and  L.aurel  streets,  was 
founded  as  a  parish  in  1SS4,  the  first  Slova- 
kian Catholic  Church,  it  is  said,  in  America, 
by  Rev.  Joseph  Jaskovich,  who  remained  with 
the  parish  until  1890.  In  those  six  years  he 
saw  the  "work  fairly  launched,  and  himself 
saw  to  erection  of  the  basement  structure  in 
which  the  first  services  were  held — the  base- 
ment of  the  present  church.  Father  Jaskovich 
was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Joseph  Kossalko,  who 
administered  to  the  spiritual  needs  of  the 
growing  community  until  1S93,  when  he 
turned  over  the  charge  to  Rev.  Frank  J. 
Pribyl.  Father  Pribyl  filled  the  charge  four 
years,  leaving  it  in  1S97,  being  succeeded  then 
by  Rev.  Joseph  Fornanek,  whose  labors  here 
endured  five  years  more.  In  August,  1902, 
Rev.  Matthew  Jankola  assumed  to  the  pas- 
torate, held  it  until  1907,  and  during  his  in- 
cumbency (1905)  the  church  was  completed, 
the  earlier  edifice  having  been  destroyed  by 
fire.  In  November,  1907,  upon  the  retirement 
of  Father  Jankola,  Rev.  John  Gaspercik  at- 
tained to  the  post,  and  retained  it  longer  than 
had  any  one  of  his  predecessors,  until  death 
came  to  him,  October  16,  191S.  After  that 
date  Father  Kroner  took  charge,  and  has  con- 
tinued in  the  pastorate  through  the  years 
that  have  followed,  having  equalled  Father 
Gaspercik's  long  term  of  service  among  the 
parishioners. 

Father  Kroner's  career  in  brief  is  this:  He 
was  born  in  Czecho-Slovakia,  May  21,  1889, 
son  of  Julius  and  Theresa  (Chladek)  Kroner. 
In  1890,  when  he  was  about  twelve  months  of 
age.  the  family  came  to  the  United  States, 
first  locating  in  Johnstown,  Pennsylvania, 
soon  removing  to  Plymouth,  Pennsylvania, 
still  later  taking  residence  in  Illinois,  and 
ultimately  returning  to  Pennsylvania,  where 
a  residence  was  established  in  Wilkes-Barre. 
But  after  a  comparatively  brief  residence 
here  the  family  moved  once  more  to  Illinois, 
and  finally,  in  1902,  returned  to  Plymouth, 
where  Father  Kroner  grew  to  manhood.  In 
the  schools  of  Plymouth  he  secured  his  sec- 
ondary academic  instruction,  then  topk  his 
classical  course  at  St.  Procapius  College, 
Lisle,  Illinois.  His  philosophical  studies  were 
in  St.  Mary's  College,  of  Baltimore,  Maryland, 
and  he  took  theology  at  St.  Bonaventura's, 
at  Allegheny,  New  York,  being  ordained  to 
the  priesthood  July  16,  1914,  at  the  age  of 
twenty-five,  by  Bishop  Hoban,  at  Scranton. 
His  initial  responsibility  was  as  administra- 
tor, assigned  to  St.  Stephen's,  at  Plymouth, 
and  to  Holy  Trinity  Church  at  Sawyersville 
for  a  short  time.  Then  he  was  given  charge 
of  St.  Anthony's  Church  at  Larksville,  Lu- 
zerne County,  October  1,  1914,  and  there  spent 
four  years  before  coming  to  St.  Joseph's  of 
Hazleton  as  pastor  in  charge.  While  at 
Larksville  he  also  took  care  of  affairs  in  St. 
John's   of  Luzerne. 

Father  Kroner  has  accomplished  a  great 
amount  of  good  works  in  connection  with 
St.  Joseph's.  A  progressive  in  general  mat- 
ters, he  is  progressive  as  regards  church 
buildings,  grounds  and  administration.  He 
has  added  four  rooms  to  the  parochial 
school's  facilities,  and  in  1927-28  brought  to 
completion  the  new  rectory,  a  handsome 
building  of  native  stone  with  trimmings  of 
limestone.  The  church  edifice  is  likewise  of 
stone,  so  that  the  two  are  in  harmony  with 
each  other  and  with  the  general  surround- 
ings.    Present   membership    in   the   church    is 


six  hundred  and  fifty  families.  The  school, 
completed  in  1925,  has  three  hundred  and 
twenty-five  pupils,  and  is  in  charge  of  the 
Sisters  of  St.  Cyril  and  Methodius,  the  mother 
house  being  at  Danville,  Pennsylvania.  The 
first  mother  house  was  at  Plymouth. 

Father  Kroner  is  one  of  the  directors  and 
vice-president  of  the  Union  Building  and 
Loan  Association,  takes  a  considerable  inter- 
est in  civic  affairs,  is  spiritual  adviser  to  the 
Pennsylvania  Slovakian  Union,  and  during 
the  period  of  America's  participation  in  the 
World  War  was  of  valued  assistance  in  the 
several  campaigns  of  the  Liberty  Loan  and 
Red  Cross.  He  is  a  foremost  citizen  of 
Hazleton. 


M.IRTIN  BALOGA — For  almost  thirty 
years,  Martin  Baloga  has  been  prominent  in 
the  life  of  Swoyersville,  Pennsylvania,  to 
which  he  came  as  a  young  man.  Mr.  Baloga 
has  conducted  or  has  been  associated  with 
at  various  times,  many  important  business 
ventures  in  the  vicinity  all  of  which  have 
benefited  by  his  sound  judgment  and  able 
direction  of  their  affairs.  He  has  not  limited 
his  activities  solely  to  business  however, 
having  devoted  considerable  time  and  atten- 
tion to  services  in  the  public  interest  in  offi- 
cial capacity,  and  to  the  affairs  of  various 
religious  and  Czecho-Slovakian  societies. 

Mr.  Baloga  was  born  in  Czecho-Slovakia, 
then  part  of  the  Austrian  empire,  on  Novem- 
ber 11,  1878,  a  son  of  Stephen  Baloga,  a 
farmer,  born  in  Austria  in  1853,  died  in  1918, 
and  of  Anna  'W.  (Simchek)  Baloga,  also  born 
in  Austria,  who  died   in   1917. 

Martin  Baloga  attended  the  Austrian 
schools,  and  later  came  to  the  United  States, 
arriving  in  Wilkes-Barre  on  May  15,  1895. 
For  about  a  year  he  worked  in  a  coal 
breaker,  after  which  he  was  connected  with 
a  general  store  in  Edwardsville  for  four  and 
a  half  years,  and  with  a  general  store  in 
Luzerne  for  a  short  time.  In  the  year  1900 
he  began  his  independent  business  career, 
establishing  a  butcher  business  in  Swoyers- 
ville, which  he  operated  very  successfully 
under  his  own  name  until  1907,  when  ill 
health  forced  him  to  dispose  of  his  interests. 
During  this  period  also  Mr.  Baloga  conducted 
an  undertaking  establishment  of  modern 
type.  After  a  trip  to  Europe  made  necessary 
by  his  physical  condition,  he  returned  to 
Swoyersville  and  entered  the  liquor  and 
saloon  trade,  continuing  this  work  until  the 
prohibition  laws  became  effective.  In  addi- 
tion to  his  establishment  at  Swoyersville,  he 
owned  a  retail  saloon  in  Wilkes-Barre,  and 
a  wholesale  store  in  Nanticoke.  Mr.  Baloga 
again  entered  the  meat  business  for  one  year, 
after  which  he  retired  until  1928,  when  he 
opened  the  retail  shoe  store  which  he  now 
operates.  In  all  these  varying  activities  he 
displayed  the  same  sound  business  judgment 
and  energy,  and  his  efforts  were  rewarded  by 
continued   success. 

Mr.  Baloga  served  for  nine  years  as  street 
commissioner  of  Swoyersville  Borough,  and 
four  years  he  was  chief  of  police  of  the 
borough,  the  first  uniformed  chief  which 
Swoyersville  had  had  up  to  that  time.  The 
duties  of  both  these  diflicult  positions  he  dis- 
charged in  a  very  etlicient  manner.  Mr.  Ba- 
loga was  one  of  the  organizers  and  original 
directors  of  the  West  Side  Trust  Company, 
which  later  merged  with  the  Kingston  Bank 
and  Trust  Company,  and  of  this  latter  insti- 
tution he  is  now  a  director.  In  politics  he 
is  a  member  of  the  Republican  party,  stand- 
ing high  in  party  councils  in  the  Wilkes- 
Barre   district,   while   he   has  always   heartily 


747 


supported  every  worthy  movement  for  civic 
progress  and  the  welfare  of  the  community. 
For  many  years  he  has  been  a  member  of 
the  National  Slovak  Union,  of  which  he  is 
now  treasurer,  and  for  the  past  ten  years,  he 
has  been  president  of  the  Pennsylvania  Slo- 
vak, Roman,  and  Greek  Catholic  Union.  Jlr. 
Baloga  is  also  a  member  of  the  First  Catholic 
Union,  treasurer  of  the  Young  Folks'  Circle 
of  the  National  Slovak  Society,  treasurer  of 
the  First  Slovak  Wreath  of  the  Free  Eagle 
and  of  the  junior  branch  of  this  organization, 
a  meml>er  of  the  Woodmen  of  the  World,  the 
Security  Benefit  Association,  and  of  the  Fra- 
ternal Order  of  Eagles.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Holy  Name  Society  and  of  the  Holy  Trin- 
ity Church,  at  Swoyersville,  serving  as  vice- 
president  of  the  board  of  the  latter  organiza- 
tion and  as  a  member  of  the  committee  for 
the  erection  of  the  new  church  and  school. 
To  the  affairs  of  all  these  associations  he  has 
given  freely  of  his  time  and  attention,  while 
his  liberal  contributions  to  benevolent  causes 
are  well  known. 

In  1S97  Jlartin  Baloga  married  Antonetta 
Lacina,  a  Bohemian  by  birth,  daughter  of 
Thomas  and  Antonetta  Lacina.  Mrs.  Baloga 
died  on  December  13,  1921,  leaving  several 
children:  1.  Anna,  now  Mrs.  Anna  Heny.  2. 
Pauline,  who  is  Mrs.  Pauline  Yennoson.  3. 
Aloysius,  priest  in  the  Roman  Catholic 
Church,  who  was  graduated  from  St.  Mary's 
High  School,  in  Wilkes-Barre,  from  St.  Pro- 
copius  College  in  1924,  with  the  degree  of 
Bachelor  or  Arts,  and  from  St.  Bonaventure 
Seminary,  after  which,  on  June  2,  1928.  he 
was  ordained  priest  by  the  Rt.  Rev.  Bishop 
O'Reilly.  4.  Margaret,  now  Mrs.  Margaret 
Walaitas.  5.  Albert  S.,  who  "was  graduated 
from  St.  Mary's  High  School,  and  is  no'w 
attending  St.  Bonaventure.  Mr.  Baloga  mar- 
ried (second),  April  17,  1922,  Helen  Matalick, 
daughter  of  John  and  Anna  Matalick,  of 
Swoyersville.  The  family  residence  is  situ- 
ated at  No.  320  Hughes  Street,  Swoyersville. 


ANDREW  J.  SELECKY — The  coal  industry, 
although  an  underground  form  of  occupation, 
is  no  barrier  to  success  for  the  energetic 
worker.  In  fact,  not  a  few  of  the  mine  work- 
ers have  gained  coveted  goals  through  their 
initiative,  good  judgment  and  spirit  of  co- 
operation. Andrew  J.  Selecky,  who  came  to 
this  country  at  the  age  of  seventeen,  and  who 
attended  the  night  schools  of  his  community, 
rose  from  the  ranks  of  slate-picker  in  the  No. 
1  breaker  at  Nanticoke  to  the  present  posi- 
tion of  mine-foreman,  school  director,  and 
bank  director  in  Glen  Lyon,  winning  the  re- 
rpcct  and  confidence  of  his  fellow-townsmen. 

Andrew  J.  Selecky,  born  in  Czechoslovakia, 
July  11,  186S,  is  the  son  of  John  and  Anna 
(Haslinsky)  Selecky,  both  parents  natives  of 
that  countiy:  the  foriner,  a  farmer,  died  in 
1871,  the  latter  died  in  1918.  In  1885  he  came 
to  the  United  States  with  the  hope  of  better- 
ing his  condition  and  future  to  a  far  greater 
degree  that  he  ever  hoped  to  attain  in  his 
native  land.  Arriving  in  Nanticoke,  he  ob- 
tained employment  at  the  old  No.  1  breaker. 
After  a  ten-hour  work  day  he  would  spend 
his  evenings  in  advancing  himself  in  study- 
ing his  course  of  study.  Thus,  he  provided  a 
living  for  himself,  and  at  the  same  time 
acquired  a  working  knowledge  of  funda- 
mental subjects. 

From  a  slate-picker  at  the  breaker,  he  was 
promoted  to  different  classes  of  work  in  and 
about  the  mines,  showing  himself  competent 
to  perform  every  grade  of  work  to  which  he 
was  assigned  with  adaptability,  thoroughness 
and  cheerfulness.    After  working  as   "miner" 


from  1892  until  1905,  he  was  made  assistant 
mine  foreman  in  1905  in  which  position  he 
exhibited  capacity  for  handling  men  and 
solving  the  problems  of  transporting  the  coal 
from  tlie  mine  chambers  to  the  breaker.  Four 
years  later,  in  1909,  he  was  advanced  to  the 
position  of  mine-foreman,  which  position  he 
has  since  held:  demonstrating  to  his  superi- 
ors the  wisdom  of  making  the  appointment. 

The  occupation  of  coal  mining,  while  an 
honorable  one  In  every  sense,  did  not  re- 
strain a  man  of  Mr.  Selecky's  ability  and 
broad  outlook  from  taking  his  proper  place 
in  the  civic  life  of  the  community  of  Glen 
Lyon.  He  gave  his  political  allegiance  to  the 
Democratic  party,  and  in  many  a  spirited 
campaign  he  helped  its  candidates  to  victory 
in  the  elections.  In  1915,  he  was  honored  with 
the  election  to  the  otBce  of  school  director 
and  was  retained  in  that  capacity  until  1921: 
his  term  being  featured  by  an  intelligent  and 
faithful  attention  to  the  responsibilities  with 
which  he  was  clothed.  Incidentally  the  posi- 
tion gave  him  a  coveted  opportunity  both  of 
service  to  the  community  and  of  acquiring  an 
intimate  contact  "with  the  educational  system 
as  there  administered.  A  further  indication 
of  his  standing  lies  in  his  election  to  the 
board  of  directors  of  the  Glen  Lyon  National 
Bank.  He  is  a  meniber  of  the  National  Slovak 
Union,  the  Pennsylvania  Slovak  Roman  Cath- 
olic Organization,  and  worships  at  the  Ron"ian 
Catholic   Church   in   Glen   Lyon. 

Andrew  J.  Selecky  married,  on  January  21, 
1891,  Julia  Fabry,  who  also  is  a  native  of 
Czechoslovakia.  They  are  the  parents  of 
eight  children:  1.  John,  a  graduate  of  Syra- 
cuse University  and  a  teacher  in  the  local 
high  school.  2.  Andre\v.  3.  Julia.  4.  Joseph,  a 
graduate  of  the  United  States  Naval  Acad- 
emy, Annapolis,  Maryland,  and  a  first  lieuten- 
ant in  the  navy.  5.  Catherine,  a  graduate  of 
Bloomsburg  Normal  School,  and  a  teacher  In 
the  Glen  Lyon  schools.  G.  Aloysius,  graduate 
of  the  local  high  school  and  of  the  Wilkes- 
Barre  Business  College.  7.  Emma,  graduate 
of  Bloomsburg  Normal  School,  and  a  teacher 
in  the  schools  of  Nanticoke.  8.  Paul,  graduate 
of  the  local  high  school  and  of  Wyoming 
Seminarj",  with  honors;  a  student  at  the  Uni- 
versity  of   Pennsylvania. 

PETER  EDVVI.X  TURIK— Among  the  younger 
members  of  the  bar  in  Glen  Lyon  is  Peter 
Edwin  Turik,  who  has  had  to  overcome  many 
obstacles  in  order  to  attain  his  cherished  de- 
sire to  qualify  himself  for  la\v  practice. 
Practically  his  entire  training  has  been  ac- 
quired through  self-effort,  and  this  educa- 
tion, incidentally,  is  one  of  the  best  a'nong 
attorneys  of  Luzerne  County.  Mr.  Turik  has 
degrees  from  many  important  institutions  of 
learning,  most  of  then"i  gained  at  intervals 
interspersed  with  teaching,  in  order  that  his 
expenses  might  thereby  be  defrayed.  His 
teaching  career  has  included  high  school  sub- 
jects, and  another  handicap  Mr.  Turik  sus- 
tained in  his  efforts  to  gain  admission  to  the 
bar  was  occasioned  by  his  services  for  his 
country  during  the  W^orld  War,  when  he  held 
a  commission  in  the  artillery  corps.  He  has 
been  a  paramount  figure  in  projects  of  the 
political  party  of  his  faith  and  has  held  pub- 
lic office  in  his  community.  A  member  of 
many  other  organizations,  including  fraternal 
and  war  veterans'  associations,  he  is  one  of 
the  most  popular  young  men  in  Glen  Lyon. 

Mr.  Turik  was  born  December  5,  1892,  at 
Glen  Lyon,  son  of  John  and  Julia  (Skovron- 
ski)  Turik.  Both  parents  are  natives  of 
Poland  and  reside  in  this  town.  Peter  Edwin 
Turik  was  given  the  customary  public  school 


748 


education  and  graduated  from  the  Newport 
Township  High  School.  Thence  he  entered 
Bloomsburg  Normal  School,  completing  his 
studies  at  that  institution  in  1911.  At  this 
time  he  was  forced  to  seek  employment  in 
order  to  gain  funds  to  further  his  education, 
and  he  became  a  teacher  in  Newport  Town- 
ship High  School,  serving  as  an  instructor  in 
this  institution  from  1912  to  1917.  With  the 
entrance  of  the  United  States  into  the  World 
^Var,  Mr.  Turik  gave  up  his  teaching  and  en- 
listed in  the  military  service.  Attached  to  the 
Heavy  Artillery  Corps,  he  served  with  this 
department  during  the  World  War  with  the 
commission  of  second  lieutenant,  and  was  dis- 
charged as  a  captain  of  the  Reserve  Corps  on 
July  20,  1919.  After  discarding  his  military 
habiliments,  Mr.  Turik  resumed  his  duties  as 
a  teacher  in  the  Newport  Township  High 
School,    in    1919,    and     there     continued     until 

1924.  In  the  meantime,  however,  he  had 
studied  at  Susquehanna  University,  and  in 
1921  was  given  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of 
Arts  by  this  institution.  Thereafter  he  ma- 
triculated at  Dickinson  College,  and  after 
completing  the  prescribed  courses  in  this  col- 
lege, was  graduated  with  the  class  of  1927 
with  the  degree  of  Master  of  Arts.  In  this 
same  year  he  received  his  long-coveted  Bach- 
elor of  Laws  degree  from  Dickinson  Law 
School  and  then  entered  practice  at  Glen 
Lyon,  his  native  town.  As  a  natural  conse- 
quence of  such  varied  and  complete  training, 
combined  with  the  fact  that  he  had  been 
known  since  boyhood  in  this  community,  Mr. 
Turik  immediately  gained  recognition  as  a 
talented  practitioner,  and  in  the  brief  period 
that  has  elapsed,  has  gained  a  niche  of  import 
among  Glen  Lyon  lawyers.  His  abilities  also 
have  been  recognized  by  the  political  party 
of  his  choice,  the  Republican,  and  on  June  14, 

1925,  he  was  appointed  director  of  the  poor 
for  Newport  Townsliip,  an  offica  he  has  filled 
to  the  complete  satisfaction  of  his  constitu- 
ents and  fellow-citizens.  Realizing  the  value 
of  organization  among  veterans  of  the  World 
War,  Mr.  Turik  has  associated  himself  with 
the  local  post  of  the  American  Legion,  and  is 
ever  to  the  fore  in  projects  of  this  highly  re- 
garded veterans'  society.  In  fraternal  circles 
he  is  a  popular  and  well-liked  member  of 
Carlisle  Lodge,  Benevolent  and  Protective 
Order  of  Elks,  and  the  Loyal  Order  of  Moose. 
He  is  a  Catholic  in  religious  beliefs,  and  a 
ccmmunicant  of  St.  Adelbert's  Roman  Cath- 
olic Church. 

Peter  Edwin  Turik  married,  June  5,  1917, 
Helen  Peters,  of  Nanticoke,  Pennsylvania, 
daughter  of  Frank  and  Mary  Peters,  and  the 
cliildren  of  this  marriage  are:  1.  Florence, 
born  September  19,  1919.  2.  Eleanor,  born 
July   1",    1923. 


JOSEPH  KACALA — To  the  many  examples 
of  worthy  ambition,  progressive  spirit  and 
thrift,  furnished  by  foreign-born  folk  of  Lu- 
zerne County  -who  have  attained  positions  of 
commanding  influence  in  the  commercial  and 
civic  life  of  the  community,  must  be  added 
the  name  of  Joseph  Kacala.  After  a  quarter 
of  a  century  occupation  in  the  coal  mines, 
he  launched  successfully  his  own  business  as 
a  grocer,  and  has  served  the  village  of  Glen 
Lyon  as  president  of  the  School  Board,  helped 
organize  a  national  bank,  of  \vhich  he  is  a 
director,  and  in  many  other  ways  has  demon- 
strated his  constructive  association  with  the 
large  betterment  program  of  township  and 
county. 

Joseph  Kacala  was  born  in  Poland,  Feb- 
ruary 28,  1870,  the  son  of  Vincent  and  Sophie 
(Sekora)   Kacala,   both   natives   of  that   coun- 


try, the  former  a  farmer,  died  in  1871,  and 
the  latter  died  in  1893.  He  received  his  edu- 
cation in  schools  of  his  native  country,  and 
then  was  employed  on  a  farm  there  for  a 
short  time.  In  1885  he  arrived  in  the  United 
States,  being  tlien  fifteen  years  old.  The  fol- 
lowing year  he  settled  in  Nanticoke  and 
went  to  work  in  the  mines  of  the  Susque- 
hanna Coal  Company,  where  he  was  eniployed 
for  twenty-six  years,  a  faithful  member  of 
the  force.  During  that  period  he  had  saved 
what  money  he  was  able  from  his  wages, 
against  the  day  when  he  hoped  to  establish 
himself  in  business.  That  day  arrived  when 
he  opened  his  own  grocery  in  Glen  Lyon, 
where  he  has  since  become  an  important  fac- 
tor in  the  political,  merchandising  and  finan- 
cial circles.  He  is  highly  esteemed  for  his 
personal  worth  and  his  intense  interest  in 
worthwhile    endeavors    in   the   village. 

Mr.  Kacala  readily  owns  to  his  allegiance 
to  the  Democratic  party,  in  whose  councils 
at  Glen  Lyon  his  counsel  and  assistance  are 
highly  prized  by  his  colleagues.  He  found 
opportunity  for  real  service  in  the  educa- 
tional department  of  the  village  when  elected 
to  the  position  of  school  director,  which  he 
filled  with  marked  efficiency  and  regularity 
for  his  term  of  three  years.  Then  he  was 
made  a  member  of  the  school  board  and 
elected  its  secretary,  later  being  advanced 
to  president,  serving  in  that  office  for  one 
year.  When  the  movement  for  the  formation 
of  the  Glen  Lyon  National  Bank  was  con- 
templated, he  was  invited  to  be  one  of  the 
organizers  and  with  his  assistance  the  insti- 
tution was  established  on  a  good  foundation 
which  furnished  the  basic  formation  for  the 
successful  financial  structure  that  has  since 
been  builded.  With  the  organization  of  the 
personnel  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the 
board  of  directors,  and  has  since  held  that 
office.  He  is  also  a  stockholder  of  the  Nanti- 
coke National  Bank,  belongs  to  the  Polish 
Union  and  is  a  communicant  of  St.  Michael's 
Roman    Catholic    Church. 

Joseph  Kacala  married,  in  1894,  Anna  Pe- 
troski,  of  Glen  Lyon,  daughter  of  John  and 
Frances  Petroski,  and  they  have  had  thir- 
teen children:  Mary,  who  died  at  the  age  of 
thirty-three  years;  Rose,  Stanley,  Victoria, 
Katherine,  Julia,  Joseph,  a  graduate  of  Mans- 
field State  Teachers  College;  Frank,  Celia, 
Sophia,   Edward,   Stella,   and   Leonard. 


I.EO^'ARD  P.  JENNINGS— Though  one  of 
the  youngest  of  Nanticoke's  business  men, 
Mr.  Jennings,  during  the  comparatively  few 
years  in  which  he  has  been  established  in  the 
electrical  contracting  business  under  his  own 
name,  has  built  up  not  only  a  very  extensive 
and  lucrative  business,  but  also  a  very  high 
reputation  for  unusually  thorough  knowledge 
of  all  branches  of  the  electrical  trade,  for 
courtesy  and  efficiency,  and  for  fair-dealing 
and  reliability.  He  also  takes  a  very  active 
and  effective  part  in  the  civic,  political  and 
religious  life  of  the  community  and  in  every 
respect  represents  the  highest  type  of  prog- 
ressive and  useful  citizenship. 

Leonard  P.  Jennings  was  born  at  Glen  Lyon, 
Pennsylvania,  July  19,  1S9S,  a  son  of  the  late 
Matthew  Jennings  and  Mary  (O'Brian)  Jen- 
nings. His  father,  who  died  in  1S99,  the  same 
year  in  which  the  son  was  born,  was  a  coal 
miner.  On  his  mother's  side  he  is  a  member 
of  a  very  ancient  Irish  family.  Mr.  Jennings 
was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Nanti- 
coke, which,  however,  he  left  at  the  early  age 
of  eleven  years,  in  order  to  assist  his  mother 
in  the  difficult  struggle  for  life,  resulting 
from  the  premature  death  of  the  head  of  the 


family.  At  that  time  he  began  to  work  in  the 
electrical  business,  in  whicii  field  he  has  con- 
tinued ever  since  then.  Showing  marked  me- 
chanical ability  and  applying  himself  very 
closely  to  the  various  tasks  set  him  by  his 
employers,  he  made  rapid  progress.  The  next 
ten  years  were  devoted  to  acquiring  a  most 
thorough  and  practical  training  in  the  differ- 
ent branches  of  the  electrical  business,  and 
these  years  were  spent  to  such  good  advan- 
tage that  in  1920,  after  he  had  reached  his 
majority,  he  established  himself  in  the  elec- 
trical contracting  business  on  his  own  ac- 
count. Since  then  he  has  executed,  with  great 
credit  to  himself  and  to  the  entire  satisfac- 
tion of  his  numerous  customers,  some  very 
important  contracts  tor  electrical  equipment, 
including  contracts  from  the  Nanticoke  Hos- 
pital, the  Challenger  Apartments,  the  Strauss 
Department  Stores,  all  of  the  better  houses 
erected  since  then  in  Tilsbury  Terrace  and 
West  Nanticoke.  and  from  many  other  similar 
enterprises.  Today  he  is  considered  the  leader 
in  his  particular  line  of  business  in  Nanti- 
coke. April  1.  1926.  almost  exactly  six  years 
after  he  had  first  started  in  business  as  a  con- 
tractor, he  added  a  retail  store  to  his  other 
work.  Located  most  advantageously  at  No. 
153  South  Market  Street,  Nanticoke,  and  car- 
rying a  very  complete  and  high-grade  line  of 
electrical  goods  and  hardware,  this  enterprise, 
too,  has  greatly  prospered  and  is  assured  of 
further  growth  and  even  greater  prosperity. 
A  self-made  man  in  the  best  sense  of  the 
word,  Mr.  Jennings  has  the  satisfaction  of 
being  able  to  ascribe  his  steady  progress  and 
his  remarkable  success  to  his  own  efforts 
exclusively,  efforts  which  have  been  based 
consistently  on  hard  work,  untiring  energy, 
unwavering  integrity  and  keen  judgment. 
Though  naturally  his  constantly  growing 
business  receives  the  major  share  of  his  time 
and  attention,  he  has  always  found  it  possible 
to  take  great  interest  in  the  general  life  and 
progress  of  the  community,  where  he  is  highly 
respected  and  much  liked.  His  religious  affili- 
ations are   with   the   Roman   Catholic  Church. 

CHARLES  ROZMARBK — A  Wilkes-Barre 
lawyer  with  oflSces  in  the  Brooks  Building, 
Charles  Rozmarek  in  the  short  period  of  his 
practice  here  has  won  the  confidence  of  the 
community  in  an  unusual  degree.  He  is 
thoroughly  trained  in  his  profession,  with  a 
wide  knowledge  of  both  legal  principles  and 
their  application  in  modern  procedure,  and 
the  success  which  he  is  winning  is  well  de- 
served. 

Mr.  Rozmarek  was  born  at  Wilkes-Barre 
on  July  25,  19S7,  a  son  of  John  Rozmarek.  a 
mine  worker,  who  was  born  in  Poland,  and  of 
Madaline  (Chybke)  Rozmarek,  also  of  Polish 
birth.  He  attended  the  public  schools  of 
Parsons  and  later  the  Wilkes-Barre  High 
School,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in 
1915.  Beginning  the  business  of  life,  Mr. 
Rozmarek  entered  the  employ  of  the  Carib- 
bean Steamship  Company  of  New  York  City, 
for  which  he  acted  as  Spanish  correspondent 
during  a  period  of  one  year.  In  1919  he 
resumed  his  educational  work,  entering  the 
University  of  Pennsylvania  -where  he  was 
graduated  in  1922  with  the  degree  of  Bache- 
lor of  Arts.  For  a  year  thereafter  he  was 
connected  with  the  Bankers  Trust  Company 
in  New  York  City,  and  then  for  a  short  time 
he  traveled  on  the  road  as  a  commercial 
salesman,  but  he  had  meanwhile  decided  upon 
a  legal  career  and  undertook  a  course  of 
study  at  Harvard  Law  School  remaining  here 
for  two  years.  He  then  matriculated  in  the 
Boston  University  Law  School  where  in  1927, 


he  received  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Laws. 
Returning  to  Wilkes-Barre,  Mr.  Rozmarek 
wa.s  admitted  to  the  Pennsylvania  bar  on 
March  5,  1928,  and  immediately  liegan  the 
general  practice  of  his  profession  under  hl.s 
own  name.  The  community  here  has  been 
quick  to  take  advantage  of  the  excellent 
legal  service  offered  by  Mr.  Rozmarek  and 
through  all  the  period  since  he  first  opened 
ofl^ces  the  demands  on  his  time  and  attention 
have  constantly  increased.  Several  notable 
victories  in  the  local  courts  give  promise  of 
the  brilliant  careei'  which  may  be  expected  of 
him  in  the  field  of  his  chosen  occupation. 

In  politics  a  consistent  supporter  of  the 
Republican  principles,  Mr.  Rozmarek  is  active 
in  local  party  councils  and  has  done  consid- 
erable campaign  work  in  this  section.  He 
has  declared  in  favor  of  many  important 
movements  for  advance  and  progress  and  has 
contributed  liberally  to  worthy  causes, 
whether  civic  or  benevolent  in  nature.  He 
serves  as  secretary  of  the  Citizens  League  of 
Luzerne  County,  is  a  member  of  the  Lo.val 
Republicans  League  of  Pennsylvania,  and  is 
solicitor  of  Larksville  Borough.  In  his  fra- 
ternal affiliations  he  is  a  member  of  the 
Knights  of  Columbus,  and  a  member  of  the 
Polish  National  Alliance  of  North  America 
since  1917,  serving  as  president  of  "^'ilkes- 
Barre  Division,  No.  13,  with  its  twenty-five 
liundred  adult  members.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Lawyers'  Club  of  Luzerne  County,  and  a 
devout  worshipper  at  St.  Mary's  Polish 
Roman  Catholic  Church,  this  city. 

Charles  Rozmarek  married,  in  June,  1928. 
Wanda  Blinstrub,  of  Boston,  Massachusetts, 
a  daughter  of  Casimer  and  Michaelina  (Do- 
browski)  Blinstrub.  Mrs.  Rozmarek  is  a 
graduate  of  Boston  University,  from  which 
she  received  the  Master  of  Arts  degree,  and 
has  spent  one  year  in  the  Boston  University 
Law  School. 

ZI0.4  R.VYiMOND  HOWELL — Educator  of 
note  and  citizen  of  repute  in  Luzerne  County, 
Ziba  Raymond  Howell  of  Trucksville  entered 
his  duties  as  assistant  superintendent  of 
schools  of  Luzerne  County,  after  more  than 
fifteen  years  as  an  instructor  in  New  York 
State.  This  experience,  coupled  with  his 
thorough  understanding  of  the  juvenile  mind, 
enabled  Mr.  Howell  to  carry  on  his  work  in 
a  manner  that  gained  for  him  the  admiration 
of  members  of  his  profession,  and  the  esteem 
and  respect  of  his  fellow-citizens.  The 
Howell  family  has  been  prominent  in  the 
affairs  of  this  county  for  more  than  three- 
quarters  of  a  century,  the  first  member 
thereof  having  been  Levi  Howell,  who  came 
to  Luzerne  County  in  1825.  Formerly  he  had 
resided  in  Hope.  New  Jersey.  Levi  Howell 
was  the  grandfather  of  Ziba   Raymond. 

Ziba  Raymond  Howell  was  born  at  Trucks- 
ville, August  17,  1880,  son  of  Levi  Thompson 
Howell,  born  at  Orange,  Luzerne  County,  in 
1855,  a  retired  farmer,  and  of  the  late  Kate 
(Schooley)  Howell,  born  in  1855  at  Trucks- 
ville. and   died   in   April.   1925. 

After  completing  the  curricula  provided  by 
the  public  school  system  of  Kingston  Town- 
ship. Mr.  Howell,  in  1900.  was  graduated 
from  Bloonisburg  Normal  School,  and  for  a 
period  thereafter  was  engaged  in  teaching. 
This  profession  he  alternated  with  further 
study  in  the  higher  institutions  of  learning, 
being  graduated  in  1907  from  Lafayette  Col- 
lege with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Philos- 
ophy, and  in  1915  he  received  the  degree  of 
Master  of  Science  from  that  same  college. 
This  training  proved  of  inestimable  value  to 
him   during   the   fifteen    years    that   he    taught 


750 


in  the  Tarrytown  (New  York)  High  School, 
linown  as  Irving,  aiid"  here  he  headed  the 
Science  Department.  Returning  to  his  native 
State,  Mr.  Howell  then  became  connected 
with  the  schools  of  Kingston  Township,  hav- 
ing been  for  several  years  supervising  prin- 
cipal. At  the  time  of  his  death  in  1930,  this 
well-versed  educator  occupied  the  post  of 
assistant  superintendent  of  schools  of  Lu- 
zerne County,  with  offices  at  Trucksville.  A 
Republican  in  political  beliefs,  Mr.  Howell 
contented  himself  with  exercising  his  suf- 
frage for  that  party,  declining  to  enter  the 
field  of  politics  as  an  office-seeker.  He  allied 
himself  with  the  Masonic  organizations,  and 
held  membership  in  Dallas  Lodge,  No.  531, 
Free  and  Accepted* Masons,  and  Irem  Temple, 
Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic 
Shrine,  of  Wilkes-Barre.  He  also  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Follows, 
and   of   the   Methodist   Episcopal   Church. 

Ziba  Raymond  Howell  married,  in  1908, 
Edna  B.  Boston,  of  Center  Moreland,  Wyo- 
ming County,  Pennsylvania,  daughter  of  Dr. 
C.  L.  and  Anna  (McKelvie)  Boston.  The  chil- 
dren of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Howell  are:  Clifford 
Boston,  born  September  9,  1911,  and  Marjorie 
Jayne,  born  July  28,  1924.  Ziba  R.  Howell 
died  February  15,  1930,  and  Mrs.  Howell  and 
her  family  continue  to  reside  in  Trucksville, 
where  they  attend  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church. 

■WILLIAM  McAllister  DYATT — Associ- 
ated during  all  his  business  career  with  va- 
rious public  utility  corporations,  Williani  Mc- 
Allister Dyatt  has  steadily  advanced  from 
positions  of  minor  responsibility  to  those  of 
great  confidence  and  trust.  As  division  man- 
ager at  Hazleton  of  the  Pennsylvania  Power 
and  Light  Company,  his  services  have  proved 
of  decisive  importance  in  the  efficient  func- 
tioning of  the  company's  business  in  this 
section.  '  "   ■ 

Mr.  Dyatt  was  born  at  Catasauqua,  in  Le- 
high County,  Pennsylvania,  a  son  of  James 
and  Margaret  (McAllister)  Dyatt  of  old 
PennsyU'ania  families.  His  father  was  chief 
blacksmith  for  several  manufacturing  plants, 
and  during  the  period  of  the  Civil  War, 
s'erved  in  his  country's  cause  as  a  member  of 
the   Northern   armies. 

William  McAllister  Dyatt,  of  this  record, 
attended  the  public  schools  of  his  birthplace, 
and  following  graduation  from  the  Catasau- 
qua High  School,  he  took  up  the  study  of 
telegraphy.  Soon  afterwards  he  entered  the 
employ  of  the  Lehigh  Valley  Railroad,  and 
later  rose  to  the  position  of  manager  and 
wire  chief  of  the  telegraph  department  at 
the  general  offices  in  Bethlehem,  Pennsyl- 
vania. Mr.  Dyatt  has  always  been  alert  for 
larger  opportunities  thaii  those  offered  by 
the  present  situation,  and  with  this  in  mind 
he  became  successively  wire  chief  for  the 
Philadelphia  and  Reading  Railroad,  at  Phila- 
delphia, representative  for  the  lamp  depart- 
ment of  the  Westinghouse  Electric  and  Man- 
ufacturing Company,  commercial  manager  of 
the  Harwood  Electric  Company,  at  Hazleton. 
and  linally,  division  manager  here  for  the 
Pennsylvania  Power  and  Light  Company.  His 
association  with  this  company,  continued 
over  a  long  period,  has  been  mutually  satis 
factory,  and  Mr.  Dyatt  is  widely  considered 
one  of  the  most  valuable  executives  in  the 
company's  service. 

In  spite  of  a  busy  life,  he  has  found  time 
for  participation  in  various  phases  of  com- 
munity activity,  especially  in  fraternal  af- 
fairs. Mr.  Dyatt  is  affiliated  "with  the  Free 
and   Accepted  Masons,   and  in   this   order   is   a 


member  and  Past  Master  of  the  Blue  Lodge, 
at  Catasauqua,  Past  High  Priest  of  Catasau- 
qua Chapter  of  Royal  Arch  Masons,  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Commandery  of  the  Knights  Tem- 
plar at  Allentown,  Pennsylvania,  and  a  mem- 
ber of  Rajah  Temple,  at  Reading,  of  the 
Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic 
Shrine.  He  is  also  affiliated  v^^ith  the  Mahanoy 
City  Lodge  of  the  Benevolent  and  Protective 
Order  of  Elks,  while  he  holds  membership  in 
several  clubs  and  associations,  including,  the 
Hazleton  Chamber  of  Commerce,  of  which  he 
was  president  for  three  terms,  and  the 
past  president.  At  present  Mr.  Dyatt  is 
lieutenant-governor  of  the  Northeast  Divi- 
sion of  Kiwanis  Clubs  in  Pennsylvania.  With 
his  family  he  worships  in  the  Presbyterian 
faith,  holding  membership  in  the  First  Pres- 
byterian  Church   at   Hazleton. 

On  June  15,  1898,  at  Mahanoy  City,  Penn- 
sylvania, William  McAllister  Dyatt  married 
Susan  Lentz  Bowman  Hermany,  daughter  of 
Dr.  Phaon  and  Mary  Jane  (Bowman)  Her- 
many. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dyatt  are  the  parents  of 
two  children:  1.  Phaon  Hermany,  born  on 
April  2,  1899.  2.  Margaret  McAllister,  born 
September  22,  1902.  The  family  residence  at 
Hazleton  is  situated  at  No.  216  North  Laurel 
Street. 

MICHAEL  YURKAiVllV — The  entire  mature 
life  of  Michael  Turkanin  has  been  devoted 
to  Itanking  interests,  and  it  is  safe  to  say 
that  no  banker  in  this  section  of  the  State 
is  more  thoroughly  acquainted  with  the  va- 
rious departments  and  the  general  conditions 
of  the  business  of  handling  and  investing 
money  than  is  he.  Thorough  training  in  the 
American  Institute  of  Banking  and  in  the 
Wharton  School  of  Accounts  and  Finance, 
together  with  practical  experience  from  the 
bottom  up,  have  given  him  the  best  possible 
preparation  for  his  work,  and  at  one  time  he 
was  the  youngest  bank  cashier  in  the  State 
of  Pennsylvania,  liolding  that  position  in  the 
Heights  Deposit  Bank  in  Wilkes-Barre.  He 
is  now  vice-president  of  the  American  Bank 
and  Trust  Company,  of  "Hazleton. 

Michael  Yurkanin  was  born  in  Ashley, 
Pennsylvania,  April  3,  1892,  son  of  Joseph 
and  Anna  (Grosko)  Yurkanin,  natives  of 
Czecho-Slovakia,  both  now  deceased.  He  at- 
tended the  public  schools  of  his  birthplace 
and  Wilkes-Barre  -High  School,  and  then,  in 
1910,  when  he  was  eighteen  years  old,  secured 
a  position  as  clerk  in  the  Heights  Deposit 
Bank  of  Wilkes-Barre.  While  there  he  de- 
cided to  make  an  intensive  study  of  modern 
methods  of  banking  and  successfully  com- 
pleted the  course  in  the  American  Institute 
of  Banking.  He  also  enrolled  as  a  member  of 
the  first  class  of  the  Wilkes-Barre  branch  of 
the  Wharton  School  of  Accounts  and  Finance, 
while  still  holding  his  position  in  the  Heights 
Deposit  Bank,  and  in  the  course  of  five  years 
he  rose  from  the  position  of  clerk  to  that  of 
cashier  of  the  bank,  being  at  that  time  the 
youngest  bank  cashier  in  the  State  of  Penn- 
sylvania. Shortly  after  his  promotion  to  the 
important  position  of  cashier  of  the  Heights 
Deposit  Bank,  the  American  Bank  and  Trust 
Company,  of  Hazleton,  then  known  as  the 
Hazleton  Slavonic  Bank,  was  organized,  with 
Mr.  Yurkanin  as  treasurer,  and  his  connec- 
tion with  this  successful  banking  concern 
has  been  continuous  from  that  time  to  the 
present.  He  has  been  one  of  the  important 
factors  in  achieving  that  success,  and  is  well 
known  throughout  this  section  as  an  expert 
in   banking  affairs. 

The  present  American  Bank  and  Trust 
Company,     of     Hazleton,     Pennsylvania,     was 


fouiirled  April  2,  1917,  under  the  title  of  the 
Hazleton  Slavonic  Banlt.  and  chartered  as  a 
State  banl<,  with  a  capital  of  $100,000,  and  a 
surplus  of  $25,000.  Its  first  president  was 
John  Shigo,  of  Freeland,  Luzerne  County, 
Pennsylvania,  who  was  associated  with  the 
following  original  official  personnel:  Michael 
Drosdick,  first  vice-president;  Dr.  J.  C.  Koch- 
czynski,  second  vice-president;  and  Michael 
Turkanin,  treasurer.  Through  the  Wise  man- 
ageinent  of  its  officials  and  its  board  of  direc- 
tors the  institution  prospered  and  grew  in 
strength  and  importance,  continuing  under 
its  original  name  until  1921,  when  it  was 
re-organized  under  its  present  title,  the 
American  Bank  and  Trust  Company  of  Hazle- 
ton. The  original  capital  of  $100,000  has 
grown  to  $400,000.  and  the  original  surplus 
has  increased  to  a  surplus  and  profits  total 
of  $550,000.  The  officials  of  the  bank  at  the 
time  of  writing  are  as  follows:  N.  Yackanic, 
president;  Michael  Turkanin,  vice-president; 
Edward  A.  Byorick,  treasurer:  George  A. 
Shigo,  assistant  treasurer;  and  Sidney  A. 
Olden,  second  assistant  treasurer.  In  1924 
the  handsome  and  spacious  building  which 
the  bank  now  occupies  was  erected  by  the 
bank  on  North  Church  Street.  This  is  an 
eight-story  building,  thoroughly  modern  in 
all  its  equipment  and  appointments,  and  in 
this  structure  the  bank  occupies  the  first 
floor,  which  is  fitted  with  every  convenience 
for  banking  activities,  while  the  upper 
floors  are  occupied  as  offices,  furnishing 
houses  to  numerous  professional  and  business 
concerns.  The  first  floor  ranks  among  the 
finest  banking  houses  in  North-eastern  Penn- 
sylvania, and  the  officials  and  directors  of  the 
American  Bank  and  Trust  Company  of  Hazle- 
ton have  reason  to  be  proud  of  their  business 
home.  The  board  of  directors  consists  of  the 
following  ten  men:  J.  C.  Kochczynski,  M.  G. 
Waschko,  Andno  J.  Kotch,  Andno  Hourigan, 
Edmund  Uffalussy,  Michael  Turkanin,  Louis 
Roman,  Pasco  Schiavo,  N.  Tackanic,  and 
John  Tannishin.  The  banks  correspondents 
are  the  Tradesmen's  National  and  Federal 
Reserve  Bank,  and  the  Market  Street  Na- 
tional Bank  of  Philadelphia,  and  the  Guaran- 
tee and  Equitable  Trust  companies  of:  New 
York  City.  Mr.  Turkanin  has  devoted  his 
attention  to  the  advancement  of  the  interests 
of  this  bank  with  great  faithfulness  and 
ability,  and  is  very  highly  regarded  by  his 
associates.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Hazleton 
Chamber  of  Commerce,  and  is  active  in  civic 
affairs.  Fraternally,  lie  is  identified  with  the 
Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  and 
he  is  a  member  of  the  Kiwanis  Club  and  of 
the  Valley  Country  Club.  His  religious  mem- 
bership is  with  the  Roman  Catholic  Church 
of.  the    Holy   Trinity. 

Michael  Turkanin  was  married,  in  June, 
1919,  to  Florence  Mockaitis,  of  Shenandoah, 
Pennsylvania,  and  they  are  the  parents  of 
two  children:  Rita  and  Robert  M.  The  family 
home  is  located  at  No.  64  North  Church 
Street,   in  Hazleton. 


JES.MOXD  T.  NICHOLSON — For  the  past 
forty  years  Jesmond  T.  Nicholson  has  been 
in  the  employ  of  the  Vulcan  Iron  Works,  of 
Wilkes-Barre,  and  for  a  quarter  of  a  century 
he  has  filled  his  present  responsible  position 
as  superintendent  of  the  South  Wilkes-Barre 
plant.  He  was  born  of  a  family  of  expert 
mechanicians  and  learned  his  trade  in  the 
Vulcan  Iron  Works,  with  which  his  entire 
active  career  has  been  identified.  IMr.  Nicliol- 
son  is  of  English  ancestry  and  has  always 
lived   in   Wilkes-Barre. 

Septimus   Nicholson,    father    of   Mr.    Nichol- 


son, was  born  at  Newcastle-on-Tyne,  Eng- 
land, where  he  received  his  education  and 
where  he  learned  the  trade  of  the  machinist, 
becoming  an  expert  in  that  field:  In  1863, 
during  the  second  year  of  the'  Civil'  War,  he 
Came  to  this  country  with  his  brothers,  Wil- 
liam H.  .and  Robert,  both  of  whom  also  were 
expert  machinists,  and  soon  after  their  ar- 
rival the  three  brothers  began  making  guns 
for  the  United  States  Army.  They  had  located 
first  in  New  Tork  State,  but  later  William 
H.  and  Septimus  came  to  "^  Wilkes-Barre, 
where  for  many  years  both  were  well  known 
manufacturers  of  various  kinds  of  machinery. 
Septimus  lived  to  the  age  of  eighty-six  years. 
He  married  Margaret  Harle,  who  was  also  a 
native  of  Newcastle-on-Tyne,  England,  and 
is  now  deceased,  and  they  became  the  par- 
ents of  five  children,  of  whdm  only  two  lived 
to  maturity:  Jesmond  T.,  of  further  mention; 
and  Roberf  H.      '  ' 

Jesmond  T.  Nicholson  was  born  in  Wilkes- 
Barre,  Pennsylvania,  November  18,  1871,  and 
has  spent  liis  life  in  this  city.  After  attend- 
ing the  public  schools,  he  learned  the  trade 
of  the  machinist  in  the  Vulcan  Iron  Works, 
of  Wilkes-Barre,  and  after  working  as  a 
machinist  for  Ave  years  was  promoted  to  the 
engineering  department  of  the  Vulcan  Iron 
Works,  where  he  remained  for  about  ten 
years.  At  the  end  of  that  time  he  was  made 
superintendent  of  the  shops  at  the  South 
Wilkes-Barre  plant,  and  has  since  continued 
t*o  fill  that  responsible  position.  In  his  politi- 
cal allegiance,  Mr.  Nicholson  is  a  Republican. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Franklin  Club,  and 
his  religious  affiliation  is  with  the  West- 
minster Presbyterian  Church,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre.  Mr.  Nicholson  is  greatly  trusted  by 
his  employers,  who  have  learned  through  the 
long  years  of  his  connection  with  the  con- 
cern that  Jesmond  T.  Nicholson  can  always 
be  depended  upon,  both  in  emergencies,  when 
such  occasions  arise,  and  through  the  routine 
of  the  common   every   days. 

Jesmond  T.  Nicholson  married  Fannie  Bate, 
of  Wilkes-Barre-.  and  they  are  the  parents  of 
two  sons:  1.  Bruce  Jesmond,  who  is  a  sales- 
man in  the  employ-of  the  Westlnghouse  Man- 
ufacturing Company,  of  Wilkes-Barre.  2. 
Paul  Harle,  who  is  employed  as  a  bookkeeper 
in  the  Second  National  Bank  of  Wilkes-Barre. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Nicholson  make  their  home  at 
No.   112   Grant  Street,   in  Wilkes-Barre. 

ALBERT  N.  TIMBERMAN — Equipped  with 
a  natural  industry  and  endowed  witli  a  keen 
mentality,  especially  adapted  to  business, 
Albert  N.  Timberman,  of  Wilkes-Barre.  is 
o.ne  of-  the  prominent  young  units  of  this 
district  of  Pennsylvania  that  are  making 
themselves  felt  in  the  general  progress  of 
the  community.  Observation  by  his  elders  in 
the  field  has  brought  the  unanimous  conclu- 
sion that  he  and  the  enterprise  with  which 
I've  is  associated  are  of  great  value  to  the 
industrial  activities  of  the  Wyoming  Valley, 
while  his  personal  attributes  are  such  as  to 
commend  him  highly  to  all  and  which  have 
brought  "him  a  legion  of  close  and  sincere 
friends.  His  citizenship  has  been  thoroughly 
tested  in  time  of  his  country's  peril,  and  he 
is  intense  in  his  interest  in  all  civic  works 
that  are  promoted  witli  a  view  to  the  im- 
provement of  general  conditions  and  to  the 
contentment  of  the  people  with  whom  he  is 
associated,    socially    and    commercially. 

He  was  born  in  Wilkes-Barre,  August  17, 
1893,  a  son  of  Dr.  James  H.  Timberman,  a 
native  of  Glassboro,  New  Jersey,  where  he 
was  born  in  1S58,  his  death  occurring  in 
Wilkes-Barre,  in  1919.    He  was  a  veterinarian 


752 


and  one  of  the  pioneers  in  that  profession  of 
the  Wyoming  Valley.  His  wife,  mother  of 
Albert  N.,  was  Louise  (Harbauer)  Timberman, 
of  Philadelphia,  born  in  1863,  and  now  a  resi- 
dent  of   Wilkes-Barre. 

Their  son's  education  was  acquired  in  the 
local  public  schools  and  he  was  graduated 
from  high  school  in  1912,  after  which  he  went 
to  work  for  the  Wilkes-Barre  "Record,"  re- 
maining on  the  staff  of  that  daily  newspaper 
for  six  years.  With  the  entry  of  the  United 
States  into  the  World  War,  he  joined  the 
American  Expeditionary  Forces  and  was  sent 
overseas  with  the  1st  Division,  attached  to 
Battery  C,  6th  Field  Artillery,  holding  the 
commission  of  first  lieutenant  and  serving 
on  the  St.  Mihiel  and  Argonne  fronts  for  one 
year.  At  the  conclusion  of  hostilities  with 
the  signing  of  the  Armistice,  he  was  detailed 
to  the  Army  of  Occupation  and  served  with 
that  unit  until  June  1,  1919,  when  he  was 
honorably  mustered  out.  Returning  to  busi- 
ness life  in  Wilkes-Barre,  he  became  one 
of  the  founders  and  incorporators  of  the 
first  photo-engraving  plant  to  be  established 
here,  the  Fahringer  Engraving  Company, 
with  which  he  was  identified  for  eighteen 
months.  He  then  purchased  a  one-half  inter- 
est in  the  Ryan  Advertising  Service  and  the 
name  was  changed  to  Ryan  and  Timberman, 
remaining  such  until  January,  1926,  when  it 
became  the  Timberman  Advertising  Agency, 
Incorporated,  with  Mr.  Timberman  president 
of  the  corporation.  The  concern  specializes  in 
merchandising  anthracite  coal.  Mr.  Timber- 
man is  a  Republican  in  politics  and  a  member 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Wilkes- 
Barre.  having  membership  on  the  official  board 
of  that  organization.  He  is  affiliated  with 
Landmark  Lodge,  No.  442,  order  of  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons:  Shekinah  Chapter,  Royal 
Arch  Masons;  Dieu  le  Veut  Commandery, 
Knights  Templar,  and  Irem  Temple,  Ancient 
Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine. 

Albert  N.  Timberman  married,  December 
31,  1919,  Nancy  Mai  Harsh,  of  Gallatin,  Ten- 
nessee, daughter  of  Nathan  J.  and  Louise  M. 
Harsh. 


CHARLES  WOOD — When  Charles  Wood, 
now  a  resident  of  Kingston  and  one  of  its 
substantial  business  men,  was  seven  years  of 
age  he  was  using  his  tiny  hands  to  separate 
the  dross  from  the  coal  in  the  breakers  of 
this  county.  For  more  than  a  year  he  con- 
tinued in  that  humble  employment,  helping 
the  family  with  his  pittance  in  wages.  From 
that  beginning  he  rose  through  many  stages 
of  industrial  production  to  his  present  posi- 
tion of  independent  real  estate  operator.  Such 
industrious  individuals  are  worthy  repre- 
sentatives of  a  hard  working  community  and 
there  is  none  here  who  commands  a  higher 
respect  than  he  in  the  opinions  of  his  fellow- 
citizens.  Staunch  in  his  fidelity  to  the  dis- 
trict that  gave  him  the  opportunity  to  ad- 
vance in  life,  he  holds  the  admiration  of  the 
community  and  the  intimate  friendship  of 
a  wide  circle. 

He  was  born  in  Cornwall,  England,  March 
5,  1875,  a  son  of  Charles  and  Annie  (Tredin- 
nick)  Wood.  His  father  was  also  a  native  of 
Cornwall,  having  been  born  in  Charlestown 
there.  May  14,  1848,  For  many  years  he  fol- 
lowed the  sea,  later  coming  to  America  and 
locating  in  Wilkes-Barre,  where  he  was  a 
rockman  in  the  mines  until  his  death  in  Jan- 
uary, 1888,  His  mother  was  born  in  Mt. 
Charles,    Cornwall,   September   30,   1850. 

For  six  years  more  this  boy  worked  in  the 
breakers  at  Wilkes-Barre,  then  obtaining 
employment    with    the    Sanson    Cutlery    Com- 


pany, where  he  remained  from  1S88  until 
1905,  holding  the  post  of  general  foreman  of 
the  works  for  twelve  years.  His  other  em- 
ployment in  the  production  field  included 
three  and  one-half  years  with  the  Edison 
Phonograph  Works,  in  Orange,  New  Jersey, 
three  years  with  the  Wales  Adding  Machine 
Company,  of  Kingston,  Pennsylvania,  where 
he  was  associated  with  the  nickel  plating  de- 
partment: eighteen  months  with  the  W^yo- 
ming  Cutlery  Company,  which  had  been  the 
Sanson  Cutlery  Company,  as  foreman.  In 
1914  he  abandoned  these  occupations  and 
established  himself  independently  in  the  real 
estate  and  insurance  business  in  Kingston 
and  has  since  continued  to  operate  it  success- 
fully. He  is  president  of  the  West  Side  Build- 
ing and  Loan  Association,  director  of  the 
Kingston  Bank  and  Trust  Company,  vice- 
president  of  the  West  Side  Mortgage  Com- 
pany and  a  trustee  of  the  First  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  of  Dorranceton.  In  politics 
he  is  a  Republican.  Fraternally  he  is  affiliated 
with  the  Kingston  Lodge,  No.  395,  order  of 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  of  which  he  is 
Past  Master;  Shekinah  Chapter,  Royal  Arch 
Masons:  Dieu  le  Veut  Commandery,  No.  45, 
Knights  Templar;  Caldwell  Consistory,  of 
Bloomsburg,  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite 
Masons,  and  Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic 
Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  He  is 
also  a  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of 
Odd    Fellows,    Lodge   No.    709. 

Charles  Wood  married,  in  June,  1908,  Emma 
Moss,  of  West  Orange,  New  Jersey,  daughter 
of  Frederick  Moss. 


EDWARD  MORRIS — One  of  Wilkes-Barre's 
most  energetic  and  up-to-date  merchants  is 
Edward  Morris.  A  fine  business  executive 
and  the  owner  of  a  keen  advertising  sense, 
Mr.  Morris  is  a  man  who  has  worked  his  own 
way  through  life  to  a  position  which  is  a 
great  credit  to  himself  and   his  ability. 

Mr.  Morris  was  born  at  Hazleton,  Pennsyl- 
vania, on  May  14,  1900,  and  is  the  son  of 
Isador  and  Tenna  Morris,  who  are  the  par- 
ents of  six  children.  The  father  of  Edward 
Morris  is  a  retired  merchant  of  Luzerne, 
Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania.  Edward  Mor- 
ris was  educated  in  the  public  schools  at 
Hazleton  and  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania.  At 
the  age  of  twelve  years,  he  came  with  his 
parents  to  the  city  of  Wilkes-Barre  and  here 
he  went  to  school  and  worked  in  different 
Jewelry  stores  at  night  during  the  week  and 
on  Saturdays.  Later  he  obtained  a  position 
in  Hazleton,  where,  at  the  age  of  only  six- 
teen, he  became  the  manager  of  a  store 
known  as  the  Finn  Jewelry  Store  of  Hazle- 
ton, Pennsylvania.  After  a  time  in  that  con- 
nection he  returned  to  Wilkes-Barre  and  took 
charge  of  a  jewelry  department  in  a  local 
store  on  South  Main  Street,  and  eventually 
he  went  to  New  York  City  and  became  con- 
nected with  a  wholesale  jewelry  house.  Then 
Mr.  Morris,  who  is  a  man  with  a  vision,  and 
one  who  is  not  content  to  know  merely  what 
is  right  at  hand,  realized  he  must,  in  order  to 
rise  in  his  profession,  have  more  experience 
of  the  jewelry  business  and  more  of  a  thor- 
ough knowledge  of  loose  diamonds.  So  he 
became  connected  with  Milton  L.  Ernst,  Inc., 
of  New  York  City.  After  receiving  the  train- 
ing that  he  needed  in  the  diamond  trade, 
Mr.  Morris  returned  to  Wilkes-Barre  in  1924 
and  opened  his  well-known  store  at  No.  70 
South  Main  Street,  where  he  has  been  ever 
since  successfully  engaged  in  the  credit 
jewelry  business.  It  was  his  idea  to  serve 
the  people  that  he  knew  best  and  to  enable 
them  to  buy  jewelry  and  credit  at  cash  prices. 


Mr.  Morris,  who  had  a  clever  sense  of  the 
art  of  advertising,  originated  several  slogans 
which  have  been  adapted  by  many  jewelry 
stores.  Among  his  slogans  are  "On  My  Toes, 
but  Never  on  Yours."  "Pay  Fron\  Your  Pay," 
and  "Meet  Morris  and  Wear  Diamonds."  He 
believes  in  advertising.  He  uses  more  space 
in  the  newspapers  of  Wilkes-Barre  than  all 
the  other  jewelry  stores  of  that  town.  He 
has  had  articles  in  magazines  and  trade 
journals.  One  of  these  articles,  "Getting 
Whafs  Right  By  Doing  What's  Right,"  ex- 
I>resses  some  of  Mr.  Morris'  ideals,  and  in  it 
are  those  slogans  which  have  been  such  a 
help  to  him  in  his  business. 

After  all,  a  good  advertisement  is  no  good 
unless  it  brings  home  the  bacon.  Our  bacon 
is  sales  to  people  who  pay  their  bills — people 
to  whom  credit  can  be  extended  without 
sleepless  nights.  People  who  buy  merchan- 
dise because  it  is  merchandise  and  not  terms. 

Th^  gutter  doesn't  come  to  our  store,  for 
we  don't  appeal  to  the  gutter.  We  get  rea- 
sonable prudent  minded  people  who  appre- 
ciate credit  from  a  clean  operating  institu- 
tion who  prides  itself  on  the  class  of  mer- 
chandise it  sells. 

There  is  no  necessity  to  offer  everything 
under  the  sun  to  get  the  account.  The  mere 
fact  that  you  offer  ten  cents  a  week  may 
make  people  buy — yes — but  it  doesn't  neces- 
sarily hold  that  they  pay.  Then  again  with 
such  terms,  comes  small  sales  and  in  order  to 
reach  volume — more  sales  are  necessary  with 
a  greater  increase  in  overhead  for  advertis- 
ing, salesnien,  credit  men  and  collection  men. 
Clean  business  costs  less,  gives  less  to  worry 
about  and   insures  a  future  foundation. 

Money  spent  on  advertising  presents  an 
in^'estment.  The  gutter  is  no  such  investment 
for  such  as  these  are  merely  flotsam.  Today 
they're  here — tomorrow  there.  When  I  invest 
I  want  something  substantial — and  when  I 
get  the  class  of  accounts  we  do — people  who 
live  here  and  %vill  live  here — raise  families 
and  be  respected  citizens — my  advertisements 
present    investments    in    future    business. 

Mr.  Morris  has  a  store  only  eight  feet  wide, 
but  he  employs  eleven  people.  Mr.  Morris  is 
in  politics  a  Republican,  a  member  of  Wilkes- 
Barre  Lodge,  No.  109,  Benevolent  and  Pro- 
tective Order  of  Elks,  Fraternal  Order  of 
Eagles,  Greater  Wilkes-Barre  Chamber  of 
Commerce,  member  of  the  Temple  Israel,  the 
Young  Men's  Hebrew  Association.  Mr.  Morris 
is  unmarried. 


HARRY  T.  BUTTS — Native  of  Luzerne 
County,  in  his  youth  a  slate  picker  in  the 
mines  and  as  a  young  man  employed  in  va- 
rious industrial  capacities,  Harry  T.  Butts  in 
1S9S  entered  upon  a  career  of  teaching  whicii 
lasted  twenty-two  years,  and  he  is  one  of  the 
best  known  and  most  highly  respected  men 
in   the   Wyoming   Valley. 

Harry  T.  Butts  was  born  at  Plains,  on 
April  19,  1S74,  son  of  Thomas  and  Julia 
(Langdon)  Butts,  deceased,  his  father  having 
been  a  Yiiining  contractor.  Thomas  and  Julia 
(Langdon)  Butts  were  the  parents  of  six 
children:  1.  Harry  T.,  of  whom  further.  2. 
Joseph  L.,  engaged  in  construction  work.  3. 
Edith,  wife  of  David  Fetterman,  of  Wanamie, 
Pennsylvania.  4.  Elizabeth,  wife  of  John 
Brush,  of  Xanticoke.  5.  Frederick,  engineer 
with  the  Pennsylvania  State  Highway  Asso- 
ciation. 6.  George  E.,  of  Illinois,  a  master 
plumber. 

Harry  T.  Butts  attended  the  public  schools 
at  Plains,  and  at  the  age  of  ten  years  went 
into  the  mines  in  the  employ  of  the  Lehigh 
Valley  Coal  Company.  He  continued  to  work 
in  and  around  the  mines  until  he  was  seven- 
teen,  when   he   went  to  work  for   the  Sheldon 


Axle  Works  at  Wilkes-Barre,  as  steam  ham- 
mer   man,    making   axles    for    wagons:    and    in 

1903,  on  October  30,  while  on  duty  as  brake- 
man  for  the  Lehigh  Valley  Railroad,  figured 
in  a  serious  accident  which  resulted  in  the 
loss  of  his  right  foot.  Thus  incapacitated  for 
the  sort  of  work  he  had  been  doing,  he 
entered  the  Bloomsburg  State  Normal  School 
and  prepared  himself  to  be  a  teacher,  and 
graduated  in  the  class  of  1S98.  He  taught 
until  1920.  a  member  of  the  faculty  of  the 
high  school  at  Plains:  and  in  1921  was  ap- 
pointed State  mercantile  appraisor  by  Samuel 
S.  Lewis,  auditor-general  of  the  State  of 
Pennsylvania.  Mr.  Butts  held  this  position 
for  four  years,  winning  high  commendation 
for  his  ability  and  execution  of  duties,  and  in 
the  fall  election  of  192.5,  was  elected  comp- 
troller of  Luzerne  County,  to  serve  a  term  of 
four  years.  Mr.  Butts  has  been  an  active 
worker  in  the  interests  of  the  Republican 
party  since  1902,  and  was  a  candidate  for  the 
Senate  from  the  21st  Senatorial  District  of 
Pennsylvania.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  Church  of  Plains,  and  a  mem- 
ber of  Wyoming  Lodge,  No.  39,  of  the  Inde- 
pendent Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  the  Fraternal 
Order  of  Eagles  and  the  Loyal  Order  of 
Moose. 

Harry   T.    Butts    married    on    September    11. 

1904,  Cathryn  Mary  Shiffer,  of  Hudson.  Lu- 
zerne County,  daughter  of  Milot  and  Chris- 
tina (Labaugh)  Shiffer.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Butts 
are  the  parents  of  two  children:  1.  Milot  L.. 
a  graduate  of  the  high  school  at  Plains  and 
formerly  a  student  at  Wyoming  Seminary  at 
Kingston,  now  (1930)  with  the  engineering 
corps  of  the  Pennsylvania  State  Highway  De- 
partment. 2.  Vernette  Louise,  graduate  of  the 
Plains  High  School  and  a  student  at  Mans- 
field College,  Tioga,  Pennsylvania. 


JOHN  ALVIX  BAVLESS — To  a  Very  high 
degree  the  career  of  the  late  John  Alvin  Bay- 
less  stands  as  a  monument  to  his  ability, 
probity,  courage  and  high  principles.  Having 
lost  his  parents  in  childhood,  he  overcame 
successfully  many  obstacles  and  difficulties 
that  would  have  turned  out  to  be  stumbling 
blocks  in  the  way  of  one  less  gifted  and  less 
determined.  Alike  as  a  business  man,  a 
public  official,  a  civic  leader  and  a  private 
citizen,  Mr.  Bayless  achieved  notable  success 
and  at  all  times  displayed  consistently  those 
qualities  which  endeared  him  to  his  many 
friends  and  to  his  fellow-citizens. 

John  Alvin  Bayless  was  born  at  Audertried, 
Carbon  County,  Pennsylvania,  October  14, 
18S6,  a  son  of  John  A.  and  Anna  (Rodgers) 
Bayless.  His  father  died  when  he  was  only 
three  years  old.  and  his  mother  died  soon 
afterwards.  At  the  age  of  six  years  he  be- 
came a  member  of  the  household  of  the  late 
William  F.  Adams  at  Beaver  Brook.  At  the 
age  of  nine  years  he  began  to  work  as  a 
slate  picker  at  the  Audenried  colliery  and 
later  was  employed  in  the  mines.  Still  later 
he  learned  the  butcher  trade  in  the  meat 
market  of  Mr.  Adams,  with  whom  he  re- 
mained until  he  had  reached  his  majority.  At 
that  time  he  opened  a  meat  market  of  his 
own  at  Weatherly.  Later  he  managed  for 
a  number  of  years  the  meat  department  of 
the  Lattimer  store  of  Pardee  Brothers  and 
Company,  Inc.  It  was  while  he  filled  this 
position,  that  he  "n^as  elected  secretary  of  the 
Middle  Coal  Field  Poor  District  in  Hazleton 
in  i91i>,  an  office  which  he  continued  to  hold 
until  the  time  of  his  death.  In  1919  he  came 
to  Hazleton  and  there  organized  the  firm  of 
Bayless  and  Company,  dealers  in  hay  and 
provisions.     Later    he    organized    the    Bayless 


754 


Beef  Company,  which  also  proved  successful 
and  which  was  eventually  bought  by  Morris 
and  company,  beef  packers.  In  1920  he  formed 
the  Hazle  Sales  Company,  dealers  in  meat 
products,  which  he  managed  very  successfully 
for  some  time.  Two  years  later,  in  1922,  he 
organized  the  Pioneer  Distributing  Company, 
which  under  his  management  grew  into  one 
of  the  largest  oil  and  gasoline  distributing 
organizations  in  the  Northeastern  section  of 
Pennsylvania,  having  branches  in  four  towns 
besides  the  general  offices,  yards  and  plants 
maintained  in  Hazleton.  The  growth  of  this 
business  reflected  the  outstanding  ability  of 
Mr.  Bayless.  The  enterprise  was  started  on 
a  comparatively  small  scale  with  only  one 
truck.  Now  branches  are  located  at  Allen- 
town,  Lehighton,  Mount  Carmel,  Shenandoah 
and  Tamaqua,  all  its  business  being  devoted 
to  the  famous  Tydol  products.  Mr.  Bayless 
was  also  one  of  the  leaders  in  the  develop- 
ment of  McAdoo  Heights  Land  Company, 
which  venture  was  also  a  success. 

In  1919  Mr.  Bayless  was  appointed  to  the 
office  of  collector  of  taxes  for  the  State, 
county  and  poor  district  for  the  City  of 
Hazleton.  This  oflice  he  filled  so  capably  that 
he  was  continued  in  it  from  then  on  until  his 
death.  He  was  a  power  in  Republican  poli- 
tics in  Hazleton  and  was  looked  upon  as  one 
of  the  most  able  leaders  of  his  party.  His 
advice  was  frequently  sought,  and  he  had 
such  an  insight  into  matters  of  public  inter- 
est that  he  could  vision  future  developments 
with  unerring  accuracy.  A  man  of  kindly 
approach  with  a  striking  personality,  a 
friendly  smile  and  sincere  hospitality,  he 
became  widely  known  and  was  greatly 
esteemed  everywhere.  He  never  forgot  his 
friends  of  his  earlier  days,  and  his  offices 
were  the  gathering  places  of  all  those  who 
had  known  him  froin  time  to  time  and  who 
cared  to  renew  their  acquaintance  with  him. 
He  was  a  member  of  Hazleton  Lodge,  No. 
327,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons;  Lehigh  Con- 
sistory, of  Allentown,  Ancient  Accepted  Scot- 
tisli  Rite:  Irem  Temple,  of  Wilkes-Barre, 
Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic 
Shrine;  and  Hazleton  Lodge,  No.  200,  Benevo- 
lent and  Protective  Order  of  Elks.  At  the 
last  convention,  prior  to  his  death,  of  the 
State  Association  of  Directors  of  the  Poor 
and  Charities  of  Pennsylvania,  Mr.  Bayless 
was  elected  the  vice-president  of  that  organi- 
zation. He  was  also  a  member  of  the  Crafts- 
man's Club  and  of  the  Lions'  Club,  as  well  as 
of  the  Irem  Country  Club  of  Wilkes-Barre. 
His  religious  affiliations  were  with  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church,  and  more  particularly 
with  St.  Paul's  Church  of  Hazleton. 

Mr.  Bayless  married,  August  5,  1906,  Ra- 
chael  Lewis,  of  Colerain,  a  daughter  of  John 
and  Gwennie  (Howells)  Lewis.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Bayless  had  three  children;  1.  Dorothy  May, 
born  March  24,  1908,  now  a  teacher  in  the 
public  schools  of  Hazleton.  2.  Kenneth  Rod- 
ger, born  August  10,  1916.  3.  J.  Robert,  born 
October  14,  1918.  Mrs.  Bayless  is  a  member 
of  the  Order  of  the  Eastern  Star  and  of  the 
Young  "Women's  Christian  Association.  The 
family  residence  is  located  at  No.  436  West 
Broad  Street,  Hazleton. 

At  a  hotel  in  White  Sulphur  Springs,  Vir- 
ginia, John  Alvin  Bayless  died  after  an  ill- 
ness of  some  six  months,  but  nevertheless 
ver.v  suddenly,  March  15,  1930.  He  had  gone 
to  the  Southern  resort  in  tlie  hope  that  he 
might  benefit  from  the  baths.  For  some  time 
prior  to  his  death  his  health  had  given  grave 
cause  for  worry,  but  after  his  arrival  in 
Virginia,  he  seemed  to  improve  and,  indeed, 
had    planned    for    his    return    to    Hazleton.    At 


the  time  of  his  death  he  was  survived,  be- 
sides his  wife  and  children,  also  by  one 
sister,  Sylvia,  wife  of  John  Jones,  of  Lee 
Park,  Wilkes-Barre,  and  by  a  half-sister. 
Miss   Edith   James,   of  the   same  place. 

Funeral  services  for  Mr.  Bayless  were  held 
at  his  late  residence  in  Hazleton  and  were 
attended  by  hundreds  of  his  friends  and 
neighbors.  Rev.  W.  H.  Russel  of  Hazleton 
officiated  and  paid  a  beautiful  tribute  to  the 
memory  of  his  departed  friend.  After  the 
services,  all  that  was  mortal  of  John  Alvin 
Bayless  was  laid  to  rest  in  Mountain  View 
Cemetery,  where  tlie  final  rites  at  the  grave, 
simple  but  impressive,  were  held  by  his  fel- 
lo'w-members  in  the  local  Masonic  lodge. 

How  highly  Mr.  Bayless  was  regarded  and 
how  greatly  he  was  liked  in  his  home  com- 
munity of  Hazleton,  may  be  seen  from  the 
following  tribute,  quoted  from  an  article 
published  in  one  of  the  local  newspapers  im- 
mediately after  his  death;  . 

His  passing  caused  many  sincere  expres- 
sions of  regret  in  business  and  financial 
circles  and  tearful  eyes  in  many  homes 
where  they  recalled  the  kind  remembrances 
in  times  of  distress.  Mr.  Bayless  was  a  man 
of  the  highest  ideals  and  of  likeable  person- 
ality. His  business  judgment  was  held  in  the 
highest  esteem  and  his  word  was  recognized 
as  good  as  a  bond   .... 

John  A.  Bayless  was  above  all  else  a  man's 
man.  He  thought  in  manly  ways.  He  had 
big  ideals.  He  valued  good  citizenship.  He 
lived  and  advocated  the  good  tilings  of  life. 
He  had  the  heart  of  courage,  the  spirit  of 
forgiveness,  the  bigness  to  want  to  help 
others  over  the  rough  spots  of  life.  He  lived 
not  unto  himself  alone.  When  such  as  he  is 
summoned  from  any  community's  inhabi- 
tants, there  is  a  loss  that  reaches  far  and 
wide.  Wlien  men  of  his  sterling  "worth  are 
summoned  across  the  Divide,  it  makes  us 
stop  and  wonder,  as  we  cannot  see  and  under- 
stand like  He  who  does  all  things  well. 


RALPH  H.  AVHAREN,  D.  D.  S. — For  almost 
a  quarter  of  a  century,  the  late  Dr.  Ralph' 
H.  Wharen  practiced  his  profession  of  den- 
tistry in  Wilkes-Barre,  and  during  this  period 
built  up  a  wide  following  and  an  extensive 
reputation  for  excellent  work,  gaining  .as  a 
result  a  large  and  profitable  practice.  He  was 
also  active  in  various  other  phases  of  the 
general  community  life,  especially  in  social 
and   fraternal   circles. 

Born  at  Wilkes-Barre,  on  January  15,  1885, 
Di'.  "U'haren  is  a  son  of  Harrison  C.  Wharen, 
who  was  born  in  1848  at  White  Haven,  Lu- 
zerne County,  Pennsylvania,  and  died  on 
Kay  5,  1920,  and  of  Louisa  R.  (Burr)  Wharen, 
who  was  born  at  Springville,  Susquehanna 
County.  Pennsylvania,  in  1852,  and  who  died 
in  April,  1915.  The  father  was  long  associ- 
ated with  the  Lehigh  Valley   Railroad. 

Ralph  H.  Wharen  attended  the  public 
schools  of  his  birthplace  and  was  graduated 
from  the  Wilkes-Barre  High  School  in  1901. 
Having  determined  upon  a  career  in  , dentis- 
try, he  then  entered  the  University  of  Penn- 
sylvania, from  which  he  was  graduated  in 
1905  with  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Dentistry. 
For  a  year  thereafter,  he  practiced  his  pro- 
fession in  Philadelphia,  but  in  1906  he  re- 
turned to  Wilkes-Barre  and  opened  offices 
here,  making  his  home  in  this  city  until  his 
death.  He  was  quick  to  win  the  confi'3cnce 
of  those  who  came  to  consult  him  in  his 
professional  capacity,  and  rapidly  rose  to  a 
leading  place  among  practicing  dentists  in 
this  part  of  the  State.  His  offices  were  located 
at  No.   110  South  Main  Street. 

Dr.  Wharen  was  active  in  the  various  asso- 
ciations   of   the    men    of   his   profession,    hold- 


ing  membership  in  the  Luzerne  County,  Penn- 
sylvania State,  and  American  Dental  Asso- 
ciations. He  was  affiliated  fraternally  with 
the  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  and  in  this 
great  order  was  a  member  of  Wilkes-Barre 
Lodge,  No.  442,  Shekinah  Chapter,  Royal 
Arch  Masons;  the  Council  of  Royal  and  Se- 
lect Masters;  Dieu  le  Veut  Commandery, 
Knights  Templar;  and  Irem  Temple,  Ancient 
Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine. 
He  was  also  a  member  of  the  Pennsylvania 
University  Chapter  of  the  Xi  Psi  Phi  Frater- 
nity; of  the  local  lodge,  No.  109,  Benevolent 
and  Protective  Order  of  Elks;  and  of  several 
clubs,  including  the  Franklin  Club  and  the 
Wyoming  Valley  Club.  Politically  he  gave 
his  hearty  support  to  Republican  principles 
and  candidates,  maintaining  always  the 
warmest  interest  in  civic  progress  and  wel- 
fare, while  he  worshipped  in  the  faith  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  attending  the 
First  Church  of  this  denomination  at  Wilkes- 
Barre. 

In  1915  Ralph  H.  Wharen  married  Guida 
M.  Schwartz,  who  died  on  April  4,  192^1,  a 
daughter  of  Robert  and  Elizabeth  Schwartz, 
of  Nanticoke.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Wharen  had  one 
daughter,  Elizabeth  Davenport,  born  at 
Wilkes-Barre,  November  11,  1916.  Dr. 
Wharen  maintained  his  residence  at  No.  496 
South   Franklin  Street,    in   this   city. 

At  his  home  in  Wilkes-Barre,  Dr.  Wharen 
died  March  24,  1930,  at  the  early  age  of  forty- 
six  years.  His  untimely  death  at  the  height 
of  his  career  and  in  the  prime  of  life,  of 
course,  was  an  irreparable  loss  to  his  young 
daughter,  who  was  thus  made  an  orphan  at 
the  age  of  tliirteen  years.  It  was  also  deeply 
regretted  by  his  many  friends  in  Wilkes- 
Barre  and  elsewhere,  as  well  as  by  his  fellow 
practitioners  in  the  science  of  dentistry.  His 
memory  will  long  be  cherished  by  all  who 
knew  him,  and  most  so  by  those  who  knew 
liini  best. 


PAtL  JAMES  SHERWOOD — It  has  become 
a  maxim  in  a  more  or  less  machine-made  age 
that  the  success  of  men  depends  largely  upon 
the  diligence  with  which  they  toil  away  year 
after  year  at  the  appointed  tasks  of  routine, 
when  in  many  cases  they  are  not  suited  to 
their  assignments  at  all,  and  inwardly  yearn 
for  the  self-expression  that  more  appropriate 
occupations  would  make  possible.  Compara- 
tively few  people  perform  the  tasks  they  pre- 
fer, but  others  find  comparative  contentment 
in  life  by  pinning  their  faith  on  a  hereafter 
where  everything  will  be  ideal.  One  of  the 
fortunate  few  was  Paul  James  Sherwood,  a 
lawyer,  formerly  located  at  Nos.  25  and  26 
Bennett  Building,  Wilkes-Barre,  who  had 
gratified  so  many  hobbies  that  he  was  quite 
as  well  known  in  them  as  in  the  practice  of 
law.  As  a  lawyer,  Mr.  Sherwood  had  made  a 
most  gratifying  success,  and  in  side  activities 
which  had  little  or  nothing  to  do  with  mere 
money  he  had  done  the  same.  It  is  a  common 
fallacy  that  a  man  who  clings  to  aesthetic 
tastes  must  necessarily  be  a  dilettante  and  a 
trifier  with  more  serious  things.  That  this  is 
not  true  is  amply  proven  in  the  career  of  Mr. 
Sherwood.  We  find  a  striking  illustration  in 
the  case  of  William  B.  Stout,  of  Detroit,  Mich- 
igan, who  was  advised  some  years  ago  to  give 
up  inventions  and  "go  to  work."  Mr.  Stout 
recently  sold  the  all-metal  airplane  rights  to 
Henry  Ford  for  millions.  Artists,  authors  and 
aesthetes  generally  are  looked  at  askance  by 
men  \vho  traffic  in  butter  and  eggs,  while  the 
former  also  look  askance  at  the  latter. 

As  Mr.  Sherwood  saw  it,  both  have  a  right 
to  live  and  to  continue  their  useful  functions. 


for  they  could  not  do  without  each  other.  It 
was  Mr.  Sherwood's  philosophy  that  it  is 
man's  duty  as  well  as  his  pleasure  to  learn 
how  to  play,  in  support  of  which  he  points 
to  the  golf  links,  the  tennis  courts,  the  auto- 
mobile courses  and  the  tracks  of  the  water- 
borne  craft.  As  for  himself,  he  was  interested 
in  a  liberal  education  for  the  average  man, 
and  ho  pointed  the  way  by  leading  his  friends 
back  to  nature  on  an  estate  of  two  hundred 
acres  near  Harvey's  Lake,  where  his  hobby 
was  better  agricultural  products  and  trees, 
not  to  mention  flowers  and  shrubs.  Here  he 
romped  with  the  God  of  Nature  mentioned  in 
the  Declaration  of  Independence,  and  sur- 
rounded himself  with  the  spiritual  and  ma- 
terial things  that  on  an  extended  scale 
brought  happiness  and  joy  to  Luther  Burbank. 
But  he  was  closer  to  the  Bible  and  authori- 
tative religion,  for  he  was  a  leading  spirit 
among  the  church  forward  movement  and  a 
member  in  the  First  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.  He  was  a  member  for  twenty-one 
years  in  the  Central  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  where  he  taught  Sunday  school. 

Mr.  Sherwood  was  born  September  15,  1866, 
in  Wyoming  County,  Pennsylvania,  son  of 
Lafayette  Sherwood,  a  highly  respected  and 
successful  farmer  of  the  sanie  county,  "who 
died  in  1904,  and  Malvina  Augusta  (Mahon) 
Sherwood,  eldest  of  thirteen  children  of  Al- 
fred IMahon  of  Lake  Winona,  this  State,  a 
woman  of  strong  personality  and  character, 
who  died  in  1905.  Mr.  Sherwood  was  the 
youngest  of  five  children.  He  received  his 
education  in  the  local  public  schools.  Key- 
stone Academy,  and  the  University  of  Mich- 
igan, at  Ann  Arbor.  While  at  Ann  Arbor, 
his  ability  as  expounder  was  recognized  and 
he  was  frequently  assigned  to  teach.  His 
studies  of  the  law  were  mostly  pursued  in  a 
practical  manner  in  the  law  office  of  District 
Attorney  James  E.  Frear.  He  taught  school 
some  time  before  he  v.'as  admitted  to  the  bar, 
and  thus  gained  a  highly  valuable  experience, 
which  has  stood  him  in  good  stead  ever  since. 
He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  at  Tunkliannock 
in  1891,  and  began  the  practice  of  his  profes- 
sion at  Wilkes-Barre,  under  his  own  name.  He 
was  admitted  to  the  Luzerne  County  bar  De- 
cember 19  of  the  same  year,  having  done 
some  general  law  work  in  the  meantime.  On 
October  22,  1897,  he  was  admitted  to  practice 
in  the  Supreme  Court  of  Pennsylvania,  and 
on  January  13,  1911,  his  efforts  were  crowned 
with  admission  to  the  Supreme  Court  of  the 
United  States  as  a  pleader  and  counsel.  He 
practiced  over  a  wide  territory  and  made  a 
name  as  one  of  the  leading  attorneys  of  this 
section  of  Pennsylvania.  Gifted  with  a  flu- 
ent speech,  he  was  in  demand  as  a  public 
speaker,  especially  as  a  lecturer  for  the 
Grange,  in  which  he  was  prominent;  this  ac- 
tivity took  him  to  various  places  on  the  Chau- 
tauqua Circuit. 

Mr.  Sherwood  was  a  great  lover  of  children; 
he  contributed  liberally  to  the  rearing  of 
numbers  of  promising  youths,  and  gave  per- 
sonally of  his  time  and  attention  to  numerous 
cases  needing  help.  Lender  the  administration 
of  Governor  William  C.  Sproul  he  served  as 
Deputy  Attorney  General  of  the  State  of 
Pennsylvania.  He  served  on  the  board  of  the 
Parish  Street  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  as 
well  as  in  the  councils  of  the  Central  Metho- 
dist Church.  During  the  World  War  he  per- 
formed essential  service  as  a  member  of  the 
Legal  Advisory  Board.  He  was  a  member  of 
the  Patriotic  Sons  of  America  and  the  Knights 
of  Malta.  He  showed  the  advantage  of  gen- 
tle birth,  having  inherited  certain  desirable 
traits  of  character  from  his  paternal  grand- 


756 


father,  Mathew  Sherwood,  whose  family  mi- 
grated from  Connecticut,  a  man  of  strong 
character  and  personality  who  led  an  unright 
and  useful  life.  Mr.  Sherwood  was  the  young- 
est of  five  children  of  his  parents,  the  other 
four  having  been  Alice,  deceased,  wife  of 
George  B.  Patterson;  Eva,  deceased,  wife  of 
Denton  Nelson  Swan;  Estella,  deceased,  wife 
of  Charles  D.  Johnson,  of  Beaumont,  Wyo- 
ming County;  and  Edward  Mahon  Sherman,  a 
retired  farmer  of  Lake  Winona,  Wyoming 
County. 

Mr.  Sherwood  did  valuable  work  for  the  Re- 
publican party.  He  vyas  a  warm  personal 
friend  and  supporter  of  Theodore  Roosevelt, 
and  was  a  delegate  to  the  convention  of  1920 
that  nominated  Warren  G.  Harding  tor  Presi- 
dent and  Calvin  Coolidge  for  Vice-President, 
which  ticket,  as  is  well  known,  won  the  race. 

Mr.  Sherwood  married,  July  4,  1S91,  Eunice 
E.  MacConnell,  of  Susquehanna  County, 
daughter  of  Hugh  and  Florence  MacConnell, 
of  Harford,  who  both  were  teachers  and  the 
daughter  also.  Mrs.  Sherwood  is  president  of 
the  Central  Chapter  of  the  Women's  Christian 
Temperance  Union,  and  City  Federation  of 
Unions.  The  family  city  home  is  at  No.  112 
North    Franklin    Street,    Wilkes-Barre. 

In  March,  1929,  Mr.  Sherwood  spent  several 
days  in  Lynn  Haven,  Florida,  taking  part,  as 
a  speaker,  in  a  Bible  Conference  at  Bob 
Jones  College.  On  his  way  home  he  purchased 
at  Winter  Park,  Florida,  a  comtortaljle  winter 
home  located  at  No.  192  Brewer  Avenue, 
where  he  planned  in  the  future  to  spend  the 
winter  months. 

On  December  21,  1929,  he  was  one  of  sev- 
eral speakers  at  the  Luzerne  County  Law 
Club  meeting,  where  he  delivered  a  highly 
praised  address,  and  after  being  seated, 
quickly  answered  the  "Last  Great  Summons." 
He  was  retired  from  actice  practice  and 
planned  to  live  in  Florida  in  cold  weather  and 
his  native  clime  during  the  warm  season.  He 
had  already  taken  up  the  work  which  he 
hoped  to  pursue  for  his  declining  years,  that 
of  lecturing  on  religious  subjects  and  cit- 
izenship to  lift  with  all  his  wise  powers  of 
mind  and  soul  those  less  fortunate  "Toward 
the  Light." 

His  oft  expressed  desire  to  "Go  while 
active"  was  honored  by  his  Maker,  in  Whom 
he  fully  trusted. 


ASA  (ACE)  HOFFMAN — As  proprietor  of 
the  Hoffman  Studios,  located  at  No.  54  West 
Market  Street  in  Wilkes-Barre,  Asa,  or  Ace, 
Hoffman,  as  he  is  familiarly  known,  is  at  the 
head  of  one  of  the  best  known  commercial 
photographic  concerns  in  the  city.  He  makes 
portraits  of  distinction  and  of  artistic  worth, 
of  interiors,  does  a  large  amount  of  com- 
mercial photography  of  all  kinds,  reproduc- 
tions, enlargements,  and  cirkut  photography. 
He  also  takes  photographs  of  large  groups, 
banquets  and  social  events,  using  smokeless 
artificial  lighting  and  has  a  special  depart- 
ment for  educational  and  industrial  motion 
pictures.  Mr.  Hoffman  trades  under  the  trade 
name  of  Ace  Hoffman. 

George  Hoffman,  grandfather  of  Mr.  Hoff- 
man, operated  the  first  stage  coach  line  be- 
tween Los  Angles  and  Santa  Barbara,  Cali- 
fornia. He  was  one  of  the  early  pioneers  of 
California  and  died  at  the  age  of  one  hundred 
and  one  years. 

Charles  E.  Hoffman,  father  of  Mr.  Hoffman, 
married  Virgie  Haviland,  daughter  of  Ben- 
jamin Haviland,  who  was  a  native  of  Rhine- 
beck,  Dutchess  County,  New  York,  and  whose 
ancestors  settled  in  Rhode  Island  in  1653. 
Charles    E.    and    Virgie     (HavilandJ    Hoffman 


were  the  parents  of  three  children:  George 
Thomas,  who  resides  in  California:  Charles 
Virgil,  of  New  York;  and  Asa,  of  further 
mention. 

Asa  (Ace)  Hoffman,  son  of  Charles  E.  and 
Virgie  (Haviland)  Hoffman  was  born  in 
Santa  Barbara.  California,  February  18,  1888, 
but  was  brought  East  by  his  parents  when 
he  was  four  years  old.  They  settled  for  a 
time  in  New  York  City  and  the  boy  grew  up 
and  received  his  education  in  that  city.  He 
attended  the  public  schools,  and  when  school 
days  were  over  went  to  Texas  and  later  to 
California  where  he  became  one  of  the  pio- 
neers of  the  motion  picture  business.  In  1915 
he  returned  to  New  York,  where  for  four 
years  he  added  to  his  already  extensive  ex- 
perience. In  1919  he  came  to  Wilkes-Barre 
and  opened  his  present  studio  at  No.  54  West 
Market  Street.  He  conducts  one  of  the  most 
modern  studios  in  Northeastern  Pennsylvania 
and  covers  the  complete  field  of  photography, 
commercial  motion  pictures  and  X-ray  pho- 
tography. Under  the  name  of  Ace  Hoffman 
he  lias  become  known  to  thousands  of  pa- 
trons throughout  this  section  of  the  country 
and  the  quality  of  his  work  is  such  that  his 
many  satisfied  patrons  have  become  his  most 
effective  advertising  agencies.  Fraternally, 
Mr.  Hoffman  is  identified  with  Landmark 
Lodge,  No.  442,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons; 
Shekinah  Chapter,  No.  182,  Royal  Arch  Ma- 
sons; Dieu  le  Veut  Commandery,  No.  45, 
Knights  Templar;  Keystone  Consistory,  of 
Scranton,  in  which  he  holds  the  thirty-second 
degree;  and  Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic 
Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine  of  Wilkes- 
Barre.  He  is  also  a  meinber  of  the  Irem 
Temple  Country  Club  of  Wilkes-Barre.  He  is 
also  identified  with  Lodge  No.  109,  Benevo- 
lent and  Protective  Order  of  Elks  and  his 
religious  affiliation  is  with  the  First  Metho- 
dist Church  of  Kingston. 

Asa  Hoffman  was  married  April  20,  1920, 
to  May  Yaeger,  daughter  of  Henry  and  Eliza- 
beth Yaeger,  of  Wilkes-Barre.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Hoffman   have   no   children. 

EDW.VRD  G.  CHAPIN — One  of  the  most 
progressive  men  of  the  Wyoming  Valley  is 
Edward  G.  Chapin,  president  of  the  Chapin 
Lumber  Company,  of  Kingston,  Pennsylvania. 
Entirely  through  his  own  energy  and  ability, 
he  has  brought  his  company,  which  was 
established  in  1922,  into  the  front  ranks  of 
the  lumber  companies  of  the  section,  han- 
dling a  large  volume  of  business,  both  whole- 
sale and  retail.  Mr.  Chapin,  who  is  financially 
interested  in  other  large  enterprises,  is  active 
in  the  social  and  civic  life  of  Kingston,  where 
he  is  highly  esteemed  as  a  public-spirited 
citizen. 

The  Chapin  family  is  an  old  one  in  America, 
the  original  settler  of  this  name  in  Pennsyl- 
vania coming  to  Luzerne  County  from  Con- 
necticut at  an  early  date.  Of  this  branch  of 
the  family  was  Warren  Chapin,  a  lite-long 
farmer  in  Huntington  Township,  Luzerne 
County,  as  was  his  son,  Nathan  D.  Chapin, 
who  died  at  the  age  of  eighty.  He  had  mar- 
ried Elizabeth  Emory,  and  they  became  the 
parents  of  eight  children:  1.  John,  deceased. 
2.  Lillian,  the  wife  of  Edward  Gray,  of  Scott- 
dale,  Pennsylvania.  3.  Charles,  of  Ocala, 
Florida.  4.  W.  O.,  a  merchant  of  Jamestown, 
Columbia  County,  Pennsylvania.  5.  James  D., 
of  Clark  Summit,  Lackawanna  County, 
Pennsylvania,  a  lumber  dealer.  6.  Hannah, 
who  married  C.  B.  Wenner,  of  Columbia 
County.  7.  Walter  S.,  a  farmer  of  Lacyville, 
Pennsylvania.  S.  Edward  G.,  of  whom  further. 
Edward   G.   Chapin   was    born    on    November 


20,  1884,  at  Southdale,  Huntington  Township, 
Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania.  He  grew  up 
on  the  home  farm,  spending  a  few  years  in 
the  local  public  schools,  and  worked  as  a 
farmer  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  old. 
At  that  time  he  left  the  farm  and  took  a 
position  with  the  West  Lumber  Company  at 
Plymouth,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  remained 
for  three  years,  and  then  accepted  a  position 
with  Kehoe  and  Mowery,  contractors  and 
liuilders  at  Wilkes-Barre,  with  whom  he  also 
lemained  for  three  years.  In  1911  he  became 
associated  with  the  Sturdevant  Lumber  Com- 
pany of  Wilkes-Barre,  continuing  this  work 
three  years,  after  which  he  went  to  work  for 
the  Ruggles  Lumber  Company,  at  Kingston, 
Pennsylvania,  and  in  this  position  he  re- 
mained seven  years.  Finally,  in  1922,  he  de- 
cided to  go  into  business  for  himself,  his 
long  experience  in  lumber  work  having 
eminently  fitted  him  for  such  a  step,  and  in 
that  year  he  established  the  Chapin  Lumber 
Company  at  No.  695  Wyoming  Avenue,  King- 
ston, where  he  has  continued  so  successfully 
since  that  time.  Mr.  Chapin  also  owns  a 
large  lumber  yard  at  Scranton,  Pennsylvania. 

Politically,  he  is  a  member  of  the  Repub- 
lican party,  and  in  his  religious  affiliations 
he  is  a  Protestant.  He  is  affiliated  fraternally 
with  the  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  and  in 
this  organization  he  is  a  member  of  Fidelity 
Lodge.  No.  655.  of  Wilkes-Barre,  Shekinali 
Chapter,  No.  1S2,  of  the  Royal  Arch  Masons, 
of  Dieu  le  Veut  Commandery,  No.  45,  of  the 
Knights  Templars,  at  Wilkes-Barre,  and  of 
Irem  Temple  of  the  Ancient  Arabic  Order 
Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  He  is  also  an 
Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite  Mason  of  the 
thirty-second  degree,  and  a  member  of  Key- 
stone Consistory,  at  Scranton,  Pennsylvania. 
Mr.  Chapin  is  also  a  member,  at  Wilkes- 
Barre,  of  the  Craftsman's  Club,  the  Irem 
Temple  Country  Club,  and  the  Greater 
\\'ilkes-Barre  Chamber  of  Commerce.  He  was 
one  of  the  organizers,  and  is  no'w  vice- 
president  and  a  director  of  the  First  National 
Bank  of  Kingston,  and  he  is  also  a  director 
of  the  Smith-Bennett  Printing  Company,  at 
Wilkes-Barre,  and  a  director  of  the  Standard 
Gypsum  Company,   of  Buffalo,  New  York. 

On  October  14,  1909,  Mr.  Chapin  married 
Eleanor  Jones,  a  daughter  of  John  L.  and 
Hannah  (Roberts)  Jones,  of  Plymouth,  Lu- 
zerne County,  Pennsylvania.  Their  children 
are:  Eleanor  Jones,  Lois  Virginia,  Edward 
Grover,  Jr..  and  William  Roberts. 


J.VMES  M.  ST.XCK — Among  the  members 
of  the  legal  profession  in  Luzerne  County 
who  have  been  engaged  in  practice  for  more 
than  a  quarter  of  a  century  is  James  M. 
Stack,  w'ho  has  been  practicing  in  Wilkes- 
Barre  since  1901.  His  offices  are  located  at 
No.  614  Second  National  Bank  Building,  in 
Wilkes-Barre. 

James  M.  Stack  was  born  in  Philadelphia. 
Pennsylvania.  July  28.  1876,  son  of  Maurice 
M.  and  Margaret  (McClosky)  Stack.  Maurice 
M.  Stack,  the  father,  was  a  native  of  County 
Kerry,  Ireland,  and  came  to  this  country 
while  a  young  man.  He  died  at  the  age  of 
fifty  years,  leaving  his  wife,  who  still  sur- 
vives him.  and  two  children,  of  whom  only 
James    M..    of   further    mention,    survives. 

When  James  M.  Stack  was  three  years  of 
age  he  was  taken  by  his  mother  to  Meadows, 
in  Carbon  County,  Pennsylvania,  where  as  a 
lad  he  attended  the  public  schools.  At  the  age 
of  sixteen  years  he  came  to  Wilkes-Barre, 
where  for  a  time  he  was  employed  as  clerk  in 
a  store.  Later  he  was  employed  as  clerk  by 
Fowler,    Dick    and    Walker,    but    he    had    de- 


teiminert  to  enter  the  legal  profession  and 
was  working  at  these  jobs  in  order  to  earn 
the  money  to  help  finance  his  education. 
After  working  at  Fowler,  Dick  and  Walker's 
for  a  time  he  entered  Mount  St.  Mary's  Col- 
lege, at  Emmitsburg,  Maryland,  where  he 
was  a  student  for  four  years.  He  then  re- 
turned to  Wilkes-Barre  and  began  the  study 
of  law  in  the  office  of  James  Ij.  Lenahan,  and 
was  admitted  to  the  Luzerne  County  Bar  in 
1901.  Since  that  time  he  has  been  continu- 
ously engaged  in  general  practice  here.  Mr. 
Stack  is  a  Democrat  in  his  political  affilia- 
tions, and  has  been  an  active  party  worker 
for  the  past  twenty-five  years.  He  served  as 
solicitor  for  the  comptroller  of  Luzerne  County 
for  ten  years,  from  1913  to  1924,  and  served 
for  four  years  as  Democratic  State  Commit- 
teeman. He  has  been  active  in  the  party 
ranks  of  Luzerne  County,  and  active  also  in 
civic  and  philanthropic  affairs.  He  is  chair- 
man of  the  board  of  directors  of  Mercy  Hos- 
pital, of  Wilkes-Barre,  and  is  always  ready 
to  give  his  support  to  any  project  planned 
for  the  advancement  of  the  general  welfare. 
His  religious  affiliation  is  with  St.  JIary's 
Roman  Catholic  Church  of  Wilkes-Barre,  and 
he  is  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  Columbus. 
James  M.  Stack  was  married,  July  28,  1915, 
to  Emily  F.  Stephens,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  Penn- 
sylvania, daughter  of  William  and  Ann 
Stephens,  of  Wilkes-Barre.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Stack  are  the  parents  of  two  daughters: 
Margaret   Mar>"  and   Kathleen  Gertrude. 


HYMA.X  L.*.IVDAV — In  Wilkes-Barre  are 
many  men  who,  in  boyhood,  youth  and  early 
manhood,  had  very  little  with  "which  to 
advance  themselves  in  commercial  careers, 
but  who  have  made  for  themselves  notable 
positions  in  this  progressive  community, 
where  rewards  are  to  be  had  by  the  deserving 
and  courageous.  Hyman  Landau,  senior  mem- 
ber of  the  firm  of  Landau  Brothers,  dealers 
in  jewelry,  music,  radios  and  furniture,  ^vith 
principal  retail  unit  at  No.  60  South  Main 
Street  and  another  unit  at  No.  17  West  Broad 
Street,  Hazleton,  is  one  of  these  men  who 
have  carved  out  their  own  career  and  suc- 
cess. He  came  to  W^ilkes-Barre  July  25,  1905, 
and  on  that  day  he  had  little  money,  nor 
many  friends.  But  he  had  faith  in  the  city, 
reliance  in  its  stability  and  growth;  and 
above  all  else,  he  had  faith  in  himself.  Today 
he  is  counted  among  the  foremost  of  the  com- 
munity's active  men. 

Hyman  Landau  is  a  son  of  Manuel  and 
Mary  Landau,  now  of  Wilkes-Barre.  Manuel 
and  Mary  Landau  had  children:  1.  Harman, 
assistant  superintendent  of  the  Wilkes- 
Barre  offices.  Metropolitan  Life  Insurance 
Company.  2.  Hyman,  of  whom  follows.  3. 
Clara,  wife  of  Aaron  Goldner,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre.  4.  Leo,  member  of  Landau  Brothers. 
5.  Tillie,  wife  of  Max  Unger,  of  Kingston.  6. 
Isador,  member  of  Landau  Brothers.  7.  Nat, 
also  a  member  of  the  firm. 

Having  received  his  school  training  and 
first  experiences  in  the  business  world,  Mr. 
Landau  found  himself  in  Wilkes-Barre,  in 
1905,  as  recounted.  In  that  year  he  founded 
Landau  Brothers  as  it  has  become,  associated 
in  it  with  Leo.  Nat  and  Isador  Landau,  him- 
self as  eldest  brother,  chief  organizer  and 
natural  director  of  the  whole  in  charge. 
From  that  time  until  the  present,  the  growth 
of  the  Landau  enterprise  has  been  attended 
with  good  fortune,  thanks  largely  to  the 
talents  of  Mr.  Landau,  who  has  given  i' 
serious  thought  from  conception  to  the  full 
and  rugged  maturity  of  recent  years.  While 
he    has    ever    been    occupied    busily    with    the 


7S8 


affairs  of  this  business,  placing  its  impor- 
tance before  the  importance  of  other  con- 
siderations, he  has  not  failed  to  talie  an 
active  part  in  all  proper  movements  for 
community  development.  Indeed,  from  his 
commencement  in  the  mercantile  life  here, 
his  support  never  has  been  withheld  from 
any  beneficial  program  for  the  city's  good. 
He  is  known  for  his  public  spirit  and  the 
liberality  of  his  views.  A  Republican,  he  is 
loyal  to  the  principles  of  the  party,  a  staunch 
supporter,  possessing  some  power  locally  in 
political  questions.  Fraternally  he  is  affili- 
ated with  Landmark  Lodge,  No.  442,  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons;  Shekinah  Chapter,  No.  182, 
Royal  Arch  Masons;  Caldwell  Consistory,  at 
Bloomsburg,  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite, 
thirty-second  degree;  Irem  Temple,  Ancient 
Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine; 
Wilkes-Barre  Lodge,  No.  109,  Benevolent  and 
Protective  Order  of  Elks;  and  is  a  member 
of  Irem  Temple  Country  Club,  the  Lions' 
Club,  and  the  Young  Men's  Hebrew  Associa- 
tion. He  is  a  member  of  Temple  Israel,  and 
since  1922  has  been  its  treasurer.  Toward 
charity  Mr.  Landau  is  always  kindly  and 
largely  disposed.  He  gives  with  a  fine  gener- 
osity, with  no  considerations  of  creed  or  race, 
in  that  spirit  that  is  most  truly  humani- 
tarian. 

On  January  1,  1911,  Mr.  Landau  was  united 
in  marriage  with  Mollie  Michlosky,  of 
Wilkes-Barre;  and  to  this  marriage  were 
born   children:    Rose,   Celia,   and   Julius. 


JOHN  EVANS — Close  attention  to  work, 
from  the  time  he  became  a  breaker  boy  at 
the  coal  mines  of  Wyoming  Valley  when  nine 
years  of  age,  concentration  on  the  multi- 
plicity of  details  that  make  up  the  industry 
and  an  unflagging  industry  lifted  John 
Evans,  of  Freeland,  to  the  position  of  com- 
petent miner  and  commended  the  admiration 
of  his  associates.  He  seems  to  have  inherited 
the  mining  instinct  and  to  have  coupled  this 
native  advantage  with  untiring  application 
of  intellect  and  muscle,  tools  of  trade  that 
are  always  productive  when  placed  in  com- 
petent hands.  In  addition  to  his  labor  of 
production  he  has  always  been  deeply  inter- 
ested in  the  civic  affairs  of  the  community 
and  has  been  called  to  public  office  by  his 
fellow-citizens,  in,  which  instances  he  has 
served  faithfully  and  well  and  justified  the 
confidence  reposed  in  him.  His  upstanding 
citizenship  is  unshaken,  his  contributions  to 
the  general  progress  of  unquestioned  value. 

He  was  born  in  Jeddo,  Pennsylvania,  June 
IS,  1864,  a  son  of  David  and  Elizabeth  (Au- 
brey) Evans,  natives  of  Wales  and  England, 
respectively.  His  father  was  a  miner  wlio 
emigrated  to  America,  worked  at  his  trade 
and  died  in  1S69.  His  son,  John  Evans,  was 
reared  in  Drifton  and  when  nine  years  of 
age  went  into  the  collieries  as  a  breaker  boy, 
two  years  later  advancing  to  work  in  the 
mines  with  the  older  hands.  His  work  took 
him  from  mine  to  mine  as  he  advanced  in 
knowledge,  eventually  becoming  superinten- 
dent at  Hazlebrook,  at  which  place  and  at 
Eckley  he  worked  for  fifteen  years.  This  was 
followed  by  four  years  in  a  similar  position 
with  the  Lehigh  Valley  Coal  Company  at 
Drifton,  also  as  inside  foreman.  He  then 
went  to  Pond  Creek  as  superintendent  for 
seven  years,  and  then  came  to  Upper  Lehigh, 
where  he  still  remains.  Allied  with  the  Re- 
publican party,  he  served  for  eighteen  years 
on  the  local  school  board  of  Foster  Town- 
ship and  for  four  years  as  tax  collector,  also 
having  membership  on  the  Republican  County 
Committee.     He    is    a    director    of    the    First 


National  Bank  of  Freeland  and  fraternally 
affiliated  with  Arbutus  Lodge,  No.  611,  Free 
and  Accepted  Masons.  His  church  is  the  St. 
Jolm's   Reformed. 

John  Evans  married,  in  1885,  Catherine 
Lutz,  of  Eckley,  Pennsylvania.  Their  chil- 
dren are:  1.  George,  an  engineer.  2.  Esther, 
deceased,  formerly  a  teacher  in  tlie  public 
schools  of  Foster  Township.  3.  Barbara, 
taught  school  for  two  years,  married  Com- 
mander G.  R.  French,  surgeon.  United  States 
Navy,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  Catherine, 
Barbara,  George,  Jean,  Virginia  and  Alvin. 
4.  Alvin,  deceased,  a  graduate  of  Lehigli  Uni- 
versity with  the  degree  of  Civil  Engineer, 
who  taught  school  for  a  year.  The  residence 
of  Mr.  Evans  is  at  No.  450  South  Street, 
Freeland,  Pennsylvania. 


W.  GORDON  WILLIAMS,  a  member  of  the 
wholesale  grocery  firm  of  Williams  Brothers 
and  Company,  holds  a  prominent  place  in  the 
business  and  industrial  life  of  Wilkes-Barre 
and  the  surrounding  community  of  Pennsyl- 
vania. This  firm,  one  of  the  oldest  wholesale 
grocery  companies  in  the  Wyoming  Valley, 
was  founded  in  1S69  by  R.  S.  and  David  S. 
Williams,  the  latter  of  whom  is  the  father 
of  W.  Gordon  Williams  and  is  still  the  head 
of  Williams  Brothers  and  Company.  For 
many  years  this  firm  went  on  under  the  name 
of  Williams  Brothers,  but  in  1910  it  was 
changed  to  its  present  name.  Since  he  com- 
pleted his  academic  education,  W.  Gordon 
Williams  has  been  with  several  different 
companies  and  has  done  considerable  banking 
work,  with  the  result  that  his  experience, 
together  with  his  native  talents,  has  made 
him   an   accomplished  business   man. 

He  was  born  on  July  6,  1885,  in  Wilkes- 
Barre,  a  son  of  David  S.  and  Mary  F.  (Lucas) 
Williams,  the  former  born  in  1849  and  is  still 
living,  and  the  latter  deceased.  David  S. 
Williams  is  now  the  head  of  the  firm  of 
Williams  Brothers  and  Company.  A  native  of 
Wales,  he  came  to  America  as  a  young  man. 
and  in  this  country  has  made  for  himself  an 
important  place  In  the  vicinity  of  Wilkes- 
Barre  in  the  business  world.  He  and  Mary 
F.  (Lucas)  Williams  had  seven  children:  1. 
Grace.  2.  J.  Lucas,  who  is  in  the  banking 
business  on  tlie  Pacific  Coast.  3.  W.  Gordon, 
of  further  mention.  4.  Roger  S.,  who  is  with 
the  Buttes  Copper  Company,  of  New  York 
City.  5.  Howard  L.,  who  is  with  the  broker- 
age firm  of  Cassatt  and  Company,  of  Scran- 
ton,  Pennsylvania.  6.  Vaughan,  who  is  with 
the  Williams  Brothers  and  Company  whole- 
sale grocery  business.  7.  Alan  S.,  who  is 
with  the  banking  house  of  Tobey  and  Kirk, 
of  New   York   City. 

As  a  boy,  W.  Gordon  Williams  attended  the 
public  schools  of  Wilkes-Barre,  and  was 
graduated  from  the  high  school  in  the  class 
of  1902.  After  completing  a  business  course 
he  took  a  position  with  the  Corn  Exchange 
National  Bank,  of  Philadelphia.  In  1905  he 
returned  to  Wilkes-Barre,  where  he  became 
associated  with  his  father  in  Williams 
Brothers  and  Company,  with  which  firm  he 
has  been  connected  continuously  since  that 
year  and  has  taken  an  active  part  in  the 
management  of  it.  He  is  one  of  the  leading 
men  in  this  line  of  business  in  the  Wyoming 
Valley,  and  the  many  years  that  he  has 
devoted  to  his  work — a  quarter  of  a  century 
— have  brought  him  the  experience  that  is 
necessary  for  the  complete  adaptation  of  his 
business  to  local  needs.  Deeply  interested  in 
the  civic  and  social  life  of  the  city,  Mr. 
Williams'  political  convictions  have  aligned 
him    with    the    Republican    party,    of    whose 


principles  he  is  a  staunch  supporter.  Fra- 
ternally he  is  affiliated  with  the  Benevolent 
and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  in  which  organ- 
ization he  is  a  member  of  the  Wilkes-Barrc 
Lodge,  No.  109.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Chamber  of  Commerce  and  the  Rotary  Club, 
of  Wilkes-Barre.  His  religious  affiliation  is 
with  the  Grant  Street  Presbyterian  Church. 

On  July  20,  1916,  Mr.  Williams  married 
Anna  L.  Lang,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  a  daughter 
of  Henry  C.  and  Amelia  K.  (Creter)  Lang. 
W.  Gordon  and  Anna  L.  (Lang)  Williams  are 
the  parents  of  three  children:  Gordon  L., 
Francis  K.,  and  Helen  K. 

W'1L1,I.\M    ALOYSIUS    O'CONNOR — Few    of 

the  younger  members  of  the  legal  profession 
in  the  Wyoming  Valley  District  of  Pennsyl- 
vania are  rising  more  rapidly  than  William 
Aloysius  O'Connor,  who  has  been  in  practice 
here  since  his  admission  to  the  bar  in  1921. 
His  civic  interests  commend  hiin  to  the  peo- 
ple and  he  has  been  active  in  the  local  work 
of  the  Democratic  party,  of  which  he  is  a 
staunch  member.  Progressive  citizens  of  his 
high  character  are  the  underlying  forces 
upon  which  is  erected  sound  government,  and 
in  this  respect  Mr.  O'Connor  has  won  the 
admiration  and  esteem  of  the  community  and 
may  confidently  expect  to  reap  the  reward 
of  his  sincerity  in   public  affairs. 

He  was  born  in  Mildred,  Pennsylvania,  and 
was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Sulli- 
van County,  graduating  from  high  school 
and  then  attending  St.  Joseph's  College  in 
Philadelphia,  from  which  he  was  graduated 
with  the  class  of  191S.  He  then  matriculated 
at  the  University  of  Pennsylvania  and  fin- 
ished the  course  in  1922,  receiving  the  degree 
of  Bachelor  of  Arts.  This  led  to  his  decision 
on  the  law  as  a  profession  and  he  went  to 
the  Law  School  of  Georgetown  University, 
graduating  in  1926  with  the  degree  of  Bache- 
lor of  Laws.  During  the  Presidential  cam- 
paign of  1928  he  was  vice-chairman  of  the 
Smith-Robertson  Democratic  Campaign  Com- 
mittee and  contril;)Uted  freely  of  his  time  and 
energy.  He  is  a  director  of  the  Susquehanna 
Building  and  Loan  Association,  and  has  mem- 
bership in  the  County  Bar  Association;  the 
Lawyers'  Club;  Knights  of  Columbus;  Lodge 
No.  109,  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of 
Elks,  and  the  college  fraternity  of  Delta 
Theta  Phi.  He  is  a  Roman  Catholic  in  reli- 
gion and  attends  St.  Mary's  Church. 

Mr.  O'Connor's  father  was  for  many  years 
a  prosperous  and  popular  hotel  proprietor 
and  dealer  in  lumber  and  real  estate  in 
Jlildred  and  vicinity.  He  was  James  O'Con- 
nor, born  in  County  Cork,  Ireland,  in  1852, 
deceased  October  11,  1914.  His  wife,  mother 
of  William  Aloysius,  was  Ellen  (Scanlon) 
O'Connor,  born  in  Bradford  County,  Penn- 
sylvania. 

BENJAMIIV  NICHOLAS  DAVIS — Commer- 
cial life  in  the  city  of  Wilkes-Barre  and  its 
environs  has  appreciably  improved  through 
participation  in  the  wholesale  meat  business 
on  the  part  of  Benjamin  N.  Davis,  who  has 
been  at  the  head  of  an  establishment  of  his 
founding  for  some  ten  years.  Mr.  Davis  has 
kept  pace  with  modern  ideas  relative  to  his 
line  of  business,  and  has  the  reputation  of 
owning  one  of  the  best-equipped  plants  of 
Its  kind  in  the  territory  which  he  serves.  He 
is  also  prominently  identified  with  the  Ma- 
sonic fraternity  and  is  known  for  his  deep 
and  practical  interest  in  the 'civic  movements 
of  Wilkes-Barre. 

Born  in  Toungstown,  Ohio,  February  18, 
1888,    Benjamin   Nicholas   Davis   is   the   son   of 


Benjamin  N.  and  Mary  Jane  (Plynn)  Davis, 
both  parents  natives  of  that  city,  the  father 
a  well-known  police  officer  there  for  many 
years,  and  the  mother  died  In  June,  1913.  The 
son,  Benjamin,  received  his  education  in  the 
public  schools  of  Youngstown,  and  on  leaving 
school  learned  the  electrical  trade,  which  he 
pursued    in   Ohio   for  eleven   years. 

A  kindly  fate  pointed  Mr.  Davis  the  way  to 
Wilkes-Barre,  in  1914,  and  in  this  city  he 
established  himself  in  his  own  electrical 
contracting  and  garage  work.  This  he  oper- 
ated under  his  own  name  for  about  five  years, 
and  met  with  increasing  volume  of  good- 
will on  the  part  of  the  people.  In  1919,  he 
believed  he  had  a  greater  field  of  service 
offered  him  in  an  advantageous  opportunity, 
and  founded  the  wholesale  meat  business, 
which  bears  his  name,  at  No.  44  South  Penn- 
sylvania Avenue,  Wilkes-Barre.  That  was  ten 
years  ago  approximately,  and  the  wisdom  of 
making  the  change  from  one  business  to  the 
other  has  been  attested  many-fold  in  the  suc- 
cessful career  that  has  attended  his  efforts 
in  the  newer  field.  His  house  has  made  a 
good  name  for  itself  by  handling  an  exclusive 
line  of  meat  products,  and  thus  by  excellent 
management  and  superiority  of  the  goods 
offered  the  business  goes  forward  satisfac- 
torily on  an  increased  profit-returning  basis. 
The  business  furnishes  employment  for  seven 
persons.  Among  its  up-to-date  equipment 
and  facilities  are  a  fleet  of  five  motor  trucks 
and  a  modernly  arranged  storage  plant.  The 
entire  outfit  is  one  of  the  business  show- 
places  of  the  city. 

The  Republican  party  has  the  loyal  and 
long-time  support  of  Mr.  Davis,  whose  politi- 
cal fervor  has  never  carried  him  into  the 
"practical  realm."  He  is,  however,  one  of  that 
desirable  group  of  party  men  who  are  known 
as  reliable.  His  fraternal  relations  are  with 
Fidelity  Lodge,  No.  395,  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons;  Keystone  Consistory  of  the  Scottish 
Rite,  of  Scranton;  and  Irem  Temple,  Ancient 
Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  His 
religious  obligations  are  given  to  the  Baptist 
Church,  of  which  he  is  a  member  and  a  lii  - 
eral  supporter. 

Benjamin  N.  Davis  was  married,  November 
27,  1923,  to  Josephine  Marie  Schuller,  daugh- 
ter of  John  E.  and  Anna  (Sheerer)  Schuller, 
of  Dunmore,  Pennsylvania,  both  parents 
residing  in  that  town.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Davis 
have  their  residence  on  Walnut  Street  in 
Kingston. 

JOHN  MacCALIiUM — Of  Scotch  descent  as 
the  name  MacCallum  suggests,  Mr.  MacCal- 
lum's  parents  were  both  natives  of  Scotland. 
His  father,  John  MacCallum,  Sr.,  was  born 
in  1835,  and  came  to  this  country  in  1859, 
and  worked  at  his  trade  of  boilermaker.  He 
died  in  1908.  His  mother,  Jane  (Bond)  Mac- 
Callum,  was  born  in   1841,   and  died   in   1902. 

John  MacCallum,  the  younger,  was  born  in 
Wilkes-Barre,  October  10,  1872,  and  received 
his  education  in  the  public  schools  in  this 
city.  His  first  employment  was  with  machine 
shops;  first,  with  the  Richard  Sharp  Boiler 
and  Machine  Works,  where  he  remained  for 
four  years.  Then  six  years  in  the  shops  of 
the  Central  Railroad  at  Ashley,  followed  by 
five  years  in  the  Lehigh  Valley  Shops,  always 
in  expert  mechanical  work.  His  progress 
was  interrupted  for  a  time  by  his  enlisting 
with  the  9th  Pennsylvania  Volunteers  in  the 
Spanish  War.  He  was  commissioned  as  first 
lieutenant  and  saw  service  for  seven  months. 
When  he  returned  he  was  employed  as  a 
mechanic  in  the  shop  of  the  Hazard  Manu- 
facturing Company,  remaining  thus  for  three 


760 


years.  In  1902  Mr.  MacCallum  started  his  own 
business  under  the  name  of  MacCallum  Com- 
pany. The  name  and  partnersliip  liave  sur- 
vived throughout  these  years  and  the  com- 
pany has  prospered  tremendously,  employing 
an  average  of  twelve  men  and  building  their 
present  building  on  Wood  Street,  in  1905.  Mr. 
MacCallum  is  acknowledged  to  be  one  of  the 
constructive  forces  of  the  commercial  struc- 
ture of  Wilkes-Barre,  and  one  who  is  looked 
up  to  for  his  qualities  of  staunchness  and 
probity.  He  was  one  of  the  original  stock- 
holders and  acts  on  the  board  of  directors  of 
the  Hanover  Bank  and  Trust  Company.  Mr. 
MacCallum  is  a  Republican  in  politics  and 
has  been  a  member  of  Lodg-e  No.  61,  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons,  for  thirty-four  years.  He 
belongs  to  the  Caldwell  Consistory  of  the 
Sublime  Princes  of  the  Royal  Secret,  and  a 
meniber  of  Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic 
Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Westminster  Presbyterian 
Church. 

In  1S99  John  MacCallum  married  Maude 
Cornelius,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  and  they  have 
two  children,  Helen  Ruth,  now  Mrs.  James, 
and  Earl  Donald,  who  is  engaged  in  the 
insurance   business   in    this   city. 

DAIVIKL    BITTNER    WILLIAMS,    D.    D.    S. — 

Following  in  the  footsteps  of  his  father.  Dr. 
Williams  decided  unon  a  dental  career  after 
completing  his  education  in  the  public  schools 
of  his  native  city,  Wilkes-Barre.  There  he 
has  been  engaged  very  successfully  in  the 
general  practice  of  his  profession  ever  since 
graduating  from  a  dental  college,  almost 
thirty-five  years  ago.  He  has  built  up  a 
large  and  profitable  practice  and  is  consid- 
ered  one   of  the   leading  dentists   of   the   city. 

Dr.  Daniel  Bittner  Williams  was  born  in 
Wilkes-Barre,  July  1,  1872,  a  son  of  the 
late  Dr.  Edward  Dennison  and  Elizabeth  Jane 
(Bittner)  Williams.  His  father,  who  was  born 
at  Dimock,  Wyoming  County,  Pennsylvania, 
in  1836  and  who  died  in  Wilkes-Barre  in 
February,  1893,  was  a  dentist.  His  mother, 
a  native  of  Lewistown,  Pennsylvania,  was 
born  in  1S39  and  died  in  January,  1927.  Dr. 
Williams  himself  was  educated  in  the  public 
grammar  and  high  schools  of  Wilkes-Barre 
and,  after  graduating  from  the  latter,  took 
up  the  study  of  dentistry  at  the  Baltimore 
College  of  Dental  Surgery,  Baltimore,  Mary- 
land, from  which  he  graduated  with  the  de- 
gree of  Doctor  of  Dental  Surgery  in  1894. 
Returning  then  to  Wilkes-Barre,  he  estab- 
lished himself  there  as  a  dentist  and  has 
carried  on  a  general  dental  practice  ever 
since  then.  He  is  known  as  a  very  able  dental 
surgeon  and  constantly  keeps  himself  in- 
formed about  the  latest  developments  and  in- 
ventions in  the  field  of  dentistry.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  American  Dental  Society,  the 
Pennsylvania  State  Dental  Society,  the  Lu- 
zerne County  Dental  Society  and  the  First 
District  Dental  Society  of  the  State  of  New 
York.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  West- 
moreland Club  and  of  the  Wyoming  Valley 
Country  Club.  In  politics  he  is  independent, 
while  his  religious  affiliations  are  with  the 
Protestant  Episcopal  Church  and  more  par- 
ticularly with  St.  Stephen's  Episcopal  Church 
of  Wilkes-Barre. 

Dr.  Williams  married,  July  27,  1912,  Alice 
Guernsey  Mercur  of  West  Pittston,  Luzerne 
County,  a  daughter  of  Edward  and  Louise 
(Belin)  Mercur.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Williams  are 
the  parents  of  one  son,  Edward  Mercur  Wil- 
liams, born  February  28,  1915,  a  student  at 
the     Wilkes-Barre     Academy.      Dr.     Williams' 


offices  are  located  at  No.   76  West  Northamp- 
ton Street,   Wilkes-Barre. 


HERBERT  BUDO  GIBBV,  M.  D.,  Fellow  of 
the  American  College  of  Surgeons,  and  one 
of  the  most  prominent  surgeons  in  Eastern 
Penns.vlvania,  was  born  on  September  12, 
1871,  at  Princeton,  New  Jersey.  Dr.  Gibby  is 
a  son  of  William  J.  and  Helen  (Budd)  Gibby; 
and  a  grandson,  on  the  paternal  side,  of 
William  and  Anne  (McKinley)  Gibby,  and, 
on  the  maternal  side,  of  John  Shivers  and 
Charlotte  E.  (Ward)  Budd,  who  had  twelve 
children.  John  Shivers  Budd  fought  in  the 
War  of  1812,  and  was  a  son  of  John  Cozens 
Budd,  who  was  himself  a  son  of  Barne  Budd, 
a  surgeon  in  the  War  of  the  American  Revo- 
lution, in  General  Winds'  regiment  from 
Morris  County,  and  also  one  of  the  founders 
of  the  New  Jersey  Medical  Society  in  1766. 
William  Gibby,  Dr.  Gibby's  paternal  grand- 
father, was  for  many  years  a  judge  of  Union 
County,  New  Jersey,  and  also  was  an  exten- 
sive manufacturer  of  dyes  and  dye  materials. 

William  J.  Gibby,  the  father,  was  a  promi- 
nent member  of  the  Mercer  County  Bar,  of 
New  Jersey,  and  served  for  several  terms  as 
mayor  of  Princeton.  He  died  when  he  was 
onl>*  forty-eight  years  of  age,  a  nian  beloved 
by  those  who  knew  him  well  and  respected 
by  all  with  whom  he  came  into  contact.  By 
his  marriage  to  Helen  (Budd)  Gibby  he  be- 
came the  father  of  seven  children:  1.  William 
D.,  an  attorney-at-law  of  Princeton,  New 
Jersey.  2.  Leroy  A.,  an  attorney  at  Summit, 
New  Jersey.  3.  Herbert  Budd,  M.  D.,  of  whom 
further.  4.  Helen  D.  5.  Walter  R.,  a  whole- 
sale coal  dealer  of  New  York  City.  6.  Edgar 
M.,  a  dealer  in  office  furniture.  New  York 
City.  7.  Harold  J.,  M.  D.,  an  ear,  nose  and 
throat  specialist  of  Worcester,  Massachusetts. 

Herbert  Budd  Gibby,  of  whom  this  is  pri- 
marily a  record,  was  the  third  son  and  third 
child  of  his  parents.  He  received  his  early 
education  in  the  public  schools  of  the  com- 
munity in  which  he  was  born  and  reared,  and 
at  the  Princeton  Preparatory  School.  In 
Princeton  he  lived  all  his  early  life,  and 
when  the  time  came  for  him  to  enter  an  insti- 
tution of  higher  learning,  he  became  a  stu- 
dent at  Princeton  University,  from  which  he 
was  graduated  in  the  class  of  1892  with  the 
degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts.  He  then  entered 
Medical  College  at  the  University  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, from  which,  in  1895,  he  received  his 
degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine.  In  1895  he 
also  received  the  degree  of  Master  of  Arts 
from  Princeton  University.  In  1896  he  set- 
tled at  Pittston,  Luzerne  County,  Pennsyl- 
vania. In  1900  he  spent  a  year  in  post-gradu- 
ate study  at  Vienna,  Austria.  He  then  fol- 
lo^ved  the  general  practice  of  his  profession 
until  1907,  when  he  removed  to  Rochester, 
Minnesota,  where  he  attended  clinics  under 
the  celebrated  Mayo  brothers.  He  returned 
to  Wilkes-Barre  in  1908,  but  in  the  following 
year.  1909,  he  gave  up  his  general  practice, 
and  has  since  devoted  his  time  to  surgery. 
He  has  been  one  of  the  very  active  surgeons 
of  Wilkes-Barre  for  the  last  eighteen  years, 
a  man  of  particular  prominence  in  this  part 
of  the  State.  He  is  now  serving  as  a  member 
of  the  surgical  staff  of  the  Wilkes-Barre 
General  Hospital;  and  he  is  also  a  member  of 
the  board  of  trustees  of  the  Wilkes-Barre 
Institute,  a  school   for  girls. 

Despite  his  many  varied  and  often  exacting 
duties  of  his  pro'fession.  Dr.  Gibby  has,  nev- 
ertheless, found  time  in  which  to  take  a  keen 
Interest  in  the  civic  and  general  affairs  of 
his    community.     He    is    especially    noted    for 


76 1 


the  excellent  manner  in  which  he  stands 
behind  any  movement  devoted  to  the  welfare 
and  advancement  of  his  community.  He  has 
also  been  active  in  the  organizations  that 
pertain  to  his  profession,  and  among  the 
more  important  of  those  in  which  he  now 
holds  membership  are  the  Pennsylvania  State 
Medical  Society  and  the  Luzerne  County 
Medical  Society.  He  is,  as  noted  above,  a 
Fellow  in  the  American  College  of  Surgeons. 
Dr.  Herbert  Budd  Gibby  married,  on  Sep- 
tember 17,  1904,  at  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsyl- 
vania, Emma  Bodmer,  daughter  of  Henry 
Bodmer,  of  Wilkes-Barre.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Gibby 
are  tlie  parents  of  two  children:  1.  Helen, 
who  is  a  graduate  of  Vassar  College,  and  is 
married  to  Dr.  Lachlan  McA.  Cattanach,  who 
is  associated  with  Dr.  Gibby  in  the  practice 
of  surgery.  2.  Natalie  Stuart,  who  is  a  stu- 
dent   at    the   Wilkes-Barre    Institute. 


WILLIAM  FOWLER  BAKER,  a  director 
and  assistant  cashier  in  the  First  National 
Bank  of  Wyoming",  Pennsylvania,  is  the  son 
of  Johnson  R.  Baker,  who  was  born  at  Wyo- 
ming, Luzerne  County,  Pennsylvania,  and  has 
for  a  number  of  years  been  engaged  in  the 
business  of  a  retail  merchant,  and  of  Harriet 
E.  (Fowler)  Baker,  who  was  born  at  Pleasant 
Mount,  W^ayne  County,  Pennsylvania,  and 
who  died  in  1923. 

William  Fowler  Baker  was  born  at  W^yo- 
ming,  Pennsylvania,  on  October  25,  1898.  He 
was  educated  in  the  lower  grades  and  the 
high  school  here  and  also  attended  the  Wyo- 
ming Seminary.  On  July  1,  1917,  he  made  a 
connection  with  the  First  National  Bank, 
serving  that  institution  in  various  capacities 
since,  having  been  made  a  director  of  this 
bank  in  1926  and  assistant  cashier  July  1, 
1929.  He  is  a  member  of  Lodge  No.  468,  Free 
and  Accepted  Masons:  the  Keystone  Con- 
sistory of  Scranton;  Irem  Temple,  Ancient 
Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine  of 
Wilkes-Barre  and  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church.  In  his  political  views  Mr.  Baker  is  a 
Republican. 

On  May  2S,  1921,  William  Fowler  Baker 
married  Louise  Sax  of  Carberton,  Pennsyl- 
vania, daughter  of  Amos  B.  and  Fanny  Sax. 
They  have  two  daughters,  Harriet  Edith, 
born  May  30.  1924,  and  Helen  Louise,  born 
December    25,    1929. 


WILLIAM  JAMES  POW'LER — As  a  pro- 
gressive and  community  loving  citizen,  Wil- 
liam James  Fowler  of  W>'oming,  Pennsyl- 
vania, is  well  known  throughout  this  county 
for  the  part  he  has  taken  in  commercial, 
financial  and  civic  affairs.  He  is  the  son  of 
James  and  Cordelia  (Bates)  Fowler.  His 
father  was  born  in  England  in  1S41  and  was 
a  miller  by  trade.  He  died  in  1901.  His 
mother  was  a  native  of  Wayne  County, 
Pennsylvania,  and  died  in  1916. 

William  James  Fowler  was  born  at  Pleas- 
ant Mount,  Wayne  County,  Pennsylvania,  on 
February  24,  1863.  He  was  educated  in  the 
public  schools  of  Susquehanna  County,  Penn- 
sylvania, and  in  the  Delaware  Literary  Insti- 
tute at  Franklin,  New  York.  He  then  learned 
and  followed  the  trade  of  a  miller,  being 
associated  with  his  father  and  his  brother, 
Charles.  At  first  the  business  firm  was  James 
Fowler  and  Son  and  was  begun  in  1883  in 
Wyoming.  In  1901,  the  elder  Mr.  Fowler  died 
and  in  1919  Charles  Fowler  died.  However, 
in  1885  the  name  had  been  changed  to  James 
Fowler  and  Sons,  including  William  James 
Fowler  in  the  firm.  Since  the  death  of  his 
father  and  his  brother,  the  elder  members 
of  the  firm,   William   James   Fowler  has  car- 


ried on  the  business.  He  has  also  been  active 
in  civic  affairs  and  served  as  a  member  of 
the  school  Ijoard  for  thirty-five  years.  Al.so, 
Mr.  Fowler  was  one  of  the  promoters  of  the 
organization  of  the  First  National  Bank  of 
Wyoming  which  was  chartered  in  1906  and 
opened  its  doors  for  business  In  1907  on 
March  27,  located  in  a  room  now  occupied 
by  the  Williams  Drug  Store.  This  was  the 
first  and  is  the  only  hank  in  Wyoming.  Mr. 
Fowler  was  the  first  president  of  this  insti- 
tution and  at  the  time  of  its  opening  the 
oflJicers  were:  W.  J.  Fowler,  president:  George 
E.  Dean,  cashier:  Jessie  B.  Schooley,  first 
vice-president.  The  present  building  now 
occupied  by  the  bank  was  erected  in  1912  on 
the  corner  of  Wyoming  Avenue  and  Eight 
Street. 

Mr.  Fowler  is  a  Republican  in  his  political 
affiliations,  and  is  a  member  of  Lodge  No. 
468,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  of  Wyoming; 
a  member  of  Shekinah  Chapter,  No.  185; 
Dieu  le  Veut  Commandery,  Knights  Templar; 
Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles 
of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  He  is  also  a  member  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church.  He  has  never 
married. 


H.\ROLD     GORDON      GUYLER,     M.     D. — By 

ministering  successfully  to  the  physical  ills 
of  people  in  the  Wyoming  Valley,  Dr.  Harold 
G.  Guyler,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  is  making  a 
striking  contribution  to  the  welfare  of 
humanity  in  general.  One  of  the  younger 
group  of  physicians  "who  has  his  practice  in 
this  his  native  city.  Dr.  Guyler  is  destined 
to  go  forward  to  further  achievements  which 
shall  make  his  name  one  of  the  leading  mem- 
bers of  his  school  of  medicine  and  surgery 
in  the  field  of  his  practice.  In  addition  to  his 
private  practice,  in  office  and  among  the 
families  of  Wilkes-Barre  and  vicinity,  he  is 
a  member  of  a  hospital  staff  and  has  been 
elected  to  the  associational  bodies  of  his 
profession  in  the  county  and  State  and  the 
country  at  large. 

Dr.  Harold  Gordon  Guyler  was  born  in 
Wilkes-Barre,  February  17,  1899,  the  son  of 
Harry  and  Ada  (Hunter)  Guyler,  the  former 
born  in  Nottingham,  England,  in  1859,  is  a 
lace  manufacturer  at  Wilkes-Barre,  and  the 
latter,  born  in  Barnsley,  England,  in  1S66. 
From  the  grade  schools  of  his  native  city, 
the  son,  Harold  Gordon,  passed  into  the  high 
school,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1916. 
The  profession  of  physician  and  surgeon  al- 
ready had  been  elected  by  him,  and  he  took 
up  his  studies  for  its  perfection  by  enrolling 
in  the  pre-medical  course  at  Hahnemann 
Medical  College,  Philadelphia,  from  which  he 
received  his  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine  at 
graduation  in  the  class  of  1925.  He  served 
his  interneship  at  the  W^omen's  Homeopathic 
Hospital,  Philadelphia,  and  in  1926  returned 
to  his  native  Wilkes-Barre,  where  he  at  once 
engaged  in  a  general  practice.  It  is  signifi- 
cant of  Dr.  Guyler's  standing,  after  so  com- 
paratively a  brief  association  with  the  prac- 
tical side  of  medicine,  that  he  is  drawing  to 
his  side  members  of  some  of  the  most  de- 
sirable families  in  the  Wilkes-Barre  area. 
This  bespeaks  for  hiin  the  confidence  reposed 
in  his  ability  and  the  preference  given  by 
many  to  the  school  of  medicine  of  which  he 
is  a  skillful  representative. 

Dr.  Guyler  is  attached  to  the  staff  of  the 
Wyoming  Valley  Homeopathic  Hospital,  in 
whose  various  departments  he  is  much  inter- 
ested as  he  carries  to  patients  and  resident 
attaches  his  message  of  hope  and  cheer  and 
ministry  of  healing.  His  professional  affilia- 
tions   include    the    Luzerne    County    Medical 


762 


Society,  the  Pennsylvania  State  Medical  Asso- 
ciation, the  American  Medical  Association, 
the  Luzerne  County  Homeopathic  Medical 
Society,  the  Pennsylvania  State  Homeopathic 
Medical  Society.  He  has  his  religious  con- 
nection with  St.  Stephen's  Protestant  Epis- 
copal   Church    at  Wilkes-Barre. 

Dr.  Harold  Gordon  Guyler  married,  Sep- 
tember 4,  1926,  Mildred  Trumbull  Brooks, 
daughter  of  Lewis  and  Jessie  (Boreham) 
Brooks,  of  St.  David's,  Pennsylvania.  They 
are  the  parents  of  a  daughter,  Nancy  Brooks, 
born  August  8,  1927. 


AUSTIN  MoKIlVIRY — When  he  was  seven 
years  of  age  Austin  McKiniry  went  to  work 
in  a  silk  mill  at  Tobyhanna,  Pennsylvania. 
He  not  only  learned  the  business  of  silk 
manufacture  but  he  acquired  an  education  in 
other  directions,  remaining  at  his  job  until 
he  became  of  age,  when  he  temporarily  went 
into  other  lines  of  work.  But  it  was  silk  that 
called  him  and  he  returned,  made  his  way 
steadily  upward  and  eventually  attained  a 
position  of  great  responsibility  and  impor- 
tance in  the  local  industry.  In  his  years  of 
association  with  the  business  and  social  com- 
munity of  the  Freeland'  District  he  has  made 
a  host  of  friends  and  won  the  respect  of  all, 
recognized  as  one  of  the  standard  citizens 
and  progressive  business  men  of  Pennsyl- 
vania. 

He  was  born  in  the  County  of  Limerick,  Ire- 
land, July  25,  1872,  a  son  of  John  and  Ellen 
(Ward)  McKiniry,  who  came  with  him  to 
America  when  he  was  two  years  of  age  and 
settled  in  Tobyhanna  Mills,  Monroe  County, 
where  the  father  became  associated  with  the 
lumber  industry  as  a  sealer,  following  tliat 
occupation  through  his  active  life.  His  death 
occurred  May  30,  1920.  He  was  an  active 
member  of  the  Democratic  party  until  the 
organization  of  the  Bull  Moose,  when  he  be- 
came afBliated  with  that  party.  His  widow  is 
also  deceased. 

Their  son,  Austin  McKiniry,  began  work 
for  the  Standard  Silk  Company  of  Tobyhanna 
when  he  was  seven  years  of  age  and  re- 
mained there  for  fourteen  years,  working 
liis  way  up  steadily  and  learning  the  trade 
of  silk  spinning.  From  this  he  went  to  the 
Tobyhanna  Lumber  Company  and  remained 
with  that  concern  until  1897,  when  he  came 
to  Freeland  and  became  associated  with  the 
Luzerne  Silk  Throwing  Company,  successors 
to  Freeland  Silk  Mills,  which  was  estab- 
lished in  1897  by  John,  Harry  and  Samuel' 
Price,  E.  R.  Simpson,  president,  and  Frank 
Prigeria.  Its  original  plant  consisted  of  ten 
spinners  and  a  proportionate  number  of  other 
machines,  growing  as  production  increased 
to  four  times  that  capacity  and  an  average 
of  one  hundred  and  sixty  persons  in  its 
employ,  with  Mr.  McKiniry  its  superinten- 
dent. He  is  affiliated  with  the  Freeland 
Lodge,  No.  1145,  Benevolent  and  Protective 
Order  of  Elks,  and  in  religion  is  a  member 
of  the  Roman  Catholic  congregation  of  St. 
Ann's. 

Austin  McKiniry  married  (first)  Nora 
Fahey,  deceased.  Their  children  are:  Francis, 
Anna,  and  Helen,  who  married  Charles  Linn. 
He  married  (second)  Maggie  McKinley,  and 
they  are  the  parents  of  John.  The  family 
residence  is  at  No.  58  Ridge  Street,  Free- 
land. 


This  enterprise  was  founded  through  his 
initiative  and  has  reached  its  present  posi- 
tion  under  his   successful   guidance. 

Ml'.  Elward  was  born  at  Wyoming,  Penn- 
sylvania, on  January  29,  1892,  a  son  of 
Thomas  J.  Elward.  Sr.,  now  deceased,  and 
Elizabeth  (Lamb)  Elward,  his  wife.  The 
father  was  an  engineer  by  occupation. 
Thomas  J.  Elward,  Jr.,  received  his  educa- 
tional training  in  Pennsylvania  schools.  He 
attended  Sacred  Heart  High  School  at  Plains, 
Pennsylvania,  and  following  his  graduation 
there,  studied  in  the  Extension  School  of  the 
University  of  Pennsylvania.  He  began  his 
active  career  as  a  retail  clothing  salesman, 
being  employed  in  this  capacity  from  1909 
to  1914.  Here  he  acquired  a  familiarity  with 
the  various  details  of  the  business  ^vhich  has 
been  of  value  to  him  in  his  own  venture.  Mr. 
Elward  launched  an  independent  enterprise 
on  February  25,  1917,  and  since  that  time  has 
carried  on  business  as  a  retail  clothing  mer- 
chant under  his  own  name,  building  his  trade 
to  prosperous  proportions. 

During  the  war  years,  however,  1917  to 
1919,  Mr.  Elward  served  in  his  country's 
cause.  After  the  entry  of  the  United  States 
into  the  conflict  he  enlisted  in  the  army  on 
December  13,  1917,  and  for  fourteen  months 
was  overseas  with  the  American  Expedi- 
tionary Forces  attached  to  the  486th  Aero 
Squadron.  He  received  his  honorable  dis- 
charge on  June  12,  1919,  and  returned  to  his 
business  at  Wilkes-Barre.  Mr.  Elward  is 
now  a  member  of  Wilkes-Barre  Post  of  the 
American  Legion,  and  is  also  affiliated  with 
the  Knights  of  Columbus  and  the  Fraternal 
Order  of  Eagles.  He  worships  with  his  family 
in  the  Roman  Catholic  faith,  being  a  member 
of  the  parish  of  St.  John  in  this  city. 

On  August  23,  1926,  at  St.  Peter's  Cathedral, 
Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  Thomas  Joseph  El- 
ward, Jr.,  married  Winifred  Durkan,  daugh- 
ter of  Thomas  A.  and  Ann  (Connors)  Durkan. 
They  are  the  parents  of  three  children:  1. 
Elizabeth,  born  on  August  4,  1-927.  2.  Thomas, 
born  on  October  6,  1928.  3.  Ann  Beauley,  born 
on  December  14,  1929.  The  family  residence 
is  maintained  at  No.  329  North  Main  Street, 
while  Mr.  Elward's  place  of  business  is  situ- 
ated at  No.  20  South  Main  Street. 


THOM.4S        JOSEPH        EL,^VARD,        JR. — As 

owner  of  one  of  Wilkes-Barre's  important 
business  establishments,  Thomas  Joseph  El- 
ward, Jr.,  has  carried  on  a  retail  clothing 
trade  in  this  city  for  the  past  thirteen  years. 


JOHX  GLOWACKI — Progressive  citizen- 
ship, marked  by  industry  and  an  interest  in 
a"ll  that  appertains  to  the  civic,  social  and 
religious  welfare  of  the  community  is  indi- 
cated in  full  measure  in  the  person  of  John 
GlowaCki,  merchant,  of  Nanticoke,  Luzerne 
County,  Pennsylvania.  For  more  than  forty 
years  he  has  labored  in  Nanticoke,  putting 
into  his  efforts  the  intense  industry  that  is  a 
natural  heritage  of  his  Polish  blood,  for  he 
was  an  immigrant  boy  from  that  harassed 
land  when'  he  emigrated  to  America  in  1887. 
Since  then  he  has  steadily  risen  in  the  com- 
mercial field  and  has  taken  his  place  in  the 
general  prosperity,  to  which  he  had  given 
no  small  share  of  assistance  by  his  own  ac- 
tivities. 

John  Glowacki  was  born  in  Poland,  Sep- 
tember 24,  1867,  a  son  of  Louis  Glowacki. 
"With  his  parents  he  lived  until  he  was 
twenty  years  of  age,  then  came  to  America 
and  located  in  Nanticoke,  where  he  found 
immediate  employment  in  a  butcher  shop.  For 
five  years  he  worked  at  this  trade  in  vari- 
ous shops,  then  opened  his  own  store  and 
market  on  Arch  Street.  Three  years  later 
he  removed  to  his  present  location.  No.  8 
West  Ridge  Street,  where  he  does  a  large 
retail  business  in  meats  and  groceries.  He 
is    a    director    in    the     Susquehanna    Lumber 


763 


Company  and  in  the  Nanticoke  National 
Bank,  ot  whicli  he  was  one  of  the  organizers. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Polish  National  Alli- 
ance, of  the  Polish  Union  and  of  the  Wood- 
men of  the  World.  His  religion  is  Roman 
Catholic   and    he   attends    Trinity   Church. 

Mr.  Glowacki  married,  in  1891,  Sophia  Ber- 
fus,    of    Nanticoke.     Their    children    are;      1. 


Lillian.  2.  Louis,  husband  of  Margerle  Grout- 
kow.ski,  and  associated  In  business  with  his 
father.  .•!.  Mary,  a  teacher  in  the  Nanticoke 
High  School.  He  married  (second)  Theodosla. 
a  sister  of  his  first  wife,  by  whom  he  is  the 
father  of  one  child,  Millard,  in  business  with 
his  father.  The  family  reside  at  No.  8  West 
Ridge   Street. 


I  N  DEX 


TO    VOLUMES     V    AND     VI 

FOR     INDEX     OF    FIRST     FOUR     VOLUMES.     SEE    VOUUME    IV 


ADDENDA 

*Coon,  Bolton  G.,  p.  555.   In  addition  to  the  club  memberships  already  mentioned  in  Mr.  Coon's 

biography,  he  also  is  a  member  of  the  National  Travel  Club  and  the  Old  Colony  Club;  and 

he  is  a  trustee  of  Wyoming  Seminary. 
*Fowler,  William  J.,  p.  761.    Since  the  writing  of  this  biography,  Mr.  Fowler  has  passed  away. 
*Hobbes,   D.   M.,  p.   395.    Mr.   Hobbes   passed   away,  after  his  biography   had   gone  to  press, 

November  30,  1929. 
*McLean,  William  S..  p.  537.   Mr.  McLean  passed  away,  after  his  biography  had  gone  to  press, 

June  8,  1929. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  INDEX 


Adamy,  Basil  E.,   3SS 

Elsie   M.,    38S 

Harry  D.,   387,   388 

Ruby   E.,    387 

Walter   A.,    387 
Adkins,    Andrew    J.,    405 

Elsie,   405 

Isaiah   (Josiah),  405 

Martha  J.,  405 

Mason  H.,    405 

Maude,    405 

Samuel,    405 

Samuel    B.,    404,    405 

Thomas,    404 
Ahlborn,    Eleanor   N.,    202 

Frederick    A.,    696 

Frederick   C,    202,   696 

Frederick    W.,    695,    696 

Henrietta,    202,    696 

Herbert  A.,   696 

Hervey  D.,    202 

Marion   U,    696 

Maurice    B.,    Jr.,    202 
Albert,   Anna,    534 

Charles    H.,     534 

Charles  L,.,  534 

Charles   L.,    Jr.,    534 

Edgar,    681 

Emma,   6S2 

Frank    H.,    681 

Henry,    681 

Jannette,  534 

Peter,    681 
Alexander,  Herman,  374 

James    I.,    324 

James    I.,    Prof.,    324 

Jean  D.,   324 

Joseph,   374 

Maria  L..,   324 

Michael,    374 

Minna,    374 

Theodore,    324 

Todd  G.,   324 
Allan,    Agnes,    605 

Anna  L.,   286 

Dorothy,    605 

James  W.,  2S6 

Margaret,    286 

Selby  G.,  605 

William   R.,    2S6 

William    S.,    605 

William   S.,   Jr..    G05 
Allen,    Arthur    W.,    Dr.,    402 

Eleanor,    402 

Harry,    402 
Anderson,  James  H.,  259 

John,    259 

Mary,    259 

Philip,    260 
Andreas,   Aaron,   566 

Elizabeth,   566 

Hattie  L.,    567 


John,  566 

Russell    E.,    566,    567 
Androsky,   Bernard  S.,  Dr.,  715 

Charles,    715 

Sophia,    715 
Archer,    Floyd   P.,   Dr.,    591 

Floyd    P.,   Jr.,    591 

George  W.,   591 

Ida,  591 

Mary  E.,  591 
Armstrong,    Alexander,    Dr., 
394,    395 

Alexander   E.,    395 

Ann.   394 

Hugh,    394 

Louise  C,   395 
Arnold,   Caroline,   542 

Clayton  T.,  542 

Florence,   543 

Luther  D.,  543 

Spencer  E.,   542 

Spencer  W.,  543 
Ash.  Alice  G.,  200 

Charles    E.,    200 

Charles  E.,  Jr.,  200 

Edward  T.,   200 

Henrietta,   200 

Tilghman  H.,   200 
Aston,   Blanche.    535 

Ernest.    535 

Jamimma.  535 

Job   B.,   535 

Myrtle.   535 

William.  535 

William.  Jr.,  535 
Aszuk,    Anna,    633 

Charles,   633 

Joseph  C,  Dr.,   633 
Atherton,  Mary,  196 

Melanie,  195 

Thomas  H.,   195 

Thomas  H.,  Jr.,   196 

William  H.,  196 
Austin,  Charles  M.,  341 

Charles  M..  Jr.,  341 

Ella  N.,   341 

Gilbert  D.,  341 

Isaac,    Rev..    341 

Lucita  E.,   341 

Miner  B.,  341 

Ralph,    341 

Shadrach,  341 
Aylesworth,  Charles  M.,  527 

Elizabeth,    527 

Fannie  M.,  527 

Reuben  N.,   527 

Robert,   527 
Ayres,   Lyndon   L.,    562 

"Mary,  562 

Baab.  Carl  G.  B.,   251 
Charles  J.,  251 


Elizabeth    R.,   251 

Frank,    251 

Frank   C,   251 
Bacon,   Allen,  579 

Allen    E.,    578,    579 

Charles   E.,    578 

Lucy,  579 

Mae,    578 
Bagley,    Orlando,    613 
Bahnniiller,  Arline  R.,  47 

Edward   C,    Dr.,    476 

Frederick,   476 

Ida,  476 
Baker,   Atta,   291 

Christine,    291 

Gerdon    E.,    Dr.,    291 

Harriet    E.,    761 

Johnson   R.,    761 

Louise,   761 

Roval,  291 

William    F.,    761 
Baloga,  Aloysius,  Rev.,  7 

Anna  W.,    746 

Antonetta,   747 

Helen,   747 

John  J.,   745 

John    J.,    Jr.,    745 

Martin,    746 

Mary,  745 

Mary  M.,    745 

Stephen,    745.   746 
Banker,  Charles  E.,  37S 

Charles   H.,   378,    471 

Edna,  471 

Emma,   378,   471 

Mabel,  378 

Marjorie  J.,   471 

Phillip,    471 

Phillip   W.,    471 

Walter,   471 
Bannan,  Alonzo  M.,  404 

Charles    D.,    404 

Emma  L.,    404 

Maude  M.,  404 

Samuel  J.,  404 

Samuel    J.,    Jr..    404 
Banta,   Fred  J.,  435 

Joseph,   435 

Kathryn,  435 

Margaret,  435 
Barber.  Albert  P..  Col.,  4 

Amy,   479 

Helen  F.,   479 

I.   Grier,    580 

Julia   B.,   580 

Katherine  E.,  580 

Samuel  M.    (S.   Miles), 
580 

Theodore  S.,  479 
Barney,    Delbert,    Dr.,    5 

Delbert,  Jr.,  523 

John,    523 


768 


John   C,    523 

Margaret,   523 

Milan,   523 

Nathan,    523 
Earritt,   John   R.,    305 

Mary   B.,   306 

Robert  C.   306 

Ruth,   306 

Thomas   S.,   305 

Walter  S.,   305,   306 
Baskett,    George    T.,    Dr.,    645, 
646 

George   W..   Dr.,    646 

Mary  G.,  646 

Olive,  Dr.,  646 
Bass,  Anthony,  5SS 

Anthony   J.,    5S8 

Diana,    5SS 
Bayless,   Anna,    753 

John  A.,   753 

John  A.    (2),   753 

Kenneth  R.,   754 

Rachael,    754 
Beaumont,    (Beamont-Bement- 
Beaman),    Andre  A.,    437 

Andre   A.,   Jr.,   43S 

Andrew,   437 

Edmund   B.,    438 

Elsie  P.,  43S 

Eugene  B.,  Col.,  437,  469 

Isaiah,  437 

Margaret,   437,   469 

Samuel,  437 

Samuel    (2),    437 

William,  437,  469 

AVilliam    (2),    437 
Beaver,   Emma,   30S 

Helen,   309 

James  R.,   Dr.,   308 

William    A.,    308 
Becker,  Anthony  W.,  445 

Cassie,   222 

Conrad  J.,  Dr.,  445 

Elizabeth,   222 

John,  222 

John  G.,  222 

John    J.,    222 

Joseph,    656.   657 

Lavinia,   656 

Leon   J.,   222 

Matilda,   445 

Thomas,    656 
Beckley,  Clara,  306 

James  H.    (J.  Harold),   306 

William,   306 
Bedford,    Andrew,    260 

Emily  D.,  261 

George  R.,   260 

Gertrude  T.,  261 

Jacob,   260 

Paul,    260,   261 

Stephen,   260 
Bedner,  Andrew,  609 

Anna.   609 

Edward  A.,   609 
Beers,  Annie,  467 

Benjamin  F.,   466,   467 

Clarence  H.,  467 

Fyanna,    466 

Harry   H.,    467 

Hiram,  466 

Leonard,    467 

Minnie,    467 

Nellie,    467 

W.  D.,   466 

Tale,  467 
Bellas.  Edward  A.,  729 

Edward  A.,  Rev.,  729 

Elizabeth,    729 
Bennett,  Bruce  D.,  443 

Bruce  W.,    443 

Clare  S.,  216 

Ellen  W.,  216,   219.  220 

George  S.,  216,  219,  220 


George  S.   (2),  217 

Isadora  U.,   443 

James,  219 

Jessie  D.,  221 

Piatt,  220 

R.  Nelson,   216 

Tryphena,   443 

William  E.,  443 

Ziba,    Judge,    219 

Ziba  P.    (Z.  Piatt),   216,    219 
Berger,  Emerson,  221 

Ira,   221 

Ira,   Jr.,  221 

Mary,    221 

Reuben,   221 
Bergman,  Josephine,  639 

Justin,  639 

Justin,   Jr.,    639 
Betz,  Charles,  681 

Charles  P.,  681 

Mary,   681 

Michael,  681 

Stella,   681 
Bevan,  Alice,  373 

Helen  G.,   373 

I.  L.,  Rev.,  373 

Laurence  W.,   373 

Laurence  W.,   Jr.,   373 

Robert  D.,   373 
Bickell,   Elizabeth,  407 

Ernest  M.  W.,   407 

Harold  G.,  407 

Mathias,    407 

Ulysses  G.,   Dr.,    407 
Biczysko,  Leopold,   736 

Maria,   736       . 

V.  D.,  Rev.,   736 
Biddle,  Althea,  179 

Charles  H.,  179 

Laura  M.,    179 

Walter  S.,   179 

William,  179 
Biehl,  Carrie  V.,   464 

James,  464 

Jefferson  P.,   Dr.,    464 

Marin    S.,    464 

Rebecca,    464 
Bigelow,  Bessie  A.,  269 

John,    26S 

John    (2),    269 

John  H.,  268 

John  J.,   268 

Margaret,  268 

Mary  K.,    268 

Richard   L.,    268 

Richard   L.,    Jr.,    269 
Bittenbender,   Barbara   M.,   251 

Eli  G.,   304,   305 

Elias,  304,   305 

Elizabeth,  305 

Emma  L.,  305 

Frederick  J.,  251 

Frederick   T.,   304 

Helen  M.,  305 

Joseph    S.,    251 

Matilda,  251 

William  L.,   305 

William   W.,    304,    305 
Bixby,    Anne    B.,    280,    59S 

Benjamin,   279 

Charles    W.,    279,   280,    598 

Edward  W.,  Dr.,   280,   598 

Edward  W.,   Jr.,   598 

George  M.,  279 

Helen  L.,  598 

Jane  M.,  279 

Joseph,  279 

Salmon,  279 

Sampson,   279 

Samuel,    279 

Samuel    (2),    279 
Blackman,  Elisha,   253,  614 

Elisha,    Jr.,    253 

Emily  L.,   614 


John,   253 

John   H.,  Jr.,   614 

John  H..   Sr.,   614 

Joseph,   253 

May,   614 
Blair,   Brice  S.,    491 

Florence,   491 

Francis,   491 

Lovisa  I.,  Dr.,  491 

Marinda,    491 
Blazejewski,  Anna  N.,   535 

Catherine,   534 

George,  534 

Joseph,   743 

Martha,    743 

Michael,   743 

Stanley  TV.,   Dr.,   534 

Stanley  W.,  Jr.,  535 
Bolcwicz,    Felix   W.,    730 

Felix   W.    (2),    730 
Bonin,  Christina,  267 

Hilary,    267 

John  H.,  267 
Booth,  Arthur  E.,  650 

Florence,   650 

Helena,  650 

John  A.,   650 
Bosack,  Andrew,  738 

John  H.,  73S 

John  H..  Jr.,   739 

Mary,    738,    739 
Bower,  Butler  O.,   445 

Butler  O.,  Jr.,  446 

Fannie  E.,   445 

Helen,   446 

J.  Frank,  445 

J.   Prank    (2),   445 
Bowman  Christopher,   332 

John,   332 

Mary,  332 
Boyd,    Elizabeth    J.,    340 

Gertrude,  340 

William,    340 

William  C,   340 

William  W.,   340 
Boyle,   Bridget,   459 

Catherine,  459 

Condy  O.,   502 

Eugene,   503 

James  A.,  459 

James  W.,  283 

John,   268 

John  H.,  283 

John   J.,   268 

John   J.,   Jr.,   268 

Joseph,    503 

Mary,  268,  502 

Mary  G.,  268 

Nellie,  503 

Owen,  502 

Patrick  M.,   459 

Philip   J.,    268 

Rebecca,  283 

Wilson,  283 
Brader,  Daniel,   373 

Elizabeth,    373 

George  A.,  374 

George  G.,  373 

Norwood  H.,  374 

Sarah,  373 
Bray,    Bessie,   534 

George  S.,  533 

George  T.,   534 

Harry,  53  4 

Mary,  533 

Walter,    533 
Brees.  John,  247 

Samuel,  Capt.,    247 
Breese,   Hattie   A.,    422 

Mary  C,  422 

Merl   B.,   422 

Vint   L.,    422 
Breidinger,   Adam,   576 

Angelina,   576 


769 


Jacob  P.,   576 

Mary  R.,  576 
Brennan,  Andrew  J.,  415 

Andrew  J.  (2),  416 

Clara,   402 

Elizabeth,    416 

Ellen,  415 

James   T.,    401 

James  T.,   Jr..   402 

James  V.,   416 

Johanna,   401 

John,   401 

Joseph   T.,    402 

Thomas  V.,  415 
Brenner,  Annie,  527 

Edward   J.,    527 

Henry  S.,   527 
Brewster,  Charles  M.,  613 

Mary   B.,    613 

"O'illiam,   613 
Bricltel,  Bernhard  W.,  647 

Jessie  P.,  647 

Marv,   647 

Ralph  L.,  647 

William    A.,    647 
Briggs,   Jacob   P.,   Dr.,    312 

Mary  E.,    312 

Miron  L.,  Dr.,   312 

Miron   L.,    Jr.,    312 

Sarah,  312 
Brinsky,  Antony,  Rev.,  735 

Ella,    736 

Irma,   735 

Nicholas,    736 

Sigmund,  736 

Sigrmund,  Rev.,  735 
Broadt,   Flora,   399 

John  F.,  399 

Margaret  A.,  399 

Mary  A.,   399 

Walter  S.,   399 
Brobst,  Albert  W.,  450 

Clara  M..   450 

Henry,    450 

Henry   T.,    450 

Lucy,    450 
Brooks,   Aaron   S.,   403 

Allan  C,  Dr.,  403,  404 

Catherine  S.,   403 

Jonathan,  403 

Kate  S.,   404 

Margaret  H.,  404 

Peter,   403 

Peter  H.,  Rev.,  403 
Brown,   Agnes.  549 

Almira.   325 

Belle,    533 

Bridget,    477 

Charles,   259 

Charles  D.,  532 

Daniel,   549 

Duncan,   532 

Edith  A.,  325 

Edwin  C,   259 

Elizabeth,   295 

Ellen  M.  Vf.,  325 

Emerson  M.,   259 

Francis,   477 

Frank  B.,   549 

Franklin   J.,   259 

George  B.,   549 

Harold,    532 

Harriett,  532 

Harry  A.,  Dr.,   259 

James,  295 

James  (2),  295 

James  L...  549 

Kathleen,  259 

Leah,    259 

Lewis   F.,    532 

Lucy,   325 

Mary,  477 

Mary  C,   259 

Mary  E.,  295 


Mary  J.,   259 

Michael   A.,   477 

Michael  E.,  477 

P.  R.,  295 

Patrick,   295   477 

Percy  A.,   259 

Samuel  L.,  325 

Susan,   549 

Thomas  H.,  325 

Thomas  W.,    325 

Timothy  A.,    259 
Bruger,  Anna,  501 

Geza,   .L,   501 

John,  501 

Mary,   501 
Bryant,  Amy  C,  393 

Anna  A.,  630 

Charles  M.,  392 

Conn,  630 

Emma,  393 

James  R.,   392 

Joseph   F.,  630 

Margaret,  630 

Phoebe  A.,  630 
Buckingham,  Hester,  437 

Thomas,   Rev.,   437 
Buckley,  Abbie,  287 

Daniel  S.,   287 

Daniel  S.,  Jr.,  287 

Sarah  E.,  287 

Thomas  A.,    2S7 
Buckman,  Abbie,  576 

Carrie  L.,  576 

Elizabeth,  575 

Ernest  U.   (2),  576 

Ernest  TJ.,  Dr.,  575 

Lewis    T.,    576 

M.  Speakman,  575 

Mary,   575 

Stacy  C,  575 
Buhler,  Emil,  282 

Jacob,  282 

Jeannette  M.,   282 

Paul  H.,    282 

Rosa,   282 

Theodore  C,  282 
Bulford,  Jeanette,  673 

John  J.,  673 

Minnie,   673 

Samuel,  673 

"William,    672,    673 
Bunting,  Douglas,  192 

Elizabeth  C,  192 

Helen   R.,  192 

John,  192 

Joshua,  192 

Samuel,  192 

Samuel    (2),   192 

Thomas   C,    Dr.,    192 
Burke,  J.  Clarke,  643 

Joseph  P.,   Dr.,   380 

Julia,  380 

Mabel  S.,  643 

Mark,    643 

Mark   C,    643 

Mark  L.,  643 

Mary.    643 

Oliver  E.,  380 

Rose,   380 
Burleigh,  Jeanette,  258 

Jeanie,   258 

Robert  M.,    258 

William,  258 

William  W.,   258 

William  W.,  Jr.,  258 
Burnett,  Annie,   422 

Elizabeth,  421 

Henry,  421 

William  J.,  421 
Burnside,  Helen  D.,  346 

J.  B.  346 

Malcolm.   346 

Mary,  346 
Burton,  John.  494 


John    A.,    494 

Nellie.   494 

Rosa,   494 
Eutkiewicz,   Anna,  740 

Thomas,  740 

Thomas  A.,   740 
Butler.    James   M.,    675 

Lord.  Col..   675 

Martha,    075 

Mary,   675 

Pierce,   675 

Pierce  (2),  675 

Zebulon,  Col.,  675 
Butts,  Cathryn  M.,  753 

Harry  T.,   753 

Julia  753 

Milot   L..    753 

Thomas.   753 

Caftrey.  John  J.,  Dr.,  507 

Mary,  507 

Patrick   J.,   507 
Callahan,  Anthony,  638 

Anthony  (2).  638 

Belinda,   638 

Clinton  S.,  648 

D.   G.,   648 

Edith,  638 

Leonard,  638 

Mary  A.,    648 

Thomas  J.,  638 

Thomas   J.,    Jr..    638 
Campbell,   Ann,   205 

Anthony,    205 

Anthony   C,   205 

Charles   P.,   369 

Ellen  v..   205 

Florence.   369 

Hugh  L.,   410 

Hugh  L.,   Jr.,   410 

James,  205 

John,   410 

Mary,  410 
Canfleld,  Jedediah,   232 

Matthew,    232 

Samuel,  232 
Canouse,  Anna  F.,  589 

James  TV..  589 

John   H..    589 

John   H.,   Jr.,    589 

Mary  E.,  589 
Cantor,  David,  598 

Ida,   598 

Maurice   S.,    598 
Carpenter,  Benjamin  G.,  256 

Benjamin  H.,    257 

Donald  F.,  257 

Edmund  N.,    257 

Georgiana  C.,  257 

Lansing  T..  257 

Salley  A..  257 

Samuel.  256 

Walter  S.,  257 

William,  Capt.,  256 
Carr,   Albert   E.,   326 

Andrew  P.,  Dr.,  450 

Edith,  326 

Elizabeth,  326 

George  W.,   326 

George  W.,  Dr.,  449,  450 

Jane,   450 

Louise  C,   450 

Nancy,   659 

Nellie,  659 

Sarah  A..   326 

Shields,  659 

T.   Thurlow,    326 

Thomas,    659 

Thomas,  Jr.,  659 

Thomas  C.  659 
Casey.  Andrew  A..  334 

Andrew  P.,  334 

John  J.,   334 

John  J.,  Jr..   ."»?* 


Lawrence,   334 

Mary  C,    334 

Sara  C,  334 
Cawley,  Aloysius  J.,  Dr.,  217 

Catherine,    217 

John    F.,    217 
Challenger,  Elizabeth,  377 

Ida,   378 

William,   377 

William,  Sr.,  377 

William    F.,    378 
Challis,  Jane,   196 

Maude,   196 

Robert,   196 

Robert,  Jr.,   196 
Chapin,  Edward  G.,  756 

Edward  G.,  Jr.,  757 

Eleanor,    757 

Elizabeth,  75G 

Nathan  D..  756 

Warren,   756 
Chapman,  Charles  E.,  424 

Estella  M.,    425 

George   C,    425 

George  O.,   424 

Margaret,    424 

Oliver  "W.,  424 

Russell    J.,    425 
Chase,  Aquilla,  199 

Benjamin,  199 

Edward   H.,    199 

Elizabeth,    199 

Samuel,    199 

Samuel  C,   199 
Chopey,    Carolina,    659 

Gabriel,  659 

Nicholas.   Rev.,    659 
Chrisman,    Elizabeth  R.,    324 

Martha  G.,  324 

Neil,  324 

Neil,   Jr.,   324 

William,   324 
Christian,    George   S.,    286 

Helen  S.,  286 

Henrietta,   287 

M.  v.,   286 

Sarah,    287 
Church,  Addeson  C,   411 

Ann  H.,    411 

Charles   C,    411 

H.   Kenneth,    411 

Mary,    411 

William   F.,    411 
Cimmet,    Dora,    500 

Harold,    500 

Harry,  500 

Isadore,    500 

Joseph,  500 

Molly,   500 
Ciotola,    Anna,    644 

Antonio,   644 

Cavaliere    N„    643 

Costantino,  644 
Citizens'  Bank,   of  Freeland, 

421 
Clark,   Amos  D.,   196 

Andrew   J.,   691 

Calista,    196 

Emma,   196 

Etna,   417 

George   A.,    Dr.,    417,    577 

George   D.,    196 

Granville   J.,    196 

John  T.,  577 

Margaret  V.,  691 

Mary   E.    (Elizabeth),    417, 
577 

Robert  N.,  Dr.,  417 

Robert  N.,   Jr.,    417 

Roger  S.,    196 

Rose   C,   691 

Sarah,  577 

William,   577 


William,    Jr.,    691 

William    A.,    Capt.,    690,    691 
Cleary,  Ann,   649 

Mary  T.,  650 

William,    649 

William  B.,   649 

William  B.,   Jr.,  650 
Clift,   Arthur  H.,   218 

Charles  E.,    21S 

Charles  E.,  Jr.,  218 

Emiline,   218 

Grace   W.,    218 

Henry  P.,    218 
Cobb,  David,  547 

Elizabeth,    548 

Jane,    548 

John   M.,   547,   548 

John   M.,   Jr.,    548 

Marv,    548 

Samuel  H.,  547 
Cocking,    Byron,    508 

Elizabeth,   507 

Jaines,  507 

Purees,    508 

"Wayne,    508 

William  H.,  507 
Cohen,   Anna,  73S 

Gussie,   738 

Joel,  738 

Joel,   Jr.,    738 

M.    J.    738 

Maynard,  738 
Collmann,   Adolph   E.  R.,   618 

Lillian,   618 

Lydia,    618 

Warren  X.,   618 

Xavier  K.,   Dr.,    618 
Conlan,  Bernard  J.,   219 

Ellen,  219 

Francis  J.,  Dr.,   219 

Mary,    219 
Conlon,  Bridget,   554 

John,    554,    601 

Joseph,    555 

Joseph  E.,  601 

Mary,    555,    601 

Myles,    554 

William,  555 
Conniff,  Amanda,  558 

Augustine  P.,  558 

Elizabeth,    558 

James  N.,  558 

Patrick,    558 

Thaddeus  M.,    557,    558 
Connole,  J.  Francis,   436 

John  F.,   436,  475 

John    F.,    Dr.,    435,    436 

Joseph  v.,  Dr.,  475 

Mary  E.,  436,  475 

Rene   B.,    436 
Connolly,   Amy  E.,   377 

John,   377 

Joseph,   376,    377 

Paul   J.,   377 

Ruth,    377 
Connors,  Bridget,   320 

James,    320 

Martin   L.,    Dr.,    320 

Rita  M.,   320 
Conrad,  Clara,   557 

Dorothy,  557 

Edward,    557 

Edward  K.,    557 
Con.\*ngham,  Alexander,  188 

Alexander,   Verj'  Rev.,    188 

Bertha,   190 

David,  Capt.,  188 

David    H.,    179,    188 

George,  188 

Jessie   \Sr.,    180 

John  N.  (2),  189 

John    N.,    Hon.,    180,    188 

Mae,  180 


Mary,  188 

Olivia,    ISO,   189 

Redmond,   179,   188 

Ruth   A.,   180,   189 

William,  Rt.  Rev.,  188 

William  H.,   179,   ISO 

William  L.,    180,    1S9 

William    L.    (2),    180 
Cook,  Horace  G.,  Jr.,  318 

Horace  G.,  Sr.,  318 

Marie    F.,    318 

Minnie   A.,    318 
Coon,   Ada,   556 

Alfred  H.,  555 

Alfred   H.    (2),    555,    556 

Alfred  H.,   Jr.,   556 

*Bolton    G.,    555 

Bolton   G.    (2),   556 

Edith  M.,   555 

Lorinda,   555 

Marjorie,    556 
Coons,   Carl   L.,   456 

Hannah,   456 

Joseph,    455 

Joseph  S.,  455,  456 

Leon  J.,   456 
Cooper,    Barnett   H.,   Dr.,   450 

Cora,   381 

Esther,   451 

F.  David,    622 

Franklin  D.,  622 

George    P.,    381 

Leona,  381 

Leroy  G.,   451 

Max,    450 

Ralph,    381 

Robert,  622 

Ruth,    622 

Sophia  A.,  622 

Tillie,    450 

William  G.,  622 
Cope,  A.  P..  573 

Donald  E.,   574 

Ethel  M.,   574 

Henry,  573 

Susanna,    573 
Copeland,  David,  Dr.,  378 

Sarah,  378 
Corrigan,    Anna   L.,    704 

Elizabeth,    267 

James,    704 

James  A.,  Dr.,  703 

John  J.,  Dr.,  267 

Lawrence  F.,  267 

Martin,  267,  703 

Martin  A,,  267 

Mary,  267,  703 
Corson,  Grace  A.,  292 

J.  Alan,  Dr.,   292 

Joseph  M.,   Dr.,    292 

May,    292 
Costello,    Aloysius,    557 

Ann,   557 

E.  A.,  Dr.,  430 

James  P.,   557 

Joseph,   Dr.,   557 

Lillian,   709 

Mary,  709 

Michael,    709 

Owen,   557 

Patrick    J.,    430 

Regina,  430 

Teresa  G.,  557 

William,   709 

William   J.,   709 

Winifred,   430 
Coughlin,  Barring  H.,  176 

Clarence  D.,  Judge,  175,  176 

Dennis,    523 

Dennis  O.,   185 

Diana,    523 

Donald  O.,  185 

Emma,  185 


771 


Evelyn   E.,   176 

Hale  S.,  523,  524 

Hale  S.,  Jr.,  524 

Helen  V.,   176 

James  M.,   175,  523 

John.   175,   185,   523 

Marg'aret,    185 

Margaret   A.,    524 

Mary  E.,  175,  523 

Robert  L.,  176 

Robert  L,.,  Jr.,  176 
Coyle,  Margaret,   356 

Mary,  284,  356 

Owen,  284 

Patrick  J.,  284 

William,  356 

William  V.,  Dr.,  355,   356 
Craig,    Margaret,    563 

R.   Delbert,   563 

R.  Delbert,  Jr.,   563 

Sylvia  L..,  563 

William   E.,    563 

William   E.    (2),   563 
Crane,    Amoret,    342 

Elizabeth,  343 

Eva   N.,    343 

Frank  S.,  342 

Frank  S.,  Jr.,   343 

William  H.,  342 
Crary,    Christobel,    229,    230 

Desire,    230 

Dorothy,   229,   230 

Mason,  Dr.,   230 

Mehitable,  229,  230 

Miranda  L,.,   231,   232 

Nathan,    229 

Nathan  B.,   229,  230,   231,   232 

Peter,   229,  230 

Peter   (2),    229 

Sarah  W.,  231 

Thomas,  229,  230 
Craven,   Aramanda,   661 

Charles  V.,    661 

Charles  Y.,    661 

Giles,    661 

John,  661 

John  B.,   661 

John  B..  Rev.,  661 

Mabel,    661 
Crawford,   Charles  W.,   3S6 

David,   386 

Edward  C,   386 

Isabel,    386 

James   S.,    385,    386 

Sophie,  386 
Cray,   Bridget,   278 

Daniel  J.,   278 

John,   278 
Creveling,  Alfred  T.,   199 

Annie  M.,  200 

Darryl   U,    200 

John,  199 

John  Q.,   199 

Susan  B.,   199 
Crichton,  James,  265 

Minnie  G.,   265 

Sarah   J.,    265 

William  J.,   265 

William  J.,  Jr.,  265 
Crisman,  Edward  L.,  643 

Emma  A.,  643 

Lewis  R.,   643 

Russell   H.,    643 
Cronauer,  Bernadette,  506 

Edward,   506 

Edward   A.,   Dr.,   506 

Frank,    506 

Frank  A.,  Dr.,  582 

•Tosephine,  582 

Minnie,   506 

Nicholas,  5S2 

Verna,    582 
Croop,    Alice,   506 


Alvaretta  J.,   286 

Benjamin,  286 

Benjamin  F.,  506 

Elizabeth  M.,   286 

Harry  W.,   Dr.,  286 

Harry  W.,  Jr.,   286 

Stanley   C,    505 
Crosby,  Elsie  M.,  610 

Georg-e   A.,    610 

.r.   Muir,    610 

James,  610 
Crotzer,    Isabelle,    279 

Margaret  A.,  279 

Thomas  R.,   279 

Thomas  W.,  279 

William  M.,   278,    279 
Cunningham,  Charles  E.,  670 

Lida  R.,   670 

William    F.,    670 

William    P.,    670 

Zora,  670 
Curley,  Annabel,  289 

Mary,    289 

Patrick  J.,  2S9 


The 


2S9 


Thomas  A.,  2S9 
Curran,    Helen,    493 

John,    493 

John  J.,   Rev.,   493 
Curwood,  Bowman,   657,   658 

Delia  I.,   658 

Getha,    645 

Mary   E.,   657 

Mason    B.,   645 

Robert  M.,   645 

Samuel.  645 

Samuel   K.,   657 

Stella,  645 

De    Mun,    Elizabeth,    455 

James   B.,    455 

Louise,   455 

William  H„  455 
De  Pierro,  Anna,  716 

Fannie  C,  717 

Frank,  716 

Frank  T.,  717 

Kate,   717 

Michael  S.,  716 
De  Witt,  Amos,  T.,  325 

Asa  K.,  324,  325 

Dora,  514 

Elizabeth,    325,    514 

Ira,    514 

John  P.,  514 

John  P.,  Jr.,   514 
Dailey,   Agnes,  423 

Edward  .T.,   265 

John  J.,  Dr.,  265 

John   J.,  Jr.,   265 

Margaret,    265 

Mary,  265 

Nora,    422 

Thomas  J.,  Dr.,  422 

AVilliam,   422 
Daley,  Alice,  701 

Daniel  F.,  Dr.,   701 

Margaret,    701 

Patrick,    701 
Dally,  Anna,  509 

Carl  M.,  509 

Eleanor,   509 

Frank  M.,  509 

George,    509 
Dana.  Anderson.   356 

Charles  A..   356 

Charles  B..    356 

Charles  W..  356 

Ellen  W.,   35  6 

Francis  A.,   356 

Ida,  356 

John  N.,  356 
Dando,  Albert,  608 


Issachar.  607 

John   H.,   607,   60S 

John    I^.,  Jr.,  608 

Louisa,   607 

Walter  B.,  60S 

Wilhelmina,   608 
Danko,  George,   501 

Helen,   501 

John  M.,   501 
Darte,   Alfred,  Judge,    546,   613, 
614 

Alfred,   Sr.,    613 

Allan   D.,   547 

Annie  E.,   613 

Caroline,  546,   614 

Dorothy   E.,    547 

Elias,   613 

Franck   G.,  Col.,   546,  614 
Dattner,    Abe    A.,    Dr.,    507 

Adolf,   567 

Alvin   L.,   567 

Elizabeth,  567 

Fannie,    567 
Davenport,  Arthur,  694 

Arthur,  Jr.,  694 

Clark,    694 

Edwin,  492 

Fuller  L.,  Dr.,  492 

Harold   S..    227 

Harriet    E.,    694 

Harry   B.,    227 


Ir 


209 


James  H.,    227 

John,   209 

Laura,   694 

Louisa,   491 

Lydia,  387 

Mabel  A.,   227 

Marion,    694 

Mary,    209,   227.    492 

Mary   W.,   493 

Oliver,    3S7.    492 

Samuel.    491 

Samuel   M.,    694 

Thomas,    491,    492 
Davies,   Lewis   J.,   644 

Mariah,    644 

Phoebe,    645 

William,  644 
Davis,  Albert  G..  323 

Ann,    322,   591 

Argenta,  665 

Benjamin   N.,   759 

Benjamin  N.   (2),  759 

Bruce   M.,    591 

Burton  W.,  704 

Clara,  416 

Daniel  B.,  704 

Daniel  W.,  650,  651 

Edith,   63  6 

Edward,   636 

Edward  W.,  610,  636 

Elizabeth,    636,    651 

Emma,   610 

Esther,   441 

Esther  K,   704 

F.    Donald,    441 

Fannie.    440 

Fred   B.,   327 

Fred  E.,  Dr.,  440 

George  B.,  327 

George   L.,    4  40 

George  R.,   610 

Gomer  E.,   706 

Gomer  R.,  591 

Hannah,  706 

Harry   G.,    416 

Isaiah,    706 

Jane,   416,   638,   665 

John    A.,    323 

John   J.,   322 

John  P.,   636 

John   W.,   70  4 


Jonathan  R.,  322 

Josephine   M.,    759 

Julie   E.,    327 

Louisa,    327,    704 

Mariam,   610 

Mary  J.,   759 

MoUie,  323 

Richard  C,   327 

Rose  L.,    704 

Russell  C  665 

Russell  C,  Jr.,   665 

Sarah,    591 

Stella,   651 

Theodore   A.,    651 

Thomas  B.,  638 

William,   416,   651 

"William  C,  327,  704 

■William  G.,   591 

"V\ailiam    L.,    636 

William    R.,    591,    665 

William  V.,    638,    639 
Davison,  Charles  A.,  426 

Harriet    A.,    426 

Jaines,  426 

Jessie  M.,  426 

Viola,   426 

William  F.,  Dr.,  425,   426 

William  F.,  Jr.,  426 
Dean    (Deane),  Addie,  356 

Clarissa   D.,    474 

Ezra,  Capt.,  474 

Georg-e  E.,  356 

James,    474 

James    (2),    474 

James   W.,    356 

Jehiel  M.,   356 

Jonathan,    474 

Jonathan   (2),  474 

Mary.    47  5 

Nelson  N.,  474 

Searle  G.,  475 

Walter,   474 

William,  474 

Willis   L.,    Prof.,    474,    475 
Deemer,    Anna   C,    317 

Annie  M.,    317 

Francis  .7.,  317 

Harold   D.,    317 
Derr,  Chester  B.  (2),  49S 

Emily,    498 

Henry    H.,    497 

Jacob,   497 

Johann  H.,    497 

John,   497 

John   P.,    498 

Mary  D.,  497 

Michael,  497 

Olin,  497 

Thompson,   49  7 
Dershimer,    Archibald    M.,    444 

Charlotte,   444 

Laura,  444 

Louise,    444 

Mary,   444 

Perry  W.,    413,    444 

Peter,    444 

Peter  R.,   444 
Dershuck,  John  R.,  464 
Devendorf,   Anna   J.,    588 

Frank   M.,    587,    588 

Grace,  588 

Helen,   588 

Luther  A.,  588 
Dever,  Annie,   581 

Hugh,    581 

Roger  J.,   581 
Devers,   Daniel,   284 

Gertrude,  2S4 

Margaret,  284 

N.  J.,  Dr.,   284 

William,    284 
Dewey,  Addison,  560 

Amy   A.,    560 


Fannie,    561 

James  A.,   Col.,    560 

James  B.,  560 
Dewitt,  Abraham,  612 

Abraham   (2),   612 

Emma,    612 

George  M.,    612 

Herman   B.,    612 

John,   612 

Valentine,    612 
Dickover,   Elizabeth,   250 

Frances,   250 

George,  250 

George  T.,  250 

Georgia  A.,   251 

Gertrude  M.,  251 

Henry,    250 

Samuel,  250 

William,  250 

William  S.,  251 
Dickson,  Alexander.  215 

Allan  H.,   215 

David,  215 

Hugh  S.,  215 

James,    215 

John,   215 

Kate  S.,    215,    216 

Sarah  M.,   215 
Dietenderfer,  Florence,  509 

John  S.,   508 

Le  Roy  (Roy),   508 

Margaret,  508 
Dietrich,    Earl    H.,    283 

Edna  M.,  283 

Elizabeth,  283 

George   N.,    283 

George    S.,    283 

Henry,  283 
Dilley    (Dillysl,   Ephraim,   198 

Jesse,  198 

John,   198 

John   (2),   198 

Joseph,    198 

Mary  A.,    198 

Oscar  H.,   198 

Richard,    198  . 

Richard,  Jr.,   198 

Robert  F.,   198 

Sara   S.,    198 

Sylvester,  198 
Dixon,  George,  219 

Helen,   219 

James,    219 

James   S..  Dr.,    218,  219 

Mary,    219 

William,  219 
Dodson,  Alice  R.,  317 

Anna.   307,   308 

Daniel  W.,  Dr.,  307,  308 

Elias,   317 

Grace  E.,   317 

Hobart  W.,   Dr..   307,   308 

John,   317 

Martha   W.,    317 

Nathan   L,,    317 

Thomas,  316,   317 

•Victor  L.,   316,    317 

William    E.,    317 
Dombrowski,   Eleanor,    713 

Felix,   712 

Henry,    713 

John,   712 
Dominiak,   F.  X.,   Rev.,   716 
Donahue,    Catherine,    694 

John,  694 

Michael   A.,    693.    694 
Donnelly,   Agnes,    505 

Anna,   558 

Belinda,  504 

Charles,  505 

Charles  F..    504 

Cornelius,    504 

Elizabeth,   504 


Francis   E.,    Dr.,    558 

Hanora,   504 

Joseph.   558 

Joseph  F.,  558 

Michael,  504 

Neil,  505 

Robert,    558 

Rose  A.,   558 
Doran,  John,  451 

Margaret,  451 

Robert  J.,   451 
Doron,  Bernice  A.,   564 

Elizabeth,   564 

William  E.,  564 

William  E..  Sr.,   564 
Dorrance,   Anne,   586 

Benjamin,  585 

Benjamin,   Col.,   585 

Benjamin.    Lieut. -Col.,    585 

Charles,    Col.,    585 

Frances,  584,  586 

George,   Lieut. -Col.,   585 

John,    Rev.,   585 

Ruth  W.,   585 

Samuel,  Rev.,  584 

Susan  B.,  585 
Dorris.  Dennis,  485 

Mary,    485 

Thomas  R.,  Dr.,  485 
Dougher,  Alice  M.,   341 

Charles   B.,   341 

Frank  J.,   341 

John  F.,   341 

Mary  A.,   341 
Dougherty,  Ann,   504 

Anna  D.,    254 

Charles,  Hon.,   253 

Charles    B.    (C.    Bowman), 
Maj.-Gen.,    253,    254 

Jane,  503 

John  J.,   293 

Joseph  P.,  Dr.,  293 

Julia  B.,    253 

Mary,   293 

Patrick,  503 

William   M.,    503 
Doughty,   Elizabeth,    697 

John  H.,  697,  698 

John  H.,  Dr.,  697 

John  H.,  Jr.,  698 

Muriel,  698 
Douglas,  Annie  M.,  329 

Charles,   328 

David,    328 

David   B.,  Maj.,    328 

Francis,   328 

Henry,   Col.,    329 

Isadore,  329 

Nathaniel,   Dea.,   328 

William,  328 
Dow,  Eulalia,   319 

Irene,    318 

John  C,  318 

John   R.,    Rev.,   318 

William  E.,  318 
Doyle,  Alice,  301 

Edward  C,   301 

Ellen,   301 

William  J.,  Dr.,  301 
Drake,   Eleanor,   385 

Frances    G.,    385 

George  R.,   Dr.,  384,  385 

George  R.,  Jr.,  385 

Warner   T.,    385 
DrapiewsUi,    Anthony,    745 
Dreher,   Blanche,    460 

Charles  B.,  Dr.,  460 

Edward  C,  Dr.,  460 

Sarah,   460 
Driesbach,  Albert  W.,   725 

Bertha,   725 

David,  725 


Mav   E.,    725 

William   V.,    725 
Drosdick,  Malvina,  721 

Michael,   721 
Zoltan  J.,  721 
Drum,  Elizabeth,  613 

George,   CI 3 

Nathan    S.,    CI 3 

Philip,  613 

Philip  L.,  612,  613 

Vida,   613 
Dudkiewicz,   Anthony  J.,   Rev. 
637 

Frances,    G37 

John,  637 
Dunn,  Alexander  A.,  633 

Ann,  633 

John  G.,   633 

Laura   C,    C33 
Duplan   Silk   Corporation,   282 
Durbin,   Anna,   359 

Clara  M.,    360 

George  J.,   359 

John,   359 

John  C,   360 

Willard  N.,   360 
Dvorshak,    Andrew,    716 

Emma,   716 

John,  716 

Julia,    716 

Steven,  Jr.,  716 

Steven  B.,  716 
Dyatt,   James,   750 

Margaret,   750 

Phaon  H.,  750 

Susan   L..,    750 

"William  M.,  750 
Dykins,   Emily,   671 

Mildred,   671 

■wriiiiam  J.,  671 

William  R.,  Dr.,  C70,   671 
Dymond,  Abram,  222 

Alton  P.,   223 

Arthur  L.,    222 

Arthur  L.,    Jr.,    223 

Bessie,   223 

Elizabeth   M.,   223 

Lizzie,    222 
Dyson,   John,    304 

John    M.,    304 

John   R.,   Dr.,   304 

Mary,   304 

Mary  E.,    304 

William  L.,   30  4 

Edwards,    Ann,    fiSS 

Arthur  H.,    688 

Daniel,    205 

Delbert,   282 

B.    J.,    281 

E.  .T.    (2),   281 

Elizabeth,    597 

Joanna,    GS8 

Margaret,  205,  281 

Mary,   595 

Morgan   O.,   597 

Richard,  595 

Sarah,   281 

Thomas  C,  Rev.,  595 

William,   282 

William  V.,  688 
Eidam,  Carrie  A.,  552 

Frances  L.,   552 

Henry,    552 

Henry  W.,   552 

Martha,    552 
Elliott,  Charles  P.,  Maj.,   469 

Helen  R.,  469 

Hortense  D.,  469 

Stephen,  Col.,   469 

Stephen,  Jr.,  Gen.,  469 

Stephen,   Rev.,   469 

Thomas,   469 


AVilliam,   4  09 
.    William    (2),   469 
Elli.s,    Addison    S.,    657 
Theodore  S.,   657 
Vera  L..   657 
William  P.,   657 
Ellsworth,    Dora,    680 
Elijah   B.,    680 
Elijah  M.,    680 
Elizabeth,    680 
Elward,  Elizabeth,  762 
Thomas,    762 
Thomas  J.,  Jr.,  762 
Thomas    J.,    Sr.,    762 
Winifred,   762 
Engel,    Jacob    S.,    Jr.,    624 
Jacob   S.,   Sr.,   624 
Kenneth   W..    624 
Matilda,   624 

Pearl  A.,   624 
Epstein,   Bertha,   519 

Charles  M.,   519 

Charles  M.,   Jr.,  519 

Helen,    519 
Morris,  519 
Eschenbach,  C.  H.,  179 

Edna,    179 

Eva,    179 

Jack,   179 

John   N.,    179 
Eshelman,  Almira,  457 

Bessie   B.,    355 

Edith   E.,   457 

Fayette  C.  Dr.,   354,   355 

Frederick  M.,  457 

John,    457 

Malinda,   355 

Uriah,  355 
Espy,   Augusta  B.,   199 

Barnet  M..  198,  6S9 

Bowers   W.,    199 

Bruce  M.,    689,   690 

Bruce  M.,  Jr.,   690 

Caroline,    19S,    689,   690 

Florence  T.,    690 

George,   198,   689 

George  H.,   199 

.Tames,    6S9 

John,   689 

Ridgway    B..    198 

Ridgway  B.,  Jr.,   199 
Evans,  Ann,  390 

Ann    B.,    366 

Anna,   316 

Benjamin  F.,   316 

Benjamin   P.,   Jr.,   316 

Catherine,   758 

Clark  "«'.,  683 

Daniel  H..   483 

David,  758 

Edward  J.,  614,  615 

Elizabeth,   758 

Floyd  E.,  563 

George,  758 

Harlem  L   (H.  Irvin),   483 

Helen,  615 

James,  366,   390 

James  W.,   316 

John,  758 

John  H.,   683 

John   J.,    563,    614 

John  T..   366 

Mable   B.,    366 

Margaret,  390,  4S3 

Maria  D.,   683 

Marion  E.,  683 

Minnie,  316,  390 

Sarah,  563 

Sarah  J.,   615 

Sheldon  R.,    3S9,   390 

Sheldon    R.,   Jr.,   390 

William    E.,    563 

William  E.    (2),  564 

William  H.,  390 


Eyer,  Catharine,  357 

John  H.,  357 

John    H.    (2),    357 

Sarah,   357 

Sterling  E.  W.,  Col.,  357 

Sterling    E.    W.,   Jr.,    357 
Eyerman,  Edward,  328 

Edward,  Jr.,  328 

Elizabeth,   328 

Joseph,   328 

Josephine,  328 

Robert  A.,  328 

Fagan,  Adelia,  264 

Edward,   264 

James  S.,  Rt.  Rev.,  4  08 

Kathryn,   264 

Patrick  C,  408 

Peter  E.,   Dr.,  264 

Robert,   264 

Robert  (2),  204 

Rose,   408 
Fahey,   Beatrice,  392 

John,   392 

Mary,  392 

William   J.,   392 
Fairchild,    Annie,    305 

Edna  E.,  365 

Elwood  H.,   305 

Eva,    305 

Frank  B.,  365 

Roy   B.,   365 

Walter  H.,   365 
Fancourt,   George   E.,   698 

Grace,    69S 

Jane,   698 

Walter  C,   698 
Farnham,  Alexander,  269 

Jean  B.,   270 

John  D.,  269,  270 

John  P.,   Dr.,   209 

Levi,   269 

Ralph,   209 

Ralph    (2),  269 

Ralph   (3),   269 

Samuel  Capt.,   269 

Waller,  270 

William.  209 

William  W.,  209 

Zebediah,   Lieut.,    269 
Farrell,  Bernard.  699 

Bessie,  699 

Bridget,   357 

Catherine,  358 

Harry  T.,   099 

Joseph  P..   35S 

Mary,  699 

Michael,    357 

Thomas   F.,    357,    358 

Thomas    F.,    Jr.,    358 
Feddish,   Anna,   501 

George,   501 

Peter  B.,  Dr.,  501 
Feinberg,    Albert    R.,    Dr.,    739, 
740 

Anna,  739 

Louis,   739 
Fell,  Alexander  G.   (2),  402 

Amos.   401 

Daniel  A.,   461 

Daniel  A.   (31,  402 

Daniel    A.,    Jr.,    Judge,     460, 
401 

Elizabeth  G.,  461 

Frances    L.,    461 

Harold  B.,  461 

Jacob,  401 

Joseph,    461 
Thomas,  461 
Fellows,   Andrus,    369 
Sallie,   369 
William,  309 
Fenner,  Abraham,  349 
Caroline  P..  349 


George   L..    349 

George  L.,  Jr.,   3-19 

James  K.  P.,   349 

Jesse  F.,  349 
Fescina.  Concetta,  695 

Jennie,  695 

Joseph,    605 

Joseph   (2),  695 

Michael,   695 
Fierro,   Anna,    615,    616 

Frank,    615 

Frank    (2),   616 

George,    616 

John,    615 
Fine,  Gessie  M.,  6S1 

Hannah.    6S1 

Harvev,    6S1 

Jacob    W.,    268 

John  S.,  Judg-e,  267,  268 

Marg;aret,    268 

William    B.,    681 
First  National  Bank  of  Exeter, 

393 
First    National    Bank    of   Nan- 

ticoke,  213 
Flack,    Ag-nes  N.,   Dr.,    560,    601 

Ebenezer,  Rev.  Dr.,  559,  601 

Harold  B.,   560 

Hugh,    560 

Robert   K.,    560 

Sarah  J.,  601.  560 
Flad,    Emma   E.,    285 

Michael,    284 

Pauline,   285 

William,  Jr.,  285 

■U'illiam   R..   284,   285 
Flanagan,    Grace    M.,    436 

John,   436 

Joseph    P..    436 

Joseph  P.,   Jr.,   436 

Mary,    436 
Fleck,  Abram  L.,  541 

Conrad,    541 

Evelyn,  542 

Jacob,   541 

Martha,    541 

Wilbur  H.,  541 
Fleitz,    John.    315 

Joseph  B.,   315 
"Josephine,   315 

Katherine,    315 
Fleming,    Isaac    R.,    307 

John    C.   Dr.,   307 

Minerva.  307 

Miriam.    307 

Robert  L...   307 
Flick.   Casper.    473 

Oerlach  P.,  473 

Henrietta,  473 

John,    473 

Margaret  J.,   473 

R.  Jay,  473 

Reuben  J.,   473 

Reuben  J.    (R.   Jay),   Jr.,   473 
Flinchbaugh.    Anne    H.,    281 

Frederick,   281 

Frederick  L...  Rev..  Dr.,  281 

Lillian,   281 

Louisa.   281 

Philip.    281 
Flynn.   Ann.   564 

Charles  E..    564 

John.   564 
Ford.    B.    J.,    Dr.,    436,    437 
Bernard.   437 
Kathryn.    437 

Lawrence.    437 
Mary.    437 
Forve.  Carl  J..   496 

Caroline.    496 

George  T..  496 

Peter,   496 

Peter    (2),   496 


Foster,  Charles  H.,  297 

Donald   B..    298 

Ellen.   298 

Mary  J..   297 

M'illiam  L.,  297 
Fowler.  Cordelia.  761 

Elijah  A..   552 

Emma  L..   552 

Ferdinand  S..  552 

Horace    S.,    552 

James,  761 

Maria.    552 

Minnie    R..    553 

Robert  H..  552 

•William  J..    761 
Franck.   Alwina.   546 

George  T^.,  Prof..   546 
Frank,   Bernard.   271 

Guitell  L..  271 

Lena.   271 

Louis.  271 
Frederick,  Donald.  451 

Bmma   E..    451 

Kenneth.    451 

Margaret.  451 

Merritt,   451 

Miller  S..   451 

Russell.  451 
Freeman.  Harry  L.,  379 

Leo    B..    380 

Leopold.    379 

Mary.    380 

Rosa.  379 
French.   Harriett   S..    232 

Samuel.   Dr...232 

Samuel  L..  232 
Frey,  Earl  D.,   531 

Elizabeth,  531 

Henrietta,   531 

Josephine,  531  , 

Quintus  G.,  531 

Robert   H.,    531 

Willard    A.,    531 

"William  H.,   531 

William   H.    (2),    531 
Friedman,    Alfred    M.,    518,    519 

Ethel,   519 

Jean.    519 

S.    M.,    519 
Fritz.    Andrew   L..    658 

Charles    L..    659 

Frances  E..   658 

Frank  H..  658 

Frank   H.,   Jr.,    659 

Marjorie,    R59 
Fuller,    Ainzi.    326 

Charles  P.,  327 

Harriet  I.,  326 

Henry    A.,    Judge,    326 

Henry   M..   326 

John  J..   327 

Revilo.  Capt.,   326 

Ruth  H.,  327 

Gabriel,  Albert  H..  Dr..  360 

Charles  V..    360 

Emma.  360 

Mary   P..    360 
Gabrio,  Charity  A..  536 

Francis,   536 

Joseph  B.,   536 

Joseph  B..   536 
Gabuzda,    Anna.    680 

George,    680 

George   J..   680 
Gaffney.   Edward   J.,   Rev..    551. 
552 

Mary.    551 

Thomas,    551 
Gagion.  Helen  C,  251 

John,    251 

Thomas   R.,    Dr.,   251 

Winifred,  251 


Gallagher,  Anna,   288,   503 

James    F.,    Dr.,    503 

James  M.,   288 

John    P.,    503 

Joseph.   288 

Joseph   (2),  288 

Margaret,  288 

Patrick,   2SS 
Gallizzi.  Dominic,  Dr.,  641 

Lina,   641 

Vincent,   Dr.,    641 
Gallup,    Benadam,    230 

Hannah.   230 

John.-  230 

John,   Capt.,   230 

John    (2).   Capt..   230 
Galvin.  Ann.  583 

John   J..    583 

Thomas.   583 
Gamble.  Frank  A..   315 

Frank   A.,  Judge,   315 

Jennie,    315 

Mary,   315 

Peggy,    315 

Robert.  315 
Gapinski,    Adam,    727 

Prances,    727 

Mamie  A.,   Dr.,   726,   727 
Garrahan,  Mabel,  376 

Margaret,    375 

Michael,   375 

Ralph   K.,    376 

Robert   H.,    375 
Garrison,    Enoch    W.,    289 

May,   289 

Nathan.    289 

Rachael.    289 
Gartman.    Evelyn   M.,    466 

Henrv  L.,    466 

Leo   N.,   Dr..   466 

Rebekah.  466 
Gates,  Daniel  W.,   587 

F.  Carleton,  63S 

Fred  H..   638 

Gwladys.    587 

H.    C.    638 

Jane  A..   638 

John  D..  587 

Lillian.    638 

Ralph  C.  638 
Genetti.  Albert.  708 

August  H..   707.   708 

Damiano,    707 

Leo,   708 

Marv,  70S 

Olive,    707 

Stanley,   708 
George,  Aaron  'W.,  357 

Catherine.    668 

F;ilen,    668 

Flora  M.,    357 

Henry,    668 

Ida.   668 

John  G..  357 

Margaret  H..  357 

Mary.   357 

Philip.    668 
Gerhardt.  Altheda  R.,   353 

Charles    J..    353 

Louis  W.,  353 

Louisa,   353 

Mondel,  353 

Robert   L.,    353 
Gibbon,  Benjamin  F.,  558 

Evelyn,    559 

James,    558 

Margaret,    558 

Margaret  W..   559 

Mignonette.    559 

Owen,    558 
Gibbons,   James,   292 

James  P.,   292 

James   F.,   Jr.,   292 


Kathryn   F.,   292 

Margaret.    292 

Paul   J.,    292 
Gibbs,   Albert  G.,  Dr.,   212 

Caroline  J.,  212 

William   H.,    212 
Gibby,  Emma,  761 

Helen,    760 

Herbert   B.,    Dr.,   760 

William    J.,    760 
Gilbert,   Cecelia,    642 

Don   A..    642 

Don    C,    642 

Kmma,  642 

Falconer  R.,   642 

Falconer   R.    (2),    642 
Gillespie,   Catherine,   212 

Ellen,  212 

Helen,   362 

John   J.,   212 

Kathryn,   212 

Mary.   212,   362 

Michael   W.,   362 

William,    362 

William  H.,   212 

William   M.,    362 
Girard,    Charles,    284 

Edna.   284 

Eugene  N..  2S4 

Nicholas,   284 

Raffaele,  284 
Gloman,  Alice  M.,  328 

Caroline,  328 

Charles  K.,   328 

Charles    K.,    .Jr.,    328 

Irving  S.,  328 

John  B.,   328 
Glowacki,   John,    762 

Louis,    762 

Louis    (2),    763 

Millard,  763 

Sophia.    763 

Theodo.sia,  763 
Goeckel.  Charles  J.,  Verv  Rev. 
Mgr.,    520 

John.    520 

Louise    M..    521 

Rosina,    520 

William  J.,   520 

William  L.,   521 
Goeringer,  Catherine,  432 

Conrad   F.,   646 

Ferdinand,  646 

Frederick,    432 

Harry   F.,    432 

Harry    F.,   Jr.,    432 

Louise,    646 

Mary  C.   432 
GofE,  Anna,   358 

Harriet    M.,    358 

Maud,    359 

Warren  F.,   358 

Warren  M..   359 

William.  358 

William,    Jr.,    358 

William  S.,  358,   359 
Goldberg,   Herman   J..    743.    744 

Israel,   743 

Minnie    F.,    743 
Goldstein,   Eugene,    506.   507 

Lottie,   507 

Simon,   506 
Gordon,   Cordelia,   267 

Henrietta,   266 

Henry  A.,  266 

Henry  A..   Jr.,    267 

Henry    M.,   Capt..    266 
Gorman,    Anne,    289 

Walter,    289 

Walter  A.,   Rev..   289 
Gorski.  Bruno,   660 

Velaria,  660 
Graham,   Harriett,   228 


Homer  E.,  228 

Homer  E.,  Jr.,  228 

John    B.,    228 

Lucy  M.,  228 
Grala,    Magdalene,    487 

Mary,   4S6 

Teter,    486 

William   L.,   Dr.,    4S6 

William    I^,    Jr.,    487 
Granger,  Charles  A.,  6E 

Dora,   651 

Ellen,  651 

Isaac  W.,  651 

Isaac  W.,   Jr.,   651 

John   B..   651 
Gray,  Arietta  L.,  666 

Fannie,   667 

James   E.,    666 

Minot,   667 

Minot   E.,    666 
Grebe,   Anna.    634 

August  A.,    634 

August   W.   M 

Marjorie,   634 

Robert    M.,    634 

Russell  C  634 
Green.  Agnes,  210 

Andrew  J.,  210 

Andrew  J.,   J 

Max,  211 

Michael,    210 


634 


211 


Victoria,    211 


316 


Grier,   Elizabeth, 

James   W.,    316 

Oliver  K.,   Dr..   316 

Sara.   316 
Griffin.    George,    339 

James,    339 

James  E..   339 

Katherine.  339 

Margaret,    339 

Patrick.   339 
Griffith.   Andrew  J.,   2 

Catherine.    327 

Cora    E.,    281 

David   H.,    371 

Edward   D.,   371 

Eleanor   L.,    371 

Elizabeth.   371 

Hoyt   H..   371 

HuKh  W.,  Rev.,  327 

J.    K.,    248 

James    E..   281 


Jar 


E..  Jr., 
281 


281 


John, 

John   F.,   281 

John    H..    Rev.,    371 

Joseph    H.,    281 

Maria.   281 

Sarah,   281 

William,    248,    327 

Winifred,   248 
Gritman,  Harley,  272 

Jessie   M.,    272 
Groblewski,  Albert  G., 

Albert  G.    (2),    732 

Albert  G.    (3),   732 

Casimir  C,  Dr.,  733 

Harry  J.,   734 

Helen,  732,  733 

Lucy,   734 

Mercedes,  732 
Grontkowski,   Anna,    52 

John    A.,    521 

John  A..  Jr..   521 

Josephine.   521 

Michael.   521 
Grover.  Alfred  W.,  Dr.. 

Anna  M..    495 

Butler,  495 

Coraline  E.,  527 

Daniel,    526 

Eleanor,   526 


Emma  M.,   650 

John,   495 

Joshua,   526,   650 

Mar.shall   E.,   650 

Mary,    495 

Robert   E.,  527 

Roland,  650 

Thomas   J.,    526,    527 
Gryczka,  Catherine,  666 

Francis,  Jr.,   735 

Francis  B.,   Dr.,   734,   735 

James  E.,   I:ev.,  666 

Katherine,  735 

Martin,    666,    735 

Rose,   735 
Gurnari,   Angeline,   713 

Domihick,   713 

Joseph.   713 

Joseph    (2).   713 

Santa,   713 
Guyler,  Ada,  761 

Harold  G.,  Dr.,   761 

Harry,    761 

Mildred  T.,   762 
Gwilliam,  Annie,   530 

George    E..   530 

George   E.    (2),   530 

George  E.    (3),   530 

Laura,    530 

Haddock,  Jennie  S.,  241 

John,   241 

John   C,    241 
Hall,  Anna,  500 

Anna  J.,  501 

James    F.,    Dr.,    500 

Varo,    500 
Halsey,   Anna,    234 

Anna   C,    235 

Gains,  Dr.,  234 

Gains   L..    Judge,   234,    235 

Joseph    G..    235 

Matthew    (2).   234 

Icichard  C.  23  4 

Sarah    E.,    235 

Thomas,   234 
Hamlin,  Elizabeth  M.,  346 

Frances   E.,    346 

Giles,   Capt..   345 

Harris,   345 

Harris  (2),  345 

Harris   B.,    Hon.,    345.    346 

Lillie,   346 

Lyman  W..  345 

Nathaniel.    345 

Pauline.   346 

William,  345 

William,   Capt.,   345 
Hand,  Aaron,   200 

Aaron  H..   ilev.  Dr.,  200 

Bavard,   201 

Elizabeth  C,  200 

Isaac   P.,   200 

John,   200 

John    (2),   200 

John    (3),    200 

Margaret  B.,  201 

Mary  L.,   200 

Stephen,   200 

Stephen    (2),   200 
Haracz,  Anthony,   723 

Blanche,    723 

John    H..    723 

John  J.,   723 

Victoria.    723 
Harding.  Adelia,   574 

Gitrrick,  M..  574 

Henry  M..    574 

Mariah  M..  574 
Harris.  Alice,  222 

Anna  M..  213 

Edward,  213 

Emily   M.,   674 


776 


Fanny,   222 
George  H..  674 
Isabelle  W.,    467 
James    D.,    674 
James  P.,   467 
James  P.,   Jr.,   467 
John,   674 
John  H.,  467 
Lucy  A.,    467 
Mary    E.,    467 
Richard,  222 
Richard   A.,    222 
Sarah,    213,    674 
■\Villiam,   213 
William  T.,   213 
Harrison,    Amanda,    695 
Chrissie   L.,    695 
Jacob,  695 
Leslie    J.,    695 
Leslie  J.,   Jr.,    695 
William  H.,   695 
Hart,  Daniel  L.,   263,   264 
Edna  C,  359 
John,    264,    359 
Mary,    264 
Mary  A.,   359 
Michael,   264 
Michael  H.,   359 
Owen,  359 
Patrick,   264 
Thomas,    264 

Thomas    (Tom),  359 

Thomas  G.,   359 
Harter,    Aman   L.,    407 

Charles   M.,    691 

Drew  R.,   407 

Estella  D.,  667 

Frank  M.,   407 

Harry   J.,    667 

Jacob,    407 

Jacob  W.,  691 

La   Berta,    4  07 

Marion,    667 

Martha,  691 

Sarah  C,   692 

Sherman    H.,    667 

Walter,  667 

Wilbur  A.,  692 
Harvey,   Abram   N.,    571 

Amanda  M.,    669 

Benjamin,    571,    611,    669 

Benjamin    (2),   611,   669 

Benjamin  N.,  571 

Elisha,    669 

Elisha  B.,    611 

Elisha   B.    (2),    611 

Ernest,    612 

Fannie  V.,  612 

Jameson,   669 

Jessie,   669 

John,   611,   669 

John    (2),    611,   669 

John  C,   571 

John  C,  Jr.,  571 

Laning-,   Jr.,    670 

Laning,   Sen.,   669 

Marion   E.,    670 

Myrtle,    571 

Oscar  J.,   611 

Robert   B.,    670 

Sarah,    611 

Sarah  M.,  571 

Thomas,   571,   611,   669 

Thomas    (2),   611 

Thorndyke,    612 

"William,    571 

William  J.,   669 
Haus,  Anna  E.,   659 

Benjaniin  L.,    659 

Ellie  M.,    659 

John   B.,  659 

William,  659 
William   L.,    659 


Hauser,   Gertrude,    418 
John   F.,    418 
Priscilla,    417 
William  H.,  417 
TS'ilson  J.,  417 
Hauslohner,  Austin  L.,  Dr.,  436 
Betty,    436 
Mary,   436 
Robert  A.,  436 
Rudolph,    436 
Hawkins,  Edmund  M.,  4  49 
Helen  M.,  449 
Ira,    449 
Mary,    449 
Oliver    E.,    449 
Oliver    E.,    Jr.,    449 
Richard    A.,    449 
Hazleton  Newspapers,  464 
Hazlett,   Almon  C,   Dr.,   221 
Cyrus  A.,   221 
Grace  D.,   221 
Josephine,    222 
William   H.,    222 
■n^illiam   R.,    221 
Heath,   Elizabeth   B.,  627 
Mary,    626 
Paul   S.,    Rev.,    626 
Robert   H.,    627 
William  R.,   626 
William   R.    (2),    627 
Heffernan,    Andrew,    346,    460 
Andrew  J.,  Dr.,   346 
Lillian   T.,   346 
Louise,    460 
Mary,   346,   460 
Thomas    E.,    460 
Thomas   F.,   459,   460 
Heller,    Absolem,    672 
Christopher  C,   406 
Enna,    406 

Eug-ene    F.     (E.    Foster), 
Judge,  405,  406 

Flora  E.,  672 
Hoyt  E.,  672 
Miriam,    672 

Quentin    E.,    672 

Wesley,   672 
Herring,  Abner,  431 

Samuel  S.,   431 

Samuel    S.     (2),    431 

Sarah,   431 
Hertz,  Hannah,  505 

Helen,    505 

Joseph,   505 

Philip   E.,   Dr.,   505 
Hess,  Charles   F.,    191 

Charles  F.   (2),  192 

Elijah,    425 

Elizabeth  H.,  191 

Frank  D.,  425 

Henry,   191 

Katherine,    425 

Lillian,   425 

Margaret,  425 

May  A.,   192 

Robert   G.,    19  2 
Hessel,   Jane,    360 

John,    360 

John  R.,  360 

Mary   B.,    360 
Hessler,  Anna  M.,  175 

Berton   L.,   174,    175 

John  H.,  175 

Louise   F.,   175 
Heyer,    Catharine,    214 

Edward  G.,  Dr.,  214 

Frederick  W.,  Dr.,  214 

Harriet,    214 

John  G.,   214 

Sophia,    214 
Hibbard,    John,   674 

John  H.,   675 

John   J.,   674 


Kathryn  G.,  675 
Margaret,   674 
Hicks,  Bruce  M.,  242 
Jennie,  242 
M.  E.,  242 
Robert    B.,    242 
Sarah  M.,  242 
Higgs,  Charles  J.,  Dr.,  393 
Eva,    394 
Robert  D.,  394 
Susie,  393 
William  L.,   393 
Hildebrand,   Adam  M.,   336,   337 
Edmund  G.,   337 
Elizabeth,    336 
George,  336 
Maude,   337 
Robert   W.,   337 
Hill,  Bessie  G.,  295 
E.   H.,   Dr.,   295 
Harry,   Lieut.,    295 
Mary,   295 
Samuel  B.,    295 
William    B.,    295 
Hillman,  Frederick,   255 
H.   Baker,  255 
Henry  B.,  Col.,  255 
Josephine  A.,  255 
Mabel,  255 
Hirsch,  Bertha,   438 
Harry,  43S 
Joseph,   43S 
Samuel,  438 
Hirshowitz,  Florence,   457 
Getta,   456 
Harry   R.,    456 
Moses,    456 
Hobbes,  *D.  M.,  395,  396 

Ida  J.,  396 

Jane,   395 

John,  395 

Peter,  395 

William   H.,    396 
Hoebener,   A.  D.,   Dr.,   720 

Anna  E.,    720 

Catherine    E.,    720 

John  P.,  720 
Hoffman,   Asa    (Ace),    756 

Charles   E.,   756 

George,    756 

Grace,    536 

Leonard   P.,    536 

Mary  G.,  536 

May,    756 

Reuben,   536 

Reuben    H.,    536 

Robert  J.,  536 

Virgie,    756 
Hogg,    Emma,    433 

Ernest   W.,   Dr.,    433 

Forrest  W.,  433 

Hilda    G.,    434 

William,    433 
Holcomb,  Ann  F.,  174 

Danna  G.,  174 

Harvey,    174 

Lorrie    R.,    17.4 

Miles  W.,  174 
HoUenback,   Amelia,   183 

Amelia   B.,    183 

Anna    E.,    183 

Anna   W.,    183 

Frances  .1.,  183 

George,    ISl 

John,    182 

John   W.,    ISl,    182 

Matthias,   Lieut.-Col.,    182 

Sarah  B.,   182 
Homer,  Edward  D.,  551 

J.  Robert,   550 

J.   Robert,   Jr.,   551 

Mary    M.,    550 


Nellie,  551 

Robert   J.,   550 
Honeywell,    Charles   C,    488 

Charles   W.,    488 

Donald  U,   488 

Edna,    488 

Elnora,   488 

Lincoln   D.,   488 
Hooper,  Annie,  G32 

Charles,   632 

Fred   B.,   363 

.Toseph    R.,    362 

Julia  M.,    363 

Kezia,    363 

Kit,    632 

William,  632 

"William    J.,    362 
Horst,   Catherine,   323 

George    H.,    323 

John,    323 

Lulu  M.,   323 

Willard  M.,   323 
Horton,   Barnabas,   563 

Charles,  309 

Charlotte,   309 

Jane,    300 

John,   Lieut.,    563 

Lillian,   309 

Miller,    563 

Nathaniel   M.,    563 

Richard,    309 

Richard    (2),  309 
Hosier,  Emma,  626 

Fred  W.,  626 

Grace,   62  6 

William    C,    626 

Xen    S.,    626 
Hourigan,   Andrew,    471 

Bridget,    470 

Caroline   G.,    471 

John,  470 

John  A.,  470 

John  A,,  Jr.,   471 

Marie,   471 

Patrick.  470 
Hnuser,  Elizabeth,   725 

Franklin,    725 

Ida,   725 

William  B.,  725 
Howell,   Addle   H.,   292 

Charles    E.,    291 

Clifford  B.,  750 

Edna   B.,    750 

Harold  E.,  292 

Hattie.  250 

John  T.,  Dr.,  413 

John   T.,   Jr.,   413,   414 

Kate,    749 

Levi  T.,  749 

Mary,   291,   413 

Mary  E.,  338 

Minnie  B.,  413 

Roger  B.,  338 

Theodore  H.,   413 

Theresa,    338 

William,  33S 

William  F.,  291,  338 

Ziba  R.,    749 
Howes,  Arthur  F.,   498 

Attwood  K.,  498,   499 

James,    499 

Rasella  H.,   499 
Howorth,  Catherine,  428 

Florence  L.,  428 

James,   427 

John,  Dr.,   427,   428 
Hoyt,  Frank  W.,  584 

Samuel,   584 
Hoyt  Library  (The).  584 
Huber,  August  M.,  248 

Charles  F.,  24S 

Ethel  M.,   314 

Mary  C,  314 


Minna,    248 

Nelle   A.,    248 

Paul   n..    249 

Samuel  H.,  314 

Sumner  W.,  314 

Thomas   C,   249 

William   H.,    314 
Huey,   George   M.,   402 

George  O.,  402 

Jacob,  402 

Mae,    402 

Mary,   402 
Hughes,  Anne,  619 

Edith,  619 

Ellen,  219 

Emma,   177 

H.   Merritt,    619 

Harry   C,    219 

Harry  D.,   219 

Helen  R.,  530 

Hugh,    619 

James,   177 

James  H.,  176 

John,    176,    529 

Keturah,  219 

Lucretia,   176 

Madge,  177 

Mary  J.,    529 

Reese  D.,  529 

Thomas,   619 
Hugo,  Catharine,  319 

Conrad,   319 

John  A.,   Dr.,    319 

Nori,  319 
Humphrey,   Isaac,   521 

Isaac,  Dr.,  521 

Mary  A.,   521 
Hunt,    Charles   P.,    321 

Francis  W.,  321 

Grace  S.,   322 

Kathleen,  322 

Lea,  322 

Sarah  A.,  321 

Thomas.  321 
Husted.   Amelia,    372 

Claude  M.,   372 

David.    372 

James   D.,  Dr.,   372 

Nellie,   372 

Ralph  H.,  Dr.,  372 
Hutchison,    Edith,    287 

James  B.,  288 

Margaret  L.,  288 

Sarah  E.,  287,  288 

Wilber  L.,   Dr.,   287,   288 

Wilber   D.    (2),    Dr.,    287,    288 

Iffert,   Adam,    684 

Elizabeth,    684 

Emma  C,  685 

Henry,  684 

Henry  (2),  685 
Inczura,  Aloysius,   727 

George  V.,  Rev.,  727 

Veleria,   727 

Jackson,    Fannie,    690 

Harriett  M.,    690 

William,    690 

William  A.,   690 
Jacobosky,   Adelaide,   741,   742 

Audrey,    741 

Cyrus,  Dr.,  741,  742 

Gilbert  G.,  741 

Isaac,   741 
Jacobs,   Catharine,   393 

Conrad,  393 

Louis   N„    393 

Magdeline,  393 
James,    Florence,    679 

Hannah,   679 

John   E.,    679 

John   E.    (3),    679 


John   E.,  Sr.,   679 

John  R.,  679 

Margaret,  228 

Margaret   S.,   228 

Thomas,  228 

Thomas  H.,  228 

Thomas   R.,    228 
Janosov,   John    M.,   712 

Michael,  712 

Theresa,    712 

Veronica,  712 
Janowski,  Appolonja,  651 

Frances,    652 

Henry,    652 

Joseph  J.,  651 

Leo,   652 

William,  631 
Jeffries,  Carl,   661 

E;iizabeth,   661 

Helena,    661 

James   G.,   661 

John  E.,  661 

Richard,  661 
Jenkins.  Ann,  454 

Ben,iamin  L.,  454 

Catherine,  427 

David    F.,    427 

David  H.,  454 

Elizabeth,    427 

George  S..   724 

Harris,   248 

Hopkin,  454 

Hugh   C.   201 

Ida  K.,   724 

Jabez  H.,  2  48 

Jean  W.,  725 

John,   Jr.,  Col.,  247 

John.  Judge,  247 

John   E.,   201 

John  K.,   724 

Kate,   454 

Katharine  B.,  201 

Lydia,   247 

Maria,  201 

Mary,    24  8 

Mitchell,  201 

Morgan  C,   201 

Thomas,  427 

William  D.,  427 
Jennings,  Leonard  P.,  748 

Mary,    748 

Matthew,   748 
Jeter,   Florence,  227 

John   T.,   227 

Mary  C,   227 

William  B.,  227 

William  B.,  Jr.,  228 
Job,  Ann,  428 

Emily  E.,   42S 

Frederick,   428 

Frederick   C.   A..   428 
Johns,   Catherine.   355 

David  G.,  355 

David   L.,    335 

Frances,    355 

Walter    P..    355 
Johnson,   Albert  W,,   Jr..   599 

Albert   W.,   Judge,   599 

Anne,    367 

B.  Ford,   691 

Bertha,  632 

Dora,    599 

Emma,  307 

Gustav  A.,  632 

Henry  C,   367 

Henry   C.    (2),    367 

Johanna,   632 

John  E.,  632 

Jennie,  691 

Levina,   626 

M.  Stanley,   367 

Malcoln    S..    Jr.,    367 

Marvin  C,  Dr.,  626 


7/8 


Mary,    626 

Pearl    M.,    691 

Robert  W.,   633 

Theodore  M.,  Dr.,  626 

William  C,   691 
Jones,   Anna,    511 

Ashbel   W.,    .';25 

Bert  H.,  622,  623 

Bertha,    193 

Bertha  M.,   66S 

Bessie,  584 

Carleton  C,  345 

Carleton  H.,   345 

Catharine,    361 

Catherine,  364 

Cecelia,  361 

David,   623 

David  E.,  193 

Dorothy,  177 

Edmund  E.,  193 

Elizabeth,  177,   193 

Emily  I.,   526 

Emma,    40S,    5S3 

Evan  C,   177 

George  B.,  440 

Harlan  Y.,  526 

Harry  E.,   511 

Helen,   364 

Henry,  6SS 

Henry  L.,  361 

Henry   L.    (2),    440 

Henry  D.,  Rev.,  345,  439 

Henry  R.,    240 

Henry  S.,   361 

lorwerth,  583 

J.  Grayson,  Rev.,  668 

Jean,    623 

John   C,   177 

John    D.,    364 

John  D.    (2),  364 

John   S.,   361 

Katharine,  440 

Laura,   240 

Lawrence  B.,  345,  439 

Lemuel,    345,    439 

Lot,   Rev.,   345,   439 

J^ouis  W.,   Dr.,   583 

Mabel,    345 

Margaret,    240 

Martha  P.,  440 

Marvin,  240 

Mary  E.,   525 

Richard    E.,    511 

Robert  E.,   408 

Robert  E.    (2),   408 

Sarah  E.,    439 

Sarah  R.,   623 

Sheldon,   525,    526 

Sheldon,    Jr.,    526 

Thomas,    345,    439 

William,    240 

William   H.,   240 
Joyce,  Hannah.  420 

Margaret,    420 

Peter,   420 

Stanley,   420 

William  E.,    419,    420 
Jndkovics,    Dora,    514 

Kate,    514 

Marvin,    514 

Morris,   514 

Xiel,    514 
Jurica,  John,  737 

John  E.,   736 

Susan   v.,    737 

Sylvester,  737 

Kacala,  Anna,   748 
Joseph,   748 
Joseph  (21,  748 
Sophie,  748 
Stanley,   748 
Vincent,  748 


Kahler,    Etta,    421 

Frances,    421 

Walter  E.,    420,   421 

William,  420 
Kane,  Dennis  J.,  Rev,,  402,  403 

Hannah,   403 

James,    403 
Kanjorski,    A.    Peter,    724 

Constance,  724 

Peter,    724 

Wanda  I.,   724 
Kasaczun,  Francis,  Rev.,  700 

John,    700 

Rose,    700 
Kear,  Bartlett  L.,  409 

Harriett,    409 

Thomas   C,   409 

Viola,   409 

William  J.,  409 

William  T.,  409 
Kearney,  Arthur  A.,   294 

John,    294 

Mae,   294 

Margaret,   294 

Peter,   294 
Keiser,    Agnes   A.,    693 

Edward   A.,   693 

Emanuel,   693 

Sarah,    693 

Thomas    H.,    692,    693 

Thomas    H.,    Jr.,    693 

Valentine,  693 
Keller,     Calvin    M.,     734 

Caroline,    734 

Donald,  734 

Ella,    734 

Henry  F.,  734 
Kelly,  Alva  C,  684 

Bessie  A.,  684 

Bridget,   407 

Francis  M.,   394 

Frank,  Jr.,   408 

Prank  P.,   407,   408 

James,  394 

James  H.,   684 

Joseph  P.,  394 

Julia,   394 

Kate,   684 

Margaret  C,   408 

Matthew   F.,   394 

Michael,   407 

Sarah,   394 

Thomas    A.,    394 

William,    408 
Kemmerer,  Harvey  H.,  572 

Martha,    572 

Victoria  A.,  572 

Zachariah,  572 
Kent,  Edward  H.,  570 

Edward  H.    (2),   570 

Mary  C,   570 

Sara  C,   570 
Kerr,    Georgiana,   330 

Isadora,   330 

Percival   M.,   Dr.,   329,    330 

Robert   M.,    330 

William,  330 

William  M.,   330 
Kettle,  Frank,   648 

Franklin  A.,   648 

Fred,  Jr..   648 

Gerald,   G4S 

Louisa,    64S 

Mary   E.,    648 
Kielar,  Edward  J.,  Dr.,  371,  372 

John,  371 

Rose,  372 

Susanna,    371 
Kielty,  Archbold,   397 

Bridget,   397 

Bridget   A.,   340 

John   T.,   Dr.,    397 

Joseph,  Lieut.,  340 


Patrick,    340 

Patrick    F.,    340,    397 

Patrick    F.,    Jr.,    340 

Sabina,    340 
Kingston    Bank    &    Trust    Co., 

205 
Kintzer,  Adeline  S.,   639 

John  A.,   639 

John   S.,   640 

Mae   A.,   640 

Mayme  A.,  640 

Reuben   W.,    639 
Kjrby.  Allan  P.,  383 

Angeline  E.,  382 

Fred  M.,   381,  382 

Fred   M.    (2),   383 

Jessie  A.,   383 

Marion   G.,    383 

Sumner    M.,    383 

William,   382 
Kirkendall,   Eleanor  C,   266 

Fred  C,  Sr.,  265,  266 

Fred    C,    Jr.,    266 

Hannah,    266 

Ira  M.,    265 

William  W.,   265 
Kirkhuff,  Ellison  L.,  584 

Ellison  S.,  584 

Emma  E.,   582 

Fannie,  582 

John,   584 

Lillie,  584 

Robert,    584 

Rogers    J.,    582 

Stogdell    D.,    5  82 

Susan,    584 
Kirschner,  Bertha  M.,  682 

George,    682 

John   W.,    Dr.,    682 

Martha,    6S2 
Kirshner,  Abraham,  740 

Isaac,    740 

Mollie,  740 

Myron,    741 

Rose,  741 

Wolfe,    740,    741 
Kistler,  Charles  J.,  371 

Clarence   P.,   371 

D.  Walter,  593 

Douglas,   Dr.,   592 

Lilah  M.,   371 

Louisa,   371 

Nellie,   593 

Philip    S.,    371 

Sallie,   592 

Seth  W.,  Dr.,   371 

Walter  W.,   Dr.,    592 

William   D.,    593 
Kitchen,  Fanny  L.,  587 

John  B.,   587 

John  B.    (2),   587 

Joseph.   587 

Kate,  587 
Kittle,  Elizabeth  J.,  237 

Franklin  A.,   237 

Henry  A.,  237 

Henry  R.,    237 

Hu.2h   D.,   237 

Loiiisa,   237 
Kleemann,  Arthur  O.,  255 

Florence  A.,   255 

Peler,  2F5 

Ralph  V.    255 

iin.':iu.    25.5 
Klipple    Conrad,  487 

Edgar,    4  88 

Edgar  L.,  487,  488 

Fa  note,   48.- 

Mary  A.,   487 
Knilfen,   Charles   E.,    494 

Charlotte,  495 

Kathtrirs  G.,  494 


Levis  v..  4ii4,  495 
Lulher  M.,  494,  495 
KiioU,   Alois,    Dr.,    518 
Aiipiil'iiiiii.  ^18 
C.    J.,    51S 
Kuorr,  I>ou,   5)0 
Leon  J.,  Dr.,  510 
Mary,   510 
Kochczynski,  Dorothy,  719 
.liicob,   719 
Joseph  C,  Dr.,  719 
.lo.sepH  C,   .)r.,   719 
Mars^vel,  719 
Kocyan,  John,  530 
Joseph    J.,    Dr.,    530 
M.arie  S.,  530 
M.'iry,    530 
Koons,  Edward  L.,  369 
Florence,   309 
Helen    J..    369 
John  K.,  369 
R„bert  O.,  Dr.,  369 
Korman,  Anna,   634 
George,    634 
Joseph,  Kev.,  634 
Koronkiew:oz,  Frank,  714 
Martha,  T14 
Stanley,  'l'^ 
ICisek,   Elizabeth,    237 
John,    237 
John  v.,  Jr..  239 
John  Y.,   Judge,    237 
Margiieritc,    239 
Reynold,    239 
Kosker,    Erieget,    504 
Con,   504 
John  J.,  Dr.,  504 
Martha    C,    504 
Kostenbauder,  Adnah,   594 
Adnah    G  ,    594 
George  B,  594 
Lenore,    594 
Mary,   E94 
Kozak,  Andrew,   333 
Andrew  V.,    333,   334 
John  A.,  Dr.,  334 
Joseph  A.,  334 
Mary,    333 

Mary    S.,   334  _ 

Krajewski,  Alexandra  M., 
Francis,   713 
Francis  J.,  Dr.,  713 
Frank,    515 
John,    510 
Juslina,  515 
KatUrin,  516 
Rose,    713  ^ 
Itownald,   713 
Stephen.  Jr.,  516 
Stephen  S.,  Dr.,  515 
Kiapf,   Barbara,   513 
Cera,   513 
T4r,rold,  513 
John,   513 
John  H.,  513 
^Villiam   H.,    513 
ICrashkevich,  George,    .30 
Gregory,  Rev.,    i29 
John  H.,  Rev.,  729 
Mary,  730 

Theodora,  729  ^       ^ 

Krick,    Charles  P.,    2i7,    - 
Dorothy,  278 
Florence  V.,   278 
George.    27S 
Kroner,  Julius,  746 
Leo  J.,   Rev.,  746 
Theresa,  746 
Kropp,    Charles   F.,    003 
Edward  J.,  663 
John,    662 
John  F.,   662 


779 

Mary,   662 
Mary  G.,    663 
Krych,  F.  Joseph,   Dr.,   293 
Mary,    293 
Peter,   293 
Stella,  293 
Kuschel,  Charles  E.,  291 
Christian,    291 
Elizabeth,  291 
Ferdinand  J.,  291 
Harold  J.,   291 
Jacob    P.,   Dr.,    291 
Susan,   291 
Kuschke,    Charles    J.,    390,    391 
Christian  B.,  306,   391 
Gordon.  307 
Harry    T.,    306 
Ida  M.,   391 
Margaret,     306,    391 
Mary,   307 
Robert   D.,   391 

La   Bar,  John  H.,    697 
Lottie,   697 
Louisa,   697 
Remniel  W.,   697 
William   R.,    697 
Labagh,  Christine,  599 
George  W.,  599 
J.  Forrester,   599 
James   F.,   599 
James  P.    (2),  599 
John,  599 
Kathryn,   599 
Lafaj.  A.  G.,   Rev.,   381 
George,  381 
Julia,  381 
Lahm,    Charles,    300 
Elizabeth,  300 
J.   H.,   300 
Myrtle  C,  301 
Ralph,  Jr.,  301 
Landau,  Anna,  721 
Calvin  J.,  721 
Frances,   722 
Howard  R.,    721 
Hyman,   757 
Jack,  722 
Julius,   75S 
,,  Leo,    720 

^^  Manual.  720,  757 

Mary,  720,  757 
MoUie,   758^ 
Samuel,    722 
Samuel    (2),   722 
Sara,  722 
Langan,    Helen,    625 
Patrick   F.,    624 
Patrick  F.,  Jr. ,625 
AVilliam  L.,   625 
Winifred,   624 
Laning.  Amanda  E.,  607 
Augustus   C,    441,    606,    60 
Augustus  C.   (2),  441 
Augustus   C,   Jr.,   442 
Daniel,  441,  606 
Elizabeth  V.,  442 
Eva  M.,    442 
Helen   C,   441,    60, 
John,   441,   606,   607 
John    (2).   441 
,Q  John    (3),   007 

John,    Sr.,   607 
Marv  H.,   607 
Robert,  441,  606 
Robert  <2),  441,  606 
Lavin,   Catherine   C.   397 
Ellen.   397 
John  L.,  Dr.,  397 
John  L.,  Jr.,   397 
Thomas,   397 
Law,  Charles  C,   Dr.,    409 


Mary,   409 
Thomas  J.,   409 
Lawrence,  Eliza  E.,  414 
Emily,    414 
George,    414 
George   H..   414 
Laycock,  Adam  C,   204,   448 
Charles  F..   449 
Charles  H.    (C.  Harold),  20o 

448 
Charles  W.,   204,  448 
Clarissa  A.,    204 
Esther   F.,    449 
L    Jennie,   205 
Robert  C,  205 
Shadrack  B.,  Rev.,  204,  448 
Lea,    Hetty    H.,    322 
James,    322 
James  N.,   Judge,   322 
Luke,    Rev.,   322 
Zaccheus,    322 
Leas,  Alice  R.,  249 
Frank  B.,  249 
Pearl,    250 
W.   L.,    249 
Leavenworth,  Annie,  236 
Franklin   J.,   236 
Gideon,   235 
Ida  C,  236 
Jared,  236 
Thomas,    235 
Thomas    (3),    235 
Thomas,  Dr.,  235 
Woodward,    235,    236 
Woodward,   Jr.,  236 
Lecher,   Alice.    513 
Estelle,    513 
Ja,ne,    512 
John,    512 
Marilla,    512 
Philip  T..    512 
Robert  B.,   Dr.,   512 
Lee,  Ada,  376 
Agnes,   198.  376 
Conrad,   197,   376 
George  F.,   197,   198 
James,    197,    376 
Jane,  197 
John  M.,  198 
Phebe,   198 
Stephen,  197.  376 
William   S.,   376 
William   S.,   Jr.,   376 
Lees,    Anna,    386 
George,    386 
Henry,    386 
Lorinda,   387 
Rush  O.,  387 
Leib,  Andrew  J.,   400 
Andrew  J.,  Jr.,  400  • 
Isabelle    K.,    400 
Katherine  I.,    400 
William   S.,   400 
7         Leighton,  Carl   A..   3^0 
Carl   A.,   Jr.,   321 
David,   320 
Ella  B.,  320 
J.   Charles,    320 
Marie  J.,  321 
Lenahan,    Alice.    3,0 
Anthony,  370 
Catherine,    370 
Frank,  370 
Hugh    J.,    Dr.,    370 
Hugh    J.,    Jr.,    3,0 
Lentz,    Charles,    380 
Dr.,    380 
Harold,    380 
Lillian.  380 
Mary,   380 
Robert  A.,   380 
Leslie.  Elizabeth.   368 
Hugh,   368 


78o 


Mary,    368 
William,    368 
William   (2),   368 
Lester,    Albert   J.,    465 
Bernadine,    465 
Jacob,    465 
Mabel   P.,    466 
Levitsky,  Freda,   654 

Louis   M.,    Rev.,    654,    655 
Samuel,    654 
Lewis,   A.   Leo,    344 
Abram,  344 
Amelia,    591 
Anna,    344,    380 
Anna    I.,    344 
Asa   E.,    370,    447 
Catherine  T.,    447 
David,   380 
Ella   F.,    370 
Francis  D.,    370 
Georg-e  C,   370 
Gwenny,    187 
Jemima,   649 
Jonah,  648 
Katheryn,   370 
Louisa  J.,   590 
Mary,    64S 
Morgan  V.,   187 
Ruth  B.,  389 
Simeon,  590 
Thomas,   447 
Thomas  J.,    380 
Thomas  M.,  187 
Thorwald  E.,   649 
Victor  E.,  648 
Walter  E.,   389 
William,   370,   447 
Lewith,   Edward   L.,   479,    4S0 
Josephine,   480 
Lewis,  480 
Lindemuth,  Edwin  L.,  320 
Elizabeth    K.,    320 
George    F.,    320 
John,   320 
Lavlnia  K.,   320 
Lindsay.  Andrew,  308 
Annie  P.,   308 
George   P.,    308 
Janet,    308 
Lippincott,   Joseph   B.,    675 

Mary  B.,   675 
Lithuanian    Holy    Trinity    Ro- 
man   Catholic    Church,    of 
Wilkes-Barre,    526 
Littebrandt,    John   J.,    637 
Mary,   637 

AVilliam  H.,  Rev.,  Dr.,  637 
Litts,    Abbie,    6SG 
Catharine,  686 
Daniel  M.,   686 
Millard  F.,  686 
Zachariah,    686 
Llewellyn.  Albert  B.,  344 
Albert   J.,    343 
David,    343 
Ella   L.,    344 
Georg-e  J.,   529 
Mary   A.,    529 
Samuel   G.,   529 
Sarah,  3  43 
Stewart   P.,    344 
Lloyd,  Elbert  E.,  605 
Eva,    604 
Idris,    342 
J.  O.,   604 
Margaret,  342 
Mary,    342 
Morris  M.,  604 
Richard  M.,   605 
Rosa,  604 
Ross  H.,   342 
Long,    Caroline,    478 
Charles,   489 


Charles  F.,   Dr.,   4  89 

Clinton,   490 

Cosmar  P.,    490 

Fannie,  489 

Florence  L,,    491 

Henry  A.,   491 

Isaac,   217 

John  A.,  491 

Julian  S.,  Dr.,  490 

Leo    W.,    478 

Marx,   47S 

Millard  P.,   490 

Minnie,  490 

Simon,    489 

Simon   (2),  490 

Tetta,  489 
Lopatto,  Edward  AV.,  662 

John    S.,    662 

Mary  C,   662 

Simon,    662 

Ursula,    662 
Loughnane,    Albert    M.,    Capt., 
474 

Francis,    474 

Francis  N.,  473 

James,   474 

Margaret,    474 

Mary  A.,  474 
Love,  Agnes,  357 

Robert,  357 
Loveland,   Charles  N.,   194 

Charles   N.,   Jr.,   195 

Elijah,    194 

George,  194 
George  (2),  195 

John,    194 
John    (2),   194 
Joseph,  194 
Julia  L.,   194 
Mabel   H..    195 
Thomas,    194 
Luchi,  Angelo  L.,  Dr.,  642 
Catherine,  642 
Henry,   642 
Louis,  Rev.,  711 
Mary   P.,    642 
Robert    J.,    643 
Luckenbill,    Cyrus,    665 
Donald,  666 
Elizabeth,  665.  666 
Nicholas  P.,    665 
Lukao    (Lucas),   Elizabeth,   516 
John  A.,   516 
Martin.    516 
Jlichael,   516 
Lupas,    Anthony.    744 
Anthony  (2),  744 
Antoinetta,   744 
Catherine,   744 
John,   744 
Rose,    744 
Lupco,   Andrew,    719 
Bertha  P.,   720 
Carl,    720 
Mary  M.,  719 
Vincent  J..    719 
Lutes,  Daniel  T.,  509 
Elizabeth   W.,    509 
Emory,   Dr.,    509 
Virginia,  509 
Lynde,    Jonathan  W.,    311 
Mary  A.  J.  A.,   311 
Thomas,  Dea.,  311 
Lynn,  Charles  J.  A.,  582 
Ellsworth    W.,    582,    583 
Emma,    582 
Lynott,   Catherine,   191 
John,    191 
Michael   E.,   Rev.,   191 

MacCallum,    Earl    D.,    760 
Jane,  759 
John,    759 


John    (2),  759 
Maude,    760 
MacKeevy,   Donald  R.,   175 

Ruth,   175 
MacKinder,  Ann,  249 
Catherine,  249 
Charles  F.,  249 
George,   249 
George  F.,   Dr.,   249 
John    H.,    249 
Laura  E.,  249 
MacLuskie,    Alexander,    333 
Donald  A.,  333 
John,    333 
John,   Jr.,    333 
Margaret,   333 
Marie.    333 
MacNeal,    Douglas   M.,    514 
Edith,    514 
Emma,    514 
Phoebe,   514 
Wallace,    513 
Walter  E..   Dr.,   513 
William,  514 
William   M.,    514 
MacVeigh,    Carrie   L.,    629 
Charlotte,   629 
Joseph  H.,   629 
Peter,    629 
McAlarney,  Bessie  L.,  683 
James,   682 
John   C,    682,    683 
John   C,  Jr.,   683 
Mary,    682 
McAniff,  Ellen,  256 
Mary    A.,    256 
Mary  R.,  256 
Michael   H.,    255,   256 
Philip,   256 
Philip   F.,    256 
McCaa,  Jeremiah   A.,   679 
Millie   M.,    679 
Robert  D.,  679 
McCarthy,  Catherine,  617 
Dennis  J..    617 
TVilliam  H.,  617 
McClintock,  Andrew  H.,  240 
Andrew  T.,   239 
Eleanor,    240 
Gilbert  S.,   239,  240 
Samuel,    239 
McCole,   Arline,   592 
Cornelius,   592 
Cornelius   J.    ("Con"),    591, 

592 
Cornelius  J.,  Jr.,  592 
John,   592 
Sallie,   592 
McCracken,    Charlotte,    193 
Elizabeth  J.,  193 
George   E.,    193 
Leroy,  193 
Phoebe,   193 
Samuel,    193 
McDonald,   Anthony,   344 
John   L.,    344 
Michael,    34  4 
JJichael  F.,  344 
Sallie  M.,   344 
Sarah,   341 
McGinley,  Andrew,  468 
Bridget,   468 
Edward   L .    Dr.,   468 
Joseph  L.,  Dr.,  468 
Virginia,  468 
McGough,  Anna,   427 
Charles  J.,   427 
J.   P.,   427 
Laura   L.,    427 
McGovern,   Edward  F.,  705 
Edward  F.  (2),  705 
Ellen,   705 
Prank,   70F 


78l 


McGuigan,    Ellen,    319 

Frank   A.,   319,   320 

Frank   W.,  320 

Lulu  M.,  320 

Patrick,   31!) 

Walter  J.,   220 
McGuire,  Bennet  .J.,  Dr.,  511, 
512 

Bridget,   512 

John  M.,  512 

Martin,    512 

Mary  B.,   512 
MoHush,   Anna,  296 

Constantine,   295 

.Tames,    275 

John   J.,    Dr.,    295 

Mae,    296 

Mary,    275,    295 

V.^illiam  J.,  Dr.,  275 
McKiniry,   Austin,    762 

Ellen,    762 

Francis,  762 

John,  762 

Mag-gie,  762 

Nora,   762 
McLaughlin,  Alice  M.,  551 

Catherine,   551 

Michael  J.,  551 

Michael   J.,   Jr.,    551 

Patrick,  551 

Robert  J.,  551 
McLean,    Alexander,    53S   ■ 

Alexander  (2),   540 

Anne   S.,    53S 

Craig-,   541 

Emily  D.,    541 

Frances  L.,   540 

George  R.,   53S,   539 

George  R.,  Jr.,  540 

Margaret  S.,   53S 

Mary,  539 

Percy  C,    539,    541 

*William   S.,    537,    53S 

William   S.    (3),  539 

■William  S.   (4),  541 

William    S.,    Jr.,    Judge,    539, 
540 
McMillan,  Charles  L.,  375 

James   L.,   375 

Kenneth  D.,  375 

Mabel  M.,    375 

Marian   D.,    375 

Norman   S.,   375 

Olds,   375 
McNeils,   Ann,    579 

Frank.    579 

J.  Carpenter,  Dr.,  579 
McNulty,    Margaret,    692 

Mary,   692 

Patrick   F.,    692 

Robert  J.,  692 
Mack,  Anna  E.,   348 

Fred  J.,  348 

Frederick  J,,  348 

Henry  S.,   34S 

John,   348 

Katherine,    348 
Mains,  Charles  V.,   294 

Charles   "W.,    294 

Ella,   294 

Emma,   294 

Harry  S.,  294 

Jennie,   294 

John  B.,  294 

Robert   N.,   294 
Malinowski,  Catherine,  524 

Emil,   524 

John,    524 

John    (2),  524 

Mary,   524 

Sofia,  524 
Mallow,   Hannah,    243 

Henry,  243 

Homer  R.,   243 


Malpass,  Annie,  531 

Charles,   532 

Charles   A.,    531,    532 

Donald,    532 

Eliza,  532 

Harry,  532 

James,    531 
Mangan,    Grace,    290 

Grace  G.,  290 

John   O.,   290 

John  O.,  Jr.,  290 

Mary,    290 

Thomas,   290 

Thomas    (2),   290 
Mann,  Abraham,   303 

Ella  K.,    303 

Fianna,    303 

Ira,   303 
Mannear,  Helen  A.,   263 

Joseph  H.,   262 

Lavina,   262 

William  E.,  Maj.,  262 
Mantione,    Louise,    714 

Marjan,  714 

Rosario  L.,  Dr.,   714 

Rosario  L.,  Jr.,  714 

Rose,  714 
Marinaro,  Francis  L.,   590 

Frank,  5S9 

Helen,    590 

Leonard  D.,   Dr.,   589 

Margaret,   589 
Marinos,    Louis.    686 

Peter,   686 

Stella,    6S6 
Markle,  Alvan,  261 

Alvan,  Jr.,   262 

Charles   W.,    371 

Donald,   262 

Eckley  B.   C,   262 

Grace,   371 

John,   262 

Mary,  262 

Monroe,   371 

Rebecca,    371 

Zehnder,    371 
Martin,   Anna,  <K-, 

Christian,    2Sr 

David.   687 

Elizabeth,    2S0 

Griffith,    6SS 

Harold  C,   280 

Jacob,  280 

John  B.,   275 

Lydia,   687 

Margaret,  280 

Margaret  M.,    6SS 

Mary,    275 

Robert    A.,    275 

Stanley,    688 

Thomas  M.,  687 

William,   275 

William  E.,   275 

William   E.,   Jr.,    275 
Martini,  Aloysius  V.,  511 

Frank,    510 

Joseph  A..   511 

Joseph  P.,   510 

Mary,  510,  511 
Martyak,  Emil.  709 

Nicholas,  Rev.,  709 

Olga,  709 

Victor,  Rev.,   709 
Marvin,   Alanson  M.,   676 

Bertha,   676 

David,    676 

Eleanor  F.,  676 

George  G.   (G.  Guthrie), 
566 

Ira  G.,  565 

Louise,  566 

Merton    E..   Dr.,    675,    676 

Sophia,   676 

Sophie  L.,   565 


Ma.sel,  George,  515 

John,   515 

Lena,   515 

Margaret,    515 
Maslowski,  Alexander,   737 

Anna,    737 

Clement  V.,   737 

Leonard,    737 

Peter  A.,   737 

Rose,    737 
Mason,    Daniel,    230 

John,   Capt.,   230 

Neheminh,    230 
Mather,    Hannah.    625 

John,  625 

John   (2),  626 

Martha,    626 

Peter,    625 
Matheson,  Alexander,   676 

Cora   B.,    677 

Frank   F.,    676 

Janet,    676 
Matlack,  Clara  R.,  242 

Granville  T.,  Dr.,  241 

Joseph,    242 

Thamson  K..  241 

Thomas,   241 

Thomas   (2),   241 

William,    242 
Maurer,  Charles.   477 

Charles   P.,   478 

Earl   W.,    478 

George,    477 

Louise,    478 

Margaret,  477 

Robert  H.,   478 
Mayock,    Bridget,    448,    458 

Elizabeth,   459 

James,  448 

John    F.,    459 

John  F.,  Dr.,  458 

John   S.,   459 

Kathryn  C,    448 

Matilda,  459 

Michael,   448,    458 

Peter  P.,  Dr.,  459 

Peter  P.,  Jr.,    459 

Robert  E.  L.,   459 

Thomas  J.,  Dr.,   448 

Thomas  J.,  Jr.,  448 
Mays,    Agnes.    275 

Katharine  C.  275 

Thomas  H..   Dr.,   275 

Thomas  H.,  Jr.,   275 

Thomas  J.,  Dr.,  275 
Meehan,   Bridget,    672 

John,  Jr.,   672 

John   J..   672 

Margaret,  672 

Patrick,   672 
Mendum,   Charles   A.,    223 

Mary,   223 
Mengel,   George,   272 

Le^'is,  272 

Samuel  P.,  Dr.,  272 

Sarah   A.,    272 

Valeria,   272 
Menovsky,  John,  728,  729 
Mever,  Harold,    472 

Ida,   473 

Jerome,    472 

Minnie,    472 

Nat,   472 
Meyers,  Elmer  L.,  Dr.,   548 

Grace  H.,  549 

Margaret,    548 

Peter  G.,  548 
.65,    Michlosky,  Charles,   726 

Harry,    725,    726 

Jacob,   726 

Tiba,  726 

Yetta,   726 
Mieszkowski,    Joseph    S..    743 

Katharine.  743 


-82 


Marie  T.,   743 

Stanislaw,    743 
Miles,    Alice    L.,    350 

Charles  S.,  350 

Emmeline,  350 

Evan    M.,    620 

John   M.,    620 

Martha,    621 

Mary,   620 

William,    350 
Millard,   Dudley  H.,   702 

Edna  M.,  702 

Ernest  H.,   702 

Ernest  S.,  702 

Mordecai,   703 

Sarah,    702 
Miller,    Allison    B,,    Dr.,    524, 
525 

Allison   H.,    525 

Anna,    525 

Anna  C,    616 

Charles  W.,  374 

Florence  E.,   655 

Fremont   S.,   655 

Garrick  M.,   655 

Garrick  M.,   Jr.,   655 

George,  374 

H.    C,    616 

Harriet  M.,   616 

Helen,    374 

Jackson   S.,   368 

Leonard  "W.,   36S 

Luella,  374 

Mae,   36S 

Mary,    368,    374 

Mary   A.,   655 

Robert  M.,  616 

Samuel   N.,    524 

Sarah,  524 

Stephen    H.,    655 

Willis  H.,  616 
Miner,  Asher,  313 

Asher,  Gen.,  186 

Charles,   Hon.,    209 

Charles  A.,  Hon.,   186,   313 

Charles  H.,  Dr.,  313 

Charles    H.,    Jr.,    314 

Clement,  313 

Eliza  R.,  313 

Elizabeth    C,    187 

Grace  L,.,  314 

Hetty  M.,   187 

Hush,   313 

Robert,  313 

Robert  C,  Maj.,  187 

Seth,    186,    313 

Thomas,  186,  313 
Miners'     Bank    ot    Wilkes- 

Barre,    207 
Miners'  Savings  Bank  of  Pitts- 
ton,    298 
Mitchell,   Anna  D.,   370 

Donald   W.,   370 

Elizabeth,  663 

George  W.,  370 

Isabelle.   370 

John,    370 

Ralph   B.,    370 

Richard  H.,   663 

William,   663 
Mitten,    Emma   A.,    640 

Helen    L.,    640 

I-ou    P.,    640 

Thomas    B.,    640 
Molino,    Dominica,    644 

Francis,    Rev.,    644 

Stephano,   644 
Monahan,    Anne,   517 

.lohn  H.,   517 

Stanley   T..   Dr.,   516,    517 
Montayne,    John.    587 

Joseph,    587 
Montz,   Harry  W.,   536,   537 


Laura  M.,   537 

r.obert   W.,    537 

Susan,    537 

William  C,  537 

William   H.,    537 
JToore,    Ann,    294 

Anna    E.,    323 

Esther,  553 

Guy  W.,   553 

Harvey  M.,   323 

John    J.,    294 

John   J.    (2),    294 

John  J.   (3),   295 

John    M.,    553 

Joseph  A.,   323 

Margaret.    553 

Martin    E.,    323 

Mary,    323 

Mason   C,   553 

Michael,    323 

Sarah  A.,   295 
Morgan,    Alice,   210 

Ann,    350 

Anna  E.,  679 

Clara,    350 

Edvi-ard   M.,    400 

Emily,  406 

Florine    M.,    237 

George  E.,  400 

George    T.,    678 

Hilda,  400 

Howard  K.,  350 

Isaiah  C,  Dr.,  236,  237 

J.  D.,   406 

Jane,   210 

John  J.,  210 

Leonard   D.,    400 

Marguerite  A.,   303 

Mary,  303,   400,  406 

Philip  J.,  303 

Philip   J.    (2),   303 

i^ichard   W.,    6^8 

Ruth,   350 

Saiah  E.,   236 

Sarah    J.,    678 

T.   P.,   Rev.,  3»<»6 

Thomas   J.,   3*50 

Thomas  M.,  236 

Walter  L.,   210 

William,   210 

William    J.,    303,    350 
Morris,    Anna,    508 

Bridget  E.,  312 

E.   J.,  Rev.,   336 

Edward,    752 

Gwendolen,  597 

Isador,   752 

James   L.,    312 

John,  508 

Joseph,   508 

Jcseph,  Jr.,   508 

Margaret,  336 

Margaret  G.,  336 

Mary  M.,   312 

Mary  V.,  508 

?laude  v.,  336 

Michael,   508 

Michael  J.,  312 

Michael  W.,  312 

Multord,   336 

Mulford,  Jr.,   336 

O.   Lloyd,    Rev.,    597 

Tenna,  752 
Motter,    Emanuel,    547 

Emma,   547 

George  O.,  547 

George  O.,  Jr.,  547 

Josephine,   547 
Moyer,  Anna  M.,  391 

Horace  B.,  391 

Samuel  B.,  391 

Susan,  391 

William  H.  D.,  391 


Mras,  Andrew,  710 

George  A.,  711 

John  A.,   711 

Joseph,   711 

Mary,  710 

Michael  J.,  710,  711 

Theresa,    711 
Mrovi'czynski,    Rozalea,    716 

Stanley,   715 

Toeffil,  716 
Mroziewski,   Jacob,    731 

Louise,    731 

Sophia,   731 

Zigmund   A.,    731 
Muir,   Blanche    E.,    366 

Dal    W.,    365 

Ellen,    365 

William   D.,  365 

William  D.  (2),  366 
Mulford,  Nathan,  587 
Mullen,  Joseph  A.,  641 

Mary,  641 

Patrick,    641 
Mulligan,   Alice,    390 

E.  W.,   390 

Edward    B.,    389 

Edward  B.,  Jr.,   389 

Edwin    L..    389 

James,   390 

Julia,    389 

Louise,   389 
Mullison,  Elihu  B.,  226 

Elizabeth   A.,   226 

Maude  C,   227 

Olin  R.,   226 
Multer,  Cordelia  J.,  195 

Ida,    195 

Jacob   J.,   195 

"Walton  L.,    195 

William    N.,    195 

William  W.,  195 
Mundy,  Cornelius  A.,  Dr.,  330 

Edward  A.,   330 

James  F.,  330 

John,   330,  420 

John  C,    420 

John  H.,   330 

Katherine,   330 

Leo  C,  Dr.,  420 

Mary,   330 

May,  420 

Susan,    330,    420 
Murgas,    John,    517 

Joseph,   Rev.,   517 

Susan,    517 
Murphy,   Alice,    694 

Catherine,  511 

Edward    A.,    694 

Frances,    255 

Joseph   A-,   Dr.,    255 

Joseph  W.,  Dr.,  694 

Michael   J.,    Dr.,    511 

Thomas,   511 
Murray,  Catherine,  550 

Francis  J.,   550 

P.   W.,   550 

Sadie  C,   550 
Muschlitz,   Amanda  S.,   723 

Elizabeth,   723 

Frederick   A.,   Dr.,   723 

Robert    F.,    723 
Myers,  Bess,  233 

Catherine,  299.  315 

Edith   A.,   233 

Edward   R.,   315 

Edward   R.,   Dr.,   315 

Harry   C,    299 

Harry   W.,    299 

Jean   R.,    299 

John,    233 

Lvdia,    233 

Philip,    233 

Robert  N.,  299 


783 


Viola  M.,   233 
Wickham,   315 
Wilson   E.,   Dr.,   233 
Wyckham,  299 

Nagle,  Anna  L.,  632 
Ellen,    632 
Franklin.    632 
Herman   R.,   831,   632 
Mathias  P.,  632 
Ralph.  632 
Neale,  Adda  L.,  369 
Henry  M.,  Dr.,  368 
Jo.seph  H.,  369 
Mahlan   K.,    369 
Martha  M.,   368 
Martin    H.,    368 
Nealon,  Ellen  J.,  363 

Gene    T..    364 

James  M.,   Dr.,  363 

James  R.,   363 

Margaret  V.,  364 

Patrick   B.,   363 
Neary.    Bala    S.,    6.52 

Robert    E.,    652 

Ruth,   652 

Stephen,   652 

Telka,    652 
Neilson,   Alexander  L.,   710 

Ann,    710 

Howard,  710 

Hugh,    710 

Janet,    710 

William    G.,    710 
Nelson,    Jane   S.,   220 

Reuben,   Rev.,    220 
Nesbitt    (Nisbit)    Abram,    245 

Abram,  Jr.,  246 

Abram  G.,   246 

Frederick,   246 

George  F.,  246 

James,    245 

Mary,    245 

Samuel,    245 

Samuel    (2),    246 

Sarah    M.,    246 

Sarah    P.,    245 
Newell,    Daniel   E.,    225,   226 

Helen,    226 

Mary,    225 

Theodore  L,.,  225 
Nicholson,  Anna,  319 

Arthur  K.,  467,  468 

Arthur   E.,    Jr.,    468 

Bertha,   468 

Bruce  J..   751 

Charles  E.,   207 

rharles  E.,  Dr.,  206 

Elizabeth,   342 

Ella,  206 

Emma,    319,   467,    476 

Fannie,  751 

Frank  C,  476 

George,    342 

George  M..  468 

Hannah  C.   341 

Harry   S.,    319 

Harry  S.,  Jr..  319 

Henrietta,  477 

James  S.,  206 

Jesmond  T.,  751 

Margaret.    751 

Paul  H..   751 

Rcbekah  R.,  207 

Robert  E.,  319 

Samuel    R.,    342 

Samuel  T.,    341 

Septimus,    751 

W.  H.,  319,   46S,   476 

William,   319 

William   H.,    341,    467,    476 

William   H.,    (3),   477 
Niklewski,   Anna,   722 


Edmund,  722 

Joseph,   722 
Niver,  George  W.,  488 

John,    488 

John   S.,    488 

R.  Emma,  488 
Norstedt,  Anna,  277 

.1.    Albert,    276 

J.  Albert,   Dr.,   276 

William  A.,  277 
Norton,   Bessie,   654 

Henry,  654 

Margaret,  654 

William   S.,   654 
Nyhart,    Harry   U.,   233 

Julia,    233 

Levi   L,.,    233 

Luella,  233 

Robert  U.,   233 

O'Boyle,  Bridget,   556 

James  P.,   556 

James   F.,   Jr.,    557 

Margaret,  557 

Michael,   556 

Michael  W.,  557 
O'Connor,   Ellen,   759 

James,  759 

William  A.,   759 
O'Donnell,   Catherine,   570 

Elizabeth  I.,  570 

Francis   T.,   Dr.,   569,   570 

Francis  T.,   Jr.,   570 

George   J..    570 

Joseph,   446 

Mary,   44  6 

Mary  E.,  446 

Patrick.    446 

Roger  J.,   416 

Roger   J.,    Jr.,    446 

Timothy  P.,  570 
O'Hara,  Catherine,  579 

Patrick  J.,  579 

Sophia  M.   R..   579 
O'Malley,  Alexander  P.,  Dr.,  462 

Amelia   R.,    462 

Andrew    P.,    463 

Andrew  W.,  Dr.,  462 

Anna    M.,    463 

J.    Christopher,    463 

James.   462 

Kate  F.,   462 

Louise,    462 
O'Neill.   Ann.  349 

Edward,   350 

Matilda,    350 

Michael,    349 

P.    F.,    349 
Obici,  A.,  522 
Oborski,   Catherine,   717 

Julia  B.,   717 

W.  A.,  Dr.,  717 

William  O.,  717 
Ogilvie,   Jane,    210 

John  G.,   210 

Mary  E.,  210 

Robert  J.,   210 

Stanley  G.,  209,  210 

Stanley  G.  (2).  210 
Oleyar,    Anna,    718 

Michael,    717,    718 

Oion   J.,    718 

Theodore  F.,  718 

Victor  H.,  718 
Oliver,  Benjamin  F.,   685 

Carrie,  731 

Durward  D.,   685 

Elizabeth,  731 

Elizabeth  A.,   685 

Ethel.   731 

Franklin    P..    685,   731 

James  R.,  731 

Kenneth,   731 


Lillian  E.,  685 

Ralph  A.,  685 

Richard  Y.,  731 
Olszewski.   Adam   W.,   731 

Josephine,  732 

Stanley,  731 

Stanley    (2),    732 

Wanda,    731 
Oppenheim,  Jene,  486 

M.  A.,   485,   486 

Max,    486 

Yetta,   486 
Osterhout,  Isaac  S.,  476 
Osterhout    Free    Library,    476 
Overpeck,   Andrew  C,   196,   197 

Andrew  C,  Jr..  197 

Andrew   J.,    196 

Charlotte  F.,   197 

Elizabeth   R.,    196 

George,   196 

Theodore  W.,  196 
Overton,  Henry,  231,  232  , 

Isaac,   231 

Sarah  J.,  231,  232 
Owen,  Anna,  621 

E.   Humphrey,    62] 

Emma,  621 

William,    621 
Owens,   Annie.  280 

Harry  C,  280 

Harry  J.,  Dr.,  280 

Jean,  280 

Moses,   280 

Pace,  George  M.,  208 

George  M.,  Jr.,  209 

Harriett  C,  209 

James  L.,   208 

Susan,  208 

William,  208 
Paddock,  Eunice,  568 

George  E.,  567 

George   M.,   568 

Lewis,    567 

Murray  A.,  567,  568 

Robert  C,   568 

Virgie  C,  567 
Page,  Helen,   466 
Parkhurst,  Ephraim,  418 

Frank   E.,    418 

Frank   E.,   Jr.,   419 

George,  418 

George  (2),  418 

John,    Dea.,    418 

John  L.,   418 

Josiah,  418 

Josiah    (2),    418 

Leonard  W.,   41S 

Leonard    W.    (2),    419 

Marcia  C,   418 

Mary,   419 

Mary   P.,    418 
Parks,  Aaron  L.,  208 

Georgianna.  208 

Walter  I.,  208 

Zora,    20S 
Parrish,   Almira  E.,   663 

Archie  L.,   663 

Calvin,    664 

Ella  D.,    4S4 

Floyd,   664 

Frederick  B.,  484 

G.   Frederick,   484 

George  H.,  485 

John   P.,  663 

Margaret,    664 
Parry,    Grace    L..    653 

Hugh,    653 

John,    300.   653 

John  A.,  653 

Lizzie  B.,   653 

Marian,    300 


784 


Mary,   300,  653 

William  J.,  300 
Patterson,   Archibald,   224 

Mary,    224 

Thomas,   224 
Pauco,   Andrew,   Rev.,   711 
Paukstis,   Magadalen,   526 

P.  B..  Rev.,  526 

Sylvester,    526 
Pauling,  Fannie,  458 

Lulu    M.,    458 

Mary   A.,    458 

William,  45S 

William  J.,  458 
Payne,   Anna,   697 

Bruce,  254,   255 

Edward,    696 

Edward   F.,   254 

Ellen,   696,   697 

Elsie,    254 

Marion   H.,    255 

Mary,  696 

Robert,    696 

Wifliam  G.,  696 

William  T.,  696,  697 
Peck,    Arminda,    545 

Lawson  D.,  546 

Lottie  v.,  546 

Theodorus  H.,  546 

William   H.,   545 

William  J.,  545 
PelTer,    Daniel    R.,    658 

Daniel   R.,   Jr.,   658 

Elizabeth,    658 

Georg-e,   658 

Jes.sie   R.,    658 
Pensyl,    Daniel   S.    (D.    Sylves- 
ter),  423 

Daniel   S.,   Jr.,    424 

Jacob,   423 

John,   423 

John   (2),  423 

John    (3),    423 

Mary,    424 

Priscilla,  423 

Silas  R.,   423 
Peoples  Savings  &  Trust  Co., 

303 
Perna,    Elizabeth,    505 

Lewis,    505 

Michael  A.,    505 

Nicholas,    505 

Nicholas   J.,    505 

Rosa,   505 
Peruzzi,  Elizabeth  C,  522 

Mario,    522 

Mario,   Jr.,   522 
Petro,    Anna,    616 

John    616 

John    (2),   616 

Julia,  617 

Myron  J.,  617 
Pettebone,   Caroline   M.,  215 

Harlow,    181 

Jacob   S.,   180,  181 

John,    180 

Lucinda  C,   181 

Lucy,   181 

Minnie,   181 

Noah,   ISO,  181,  214 

Oliver,   181.   214 

Payne,   214,   215 

Payne,  Jr.,  215 

Robert  T.,  215 

Stephen,    180 

Stephen   (2),   181 

William    S.,    215 
Phillips,  Abdiel,   709 

Abdiel,    Jr.,    710 

Charles   H.,    Dr.,    444 

Cora   M.,    619 

Elizabeth  G.,    709 

Esther,   624 


Hannah,   710 

Jane,   623 

John  L.,   709 

John   W.,   710 

Joyce  M.,   4  45 

Margaret,   444 

Mary  A.,   618 

Richard,   623 

Richard,  Jr.,   623 

Roger  W.,    445 

Thomas    B.,    618 

William   J.,   61S 
Piatt,   Edwin   E.,   661 

Ellen,    661 

John  E.,  661,  662 

John  E.,  Jr.,    662 

Tacie   K.,   662 
Pierson,  Andrew  L.,  570 

Helen,  571 

Leland   S.,   570,  571 

Leland  S.,   Jr.,    571 

Lillian,    570 

Ruth,   570 

William   L.,    570 
Pinola,  Caroline,  509 

Frank  L.,   509 

Helen,   509 

Louis,   509 
Plessett,   Alex,   414 

David,   414 

Hilda,    414 

Mitchell,   414 

Rose,   414 
Plymouth  National  Bank,  The, 

391 
Poland.   Myra,   476 
Pool,    Anna   A.,    338 

Fred    W.,    338 

Joseph  H   (3),  338 

Joseph  (4),  338 

Marion,   338 

Sidney  H.,  338 
Powell,   Jennie,    452 

John   R.,   452 

Mary,  452 

Roger,   452 
Price,   Adam,   274 

Alice,    687 

Cecil  W.,   687 

Charles  W.,  274 

Horace   H.,    274 

James  W.,   687 

Jeanette,   274 

Louisa,   687 

Mary,  274 

Mary  C,    274 

Melvania,  274 

Robert  A.,   275 

Willard,   274 

William,  687 
Pringle,  Alexander  .T.,  378 

Bertha  A.,  378 

Elizabeth  H.,  378 

Mary,  378 

Nelson  G.,  378 

Sarah  A.,   378 
Pritchard,   Esther,   635 

Frederick  R.,  635 

Jane,    635 

Samuel,    635 
Puckey,   Emily  H.,  726 

Francis  W.,  726 

Frank,   726 
Pugh,  Margaret,   698 

Thomas,   698,  699 

William,  698 
Pusti,  Anna,  718 

John,    718 

John  J.,   718 

Pauline,    718 

Quigley,   Annie   I.,    699 
Harriett,  699 


James  B.,   699 
John  B.,   699 
Joseph  E.,  699 
Raymond  J.,  699 
Quin.  Ann,  321 
Augustus,  321 
Herbert  T.,  321 
Minnie,   321 
Robert  A.,  321 
Robert   D.,    321 
William  R.,  321 

Raeder,  Bertha,  598 

Elizabeth,    598 

John  W.,  598 

Robert  D.,  598 
Ramer,  Claire,  572 

Francis  B.,    572 

Jean  H.,  572 

John   C,   571 

Louisa,    571 

Thomas  I.,  571 
Ransom,  Elizabeth,  387 

George  P.,   387 

Samuel,   Capt.,   387 
Rau,    Carrie   M.,    258 

Jacob  J.,   258 

Malcolm  F.,  258 

Martin    P.,    258 

Sophia,   258 
Reagan,  Bridgett,  522 

Katherine,  523 

Martin.   522 

Maurice,   523 

Morris  M.,    522 
Reckus,    Dorothea   R.,    569 

Frank   G.,    569 

Mary,    569 

William  P.,  569 
Redelin,  Albert  A.,  Dr.,  274 

Albert   N..    Dr.,    274 

Charles  A.,   274 

Clara,  274 

Ella,  274 
Reed,   Ella  D.,   288 

John  E.,   288 

Marjorie  E.,  Dr.,  288 
Rees,   Albert,   412 

Albert    (2),   412 

Ann,   277 

Bertha,   412 

Caradoc,  277 

Caradoc    (2),   277 

Carl,    412 

M.   J.,   412 

Morgan,    277 

Oliver,  277 

Ralph,   277 
Reese,  Abraham,  653 

Benjamin  H.,   293 

Daniel,   293 

Edith,  293 

Harry  L.,   653 

Ludwig  L.,  293 

Robert  M.,  293 

Sarah,    293,    653 
Reich,    Edwin   J.,    572 

Ella,    572 

Joseph  H.,  572 

Mamie,    573 
Reiche,  Carl  L.,  314 

Clara,   314 

O.  C,  Dr.,  314 
Reinig,  J.  Frank,  622 

John  C.   622 

Katharine   C,    622 
Repa,  John,   508 

John,  Jr.,  508 

Joseph,   508 

Julia,  508 

Mary,   508 

Michael,  508 


Repella,    Anthony,    Very    Rev 
625 
John,   625 
Mary,    625 
Reynolds,  Abrani   H.,  390 
Annie   B,,    173,    174 
Benjamin,    173,    604 
Benjamin   (2),  173 
David,  173 
Dorrance,    173,   174 
Elizabeth  S.,  390 
Frankie,  379 
Georgre,  677 
George   (2),   67S 
Ida  E.,  67S 
James,    173,    677 
James  (2),  173 
Jane  H.,   604 

John   H.    (J.   Herbert),   390 
Joseph,   677 
Joseph,  Jr.,  677 
Joseph   W.,    67S 
Mabel,   174 
Mary,    379 
Robert,    678 
Robert,  Capt.,  677 
Samuel,   379 
Samuel   J.,    379 
Sheldon,   173 
■\Villiam,  173,  677 
William   (2),  173 
William  C,   390 
William    C,    Hon.,   173,    604 
William   N.,    67S 
William  N.,   Jr.,   677,    678 
Rhone,   Georgre,   331 
Mary  B.,   331,   332 
Matthias,   331 
Naomi,   331 
Rhys,  Benjamin  H,   629 
Cora,    629 
Elizabeth,  629 
Thomas  H.,   629 
Kibble,   Anna,    425 
Fdythe   M.,    425 
James   I.,    425 
Morgan  I.,  425 
Wlllard   A.,   Dr.,   425 
Willard  A.,  Jr.,   425 
Rice,   Granville,  593 
Joseph    S.,    593 
Mae,  593 
Mary,    593 
William,  593 
William   (2),   593 
Richards,   Ann,   647 
Anna,  630 
Annie   M.,    270 
Clara,    629 
Daniel    L.,    270 
Davids   647 
Edward,    629 
Edward  W.,   630 
Emrys,   Dr.,    647 
Leona  G.,   647 
Marion  E.,  630 
Mary,   270 
William  B.,  629 
Rickard,  A.  G.,  Dr.    528 
Edith   L.,   528 
John,   528 
John    B.,   527.   528 
Liva   A.,    528 
Ricketts,   Edward,   Lieut      603 
Elijah   G.,    603 
Elizabeth,    602,    604 
Margaret  L.,   603 
Robert  B.,  Col.,  602,   603 
Rimmer,    Edwin    P.     351 
Emilie   C,    351 
Margaret,    350 
Peter  G.,  350 
Peter  G.   (2),  350 


Hinehimer,  Alma   E.,   433 
J.   Stanley,    432,    433 
John,    433 
John    (2),    433 
John   S.,  Jr.,    433 
Leona  M.,  433 
Robert  C,   433 
Rippard,  Catherine,   609 
Josiah   A.,    609 
Thomas  H.,    60S,    609 
Thomas    H.,    Sr.,    608 
Ritter,  Anna  M.,   664 
Charles    E.,    664 
Henry,  664 
Mary   C,   G64 
Ralph  R.,   664 
William   S.,   664 
Roan,    Frank,    421 
Josephine,   421 
Mary,    421 
Patrick   A.,   421 
Patrick  J.,   421 
Roat,  Andrew  J.,  193 
Blanche,   194 
George   M.    (G.   Murray), 
Mary,    193 
Robbins,   Charles  M     645 
Ella,   645 

Jonathan   G.,   Capt.,    645 
Mary  M.,  645 
Melvin   G.,   645 
Melvin  G.,  Jr.,   645 
William   J.,   645 
Roberts,    B.   P.,   Dr.,    710 
Harry  T.,   415 
James,  710 
John   E.,  415 
Margaret,  297,  710 
Mariah  L.,   415 
Mary   J.,    29  7 
Mildred,   710 
Stella  M.,    415 
Thomas    L.,    297 
William,    297 
William  A.,  297 
Robertson,    Henrv    B      302 
Mary.    302 
Nancy,    301 
Nathaniel   G.,   301 
Nathaniel   G.,  Jr.,   302 
Richard  A.,   301 
Richard  A.    (2),  302 
Robinhold,  Bertha,  208 
Daniel  G.,  Dr.,   20S 
Daniel   G.,   Jr.,   208 
Emma,    208 
George  H.,  208 
Robinson,  Edith  C,  453 
Edward  A.,   299 
Ida  S.,  299 
Ina  B.,   299 
James  B.,  453 
John,  Capt.,  452 
John  M.,    452.   453 
John   M.,   Jr.,    453 
Marshall   F.,  299 
Martha  D.,  453 
Mary  E.,   452 
Sarah,   452 
Victor  S.,  299 
William   A.,    299 
William   B.,    452 
Roderick,   Edward,   428 
Edward    R.,    Dr.,    428,    429 
Eleanor,   428 
George  R.,  429 
James  E.,  428 
James  E.   (3),  429 
Kathleen    L.,    429 
Maria,   429 
.Alary,    429 
Sarah,   429 
Rogan,  Camillus  A.,  384 


Hannah,   384 
John,  384 
Othella,  384 
Paul   J.,    384 
Thomas  P.,   384 
Rood,    Crawford,    635 
Elizabeth,   633 
Graydon   L.,   C35 
Hulda,  635 
Ralph  H.,   635 
Ralph  H,    (2),  635 
Rooney,   Mary,   580 
Mary   E..   580 
Owen,   580 
Thomas,  581 
William,   580 
William    (2),  581 
William   J.,   580 
Roselle,    Clara,    207 
Donald  O.,   207 
Olive   A.,    207 
Robert  T.,   207 
Wilbur,   207 
Rosenthal,  Anita,   355 
193         David,   355 
Isaac,   355 
Rae  E.,  355 
Ross.  Donald  T.,   443 
Margaret,  443 
Martha  D.,   443 
Nathan,  443 
Nathaniel  R.,  Dr.,  443 
Rosser,  Charles  M.,   310 
David  M.,   309 
E.  Bruce,  Dr.,  566 
Edward  M.,  206 
Eli,   566 
Marjorie,   566 
Mary,  206,  309 
Mary  L.,  310 
Morgan,   5  66 
Morgan  D.,  206,  309 
Robert  C,   310 
Sara  W.,  206 
Rossman,    Glenn    O.,    Dr      409 
410 
Jeanne   E.,    410 
Sarah  P.,  410 
William  O.,   410 
Roth,   Charles  C,    485 
Eliza  D,,    485 
Ernest   F.,   485 
Harry  H.,    485 
Hilda,   485 
Rowe,    Alfred   L.,    Rev.,    244 
Helen   L.,   244 
Jane,   244 
Jenkin    L.,    244 
Maude,   245 
Maude  A.,  245 
Milton  S.,  244 
Talmage  B.,  244 
Talmage  B..   Jr.,   244 
Royer,  Enos,  706 
George  F.,   706 
Harriet   E.,    706 
Lucy,  706 
Rozmarek,  Charles,   749 
John,   749 
Madaline,   749 
Wanda,    749 
Ruddy,  Anthony  J.,  373 
Charles,  373 
Joseph.    373 
Mary,    373 
Patrick,  373 
Ruff.  James   R.,   207 
Sarah.   207 
William  J.,   207 
Ruggles.  Elizabeth,  453 
Emma  G.,  455 
Frederick,   453 
Harry  W.,  433 


Harry  W.,   Jr.,   45  5 

John  G.,  455 

Josiah,    455 
Rumbaugh,  Cleophas,  317,  620 

Daisy  M.,  31S 

Elizabeth,   317,  620 

Marguerite,  620 

Marshall  C,  Dr.,  317 

Marshall  U.,   318 

Ulrich  D.,  Dr.,   620 
Rummage,  Elizabeth,  243 

Leland  C,  Dr.,  243 

Marjorie,   244 

Thomas  J.,    243 
Russell,  John  B.  606 

John    B.    (3),    606 

John  B.,  Jr.,   606 

Joseph  E.,   606 

Lucille,   606 
Rust,   Edith  M.,   312 

Elizabeth   C,    312 

Francis  M.,  312 

Harold  N.,   312 
Rute,    Asa   A.,    665 

Benjamin  F.,  665 

Elthea,  665 

Sarah.  665 
Rutledge,   George,    263 

George    (2),    263 

George   J.,   263 

Jennie,  263 

Mary,    263 
Rutter,   Adam,  Sr.,   252 

Alvaretta,   253 

Conrad,  251,  252 

George,    252 

James  M.,  252 

James  M.,  Jr.,   253,  254 

Joseph,  252 

Marion,    253,    254 

Martha  C,    253 

Nathaniel,   252 
Rydzewski,  Aniela,  723 

Anna,   724 

Benjamin  A.,  724 

Benjamin  C,   723,  724 

Hilary,  723 
Ryman,   Abraham,   203 

Edward  F.,    203 

Eliza,   203 

Eliza  M.,    203 

Theodore   P.,    203 

St.  Hedwig's  Church,  of  King- 
ston,   666 
St.    Mary's    Greek   Catholic 
Church,     of    Hazleton, 
631 
St.    Nicholas    Roman   Catholic 

Church,    519 
Sacred  Heart  Slovak  Parochial 
School,    of   Wilkes-Barre, 
51S 
Sahm,   Prank,    Jr.,    349 

Frank  B.  R.,  348 

John  T.  L.,  34S 

Margaret,    349 

Minnie   R.,   348 
Saricks,  Elizabeth,  273 

Grace  E.,  273 

Joseph,  273 

Joseph  G.,  273 

Palmer  C,  273 
Sarli,   Louis,   714 

Peter  A.,  Dr.,  714 

Rosa,   714 
Sarpolis,  Elizabeth,  627 

Hazel.   62S 

John  B.,   628 

John  W.,  Dr.,  627 

Peter,  627 
Sax,  Mary,   587 

William,   587 


Schaeffer,  Charles,  327 

Daniel,    327 

Hattie,    327 

Nellie,   327 

Raymond,    327 

William  B.,  327 
Schang,  Conrad,  349 

Harry  V.,    349 

Mary,  349 

Susan    E.,    349 

William  N.,  349 
Scheifly,  Ella  J.,  590 

James  H.,  590 

James  K.  P.,  590 

John,    590 

John  E.,  Dr.,  590 

Mary,  590 
Schiavo,    Louis,    717 

Louis    (2),   717 

Pasco,    717 

Rose,   717 

Theresa,   717 
Schmaltz,  Emerson  P.,  744,  745 

George    Vi.,    745 

Gertrude,   745 

Irene,  745 
Schmidt,  Agnes,    430 

Albert.    430 

John   H.,  430 

Maude,   430 

Paul   A.,   430 

Paul  J.,   429,   430 
Schmitt,  Anna,   693 

Bernadina.  693 

Carl  J.,  445 

Carl  J..  Jr.,   445 

Frank  J.,  693 

Frederick,  Jr.,  443 

Frederick   J.,  Dr.,   442 

John  A.,   442,   445,  693 

John  A.    (2),   693 

John  P.,   693 

Kathryn.  445 

Louise,  442 

Martin  H.,   693 

Victor  C,   693 

Victoria,    442,    445,    693 
Schooley.  Arthur  B.,  366,  367 

Dorothy,   449 

Eliza  J.,  247 

Evelyn  M.,   247,   248 

Harry   B.,   247,   248 

Harry  B.,  Jr.,  248 

Jesse  B..   247,   366 

Jesse  B.    (2),  367 

John.    247 

Joseph  J.,  247,  248 

Joseph  P.,  247 

Mary,   449 

Minnie  E.,   367 

Olive,   367 

Sherman  R.,  Dr.,   449 

Winifred  von  R.,  248 

Ziba  P.,  449 
Schoser,  Anna,  630 

Blanche,    630 

Donald  P.,   630 

Horace   H.,    630 

Vincent,   630 
Schott,    Florentine    L.,    730 

Laurent,   730 

Magdalena,   730 

Rose  E.,   731 
Schroeder,  Frank  E.,  707 

George  A.,  707 

George  P..    706,   707 

Louise,   707 

Mary,   707 
Schuler,  Carl  P.,  415 

Elizabeth,    415 

Joseph  G.,  414,  415 

Louise,    415 

Valentine,    415 


Schultz,  Frederick  C,  525 

Johanna,   525 

Moritz,   525 

Sarah  L.,   525 
Schwartz,  Anna,  298,  700 

Aurella,    700 

Bernard,   700 

D.   H.,    29  8 

Esther,    299 

George    J.,    298 

Joseph   H.,   699,    700 

Stella  J.,   700 
Schwartzkopf,    Corine,    340 

Monroe   A.,   340 

Morris,   340 

Theresa,   340 
Scott,  Adalene  T.,  589 

Alice,   537 

Edward  C,  588 

Emma   L.,    438 

Prank  L.,  537 

Harry  A.,   438 

I.    Grant,    588,    589 

Jean  P.,   537 

Jeremiah  S.,  438 

John  W.,  537 

Lucille,  588 

S.  Clara,  439 
Scureman,  Apollos  E.,  483 

George,   715 

Lydia,  483 

May,  715 

Mercy,  715 

Murray  S.,   484 

Richard  H.,   483 

Sarah  E.,  484 

William  T.,  715 
Search,    Elizabeth,    369 

Gertrude.   399 

James,  369 

Lot,  369 

Mary,   369 

Mary  B.,   399 

May  M.,   369 

Rosaline,   369 

Stanley  W.,   399 

Wilbur,    399 

William,    369 
Second    National    Bank    of 

Wilkes-Barre,    388 
Seely,   J.    Frank,   636 

Joseph  P.,   636 

Lvdia,   636 

Mabel,  636 
Seitzinger,    Hilda   H.,    554 

Margaret  E.,  553 

Robert  L.,  553 

Robert    L..    Jr.,    554 

William  O.,   553 

William  O.    (2),   554 
Selecky,   Andrew,   747 

Andrew  J.,  747 

Anna,    747 

John,    747 

John   (2),  747 

Joseph,  Lieut.,   747 

Julia,    747 
Semetkovsky,    Edith,    726 

Emil,   Rev.,   726 

Mary,  726 

Michael,    726 

Olga.    726 
Shafer,  A.  Ernest,  Dr.,  708 

Annie  E.,   453 

Charles   B.,   454 

Charles  L.,  Dr.,  453 

Ellen,    708 

George  W.,  453 

Henry,  70S 

Mary   E.,    454 

Robert  C,   454 

Veda  L.,  708 


787 


Shapiro,    B.  Frankel,   -197 
Henry,    496 

Lester,  497 

Lulu,   497 

Mary,    496 

Max,    496 
Sharp,   Allen   M.,  434 

Edward,   434 

Frank,    434 

Mabel,    434 

Maggie,    434 
Sharpe,    Margaret    W.,    224 

Richard    (4),    223    ■ 

Richard    (5),   223 

Richard   (6),   224 

Richard,    Jr.,    224 

Sally,   224 
Shaver,  John  P.,   587 

Philip,   587 

Sarah,    587 
Shea,  James  H.,  181 

Margaret  J.,  181 

Mary,  181 

Patrick,  181 
Sheeder,   Benjamin   F.,   241 

Catharine,    241 

Oeorge  V.,  241 

Lena  G.,   241 

Vincent  B.,   240,  241 

Vincent  B.,  Jr.,  241 
Shepherd.   Anna,   543 

Edward  S.,  543 

George  E.,  346,  347 

Helen  N.,  543 

Jane,   543 

Kalista  A.,   347 

Lydia  A..  347,  543 

Matthew,    346,    543 

Matthew    (2),   347,    543 

Stanley  A.,   543 

William  H.,    347.   543 
Sheridan,   Anna,    619 

Arthur  T..   619 

Elizabeth,    377 

Genevieve  U.,  377 

Joseph  F.,  Dr.,  619 

Mary   E.,    620 

Michael  H.,   377 

Richard  B.,   377 

Richard  B.,  Jr.,  377 

Thomas  B.,  377 
Sherwood,   Eunice  E.,   756 

Lafayette,   755 

Malvina  A.,  755 

Paul  J.,    755 
Shobert,  Amos,   652 

Bertha.  652 

Dallas  C,  652 

Sabilla,   652 
Shoemaker,  Anna,  65S 

Beach,  658 

Charles   H.,   363 

Charles   W.,    363 

Daniel  H.,   65S 

Edith,    550 

George,    550 

George  M.,    550 

Julian    M.,    549,    550 

Jlary   P.,    363 

Veda  J.,  363 

Walter,   363 
Shortz,  Abraham,   273 

Celinda,   273 

Edwin,  273 

Edwin,   Jr.,   273 

Jessie  M.,  273 

Robert  E.,   273 
Shuman,  Emma  J.,   302 

George  A.,  Dr.,  302 

Mary,  303 

William    K.,   302 
Sincavage,   Anthony,   514 

Anthony  A.,   514 

Rose,  514 


Sipple,   Anna  M.,   687 
Florence,    687 
Glendon  W.,  687 
Henry,   687 
John,   687 
Leiand    H.,    687 
Slattery,  Bridget,   354 
Frank   P.,   354 
Frank    P.,    Jr.,   354 
P'rank    T.,    354 
Gertrude,    354 
Mary,  354 

Robert  R.,   354 

Thomas,    354 
Smedley,   W.  P.,  249 
Smith,   A.   Burton,   Dr.,    298 

Alan  N.,   311 

Andries  D.,   602 

Anna,    472 

Anna  M.,   324 

Anna   R.,    272 

Catherine,    660 

Charles,  242 

Charlotte,   243,   311 

Christina  L.,  702 

Clarence   E.,   242 

Claude  P.,  471,   472 

E.  Howard,  671 

Edith,    6S3 

Edward   B.,    448 

Elizabeth,   272,  683 

Emily  D.,  293 

Ernest  G.,   602 

Ethel  v.,   577 

Evangaline,  602 

Frances,  604 

Fred  E.,   660 

Frederick   G.,   311 

Frederick   O.,   311 

G.   Earl,    472 

George.    472 

Gertrude  A..   472 

Grace  M.,  660 

Hannah,   577 

Harrison   H.,   602 

Harry,   577 

Harry  A.,  Dr.,  576,  577 

Harry   .\.,    Jr.,   577 

Harrv   E.,    660 

Harry  N.,    272 

Hiram  W.,   602 

Isaac  N.,   702 

John,    293 

John,   Capt..   472 

John   B.,    293 

John  B.    (2),  293 

John  D.,  702 

John   P.,    604 

John   J.,   702 

K.  Russell,  298 

Kenneth   "«'.,   324 

I.avina,    243 

Lemuel  E.,  660 

Lillian  H.,  323 

Madelyn  IC,  702 

Marjorie,   602 

Mary,  671 

Mary  A.,  298 

Maude,    298 

Maude    P.,    311 

Oscar.   472 

Ralph  O.,  311 

Ray   F.,    660 

Robert,    272 

Robert  A.,   671 

Robert   A..  Jr.,   671 

Robert   N..    293 

Roscoe  B.,  701,  702 

Roscoe  B.,  Jr.,   702 

Ruth,  472 

Sally   A.,    671 

Thomas   H.,    683 

William  E).,   683 

William  W.,   32.1 


William    W.    (2),   323 

Z.  L.,  Dr.,  242,  243 

ZIba,   242,   298 
Snyder,    Albert   C,    Dr.,    364 

Anna,  419 

David,    364 

Dena   R.,    458 

E.  D.,  419 

Frank,  457 

Glenmore  N.,   457 

James,   419 

Lee  D.,  365 

Lloyd  A.,  365 

Lucinda,    364 

JIahlon,    419 

Margaret,    419 

Mary,    365 

Norman   C,   458 

Richard,   419 

Roy,    419 

Sarah  A.,   457 
Sosnowski,  Dennis   E.,   728 

John,    72S 

Wladyslawa,  728 
Spangler,   Helen,   545 

John   C,   544 

Sarah    A.,    544 

AV.  H.,   544 
Sperling.   Fred   J.   E.,   Dr.,   435 

John  G.,  Dr.,  435 

Lillian,    435 

Margaret,    435 
Sprague,  E.  Russell.  203 

Jennie   E.,   203 

Jonathan,    202 

I./aura,   202 

Levi  L.,  Rev..  Dr.,  202,  481 

Nelson   L.,   202 

William,   202 
Spry,  Daniel  K.,  358 

Franklin  B.,   358 

Mary   A.,    358 
Stack,   Emily  F.,   757 

James  M.,  757 

Margaret,   757 

Maurice   M.,   757 
Stackhouse,  Charles,   689 

Jennie,   689 

Mary,    689 

William  L.,   689 
Stadulis,  Frances,  655 

Ignatius,   655 

Ignatius    J..    656 

Ignatius  M.,  Dr.,   655 

Mary  M.,  656 
Stankiewicz,    Cajetan,    517 

M.   F.,    Rev.,    517 

Margaret,    517 
Stark    (Starke).    Aaron,    559, 
594 

Benjamin    F.,    Lieut. -Col., 
559 

Christopher,    594 

Claire   L.,    559 

Cornelius,    559 

Elizabeth  A.,  595 

Frederic  W.,  559 

Henry,   594 
James,  594 

John,  594 

John   R.,    595 

Joseph    M.,   594,    595,    597 
Lillian  S.,  595,  597 

Louisa,   559 

Mary    F.,    559 

Phoebe   J..    595 

Robert  W.,  559 

William,  594 
Staskiel,   Louis,   667 

Louis   J.,    667 

Pauline,   667 
Peter,  667 
Sophia,    667 


Staszinski,   Anthony,  730 

Frances,  730 
Stauffer,  Carlton  H.,   500 

Glenn  F.,  500 

Hilda,    500 

Louise,  499 

Roy  A.,   499 

Wilson,   499 
Steele,   Emery,   297 

Emma,    297 

Harriett  M.,    297 

Lessley  A.,  297 
Steelman.  Anna  J.,  532 

Mary  E.,  532 

Walter  E.,  532 

Wesley  A.,   532 
Steidle,  Charles   M.,   370 

Jacoh   J..   370 

Louise,    370 

Margaret,    371 

William  J.,  371 
Steinert,  Carolyn,  578 

Charles  C,  578 

Clarence  H.,  578 

Clarence   J.,    578 

Cora   L.,    578 

Emma,    578 

Georg-e   R.,    57S 
Steinhauer,  Arthur  F.,   354 

Edward  W.,   354 

Elizabeth,    353,    354 

George  K.,  354 

George   P.,   353.   354 

Henry  W.,  353 

Philip  W.,   353 

Sophia,  353 

Walter  H.,  354 
Sterling     (Sterlin-Starlin), 
Arline,   606 

Daniel,  606 

David,   605 

Emma,  605 

Jacob,    606 

Paul,   605,   606 

Samuel,  60G 

Walter  G.,   005,  606 

William,  605 
Stern,   Harry  F.,    217,    218 

Harry  P.    (2),  218 

Henrietta,   217 

Julius,   217 

Julius  L.,  217,  218 

Madeline,   218 

Sarah,  217,  218 
Stevens,    Barney,    305 

Clara,   305 

Edward  V.,   305 

Emil    F.,    305 

Henry,  332 

Julianna,   305 

Permelia,   332 

Stephen,    Dr.,    305 

Thomas,   332 

Zebulon   H.,    332 
Stewart,   James,   204 

Miller,  Dr.,  204 

Patsey,    204 

Walter   S.,   Dr.,    204 
Stiff,    Carolyn,  -362 

Charles  W.,  361 

Maria  B.,   361 

William  C,   362 

William  C,  Dr.,  361 
Stinson,   Ada  E.,   223 

Charles  A.,    223 

William   A.,    223 
Stocks.   Albert   A.,    337 

Arthur,   337 

Mary,  337 
Stockton,  Deborah,  250 

Richard,  250 
Strauss.    Bessie,    498 

Hirsh,   498 


Nellie,    498 

Philip,    498 
Stroh,  Abraham,  273 

Charles  O.,   272,   273 

Elizabeth  G.,  289 

Helen,  289.  351 

Henry,  351 

Lizzie,    273 

Martha,    351 

Robert  H.,  Dr.,  289,  351 

Robert   W.,   351 

Sarah,    273 

William,   351 

William   J..    289,    351 
Stryker,    Edgar   B.,    379 

Mary.    379 

May   L.,    379 

Mniliam,  379 
Stull,    Adam,    274 

Althea  H.,   628 

Anna,    628 

Arthur,   275 

Arthur  L.,  274 

Dean  L.,   628 

Howard  A.,   628 

Mary,   274 

Melvania,    274 

Nellie,    628 

Robert  A.,   275 

Samuel  L.,    628 

Wayne  A.,  628 

Willard    S.,    628 
Stultz,  Callie,  211 

H.   B.,    211 

Henry,   211 
Sturdevant,  Clarence  W.,  617 

Damaris.  617 

Lucy,  617 

Preston  J.,  Dr.,  617 

Preston  J.,  Jr.,  617 

Stephen  A.,   617 
Sudnick.  Anna,  664 

Charles,    664 

Joseph  J.,  664 

Kathryn,   665 
Sullivan,  Daniel   A.,  649 

Gerald   J.,    649 

John    L.,    649 

Mary,    649 

Minnie  H.,   649 
Sulman,  Benjamin,   668 

Fannie,    668 

Florence,  668 

William  R.,  Dr.,  668 
Sutherland,    Brush,    374 

David.  Col.,  374 

Esther,  375 

Grace,    375 

Joel,   374 

Laura  L.,   375 

Smith,   375 

Walter  C,  374,  375 

"Rrilliam,  374 

William,  Jr.,  374 
Swainbank,   Elizabeth,   498 

Florence.  4S7 

George   G.,    498 

Harry  H.,   487 

Jefferson,   487 

Miller   H.,    487,    498 

Sarah,  487,  498 
Swank.   Annie   M.,    727 

E.  W.,   727 

Elsie  E..  727 

Warren  E.,  Dr..  727 
Swartz,   Charles  W.,   732 

Clementa,    732 

Emma,   732 

George    K.,    Dr.,    732 
Sweitzer,    Burton    H.,    226 

Elizabeth,    226 

George    D.,    226 

Jeannette,    226 


Joseph,   226 

Paul  R.,  226 

Theodore  L.,  226 
Swetland,  Belding,  215 

Luke,    215 

Sally,  215 

William,  215 
Szabo,   Alexius,   631 

Amelia,  631 

John,  Rev.,  630 

Nicholas,  Rev.,  631 

Tamblyn.    Blanche,    545 

J.   B.,   545  , 

Jack,    545 

Jane,    545 

Leonard,  545 

Ralph,   545 

Thomas,   545 
Tarnowski,  Constanty,   667 

John,    667 

Lottie,  668 

Valeria,  667 
Taylor,   Benjamin,    224 

Benjamin    (2),    225 

Bernard,  224 

Elizabeth,   470 

Emily  B.,  225 

Harry  W.,   470 

J.  Russell,  469,  470 

Lewis  H.,  Dr.,  224,  225 

Margaret  H.,  225 

Maude,   470 

Philip,    224 

Russell  H.,    470 

Samuel,    225 

Samuel   B.,    225 
Teel,  Harold,  426 

Louisa,   426 

Mabel,    426 

Philip,    426 

Robert  C,   426 

Robert  C,   Jr.,   426 
Templin,   Edith,  288 

Mary,    288 

Philip,    288 

Richard    E.,    288 

Richard   J.   W.,    288 

William  C.   B.,   288 
Tennant,   Bert  W.,    217 

Edwin  G.,   217 

Ella  E.,    217 

Ethel,  217 
Terry,  Catherine,  574 

Charles  F.,   574 

Charles  F.  (2),  574 

Nettie,   574 
Theis,  Anna  M.,  347 

Carolina,   347 

Fred,  347 

Fred  (2),  347 

Frederick,  338 

Frederick  W.,  338 

J.  Carleton,  338 

Jacob   338,   347 

John  F.,   348 

Lucy,   348 

Margaret,   347 

Mary,   338 

Maude  L.,   338 

Nellie,   348 

Nicholas,    347 

Stanley  F.,   348 

Stanley  J.,   348 
Thomas,  Aaron  W.,   704 

Albert  D.,    656 

Albert  D.   (2),  336 

Albert  D.,  Dr.,  299,  336 

Albert  M.,  Dr.,   542 

Anne  M..  597 

David  T.,    Dr.,    704 

Duncan,    299 

Duncan  G.,  300 


789 


Elise,  479 

Elizabeth,   300,   336,   704 
Ellen  E.,  209 
Eunice  E.,  542 
Frances  R.,  336 
Francis,  656 
Frank   D.,   Dr.,    300,   336 
Hannah,    542,   704 
Hattie  M.,   656 
Hervey  D.,  209 
Isaac,    209 
Isaac  M.,   209 
Jane.  479,  656 
Jesse,  209 
Jesse   (2),  209 
John  G.,  640 
John  J.,  542 
John   M.,   597 
I.eah.   300 
Mabel,    641 
Margaret,  299 
Mordecai,   209 
Peter,   209 
Peter    (2),   209 
Ralph  P.,  47S,  479 
Sarah  H.,  209 
Susan,   640 
Thomas  P.,  640 
William   D.,    704 
Thompson,  Albert  H.,  6SS 
Alexander,    296 
Alexander   (2).  296 
Alverda  M.,   296 
Elbert,  68S 
Elizabeth,  296,  6SS 
George  B.,  296 
George   R.,    68S 
Jean  G..    296 
Lilly,   6S8 
Mary,    6SS 
Walter  N.,   296 
Tlmberman,    Albert   N.,    7 
752 
James  H.,  Dr.,  751 
Louise,   752 
Nancy  M.,   752 
Tippett.  Alfred,  623 
Emilie  J.,   623 
Harold,    623 
James    H.,    623 
Mary,    623 
Robert  J.,   623 
Ti.^chler,   Asher   A.,    483 
Fannie,    483 
Helen  B.,   483 
Joseph,    482 
Lewis  J.,   483 
Max,  Dr.,  482,  483 
Tisdel,   James,   733 
James,  Jr.,  733 
Janet,   733 
Rebecca,  733 
Simon  J.,  733 
Tkach,  Anna,  292 
Emma  A.,    293 
John,   292 
Stephen   J.,    292 
•      Tobias,   Adaline,   587 
David,   586 
G'wennie,    587 
Johanna,   586 
John  B.,  Dr.,  586 
Marian,  587 
Tompkins,  Alva,   561 
Dorothy  C   562 
Elizabeth  W.,  562 
Hannah,   561 
Joseph,   561 
William,  561 
William   S.,    561,    562 
Tongue,    Anna  K.,   580 
Esther,   580 


Frederick  C,   Dr.,  580 
George  G.,  580 
Torlinskl,   John   A.,   528 
Mary,   528 
Michael   J.,   528 
Nancy,    529 
Torniav,  Elizabeth,  481 
Hugh   J.,   481 
James,   482 

James  J.   ("Jim"),   481 
Marie   G.,    482 
Thomas,  482 
Townsend,  Elizabeth,   353 
John    S.,    353 
Nathan,   353 
Royal    S.,    352,    353 
Victoria,    353 
Treat,  Charles  D.,   627 
Fred  A.,   627 
Ida,   627 
Jay  C,   627 
Mabel  E.,   627 
Merlan  J.,  627 
Trebilcox,   Eliza,   652 
Harry,    652 
James,  652 
James   (2),  652 
Lvdia  M.,  652 
Tredinnick,    Dell   R.,    434 
Dell   R.,   Jr.,   435 
Emma,   434 
George  D.,  435 
Magdaline.    435 
Thomas,   434 
Treltz,    Catharine,    738 

Joseph  W.,  Rev.,  73",   738 
Peter,   738 
Trembath,   Adelaide,  185 
Isabel,  185 
Karl  C.   185 
Nathaniel  T.,  185 
Robert  W.,  185 
Sarah  B.,   185 
Thomas.  1S5 
Thomas  W.,  185 
William   J.,   185 
Trescott,   Etaenezer,    331,    39 1 
Elizabeth  M.,   398 
Marv  L..   330,   332,  398 
Miller   B.,    331,    332,    398 
Permelia  S.,   331,   332,   398 
Peter  S.,   331,   39S 
Rush,  332,  397,  398 
Samuel,   331,   397 
Samuel    (2),   331,   397 
Solon,  331,   398 
Wilbur,    398 
William,  330.  397  ^ 
Trethaway,  Annie,   385 
James,   385 
Martha,   385 
Richard,   385 
Robert  C,  385 
Trevaskls,  Edna  D.,   719 
John  H.,   718 
Lester  P.,  Dr.,  718 
Mary  A.,  718 
Truckenmlller,   Augustus   S. 
271 
Elizabeth,    271 
Ella  B.,  272 
George,   272 
Roy,   Dr.,   271 
Tuhbs.   Emma,  406 
Frank   R.,   406 
Mattie  R.,   407 
Simon.  406 
Turik.  Helen,  748 
John,    T47 
Julia.  747 
Peter   E..   747 
Turner,  Alice.  210 
Amanda,    602 


Arthur  L.,  210 
Bessie,  302 
Chauncy   \V.,  210 
Elanore,   211 
Fannie,  302 
fJeorge,    302 
George  G.,   210 
Jean  U.,  210 
John  L.,   211,  302 
John  L.    (2),  211 
Le  Roy,    602 
Ray    W.,    302 
Rebecca,  602 
Sallie,   302 
Samuel,    602 
Thomas,    211,    302 
Thomas  J.,  302 
Thomas   W.,   302^ 
Turon,  Jeannette,  722 
Lawrence  P.,   721 
Louis   A..    721,    722 
Louis  A.,  Jr.,  722 
Mary.  722 
Turpin,   Charles   J.,    442 

Charles  M.    (C.   Murray),   442 
Sarah  A.,  442 
Twarowski,  Alice,  413 
H.  S.,  412 
Julia,  412 
Mary,   413 
Nellie,  413 
Robert,   413 
Zygmont,   412 
Tyburski,  Joseph,   431 
"Leo  T.,  432 
Pauline.   431 
Stanley  J.,  431 
Theresa,    432 

Uhl,   John   H..  183 
John  H.,  Jr.,  183 
Rebecca  XT.,    183 
Russell.    183 
Russell  H.,  183 
Sarah,   183 
Urbanski,  Alexander,  742 
Chester,   743 
John,  742 
Lottie,  743 
Marion,    742 
Stanley,  7  43 

Van  Aken,  Albert  C,  522 
Charles  O.,   522 
Ethel,   522 
Netta   J.,    522 
Orion  L..  521,  522 
Van  Buskirk,  Clara,  682 
Emma,    682 
John,   682 
Loren,   682 
Van  Campen.  Andrew,  399 
Elizabeth,   399 
Herman  S.,  399 
James  O.,   399 
Mae.  399 
Van  Horn.  Bernard  V.,  34o 
Camallissen    J.,   343 
Elizabeth,  343 
Emily,    343 
Ira  B..    343 
Isaac,    343 
Isaac    (2),   343 
John   C.   343 
Peter,    343 
Robert  E.,  343 
Robert  R.,   343 
Samuel.  343 
Samuel    (2),    343 
Samuel    I..    343 
Valentine.  Emma,   211 
Jonathan  C.  212 
Margaret    A..    212 


May  I.,   212 

William  A.,   211 

William  A.,  Jr.,  212 

William  A.,  Judge,  211 
Valibus,  Albert  J.,  Dr.,  260 

Elizabeth,    260 

Marv  A.,    260 

William,  260 
Vaughn,  John  B.,  543,  544 

Jonathan,    543 

Marion  W.,   544 

Stephen,  544 

Stephen   B.,    543,   544 
Veale,  Celia,   396 

Mary,    39  6 

Samuel  W.,   396 

Stewart   S..   396 

William  H.,  396 
Vercoe,   Benjamin   T.,    307 

Ida   E.,    307 

Vester   V..    307 

Vivian,  307 

Wadhams    (Wadham),    Calvin, 
310 

Clorinda   S.,    310 

Frances  D.,  310,  311 

Frank   C,    310 

John,   310 

John    (2),  310 

Lynde  H.,   310 

Mary   B.,    311 

Mary   C,   310 

Noah,   310 

Noah,  Rev.,  310 

Raymond  L,.,   Dr.,    310,    311 

Samuel,  310 
Wakeman,  Edward  A.,  335 

Eliza,  335 

Elizabeth,   335 

Nathan,    335 
Walborn,  Anna,  333 

Catherine,  333 

George   W.,    333,    601 

Jacob  J.,    333 

Ruth,    601 

S.  Catherine,  601 

Stanley    K.,    333,    600,    601 
Wall,    George   M.,    491,    492 

John,    492 

John  S.,  492 

Kate    R..    492 

Margaret  A.,  492 

Ross  F.,  492 
Waller,  Alice  M.,  352 

Charles  B.,  351,  352 

David  J.,   352 

Frances  A.,  352 

Joseph,   351 

Joseph,   Jr.,  351 

Levi   E..    352 

Nathan,  352 

Phineas,  352 

Phineas    (2),   352 
Wallis,    Anna,    4S6 

John    B.,    486 

John    B..    Jr.,    4S6 

Sallie.   4S6 
Walser,  Frank,  401 

Fred,    400,    401 

Frederick  S.,  401 

Henry,    464 

Rodney,  401 

Sophia,    401 

Tessie,  401 
Walter,  Christian,  565 

Christian   (2),  565 

David,   565 

Edwin  L.   ("Roy"),  565 

Magdalena,   5C5 

Margaret,  565 

Marion,   565 

Mary  A.,   565 


Walton,    Anna   M.,    260 

Anna   S.,    260 

Ellis    P.,    260 

Frederick,  Jr.,  260 

Frederick   B.,   260 

Joseph   W.,   260 
Warakomski  Alphonse  S.,  657 

Chester,    657 

Mary,    657 

Stanley  'W.,   657 

Wladyslaw,   657 
Warkomski,  Barney,   721 

Clement  H.,   Dr.,   721 

Elizabeth,  745 

James  N.,  745 

Joseph  S.,  Dr.,   745 

Josephine.   721 

Julian,   745 

Louise.   745 
Warriner,  Anna  C,  463 

Clara  J.,    464 

Edward  A.  Rev.,  463 

Esther,    463 

Louisa,   463 

Louise  F.,   464 

Paul  S.,   463,  464 

R.   C,    463 

Ruel.  463 

Samuel   D..    463 

William.  463 
Wasilewski,  Catherine,  703 

Charles,   703 

Josephine,   703 

Karl,   703 
Waters,    Anna   E.,    36S 

Catharine,    367,    368,    631 

Ivor  J.,   367,   631 

Watkin   M.,   Dr.,    631 

William  W.,  Dr.,  367 
Watkins,   Charles,    685 

Charles  R.,  686 

Ernest  E..  6S5 

Ernest  E.,  Jr.,   686 

Ethel,  686 

Mary,  685 
Weaver.  Alice.   277 

Elizabeth,  568 

George  T.V.,   277 

Harold,    277 

Henry,  277 

Jay,    277 

Jesse.    568 

Maranda,    277 

Michael,  568 

Raymond,  277 

Ruth  S.,   569 

William   A..   Dr..   569 

William    A..   Jr..    569 

William    G..    Dr.,    568 
AVeckesser,  Anna  E.,   213 

Frank  J..  213 

Frederick  .1..  213 

Mary  S.,   213 
Weigand,  Addie  G.,   258 

Henry,    257 

Katherine,    257 

Louie  H.,   258 

Philip,    257 
Weil,  Burton  A.,  Dr.,  360 

Dorothy,    361 

Grace  M.,  361 

Harold,   361 

Isaac   A.,   360 

Liva  S.,   360 
"Weissman,  Charles  H.,  739 

Chie,    739 

Fannie,    739 

Nathan,    739 

Oscar,  739 
Welles,  Charles  F.,  182,   304 

Edward.  Jr..   304 

Edward.  Sr.,   304 

Eleanor  J.,  182 


Ellen   J.,    304 

John  R.,  182 

Stella,    304 
Welsh,  Cornelius  A.,  270 

James,   270 

Margaret,   271 

Rose,    270 
Wenner,  Alfred  J.,  Dr.,  578      ' 

Katherine,  578 

Thomas  J.,   Dr.,   577,   578 
Wesley.    Charles,    412 

Charles   W.,    412 

E.   B.,    411,    412 

Hattie,  412 

Lorena,    412 
West,  A.    Albert,   229 

Ambrose,  228 

Clarence.  229 

Elizabeth   L.,   229 

Maria,    228 

Thomas,   228 
Whalen,   Catherine,   573 

Mary,    573 

Michael,   573 

Ned.   573 

Ray,  573 
Wharen,  Guida  M..  755 

Harrison    C.    754 

Louisa  R.,   754 

Ralph  H.,  Dr..  754 
Wheaton.  Frank  W..  Hon.,  184 

L.    Maria,    184 

Maria  T.,   184 

Mary,   184 

Moses,  184 

Moses  B.,   184 

Robert,   184 

Thomas   J.,    Dr.,    184 
Wheeler,  Hannah,  230 

Isaac,    230 

William,  230 
White,  Edward  R.,  454 

Jessie  L.,   611 

Jessie   M.,    455 

Leo  W.,    610,   611 

Mary,  610 

Sarah   H.,  454 

William  D.,  454 

William  P..   610 
Whiteman.   Daniel  J.,   183 

Harry  A.,  183 

Jane,    184 

Lydia  A.,   183 

Stephen  J.,   183 
T^^hitesell,   Darius,   372 

Darius  B..   372 

Elwood,  372 

Ludwig  R.,   372 

Mary,   372 

Sarah,   372 

Shadrach  M.,  372 
Wicks,    Blanche,    263 

Edward,  263 

Edward    S.,    263 

Ellen,    263 

John,   263 
Wilcox,   Anna  C,   494 

Chester  B.,  493 

Elias  B..   494 

Homer  B.,  Dr.,  493.  494 

Homer  B..   Jr.,   494 

Jennie  R.,  493 

Robert  B.,  494 
Wilde,  Beider  W.,  285 

Beider  W.,  Jr.,  286 

Elizabeth,   285 

George,   285 

Isabel,  285 

John  W.,   286 

Joseph.  285 
Wilkes.  Charles  E.,  278 

Charlotte,   278 

Josephine,  278 


791 


Marliii,  278 
Michael   E.,  Dr.,   278 
William.s.  Alice  O.,  760 
Ann,    366 
Anna  L.,   7.^9 
Anthony  L.,  416 
Benjamin  P.,  232 
Catherine,  232,  705 
Daniel  A.,  575 
Daniel  B.,  Dr.,   760 
Daniel   J.,    575 
David  S.,  758 
Donald  D.,  232 
Edward  D.,  Dr.,  760 
Edward    M.,    760 
Eleanor,   705 
Elizabeth,  575 
Elizabeth  J.,  760 
Emma,    2!)1 
Evan  J.,  290,  366 
Frank,  593 
Frank   J.,    593,   594 
Frank  J.,   Jr.,   594 
Fred,    Jr.,    636 
Fred    J.,    635,    636 
Gordon  L.,   759 
Hayden,   608 
Helen,   276 
James   T.,   Dr.,   581 
John,  60S 
John  H.,   608 
John    J.,    574,   575 
John  M.,   60S,   705 
Joseph,  276 
Joseph  A.,  276 
Joseph  A.,   Jr.,  276 
Katherine,    60S 
Katherine  M.,  575 
Loretta  C,    594 
Margaret,  593 
Mark,   593 

Mary,   232,   276,  416,   5 
Mary   B.,    636 
Mary  F.,   758 
Morgan   B.,   232 
Morris,    417 
Oscar.    Dr.,    290 
Percy,  Dr.,  366 
R.  J.,  Dr.,   636 
Rebecca,  290,  366 
Richard,    416 
Richard  S.,  581 
Robert  L.,   291 
Ruth,    582 
Salina,  636 
Sumyra  G.,  608 
Thomas   P.,   366 
W.    Gordon.    758 
■Walter  C,   705 
Walter  C,  Jr.,  705 
AVilliamson,   John,    351 
Margaret,    351 
William,  351 
Willingale,  Mary  E.,   2£ 
Mary   U,    296 
Samuel   I.,  296 
William    E.,    296 


Willman,  Anne  L.,  482 

Esther  ('..,  482 

Leon   K.,  Dr.,  482 

Mabery,    482 
Wintermule,   Donald  S.,  339 

Ferd  C,  339 

Ida  E.  B.,  339 

Jack   L.,   339 

Jessie    A.,    339 

Lemuel  C,  339 
Woisard,    Adele,    290 

E.   D.,   Dr.,   290 

Eugene  E..  290 

Frances   E.,    290 

Joseph  H.,   290 

Lionel  A.,  Dr.,  290 

Roland   E.,   Dr.,   290 
Wolfe,    Andrew,    311 

Anna,    600 

Bessie,    600 

Charle.s,   Jr.,   311 

Charles  E.,    311 

Dora,   311 

Edward  I.,  600 

John  B.,  Dr.,  600 

John    B.,    Jr.,    600 

Minnie,    311 

Rachel,  599 

Robert  E.,   600 

Samuel,    599 

Samuel    M.,    Dr.,    599,    600 

Samuel  M.,  Jr.,  600 

Stephen   R.,    599 

Violet,  600 
Wood.    Annie,    752 

Augustin  N.,  629 

Charles,    752 

Charles    (2),   752 

Charles  B.   D.,   62S 

Emma.   752 

Emmaline  E.,   62S 

Florence  A.,    629 

John   G.,   62S 

Sarah,  231,  232 

Theodore  N.,  629 

Timothy,  231 

Timothy  (4),  231,  232 
■Woodruff,  David,  383 

Eliza,  3S3 

James  O.,  Rev.,  Dr.,  383 

Mary    C,    3S4 

Matthew,   3S3 

Oscar  A.,  384 

Thomas,  383 

Wesley  E.,  383.  384 
Woodward,   Abisha,   177 

Amos,   177 

Enos,    177 

George,  177 

George   W.,  Hon.,   178 

John,    177 

John  B.,  Hon.,   177,  178 
John  B.,  Jr.,   179 
Marion.    179 
Richard,    177 
Richard    (2),    177 
Sarah    R.,    178 


Stanley,    Hon..    17S 

Stanley  H.,  179 
Woolbert,  Almon,  664 

Archie,    664 

Kenneth  J.,  664 

Millie,   664 

Nelson,   664 

Sarah,  664 
Worthington,   Emily,  392 

Flossie  P.,   392 

Joseph  L,.,   392 

Ralph  D.,   391,   392 
Wright,  Caleb,   190 

George  R.,  190.  191 

Hendrick   B.,  Cnl..  190 

Joseph,   190 

Mary  A.  B.,  190 

Samuel,   190 
Wurman,   Fannie,  734 

Harry  P.,  734 

Joseph    S.,   734 

Louis  M.,   734 

Morris  L.,  734 

Sadie,    734 

Sophia,    734 
Wyoming  National   Bank   of 
Wilkes-Barre    (The),    174 
Wyoming  Seminary,   480 

Tencha,  Ella,  337 

George,    337 

George  M.,  337 

Hanna,   337 
Tesko,   Elmer  G.,   739 

George,    739 

Mary,    739 

Paul,   739 
Yetter,  Bessie,   685 

Charles  P.,  685 

Elizabeth,   335,  685 

Gordon  S.,    685 

Jennie  R.,  335 

Kitty,   335 

Samuel,   335,   685 

Stanley  JL,   335 
Yurkanin,  Anna,  750 

Florence,   751 

Joseph,  750 

Michael,   750 

Robert  M.,  751 

Zawadzki,  John  J.,  733 

John  J.,  Dr.,  733 

Josephine,  733 
Zawoiski,  Andrew  J.,   533 

Andrew  J.,  Jr.,  533 

Anna,  533 

Eugene  J.,    533 

Florence  M.,   533 

John,  533 
Zeiser,    Bruce  R.,   204 

Harry  H.,  Prof.,   203 

John  N.,   203 

John  N.,   Rev.,   203 

Margaret   E.,   204 

Margaret  J.,   204 

Samantha  J.,  203 

Victor   B.,   203 


HISTORICAL  INDEX 


Anthracite  Coal  Industry  in  its  Modern  De- 
velopment, Chapter,  58  cl  scq. 

Anthracite  fields,  three  principal,  59;  develop- 
ment of,  65  ;  difficulties  in,  73. 

Ashley,  141. 

Ashley  First  National  Bank,  53. 

Associate   superintendents   of   schools,   94. 

Avoca,  141. 

Avoca  First  National  Bank,  53. 

Avondale  mining  disaster,  1860,  70,  84. 


Banks  and  Banking  Chapter,  43  ct  scq. 

Bank  of  England  established,  43. 

Bank  of  North  America  chartered,  44. 

Bank  officials,  49-56. 

Bank  of  Pennsylvania  founded,  44. 

Bankrupt  Law,  47. 

Bar,  Bench  and.  Chapter,  i. 

Bear  Creek  Township,   iii. 

Bedford,  George  R.,  23. 

Bench  and  Bar  Chapter,  i  cf  scq. 

Bentley,  Benjamin  S.,  17. 

Bennett,  Lyman  H.,  20. 

Black,  Chief  Justice  Jeremiah  S.,  12,  13. 

Black  Creek  Township,  in. 

Board  of  191 1,  The  School,  q6. 

Borough  in  County,  Originally  one,  140;  prior 

to  Civil  War,  140. 
Bradford,  Williairi,  Jr.,  6. 
Breaker,  New  mechanical  type  of,  68. 
Buck  Township,  in. 
Burnside,  Thomas,  13. 
Burt,  Edward,  4. 
Butler,  Captain  Zebulon,   1,  3. 
Butler  Township,  1 12. 


Catlin,  George,  24. 

Chapman,  Judge  Seth,  11. 

Charge  of  "high  treason,"  4. 

Chartered,  first  banks,  48-49. 

Circuit  tours  of  Supreme  Court  judges,  6. 

Cities  and   Boroughs  of  Luzerne  County,  The, 

Chapter,  140  ct  scq. 
Clearing  Houses  of  Luzerne  County,  57. 
Coal  as  household  fuel,  62. 
Coal  miners  of   1814,  64. 
Coal  strikes  of  1922  and  1925,  73. 
Code  adopted  in  1911,  A  new  school,  y6. 
Code  of  rules  and  laws,  1773,  I. 
College  Misericordia,  97. 
Common  Pleas  Justices,  3. 
Common  School  Law  of  1834,  91,  93. 
Consolidation  of  newspapers,  109. 
Consolidation  of  school  districts,  95. 
Constitution  adopted,  A  new,  4,  5. 
Conyngham,  142. 

Conyngham,  Judge  John  N.,   14-16,  25. 
Conyngham  Township,  112. 
Cooper,  Judge  Thomas,  10. 


Coughlin,  Clarence  D.,  21. 

Counties,  original  three,  110. 

County  seat  "directory"  of   1818,   101. 

"Courier-Herald,"  The,  106. 

Court  of  Luzerne  County,  The  first,  3. 

Court  of  Probate  organized,  1774,  i. 

"Court  week"  in  eighteenth  century,  7. 

Courthouse  in  1791,  Wilkes-Barre,  6. 

Courtdale,  142. 


Dallas,  142. 

Dallas  First  National  Bank,  53. 

Dallas  Township,  112. 

Dana,  Edmund  L.,  16,  24. 

Dartc,  Alfred,  Jr.,  22. 

Denison,  Nathan,  1,  3. 

Denison  Township,  113. 

Directors,  school,  95-97. 

"Directory"  of  1818,  County  seat.  101. 

Directory  of  Wilkes-Barre  for  1892,  100-102. 

Disasters,  Mining,  84. 

Dispute  between  Connecticut  and  Pennsylvania, 

1-2. 
Districts,  school,  94 ;  equalizing  of,  96. 
Dorrance  Township,  113. 
Dorranceton,  142. 
Dupont,  143. 
Duryea,  143. 


Early  trading  conditions,  99. 

Education,  Chapter,  90  et  scq. 

Education  compulsory,  93-94. 

Edwardsville,  143. 

Electricity  in  mining  operations.  The  use  of,  69. 

Equalizing  school  districts,  96. 

Exeter,  144. 

Exeter  Township,  113. 


Fairview  Township,  115. 

Fairmount  Township,  114. 

Fell,  Daniel  A.,  21. 

Ferris,  George  Steele,  20. 

Fine,  John  S.,  21. 

Financial  chaos  during  the  Revolution,  43. 

First  National  Bank  of  Plymouth,  The,  49. 

First  National  Bank  of  Pittston  organized.  The, 

49- 
First  National  Bank  of  Wilkes-Barre  chartered, 

The,  49. 
Foster  Township,  115. 
Forty  Fort,  144. 
Frank  schoolhouse,  95. 
Franklin  Township,  116. 
Freas,  Andrew  M.,  23. 
Freeland.  145. 

Freeland  First  National  Bank,  53. 
Fuller,  Captain  Stephen,  1. 
Fuller,  Judge  Henry  Amzi,  20,  23. 
Fur  traders  in  1775,  99. 


Garrnan,  John  M.,  21. 

Gibson,  Judge  John  Bannister,  11. 

Ginter,  Phihp,  61. 


Halsey,  Gains  Leonard,  20. 
Hand,  Judge  Alfred,   17-18. 
Handley,  Judge  John,  17. 
Hanover  Township,  1 16-18. 
Harding,  Judge  Garrick  M.,  17-18. 
Hazle  Township,  119. 
Hazleton,  14S-56. 
Heller,  Eugene  Foster,  22-23. 
Hess-Goldsmith     Company,    pioneer   silk   com- 
pany, 86. 
High  schools  established.  Township,  93. 
"High  treason"  charged,  4. 
HoUenback,  Matthias,  99. 
Hollenback  Township,  119. 
Hospitals,  41. 

Hoyt,  Henry  Martin,  16,  24. 
Hughestown,  156. 
H  unlock  Township,  120. 
Huntington  Township,  120. 


"Independent,"  The,  106. 

Industries,   The  manufacturing,   chapter,   85   ct 

seq. 
Industry,  Anthracite  coal  mining  the  leading,  58. 
Institute,  Teachers',  97. 
Inventions,  Wireless,  88-89. 


Jackson  Township,  121. 

Jeddo,  156. 

Jenkins  Township.  122. 

Jessup,  Judge  William.  14. 

Jones,  Benjamin  R.,  21. 

"Journal."  Whitehaven.  The,  105. 

Judges  of  Probate  of  Westmoreland  County, 


King  George,  pledge  of  loyalty  to,  i. 
Kingston,  156. 

Kingston  Deposit  and  Savings  Bank,  The,  52. 
Kingston  Township,  123. 


Lace  manufacturing,  85. 

Lackawanna  County  organized  in  1878,  17. 

Laflin.  157. 

Lake  Township,  124. 

Larksville,  157. 

Laurel  Run,  158. 

Lawyers  of  Luzerne  County,  25 ;  early  prom- 
inent, 24. 

Lehigh  Coal  Mining  Company,  The,  61,  75. 

Lehigh  Navigation  Company,  The,  75. 

Lehman  Township,  125. 

Liquors  forbidden  to  Indians,  Sale  of,  i. 

Luzerne  County  in  1920,  140. 

Luzerne  County  Townships,  Chapter,  no  et  scq. 

Luzerne  County  Cities  and  Boroughs,  Chapter, 
140  ct  seq. 

Luzerne  County  created  in  1786,  2-3;  first  court 
of,  3 ;  election  districts  reorganized,  5 ;  Med- 
ical Society,  40. 

Luzerne  County  second  in  mining  industry,  58. 


Luzerne  Borough,  158. 
Lynch,  Judge  John,  20. 

M 

Machinery,  coal  loading,  71. 

Mallinckrodt  Convent,  97. 

Manufacturing  industries,  The,  Chapter,  85  et 
seq. 

Manufactured  products  of  Wilkes-Barre,  85. 

Marcy  Township,  126. 

Markle,  George  B.,  the  "Father  of  the  Breaker," 
68. 

McCIintock,  Andrew  T..  23. 

McKean,  Chief  Justice  Thomas,  4,  6,  7. 

McLean,  William  Swan,  Jr.,  21. 

Medical  Profession,  The,  Chapter,  27  et  seq. 

Medical  Society  to  date.  Presidents  of  Luzerne 
County,  39. 

Mercantile  business  in  Greater  Wilkes-Barre, 
102. 

Mercantile  Interests,  Chapter,  99  et  seq. 

Metal  manufacturing  plants,  85. 

Miner,  Charles,  63,  91-92. 

Miner's  Mills,  159. 

Misericordia  College,  97. 

Murgas.  Rev.  Joseph,  pioneer  of  wireless  teleg- 
raphy, 87-89. 


Nanticoke,  159-61. 

Nanticoke  National  Bank,  53. 

National  Banking  Law,  48. 

National  Banks,  Establishing  the  first,  48. 

National  banks  established,  Later,  53-56. 

Nationalities  employed  in  mines,  84. 

Nescopeck  Township,  126. 

New  Columbus,  161. 

Newport  Township,  127. 

Newspapers,  Early,  104-05. 

Newspapers,  Present  day.  106-08. 

Northumberland   County    formed   in   1772,   2. 

Northampton  County  organized  in  1752,  2. 

Nuangola,  161. 

o 

O'Boyle,  Peter  A.,  21. 
Oil-burning  furnaces,  73. 
Original  eleven  townships.  The,  no. 
Original  three  counties.  1 10. 
Orphans'  Court  established,  22. 
Otto,    Dr.   J.   M.,    first   practicing   physician   in 
Wyoming  Valley,  27. 


Panic  (financial)  of  1837,  47;  of  1893,  52. 
Parsons,  161. 

Paper  money  in  America,  First  use  of,  43. 
Pennsylvania  armed  forces  ousted,  I. 
Physicians,  Early,  30. 
Pioneer  teachers,  92. 

Pioneers  in  coal  industry,  60;  methods  in  min- 
ing, 66, 
Pittston,  162-63. 
Pittston  "Gazette,"  The,  104. 
Pittston  Township,  129. 
Plains  Township,  131. 
Pledge  of  loyalty  to  King  George  III,  I. 
Plot  to   overthrow  the  Government,   4. 
Plunkett,  Colonel,  2. 
Plymouth,  163-65. 
Plymouth  National  Bank,  53. 


795 


Plymouth  Township,  133. 

"Press,"  Pittston,  The,  104. 

Press,  The,  Chapter,  104  cl  scij. 

Pringle,  165. 

Pringle  Township,  134. 

Probate  Court  organized,  I. 

Public  school  in  Pittston,  The  first,  92 


Railroad  mining  interests,  76-78. 

"R>--cord,"  The,  105-06, 

Retail  Credit  Reporting  Association,  of  ^\'ilke 

Barre,  103. 
Rhone,  Daniel  le  Porte,  22. 
Rice,  Judge  Charles  E.,  18. 
Ross  Township,  135. 
Rush,  Jacob,  4,  5,  8,  9. 


Salem  Township,  135. 

School  Board  of  191 1,  The,  96. 

School  building,  The  first,  92. 

School  directors.  95-97. 

School  districts.  Consolidation  of,  95. 

School  statistics,  97. 

Schools,  Early  free,  90,  92 ;  township,  92,  93. 

Schools  in  1774,  establishment  of,  91. 

Schools,  superintendents  and  associate  superin- 
tendents of.  94-95. 

Schools  in  Wilkes-Barre  district.  96-97. 

Schc/olhouses.  Log.  93. 

Scott.  Judge  David,  14. 

Second  National  Bank  of  Wilkes-Barre,  The,  49. 

Shafts,  Sinking  of,  69. 

Shale,  or  slate,  coal,  67. 

Shickshinny  Borough.  165-67. 

Shickshinny  First  National  Bank.  53. 

"Shin-plasters."  46. 

Shippen,  Edward.  6.  8. 

Silk  manufacturing.  85-87. 

Slocum  Township,  136. 

Smallpo.x  prevalenl  in  Wyoming   \'alley.  28. 

Smith.  Abijah.  early  miner.  58,  60.  62,  140. 

Smith,  John,  early  miner,  58,  60.  140. 

Soft  coal  mining  i.t  hard  coal.  70-71. 

Sprague,   Dr.  Joseph,   pioneer  physician,   27-30. 

State  Superintendent  of  Common  School  ap- 
pointed, 93. 

Statistics,  School.  97. 

Statistics  for  1921.  Mining.  80-83. 

Stanton.  William  H.,  17. 

State  banks  established.  54-56. 

Stewart.  Captain  Lazarus,  91. 

Stone  coal.  58. 

Storekeepers,  Pioneer,  99. 

Strikes  of  1922  and  1925,  Coal,  73. 

St.  Ann's  Academy.  97. 

St.  Mary's  Convent  (now  High  School),  97. 

Sugar  Notch,  167. 

Sugarloaf  Township,  137. 

Superintendents  of  Schools,  94-95- 

Superintendent  of  Public  Instruction,  93. 

Supreme  Court  "in  Luzerne  County,  First  ses- 
sion of.  4. 

Supreme  Court  sessions,  Early,  6. 

Susquehanna  region's  settlement  first  attempted, 
1762-71,   I. 

Susquehanna  Bank  of  \\'ilkes-Barre,  The.  45. 

Swoyersville,  167. 


Teachers'  Institute.  97. 

Teachers  employed  in  Luzerne  County,  number 

of,  94-95- _ 
"Telegram,"  The,  106. 
Text-lx>oks  used,  original,  92-93. 
Te.xtile  industry  of  Luzerne  County,  The,  85. 
The  "News,"  105. 
The  Press,  Chapter,  104  ct  scq. 
"The  Wyoining  Coal  Basin,"  59. 
"Times-Leader,"  104. 
Tobacco  manufacturing,  85. 
"Tone  system"  of  wireless  communication.  88. 
Township  directors  chosen,  1773,  i. 
Townships  of  Luzerne  County,  Cliapter,  no  cl 

scq. 
Township  schools.  92-93. 
Townships,  List  of,  iio-ii. 
Townships,  The  original  eleven,  iio. 
Trading  conditions.  Early,  99. 
Tramways  for  mining  use,  63. 
Troutman,  George  H.,  22. 
Tubercular  institutions,  42. 
Typhus   fever  prevailing,  28. 


Union  Township,  138. 

L^nited  States  Coal  Commission.  74. 

L'nited   States    Bank,   The,   44,  45,  46. 


\'ulcan   Iron   Works,  85. 


Warrior  Run,  168. 

"Washery"  coal,  67. 

West  Hazleton,  168. 

Westmoreland  settled,  1774,  1-2,  no. 

West  Pittston,  168. 

West  Wyoming,  168. 

Wheaton,  Judge  Frank  W..  20. 

Whitehaven.   169. 

Whipping-post.  The  town,  2. 

Wilkes-Barre  as  an  industrial  manufacturing 
center,  86. 

Wilkes-Barre  directory  for  1892,  100-02. 

"Wilkes-Barre's  earliest  newspapers,"  104. 

Wilkes-Barre  Township,  138. 

William  Penn  Charter  School,  91. 

Wireless  telegraphy  apparatus.  The  first.  8S. 

Wireless  telegraphy  pioneer,  87-89. 

World  War.  banking  conditions  during.  56;  coal 
mining  during.  67. 

Woodward.  George  Washington.  18-19. 

Woodward.  John  Butler.  19.  21. 

Woodward,  Judge  Stanley.  18. 

Woodward,  Warren  J.,   19. 

Wright,  Hendrick  B.,  25. 

Wright  Township,  139. 

Wyoming,   169-70. 

Wvoming  (now  Wvoming  National)  Bank,  46. 
48. 

Wyoming  First  National  Bank.  53. 

Wyoming  \'alley  Trust  Companv  01  Wilkes- 
Barre.  The,  52. 


Yeates,  Jasper,  6. 
Vatesville,  170. 


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|«I«tlllU«0M«ltO!0[Hl 
I     33  West  Third  SI 
I  HAZLETON.  PENNA 


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